Hospital, Macon, Georgia – June 4, 1864

Hospital, Macon Ga. June 4, 64

My Dear Wife

Dont be alarmed at the heading of my letter from a Hosptial.1 I was not here so much from sickness as fatigue.  I am about able for duty + will return to my command tomorrow.  I have not written to you now for a long time because I thought there was no chance for you to get the letter.  I send this letter to Mobile to be forwarded by a committee, who [propose?] to send them across the River. I believe I told you about a fellow stealing my horse.  I have not got him yet.  I made all the march from Dalton on foot. about a week ago I had Dysentery + fever + was sent to the rear.  The big fight has not come off here yet + I dont know when it will.  It has been a constant succession of Skirmishes in which we have lost quite a number of men.  wer are all in spirits + confident that when the time does come we will whip the Yanks badly.  I have not seen Bro Jo.  his command is with the Army.  I am not uneasy about him.  the last I heard of him he had a position in the Quarter Masters Dept where he would not be exposed to the battals.  Enoch + Spoon are here + in good health.  I had a short leave of absence in Mch + visited the old folks at home, found them in good health + as cheerful as possible under the circumstances.  Emm’s health was good.  her little daughter a sprightly talkative go ahead little piece is the life of the old folks.  The old people are failing rapidly + must soon pass away I never noticed it so plainly before.  Sister Mary has four children her health is delicate.2  Old Strait is beginng to fail.  he has another wife + a young baby.  They have a gay old time at Straits.  He has fine set of children, four of his own + one of his last wifes.  they all seem to get along pleasantly.  It made me feel old to see so many of the children that used to be with families.  How I wish it was so you could spend some of this lonesome war time with the old folks.  Pa wanted to go after you + the children but Jo told him he could not make the trip.  How I want a letter from you. how did you manage when the Yanks got so close to you.  I tried to get a transfer to that Dept but as yet have failed.  As soon as this campain is over I am going to see you if I have to resign.  every thing is in such confusion now + will be until the battle is ove that it is useless to try to do any thing now.

The Yanks seem as bitter + determined as ever.  It is all dark ahead of me. 

I have not heard a word from you since Jany 15.  Surely you can see some one passing occasionally. I dont see any thing that looks like the begining of the end of the war though every body seems to think it will end this year.  The Yanks seem as bitter + determined as ever.  It is all dark ahead of me.  I look forward + trust to Providence for the end.  some time ago I was anxious to write to you + tell you to have some cotton planted.  I then thought there was a prospect of peace.  The prospect is certainly as good now as then, for we have been whiping the Yanks ever since, but it seems the greater their losses the more determined they are to hold on.  When I heard from you last you had concluded to live with Maj this year + let him work the hands together on back places.  I was terribly uneasy about you when the Yanks invaded the state.  I could see from the paper that they are going right to my neighbourhood.3   Oh how I wanted to be with you all then, but I could not leave the post where I was assigned.  I did not know how far our people would fall back.  + I know from experence what the Yanks do for a country when they pass through it.  GoD knows best + let us put our trust in him.  Write every chance.  I am with the 5th Ga Regt now.  Love to all, your self + the children first + then all [esls?].   your Alex.

The Letter:

  1. At this time there were four military hospitals in Macon.  Morgan may have been at Ocmulgee Hospital, the Floyd House Hospital, City Hall Hospital, or the Blind School Hospital. Confederate Hospitals, many of them temporary, were established in at least thirty-nine cities and towns in Georgia.
  2. Alex’s sister, Mary Caroline Morgan Ward.
  3. Read a brief account of the Battle of Mansfield written by Fanny’s brother, Jim, along with a letter from Fanny.

2 thoughts on “Hospital, Macon, Georgia – June 4, 1864

  1. I didn’t know doctors got R&R during this great War between the States. It must have been the command structure that permitted so much freedom.

  2. In the age of constant contact it’s hard to comprehend the length of time between letters. The courage, strength and faith needed to go on while not knowing about loved ones….

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