1862 Civil War Letter By 105th Ohio Soldier - Just Before Death In L ' Ville Hosp.
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:99351 |
An unfortunate letter written by “G. W. Phillips, ” likely Private George W. Phillips of the 105th Ohio Volunteers, who was then afflicted with the measles in Louisville’s Hospital No. 10. Writing to his parents, Phillips discussed the paperwork that needed to be received before he would be authorized to go home: “There is no use of our coming after me because when I get my descriptive list I can get home alone & I can’t get home until I do get it.” While Phillips wrote... that his health was somewhat improving, records indicate that George W. Phillips died at Hospital No. 10 on December 18, just five days after writing this letter home, which may possibly have been his last. The letter was written on two pages of a sheet of lined paper measuring about 5” x 7 3/4”. Minor toning and foxing. Creased where folded. The full transcript follows.
Hospital No. 10 Louisv KyDec 13 / 62
Dear Parents & all of the children. When I wrote to you last I was over trying the measles hospital. I did not like that very well so I got transferred back here. I was over there one week. I think that I am getting along pretty well with the measles if I do not catch cold. I received your letter this morning & just got it read when in came Sgt. Evans. You said that you guessed that I would get the letters before he got here & I did [by] about 5 minutes. I have not got my descriptive list. I have wrote 4 or 5 times for it & the Dr. wrote & sent a blank for him to fill it out on he does not answer any of my letters. There is no use of your coming after me because when I get my descriptive list I can get home alone & I can’t get home until I do get it. Dr. Coons is here yet. You spoke about my letters being dated one day & mailed the next. I will tell you the mail goes out in the morning so if we want a letter to go tomorrow we have got to write it today. I guess that I have wrote you all of the news this time. Write soon from your sonG. W. Phillips
Tell the boys to write.
Please see my other items for more interesting Civil War letters, documents, and images.
Foreign shipping is provided through eBay's global shipping program.
Hospital No. 10 Louisv KyDec 13 / 62
Dear Parents & all of the children. When I wrote to you last I was over trying the measles hospital. I did not like that very well so I got transferred back here. I was over there one week. I think that I am getting along pretty well with the measles if I do not catch cold. I received your letter this morning & just got it read when in came Sgt. Evans. You said that you guessed that I would get the letters before he got here & I did [by] about 5 minutes. I have not got my descriptive list. I have wrote 4 or 5 times for it & the Dr. wrote & sent a blank for him to fill it out on he does not answer any of my letters. There is no use of your coming after me because when I get my descriptive list I can get home alone & I can’t get home until I do get it. Dr. Coons is here yet. You spoke about my letters being dated one day & mailed the next. I will tell you the mail goes out in the morning so if we want a letter to go tomorrow we have got to write it today. I guess that I have wrote you all of the news this time. Write soon from your sonG. W. Phillips
Tell the boys to write.
Please see my other items for more interesting Civil War letters, documents, and images.
Foreign shipping is provided through eBay's global shipping program.
