GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #32
 

Anson to Parents

Foster General Hospital
Newbern Nov. 22, ‘63

Dear Parents-

            It is Sunday and a lovely day – The church bells are ringing and there is a general silence around that seems much like a Sabbath day at home. It is lovely weather –just warm enough to be comfortable and I take delight in sitting out in the warm sun.

            You notice that my heading is one unusual for me but I have come to it at last and am really in the General Hospital A Big Barn with windows and rows of beds on each side of each bed having a spittoon, chair and a little square table or stand. There are fireplaces in each end making the room warm and comfortable. About a dozen of thirty beds are occupied by patients none of which are very sick in my division. A whole square of the City is devoted to Hospital uses and divided into some eight or ten divisions.

            Walks of brick and gravel are laid out beautifully among the buildings. I just think of Capt. Wm. Larned’s barn with windows and rows of beds each side the floor and you will get a good idea of my location.

            I have a good bed of two ticks of straw – a nice white hospital blanket – good sheets – pillow and bed spread which I am asked to stir up and take good care of _ this plagued me at first for only think I have not made up a bed with two sheets to it for more than two years. But I am getting used to it and begin to feel quite at home – get up in the morn by the drum (O dear that ill sounding drum will follow even a sick soldier when shall I be rid of it) make my bed, wash up and exercise a bit then come s breakfast – slice of bread and butter – slice of cold roast beef, an Irish potato – beef tea – this picked over and a few mouthfuls swallowed I am left to amuse myself and pass the time anyway I please till noon when perhaps I’ll have set on my table for dinner _ beef steak _ beef soup, bread pudding and rice pudding and farina or warm , nice gingerbread, slice of bread with tea with milk three time a day. Good enough for anyone. The boys will get sufficient to walk down street for what I want.

            The Dr. is giving me preparation of iron that is strengthening and promotes an appetite. I have been here three days and have gained some strength but I have learned not to expect any good of the future so I can only do as directed and look to providence for results good or bad. But it is near dinner time and I am tired of sitting so still so Good bye for now.

                                                            Your dutiful son,

                                                                                    Anson

[Written on top of first page]

Direct to the Regt. as usual with the addition “or to Foster General Hospital.”


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