The young man Lewis Brown is able to be up a
little on crutches. There is quite a number of
sick young men I have taken in hand, from the
late arrivals, that I am sorry to leave. Sick and
down-hearted and lonesome, they think so much
of a friend, and I get so attached to them too —
but I want to go down in camp once more very
much ; and I think I shall be back in a week. I
shall spend most of my time among the sick and
wounded in the camp hospitals. If I had means
I should stop with them, poor boys, or go among
them periodically, dispensing what I had, as long
as the war lasts, down among the worst of it
(although what are collected here in hospital seem
to me about as severe and needy cases as any,
after all).
Mother, I want to hear about you all, and about
George and how he is spending his time home.
Mother, I do hope you are well and in good
spirits, and Jeff and Mat and all, and dear little
California and Hattie — I send them all my love.
Mother, I may write to you from down in front
— so good-bye, dear mother, for present. Walt.
I hope I shall find several letters waiting for
me when I get back here.
148



Letters of 1864

IV

Culpepper, Virginia, Friday night, Feb, 12, 1864.
