Camp of the 26th
Regy. Vol. near
Gainesville, Va.
November 1st, 1862
Dear Wife:
George, the brother of
the sugar baker and now Capt. George has received his discharge and shall
bring this letter to you. I have received yours of the 30th of October
and have been very pleased about it. Since you expected your confinement
about this time I have been anxiously awaiting word from you in regard
to it.
We were mustered for payment on November 1st, and I should have
liked to send some money home but the paymaster has not shown up since
and may not come until January. I have heard nothing from Washington in
regard to Fueldner. It sometimes takes very long about such cases. Do not
go to Fueldners about it.
I live in a large round tent in which there is a stove and am not
deprived of anything. There is enough to do although we have as yet not
met the enemy. The rumor is that we are to march back a ways in order to
cover the railroad to Washington. We have marched around quite a bit in
this vicinity without having done any good thereby, nor has it meant anything.
Many pranks happen in the regiment and there are many rascals there. I
am perfectly independent have done more for the sick than any other regimental
physician and I do not pay any attention to the squabbles in the regiment.
Siegel is sickly and
he will not be able to accomlish much any more. The other regimental surgeons
treat me with every consideration. I do not lag behind anyone and whatever
I have at one time done, read or learned in medicine has come back to me.
If we have a few battles and I have to do operations no other surgeon can
take the first place away from me.
I could tell you so much
of interest and so many humorous stories that a book could be written of
them, but George wants to travel soon and I shall write soon again. I do
hope to hear from you very soon that you are well. Give my regards to Mr.
John Hass and Sorge.
(There is no closing on the original letter from Surgeon Francis Huebschmann.)
