June 1, 1863
Title
June 1, 1863
Subject
From William Murray to his brother, dated 01JUN1863, Philadelphia. Concerns his trip to Harewood Hospital to see his nephew George Murray. George received a gunshot wound in the arm and collarbone, and had been hemorraging in his lungs due to improper treatment. Notes also that his mother is planning to stay with him until he shows some improvement. In ink on lined folder stationary, embossed mark at top center. Page 4 soiled.
UNIT ASSOCIATION: 114th PA Infantry
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
UNIT ASSOCIATION: 114th PA Infantry
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Description
Philad. June 1st, 1863
Dear Brother
I returned from Harewood Hospital this morning. Margaret and I started at 12 o'clock on Friday night and got to the Hospital at 1/2 pass 8 o'clock on Saturday morning we found George at Barracks No. 4 Bed No 18 he having been removed from No 13 Barracks. It appears that the Chief Surgeon's attention was called to the fact that he was not receiving proper attention he having got very bad and having had a hemmorrage of the Lungs in consequence of mistreatment the Surgeon of the Barracks where he now is informed me that when he came under his treatment at first he thought he could not live. And on Saturday morning when we first saw him he looked very badly, but before I left which was about 1/2 past 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon he looked much better and the Surgeon said he considered him a good bit better, he says he does not suffer from pain except when his wound is dressed and sometimes from being bound up so tight, so as to compress his body and cause the discharge of the pus which must be got rid of otherwise it would affect the lungs and be very dangerous. It is a very severe wound indeed and it now proves upon examination by the Surgeon that the bone is somewhat shattered, it is called a gunshot wound with fracture of the clavicle, his mother intends to stay a few days until she sees some change should he continue to improve she will not stay long, but return home, as under the present circumstances it must be some time before we can hope to have him removed, on a/c of the danger of hemmorrage of the lungs which might prove fatal. It is impossible to tell for a few days what may be the issue, we must hope for the best but not raise our hopes too high. I would have staid longer if my money would have lasted, but if I staid then we both would have to return directly. I could leave Margaret but $15. out of which if she stays a week she will have to pay 6$ for her board. I got a place for her on 7th Street at a private house I think in a nice family on 7th Street a little distance along the Tavern, where you stopped. Should any thing occur to make her want more money before she returns she said she would write or telegraph to me, in which place I think one or the other of us would have to go on, but I sincerely hope George will get better so that she may soon return here. The Doctor and nurses are very attentive and I think are using every exertion to restore him. Margaret said she would write to me or you in a day or two and let us know how he is, she told me to tell Amy to go up to your place and get whatever clothes Alfred wanted. We are well as usual. As soon as I know or hear any thing from Margaret on George I will let you know.
I remain yours affectionately
Wm. A. Murray
P.S. George had been removed to his present location but a day or two before we got there.
-Transcript provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Dear Brother
I returned from Harewood Hospital this morning. Margaret and I started at 12 o'clock on Friday night and got to the Hospital at 1/2 pass 8 o'clock on Saturday morning we found George at Barracks No. 4 Bed No 18 he having been removed from No 13 Barracks. It appears that the Chief Surgeon's attention was called to the fact that he was not receiving proper attention he having got very bad and having had a hemmorrage of the Lungs in consequence of mistreatment the Surgeon of the Barracks where he now is informed me that when he came under his treatment at first he thought he could not live. And on Saturday morning when we first saw him he looked very badly, but before I left which was about 1/2 past 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon he looked much better and the Surgeon said he considered him a good bit better, he says he does not suffer from pain except when his wound is dressed and sometimes from being bound up so tight, so as to compress his body and cause the discharge of the pus which must be got rid of otherwise it would affect the lungs and be very dangerous. It is a very severe wound indeed and it now proves upon examination by the Surgeon that the bone is somewhat shattered, it is called a gunshot wound with fracture of the clavicle, his mother intends to stay a few days until she sees some change should he continue to improve she will not stay long, but return home, as under the present circumstances it must be some time before we can hope to have him removed, on a/c of the danger of hemmorrage of the lungs which might prove fatal. It is impossible to tell for a few days what may be the issue, we must hope for the best but not raise our hopes too high. I would have staid longer if my money would have lasted, but if I staid then we both would have to return directly. I could leave Margaret but $15. out of which if she stays a week she will have to pay 6$ for her board. I got a place for her on 7th Street at a private house I think in a nice family on 7th Street a little distance along the Tavern, where you stopped. Should any thing occur to make her want more money before she returns she said she would write or telegraph to me, in which place I think one or the other of us would have to go on, but I sincerely hope George will get better so that she may soon return here. The Doctor and nurses are very attentive and I think are using every exertion to restore him. Margaret said she would write to me or you in a day or two and let us know how he is, she told me to tell Amy to go up to your place and get whatever clothes Alfred wanted. We are well as usual. As soon as I know or hear any thing from Margaret on George I will let you know.
I remain yours affectionately
Wm. A. Murray
P.S. George had been removed to his present location but a day or two before we got there.
-Transcript provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Creator
William Murray
Date
June 1, 1863
Files
Collection
Citation
William Murray, “June 1, 1863,” Slaughter-Murray Papers, accessed September 19, 2024, http://slaughtermurray.umwhistory.org/items/show/13.