Title: Walt Whitman to Charles W. Eldridge, 9 July 1864
Date: July 9, 1864
Whitman Archive ID: yal.00094
Source: Yale University. The transcription presented here is derived from Walt Whitman, The Correspondence, ed. Edwin Haviland Miller (New York: New York University Press, 1961–1977), 1:236-237. 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, Kathryn Kruger, Vanessa Steinroetter, and Alyssa Olson
Brooklyn
July 9 1864
My dear friend
I rec'd the letters this afternoon, two in the envelope with a note from you. I wrote to William some five days ago—has he not rec'd it? I had grown worse, quite a good deal, & I was about making up my mind that I would have to stand a good seige—but yesterday the current changed, & I felt better all day, & in the afternoon went out riding with my brother, the first time I have been out of the house since I got home—& to-day I remain feeling better.
The doctor to-day tells me my throat is markedly better—In my letter to William I told him I had rec'd his—I have also rec'd one from Nelly—it was very welcome, & I shall try to answer it soon—When you write tell me the impressions you got in the army, & the probabilities as far as you can make them out—As to me, I still believe in Grant, & that we shall get Richmond—we have heard from my brother to July 21—tell me about Ashton2—in a day or two as I get strength I shall probably go down the island—
Walt
1. On July 2, 1864, George wrote from "near Petersburg instead of from Richmond." Whitman here echoed George's optimism: "We all believe in Grant, and as far as I can hear the opinion is universal in the army, that before the campaign is over Petersburg and Richmond will be in our posession." [back]
2. On July 5, 1864, Mrs. O'Connor wrote: "Poor Ashton is sick in bed with rheumatism, a fearful attack of it." [back]