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Ashton has spoken (at my instigation) to Mr Otto the Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior

that it is the Secretary of War's "policy" which prevents exchange, and if this is true, I pray from my

I got it, looked into it with wonder, and felt that here was something that touched on depths of my humanity

To my knowledge it is understood by Col. M ULFORD , Major John E.

In my opinion the Secretary has taken and obstinately held a position of cold-blooded policy, (that is

B UTLER , in my opinion, has also incorporated in the question of exchange a needless amount of personal

In my opinion, the anguish and death of these ten to fifteen thousand American young men, with all the

To my knowledge it is understood by Col. Mulford, Major John E.

In my opinion the Secretary has taken and obstinately held a position of cold-blooded policy, (that is

Major General Butler, in my opinion, has also incorporated in the question of exchange a needless amount

In my opinion, the anguish and death of these ten to fifteen thousand American young men, with all the

And as this is Christmas night and I alone in my Shanty will improve it in writing You althouth there

excepted it and had a verry nice time yet I think had I been in New York or Brooklyn that I would enjoyed My-Self

are now Priosners of War Who have Served and fought in the regiment Since the Orginization and for my

know where I am and also that I am in the enjoyment of middling good health I heard from you through my

Father some time ago and I have wanted to visit you but I am sorry to say my health will not admit of

my being out much this cold weather.

If you remember I was wounded through my lung and the ball is now near my right kidney and I am not as

I feel quite well to day I have just received a letter from my Brother in my Regt (15th nj) he spoke

Since my return to the regiment we have been very buisy, and we still have a great deal to do in the

The next day after my return we received orders to be ready to move at a moments notice which we did

about noon the Same day took our backward track to the front of Petersburg, near to the place where Captain

is now in Charge of our Regimental Quarter Master and I will Send it home with the first Officer of my

There is no news of importance with us that would itnerest you So I will close by Sending my best respects

Began my visits (Dec. 21, 1862,) among the camp hospitals in Army of the Potomac, under Gen.

, but space forbids my transcribing them.

He said: "It is my chief reliance." He talked of death, and said he did not fear it.

my life and occupation more than I can tell.

Independent Missionary, in my own style, and not as agent of any commission.

Brooklyn December 4 1864 My dear friend Your letter of November 30 came safe, & was truly welcome—if

shall come, almost certainly—Then Charles Eldridge is to be transferred to Boston—I am indeed sorry, on my

Mother remains well, & in pretty good spirits, better than I would have expected—My brother George still

remains a prisoner—as near as we can judge he is at Columbia, S C—we have had no word from him About my

book nothing particular to tell—I shall print it myself—also my new edition of Leaves of Grass—Most

Ginnaty was not to be my neighbor.

My love to your mother, & very much to you, always, dear Walt, from Your friend Nelly O'Connor.

Then lift your white hands, and my arms From harms And troubles the baby will keep.

Ellen O'Connor related in a letter on November 24, 1863, that the Count had said to her recently: "My

know where I am and also that I am in the enjoyment of middling good health I heard from you through my

Father some time ago and I have wanted to visit you but I am sorry to say my health will not admit of

my being out much this cold weather .

If you remember I was wounded through my lung and the ball is now near my right kidney and I am not as

I feel quite well to day I have just received a letter from my Brother in my Regt (15th NJ) he spoke

Kind Uncle & Friend Yours came to me on Friday last much sooner than I expected Because my being so negligent

I have been thinking about going there this winter to wile a way some of these lonesome days My Folks

have some objections to my going where I have been so often for the last three years.

Well Uncle I hope this may find you still alive & well My best respects To you, My Uncle Adieu till next

On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would

This was not any of my own luck but to accompany the newly married set was all I was on the Company.

I have received only this letter Oct 7th & one writen to My Father of which both reached me the same

But this one I have neglected on account of my being a way from home so long.

not tell of my being hit there.

My health is very good at present Also the same I wish to you My best wishes gose with this to you Yours

On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would

about as ugly, and can eat any amount of corn bread, so you see, dear Mother that I am all right, and my

F of our Regt. and tell him to send my things home by Express. Much love to all.  G. W.

Waldron, and Captain Charles W. Walton.

burg Oct. 22 1864 Dear friend walt I arrived home the 18 I had to stop over my on account of Sheridan

to late now & I did not hear of it in time there is considerable excitement here about the election. my

have just returned home last eve[ning] from Washington, being there to see about getting the body of my

am Good bye Han tell Mother I am better and want to come home and see you all more than ever, give my

Starting in the New York Militia, Wright was a captain in the 51st New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment

If so say I sent my best love, not forgetting little Jennie.

received—I have not heard from her since— I am pretty well, perhaps not so unconsciously hearty as before my

sickness—We are deprest in spirits home here about my brother George, (2d div 9th Corps)—if not killed

, he is a prisoner—he was in the engagement of Sept 30 on the extreme left.31 My book is not yet being

If you write to William I wish you to enclose him this letter—I wish him to receive again my faithful

Babcock of our Regt (who is with the Regt) and tell him to send my things home by express, as I should

John Gibson Wright rose from captain to colonel in the Fifty-first New York Volunteer Regiment; he was

Made Captain Aug. 1864—got a family in Buffalo" (Manuscripts of Walt Whitman in the Collection of American

State Volunteers where he enrolled as first sergeant of Company F (and was eventually promoted to captain

Boys in Armory where you were But they could not tell Now Uncle if you will (not) Answer this after My

On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would

Dear Friend I take this opportunity to write to you to let you know how I am I am well and my wound is

home but I could not So I had to come back here the Doctor ask me when I came back if I did not want my

told him that I would rather be transfered to newyork and if I could not that I would like to have my

discharge, he said that he would get me transfered or give me my discharge I walk with crutches yet

Mr Whitman Dear Sir I once more take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you And if I dont get an

Yours Truly I have my Photograph when I receive yours I will send you Give my respects to Mrs.

Mother, give my love to Mattie and the little gals. G. W.

Watersboro Sept 17th Mr Whitman I take the liberty of addressing you at the request of my cousin Milton

among our sick & wounded soldiers, who indeed must feel very grateful to meet with such a friend as my

My cousin seems to be gaining slowly, & his friends does not think him strong enough to return for two

Brooklyn September 11 1864 My dear friend Well I am still home & no event of importance to write you

My illness has passed over, & I go around the same as formerly, only a lingering suspicion of weakness

their having any visitors—So you see I am still in business—Some of the cases are very interesting— My

mother is very well, & the rest the same—We have heard from my brother up to the beginning of this month

is well —We felt pretty gloomy some little time since, as two young men of the 51st N Y, friends of my

John Gibson Wright, captain of the Fifty-first Regiment, reported on August 8, 1864 that, when he had

to relinquish command of the regiment, George "discharged the duties of the responsible position to my

(Wright rose from captain to colonel in the Fifty-first Regiment; he was appointed to the latter position

Captain Samuel H.

all, as there is confusion in the opposition camp—the result of course I do not pretend to foretell— My

to Coney Island—& occasionally a tour through New York life, as of old—last night I was with some of my

I got a letter from Charley Eldridge yesterday—I suppose he is now in Boston—My dear friend, I often

count on our being together again, may be quite soon—meantime good bye & God bless you & I send you my

—O how the rain is pouring down as I write—at the other window sits my mother reading the Sunday Herald—quiet

I received a answer to my first letter stating that you wer at home sick.

I have got my discharge from the Hospitals about 3 weeks ago & am now employed in the Provost Marshall

I had a very pleasant time only I broke my leg just as I got ready to come home & had some little difficulty

in getting home without my cruches I got so I could walk quite well on my leg only last week my stump

there has bin two small pieces of bone come out but I think in a little while I will be ready to wear my

writing to you, and I take the opportunity of sending a few lines in his letter , as a slight token of my

Dear Friend I take this time to write to you to let you know how I am I am well at presant my wound is

morning but did not & now I am to gow tomorrow morning I guess that they wont put it off anny longer my

My dear Walt,— Your letter to Wm. of July 24. he forwarded to me in a letter that I got last evening.

Did you like my picture?

You told William you got my letter, so you must have got the picture enclosed.

It was in my first letter—I have sent you three, this is my fourth to you, have you got them all?

Just think, Walt, of my being a lion down here on your account, because it is known that I have the honor

My dear Walt: I am enraged and ashamed with myself to have never sent you a word responsive to your letters

It was such rain as we have often seen here from my windows, only this time I saw it all alone.

The rascally Congress taxes me in September fifty dollars in a lump, besides my usual income tax, so

Ellen O'Connor related in a letter on November 24, 1863, that the Count had said to her recently: "My

My dear Walt: I am enraged and ashamed of myself to have never sent you a word responsive to your letters

It was such rain as we have often seen here from my windows, only this time I saw it all alone.

The rascally Congress taxes me in September fifty dollars in a lump, besides my normal income tax, so

Of the O'Connors, Thomas Jefferson Whitman wrote on June 13, 1863: "I am real glad, my dear Walt, that

Ellen O'Connor related in a letter on November 24, 1863, that the Count had said to her recently: "My

from the rebel Artillery and the talk is that the men could not be got forward to the second line, but my

I tried my best, to keep the men from falling back, but Capt Sims was killed just at this time so it

Mother I should like very much to have you send me a dozen of my pictures (those you sent to me at Annapolis

Give my love to Mattie and all. Good night G. W.

Wright wrote: "The Command of the Regiment then devolved upon Captain George W.

I am happy to say he discharged the duties of the responsible position to my entire satisfaction, and

The heat is delicious I have a constant bath in my own perspiration.

and now this is my third epistle to you, so I shall claim a word from you when you are able to write.

My sister & Dr. Channing both ask for you with the greatest interest, & Jeannie , Mrs.

Brooklyn Sunday afternoon July 24 1864 My dear friend Since I last wrote to you my illness has been gradually

much the same as usual—I keep pretty old-fashioned hours, rise early, dine at 1, & go to bed before 10—My

head feels clear & comfortable, & my strength has returned almost, but not quite up to what it was.

I rec'd Nelly's letter, I could not get over to New York that afternoon—Nelly, my dear friend, you must

try to bring [it] out myself, stereotype it, & print an edition of 500—I could sell that number by my

incursions, no more new developments in the Ginnaty affair, no more detentions by fire or water occur, my

I shall get into New York about an hour later than usual, & put my baggage upon the Stonington Boat to

My dear Friend Your kind letter came to hand yesterday.

I never think of you but it makes my heart glad to think that I have bin permited to know one so good

I have got my leg but I think that I will never be able to walk much on it as my stump is so short but

if I cant I can go on my crutches for they appear to be a part of myself for I have bin on them so long

I have not succeeded in getting a position in any of the Depts yet thoug my M.C. tried quite hard Gov

and for two or three days many said I could not live but I had a good Doctor and have almost regained my

I am very anxious to hear something of the whereabouts of my Capt I have written several times and as

My dear comrade, I have been very sick, and have been brought on home nearly three weeks ago, after being

sick some ten days in Washington—The doctors say my sickness is from having too deeply imbibed poison

into my system from the hospitals—I had spells of deathly faintness, & the disease also attacked my

as soon as I had strength—But I am making too long a story of it—I thought only to write you a line—My

dear comrade, I am now over the worst of it & have been getting better the last three days—my brother

I never think of you but it makes my heart glad to think that I have bin permited to know one so good

Brooklyn July 9 1864 My dear friend I rec'd the letters this afternoon, two in the envelope with a note

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

The doctor to-day tells me my throat is markedly better—In my letter to William I told him I had rec'd

can make them out—As to me, I still believe in Grant, & that we shall get Richmond—we have heard from my

I think I never in my life felt so wholly blue and unhappy about any one's going away as I did and have

One reason that I have not written to you before is that I have been so unhappy I thought my letter would

Our affairs remain as they did when you left, & that is one cause of my delay.

hideous, William forbids my giving any of them away.

Walt that I hope he will come home soon, & see papa, & tell him I send my love to him & a kiss.

Dear Walter, I take my pen in hand as a final resort to find out where you are. as it appears to me it

will stay untill August I get out now most every day untill six oclock but I never see you I have got my

evening as you usd to do at the old Armory but alas I never see your [old] familliar in the threshold of my

Brooklyn Tuesday even'g July 5 1864 My dear friend I have had the misfortune to fall back a little since

same as if written to her—I do not write much, nor do any thing hardly, but keep as quiet as possible—my

physician thinks that time, with the change of locality, & my own latent recuperative power, will make

I intend to move heaven & earth to publish my "Drum-Taps" as soon as I am able to go around.

love—also Ashton—I will write should there be any change in my condition— Good bye for present, my dear

Of the O'Connors, Thomas Jefferson Whitman wrote on June 13, 1863: "I am real glad, my dear Walt, that

O'Connor related in a letter on November 24, 1863, that the Count had said to her recently: "My Gott,

take the present time to write a few lines to you to let you know how I am I am very well at presant my

You see Mother I have to date my letters yet from near Petersburg instead of from Richmond We are laying

I hold my own first rate and feel about as well as ever I did.

been kept pretty buisy trying to get things straigtened out, but this morning one of our seniour Captains

Give my love to all. George W.

Shall I live to write my Shakespeare book and a score of gorgeous romances?

Rely on me, Walt, for anything you want done here, or anything at all in my power.

Of the O'Connors, Thomas Jefferson Whitman wrote on June 13, 1863: "I am real glad, my dear Walt, that

June 28th [1864] Dear Walt It was my purpose to write to you while home, but ill health prevented me

from fulfilling half my plans.

We have a letter from my brother George, down to 18th inst. he was all safe.

My mother & folks are all well— I rece'd the letter enveloped to me 25th—I sent a line to Wm O'Connor

Ashton with friendship—also to Arnold Johnson with sincere thanks & tell him I am getting well—& give my