March 1, 1864
Title
March 1, 1864
Subject
From Benj. B. Wilson to Mr. and Mrs. Jos. H. Murry, 01MAR1864, New Orleans. Safe arrival of Mrs. Wilson, living in the Garden District. Receiving numerous invitations to receptions and parties. "... to my old house guard soldier George, I hope he has entirely recovered from his wound." In ink on lined folder stationary, "Head Quarters Defenses, New Orleans. Medical Director's Office" letterhead. Page 4 soiled. Good condition.
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Description
Headquarters, Defences New Orleans
Medical Director’s Office
New Orleans, March 1st 1864
My Dear Friends,
I suppose that you will be gratified to hear of the safe arrival of Mrs. Wilson in New Orleans. She and my little boys arrived out after a rough voyage in good health and spirits. We have now gone to housekeeping in a rebel house in the “Garden District” of the city and are enjoying New Orleans life very much indeed.
Our house is a very large one, and all the furniture with [trifling] exceptions remained just as when the owner left. There was a woman occupying it to protect and take care of it and I got an order from General Brooks for her to leave. The furniture is of the most elegant and costly kind, and when occupying and enjoying it as we do we cannot help realizing how mad were the authors, of this wicked rebellion.
My duties at present almost entirely of an executive character, receiving reports, issuing orders ____ does not occupy more than four or five hours of my time daily and I have ample opportunity of contributing to the comfort and happiness of my family. Mrs. Wilson rides out daily either on horseback or in carriage and Sammy has as much riding as he wants, which he never had before I believe.
My position as Medical Director on Genl. Reynolds staff brings me invitations to all the receptions and parties public and private (and their name is legion) that are given in the city, but the sorrow occasioned by the recent terrible death of my poor brother has made us feel indisposed to mingle in scenes that would otherwise have been gratifying. The public receptions given by Mrs. Banks and others given in a semi official capacity we felt it a duty to be present at. I send you programme of the grand masquerade of the 22nd of February. It was a most brilliant affair and was attended by probably eight hundred people. None were allowed upon the dancing floor except such as were in costume, but the entire seats of the opera house which is very large was filled by persons in plain dress who came as spectators.
The sight was a novel one to me and very pleasing. The dress of every nation and class people and of every age was represented and many of the characters most excellently carried out.
Please give my kind regards to all my old neighbors and friends in Bustleton. My thoughts always go back to my old home and to the many happy days I spent there. Remember me especially to Mr. and Mrs. _______ and their family and to Dr. and Mrs. [Kempton] and Mr. and Mrs. [Morgan] _________. And to my old Home [Grand Soldier] George, hope he has entirely recovered from his wound.
Very sincerely your friend,
Benj. B. Wilson
-Transcript provided by Kathleen MacIndoe
Medical Director’s Office
New Orleans, March 1st 1864
My Dear Friends,
I suppose that you will be gratified to hear of the safe arrival of Mrs. Wilson in New Orleans. She and my little boys arrived out after a rough voyage in good health and spirits. We have now gone to housekeeping in a rebel house in the “Garden District” of the city and are enjoying New Orleans life very much indeed.
Our house is a very large one, and all the furniture with [trifling] exceptions remained just as when the owner left. There was a woman occupying it to protect and take care of it and I got an order from General Brooks for her to leave. The furniture is of the most elegant and costly kind, and when occupying and enjoying it as we do we cannot help realizing how mad were the authors, of this wicked rebellion.
My duties at present almost entirely of an executive character, receiving reports, issuing orders ____ does not occupy more than four or five hours of my time daily and I have ample opportunity of contributing to the comfort and happiness of my family. Mrs. Wilson rides out daily either on horseback or in carriage and Sammy has as much riding as he wants, which he never had before I believe.
My position as Medical Director on Genl. Reynolds staff brings me invitations to all the receptions and parties public and private (and their name is legion) that are given in the city, but the sorrow occasioned by the recent terrible death of my poor brother has made us feel indisposed to mingle in scenes that would otherwise have been gratifying. The public receptions given by Mrs. Banks and others given in a semi official capacity we felt it a duty to be present at. I send you programme of the grand masquerade of the 22nd of February. It was a most brilliant affair and was attended by probably eight hundred people. None were allowed upon the dancing floor except such as were in costume, but the entire seats of the opera house which is very large was filled by persons in plain dress who came as spectators.
The sight was a novel one to me and very pleasing. The dress of every nation and class people and of every age was represented and many of the characters most excellently carried out.
Please give my kind regards to all my old neighbors and friends in Bustleton. My thoughts always go back to my old home and to the many happy days I spent there. Remember me especially to Mr. and Mrs. _______ and their family and to Dr. and Mrs. [Kempton] and Mr. and Mrs. [Morgan] _________. And to my old Home [Grand Soldier] George, hope he has entirely recovered from his wound.
Very sincerely your friend,
Benj. B. Wilson
-Transcript provided by Kathleen MacIndoe
Creator
Benjamin B. Wilson
Date
March 1, 1864
Files
Collection
Citation
Benjamin B. Wilson, “March 1, 1864,” Slaughter-Murray Papers, accessed September 19, 2024, http://slaughtermurray.umwhistory.org/items/show/65.