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Nashville, Tenn. June 23rd, 1864 Dear Parents; Perhaps you may be a little bit surprised to hear that I am in Nashville, so far from Atlanta, so I will tell you the way I got here. I wrote to you telling you that I thought I would be back with the regiment in a few days. They commenced sending off the wounded the next day and Sunday they sent off the last of them. I intended to stay and go to the regiment again in a few days, but Dr. Kendall said that it might be three or four weeks before I got done with my limp so he thought it would be best that I go with the rest of them for it seems they don't want anyone at the front except those whose legs are sound. I can walk without limping much. I think I should be able to run as fast as any one of them in a few days. We got on board the cars at Acworth Sunday evening. We didn't start until he next morning. Got as far as Rasaca at 4 pm when we found that the Guerillas had burned the bridge and a train of cars about three miles ahead. We had to wait until the next day at dark before they could rebuild the bridge. We got to Chatanooga the next day at 9 in the morning. We staid there until afternoon, leaving part of the wounded. The hospitals were so full that they had to send the rest of us to Nashville. We got there at 8 in the morning and we went to the Cumberland Hospital about a mile from town. The hospital is on a very pleasant hill. They have large tents with good beds in them and everything is very comfortable. There are 20 men to a tent. When I left the front last Sunday, the regiment hadn't been into any fight since the one on Wednesday. I havn't heard from them since. I got to the hospital at noon. We just ate dinner when the doctor came into the tent and wanted to know if there was anyone here who could do some writing for him. As there was no one else I volunteered and now am in Dr's tent writing a letter for myself. I don't know how long I will stay here before I start for the front lines, but I think it will be long enough for me to write an answer to this letter. So I can get it here. Please write as soon as you get it and direct the answer to Cumberland Hospital, Nashville Tenn., section 2nd 1st division. You needn't put on the co. or regiment for it might be sent to the Regiment by mistake. If there is any news from the regiment in any of the papers please send it along. Another thing I almost forgot. I havn't seen a greenback in so long I have forgot what they look like, so if you could put one in a letter, one that has a V on it I shall be eternally grateful.
Oliver |
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