1862 September 9 Mill Creek Genl Hospital

Mill Creek Genl Hospital Sep 9 62
Dear Mother
                    I received yours of the 2d yesterday and
was glad to hear from you  I am not able to join my
regt yet as they wont allow anybody to go except tho
es able to do any active duty that may be required
I am troubled with a shortnes of breath and pain
in my side if I undertake to walk any distance
and I probably shall have as long as I stay here as
I have spoke to the doctors about it but they have
not done anything for it.  I should have liked
right well to have heard Asa's speech to George's
boys think it must have been a stunner
  Wonder if he cant get  into office on that speech
What regt is Mr Severance coming out in, is it a
3 year or 9 months regt.  I wish I had known that
 Wm Perkins was at the fort as I would have
seen him.  I dont think much of sending delicacies
to the hospitals out here as it does the patients
no good only helps to feed the doctors well
I have seen enough of their carrying on to give
me a patred insight into their doings.
I am in hopes that they will settle up this war
this fall at least the fighting I should think we
might have army enough pretty soon to do it
when we get our new quotas in the fall
I did not write Sunday as I had no paper nor
envelope and shall send this without a stamp

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as I took those two to buy a piece of tobacco
with  you will think I suppose that I have spent
money pretty fast but after we were paid up
i was so unwell that I could not eat the rations
and so supported myself and one dollar with you
is as good as $5 here  I suppose we will all be
examined soon and know what is a going to
be done with us some will be discharged and
some sent somewhere close to other hospitals
before cold weather sets in.  Give my love respects to
all inquiring friends and fill up the sheet
with love to yourself
    From you aff son
                Wm Wallace
P.S.
       Since writing the above I have received a
letter from [Charia?] & Mrs Bowditch I want you to
thank Mrs B for me for her kind offer of assistance
if in their power.  Tell [Charia?] it wont do for her to run
away from home and pick up young men on the street as she
did Asa,
                                                              Wm Wallace


William Wallace Smith, Co. B  22nd Massachusetts Infantry

MSS 15360