1862 May May 24 White House Landing

White House Landing May 24th 1862

Dear parents  When I wrote to you last I was not on duty
on account of having a lame back and when the Regt. moved
from here the doctor would not let me go with them and as
there had been a hospital established here they put me into it
There was a large number sick left here and they were very
needy of nurses they appointed me to nurse the sick in no. 24
ward and they will not let me go to the Regt. at present I
cannot tell how long I shall stay here.  All of my ward
are men from my own Regt. except 4 one 7th Me. two N.Y.  [?] men
one N.Y. man five of the men belong to my own company
one of my men is slightly wounded the rest are not very sick
their disease being dysentery and rheumatism there is 28 in
my ward the ward master tells me if I will stay here I
shall get 8 dollars more per. month I shall not have charge
of any very sick men for they go to a different ward.  I think
I shall like to [remainder of sentence erased]  I am not able to carry my
knapsack and equipment and go into active service with the
Regt.  I could not stand it two days this hot weather and I
think it is best for me to stay here.  There is six of our Regt.
here as nurses besides me.  I feel quite smart now but if I
should undertake to march I could not stand it atall
The Regt is now close to Richmond within 10 miles in a short
time Richmond will be taken then rebellion will be nearly
run out.  Our cooks here have got a great curiosity it is a very large
kittle they have cooked three bbls. of beef in it at one time and
to cap all it is the same kittle used in cooking Gen. Washingtons

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wedding feast it was found here out of use and they
fixed it up and  now cook for the sick in it I have not
heard from you since the 4th of May but I suppose the
letters are at the Regt. and I shall get them soon I want
you to write what you think about my staying here
if I go back to the Regt. I have no doubt I shall have
to get my discharge and I am not very anxious for
that yet although I should like very well to come home.
Our cars run from here for the first time yesterday they can
go now as far as the army  is towards Richmond, and that is
about 15 miles by rail road from here.  direct your letters
to White Hous [sic] Hospital Va. in care of Dr. Baxter until
you hear from me again I want you to write as soon as
you get this I have no particular news to write so I will
close now do not fail to write what you think about
my staying here as nurse.  From you son
Hiram W. Cash
I have just Recieved
a letter from you bearing date of May 19th informing me of
of the death of S. J. Symonds it was very sad news indeed
to me for I thought a great deal of him I think you had
better direct your letters to the same as usual for then I shall
be sure to get them some time  Your in Haste
H. M. Cash

Hiram Cash, 5th Maine

MSS 12916