1861 October 16

[from the diary of Francis G. Hale of the 34th Ohio Zouaves]

the two companeys
that was left here
are ordered down
the river this morning
and I was detailed
for to stay here to wate
on the sick at the
hospittal I did not
like the job but
I can not help it for
I could not get of
so I had to stay but
Had Austin and Bill Hosier
stayed with me
Had has to take care
of the tents and things
that are left here
the hospittle is in
the house that Clarkson
owned
it is out of town
a piece a very large
and nice dwelling
at the foot of a
mountain the house
I suppose cost about
4 or 5 thous and dollors
I have to go up four
pare of stairs to my
min I have the
measel department
there is sixteene men
that has the measels
now there is not
a room in the house
that is not full
of sick and wounde
of different regiments
it is a good place for
the sick they can be
attend to here first
rate if they do no
get to many here
the house is pretty nigh
full now there is
7 roomsfull now
they all have got bad
colds as well as my
self
it commenced to
rain about dark
we may have another
fresh but I hope
not for one is
enough for this
place for old virginea
there is more niggers
here than any place
I ever sawe
if the boys say any
thing to them the laugh
like ever thing to think
that a soldier speaks
to a nigger we have
one for a cook now
he came from camp
Denison his name
is Jim Luxton we
call him Gigadear Brindle
or calamity he is
the comnicalist niggar
I ever saw more
fun and droll speches
I never heard

MSS 13405