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William H. Millis to Walt Whitman, 12 January 1865

About This Item

  • Title: William H. Millis to Walt Whitman, 12 January 1865
  • Date: January 12, 1865
  • Creator(s): William H. Millis
  • Whitman Archive ID: nyp.00176
  • Source: Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature at the New York Public Library. The transcription presented here is derived from Drum Beats: Walt Whitman's Civil War Boy Lovers, ed. Charley Shively (San Francisco, California: Gay Sunshine Press, 1989), 159. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Contributors to digital file: Elizabeth Lorang Vanessa Steinroetter Eric Conrad Kathryn Kruger Nick Krauter
  • Cite this page: Millis, William H.. "William H. Millis to Walt Whitman, 12 January 1865." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 19 April 2024. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: nyp.00176.xml (TEI)
My Dear Sir

It is with the greatest pleasure that I1 seat myself to give you a few lines to let you know that your most welcome letter came safe to hand and you dont know how glad I was to hear from you I often thought of you and could not hear what had become of you. you stated in yours that you hoped that I had not forgotten you. I never will forget you so long as life should last.

Uncle I have got very near well. the wound in my chest has got nearly well. I am so that I can go about and do light duty. Also my arm is geting along nicely but their is some slight pain yet but none to stop me from writing such a kind and affectionate friend as you have been to me. May god bless you forever I cant find words to tell you the love thier is in me for you. I hope you & I may live to meet again on this earth if not I hope we shall meet in the world w[h]ere there is no more parting

I will close hopeing to hear from you again soon Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant & loving friend,

Notes

  • 1. Whitman records William Millis, Jr., in his notebook as "Wm H Millis co E 8th Penn Cav. Gen Gregg's old reg. Bridgeville Sussex co Del bed 33 Ward B May 8th '64 / g s w in Chest—w in left arm father living in Bridgeville Del" (Edward F. Grier, ed., Notes and Unpublished Prose Manuscripts [New York: New York University Press, 1961–84], 2:728). Millis, Jr., became a correspondent of Whitman's. [back]
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