Life & Letters

Correspondence

About this Item

Title: Ruben Farwell to Walt Whitman, 30 April 1864

Date: April 30, 1864

Whitman Archive ID: duk.00385

Source: Trent Collection of Whitmaniana, Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library. The transcription presented here is derived from Drum Beats: Walt Whitman's Civil War Boy Lovers, ed. Charley Shively (San Francisco: Gay Sunshine Press, 1949), 135. 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 and Vanessa Steinroetter





Kind Friend

As you requested me to write you after leaving the Hospital. I will do so for the first time. My wishes are that this may find you enjoying good health and plenty of kind friends to associate with.

I have not been over to Armory Square Hospital since leaveing it—. But have been expecting to call there and also to see you The orders here are very strict no one is allowed out side of Camp without a pass and the passes are scarse

I shall manage to see you before I leave for the front if possible We are to get our horses in a day or so, and then be off to joine our Regiments

The News are dull concerning the movements of the Army but for all that we expect to hear of a hard fought Battle before long. I think that we will be sent out as reenforcements so much the better

Now Uncle I hope you will not believe that I had or have forgoten you. I will write again when at the front & perhaps have something more worth writing about. I will close by expecting to have a better opportunity of writing some thing else when you hear from me again My health is good at present

believe me ever your friend
Ruben Farwell


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