Augusta County: Thomas M. Smiley to Ellen Martin, July 18,
[1863]
Summary:
Discusses the care of wounded in hospitals and by the local civilian population. Comments on
fortifications in anticipation of battle and compare mililtia versus volunteers.
Ellen Martin
July 18th
Winchester
Dear Aunt
Chancellorsville
Miss Ellen Martin
Moffetts Creek
Augusta County
Virginia
I take my pencil in hand this morning to write you a few lines to let you know how I am I am
still in the hospital but expect to go to camp today or tomorrow.
there is four others of our company in this place J.B. McCutchen John
Wade George Baylor and James Snyder but they will all get out soon. John McKemy C Baylor and Almarine Gay are also sick and in private houses. The people of
Winchester are very kind to the sick and wounded soldiers visiting them and giving them books
and tracts to read in order to pass the long and weary
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hours pleasantly away. We are very well waited on in this hospital
the rooms are kept nice and clean We have cots to lay on three placed in every room some of the
large rooms have more The Doctor says there is 175 sick at this hospital but they are generally getting better. There has been one death here since I came A
Mr Walker from Georgia he died of fever the only case that has been here
John Beard arrived here tuesday morning and give an account of how things were going on in
Augusta he said the militia had been ordered out every man of them some of them were disposed to make fun when we left saying that we missed it
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when we Joined a volunteer company but I guess it will come home
to them now as the volunteers have easy times to what the militia have The militia here are
employed in throwing up breastworks and planting cannon while the volunteers are laying in
their tents and drilling occasionally. We were looking for a battle to come off before this but
it has not come off yet but a battle is expected before long as the enemy are encamped only
about 12 mile from us should they see fit to attack us on that side we will be able to give
them a merry reception. But I must bring my scrawl to a close as I am too nervous to write
give my love to all the family and inquiring friends and receive a large Share for yourself
T. M. Smiley
