May 6, 1864
Title
May 6, 1864
Subject
From Benjamin B. Wilson to Mr. and Mrs. Jos. H. Murray, dated 06MAY1864,New Orleans. Would like to be in Washington where the action will be in the coming summer. Rebels rejoicing over news from Alexandria and Plymouth, NC. In ink on lined folder stationary, "Medical Director's Office, Headquarters, Defenses New Orleans" letterhead. "Carson's Congress" crest at top. Soiled along the folds. Good condition.
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Description
Medical Director’s Office,
Headquarters, Defences New Orleans,
New Orleans, May 6th 1864
Mr. and Mrs. Jos. H. Murray
My Dear Friends,
Your
Very welcome letter was received in the due course of mail; we were very glad to hear of your being well and especially that George is recovering entirely from the effects of his wound. We are all very well, Mara has had an attack of fever and little Arthur a severe spell of cough but both have been entirely recovered and are in most excellent health and spirits. Mrs. Wilson was never so _______ as she now is, and Baby is almost as broad as he is long and is the life of our household.
I had hoped that this spring the War Department would give me a change of location and permit me to come north, but I do not yet know how it will be. I should like very much to be with the army of the Potomac or in the City of Washington for that is no doubt to be the locality for active operations during the coming summer – The Medical Director of the Department, Doctor Alexander is very unwilling that I should leave it and claims that as he always placed me in positions of great trust and responsibility that I should be willing to remain – This is true as I have during the past year always been most pleasantly situated and have been furnished more opportunities of operating and seeing army practice than any medical man in the service for the same length of time – But I cannot keep longing for a change to the north and the desire not to keep my family here and anxiety for my dear little girls of _____ _______ it.
Should I remain here during the summer I shall probably send Mrs. Wilson and the children up to the coast to the plantation of a friend of mine to stay through the warm weather – At present the weather is quite cool and pleasant and we enjoy riding in the afternoon on our magnificent shell roads very much. Sammy goes every day he returns from school, and hardly ever returns until sunset.
We rebels of this city, whose name is legion are just now rejoicing over the chock which our army received above Alexandria. This together with the news from Plymouth N.C. had rendered them ultimately jubilant. Let them rejoice while they can, I think a few weeks will bring news that will cause them to elongate their visages, farther than they have ever yet had to – We have some black troops in N.C. that will remember Fort Pillow if they should be placed in action – I do not often hear from Bustleton, except from my father’s family. Please write often and tell us all the news. I was very sorry to hear of the death of little Joe Murray and of Maria Baues they were both favorite children of mine. Please remember me most affectionately to all my friends in Bustleton. I cannot mention names, but I often think of them with the warmest wishes for their happiness and prosperity. Mrs. Wilson and baby and Sammy join in love to you and George. Very sincerely and truly
Your friend Benj. B. Wilson
-Transcript provided by Kathleen MacIndoe
Headquarters, Defences New Orleans,
New Orleans, May 6th 1864
Mr. and Mrs. Jos. H. Murray
My Dear Friends,
Your
Very welcome letter was received in the due course of mail; we were very glad to hear of your being well and especially that George is recovering entirely from the effects of his wound. We are all very well, Mara has had an attack of fever and little Arthur a severe spell of cough but both have been entirely recovered and are in most excellent health and spirits. Mrs. Wilson was never so _______ as she now is, and Baby is almost as broad as he is long and is the life of our household.
I had hoped that this spring the War Department would give me a change of location and permit me to come north, but I do not yet know how it will be. I should like very much to be with the army of the Potomac or in the City of Washington for that is no doubt to be the locality for active operations during the coming summer – The Medical Director of the Department, Doctor Alexander is very unwilling that I should leave it and claims that as he always placed me in positions of great trust and responsibility that I should be willing to remain – This is true as I have during the past year always been most pleasantly situated and have been furnished more opportunities of operating and seeing army practice than any medical man in the service for the same length of time – But I cannot keep longing for a change to the north and the desire not to keep my family here and anxiety for my dear little girls of _____ _______ it.
Should I remain here during the summer I shall probably send Mrs. Wilson and the children up to the coast to the plantation of a friend of mine to stay through the warm weather – At present the weather is quite cool and pleasant and we enjoy riding in the afternoon on our magnificent shell roads very much. Sammy goes every day he returns from school, and hardly ever returns until sunset.
We rebels of this city, whose name is legion are just now rejoicing over the chock which our army received above Alexandria. This together with the news from Plymouth N.C. had rendered them ultimately jubilant. Let them rejoice while they can, I think a few weeks will bring news that will cause them to elongate their visages, farther than they have ever yet had to – We have some black troops in N.C. that will remember Fort Pillow if they should be placed in action – I do not often hear from Bustleton, except from my father’s family. Please write often and tell us all the news. I was very sorry to hear of the death of little Joe Murray and of Maria Baues they were both favorite children of mine. Please remember me most affectionately to all my friends in Bustleton. I cannot mention names, but I often think of them with the warmest wishes for their happiness and prosperity. Mrs. Wilson and baby and Sammy join in love to you and George. Very sincerely and truly
Your friend Benj. B. Wilson
-Transcript provided by Kathleen MacIndoe
Creator
Benjamin B. Wilson
Date
May 6, 1864
Files
Collection
Citation
Benjamin B. Wilson, “May 6, 1864,” Slaughter-Murray Papers, accessed September 19, 2024, http://slaughtermurray.umwhistory.org/items/show/64.