DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Anson R. Butler letters, 1861-1900

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Anson R. Butler letters, 1861-1900

1863-05-20 Page 1

"O that I had wings that I might fly away (Home) and be at rest" Possess yourself in Patience the time will come, I verily believe. 
Floating Hospital "Nashville" 
May 20th '63 
My Dear Wife, Though I have rec'd no letter yet from you, I will begin one. On the day I last wrote, I took a skiff ride with the Ladies over the river up & down out in the woods cutting up like a boy finally back & had a sing in the evening. I went next day down to the Point (4 miles below here) in a skiff with Orange & Dr. Patterson, and 3 oarsman. Sauntered round among the Boats and Sutlers shops till near night picking up the news & seeing the sights, and finally tied our skiff to the steamer Williams going up by our Boat, and had a fine ride over the the waves made by the boat. Dr. Patterson stripped and jumped into the river holding on to the skiff and had a nice bath in the waves. I went next day down to the Point on the 'Williams" with a lot of goods to be shipped to the Quartermaster at St. Louis. Shipped them on. 
You need not direct in care of Dr. Strawbridge any more. I am so well known now myself it is not necessary & then he is going away soon. Our new doctor has come I like him very well, though not as well as Dr. S. Orange is well Don't forget to send me your likeness. Ah I'd give a V to kiss you this day. Love to my Ida, Anna, Edie, Hattie. Romp & play all of you, as much as you like, only be good to mother & remember Pa. 
Good Bye all

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"O that I had wings that I might fly away (Home) and be at rest" Possess yourself in Patience the time will come, I verily believe. Floating Hospital "Nashville" May 20th '63 My Dear Wife, Though I have rec'd no letter yet from you, I will begin one. On the day I last wrote, I took a skiff ride with the Ladies over the river up & down out in the woods cutting up like a boy finally back & had a sing in the evening. I went next day down to the Point (4 miles below here) in a skiff with Orange & Dr. Patterson, and 3 oarsman. Sauntered round among the Boats and Sutlers shops till near night picking up the news & seeing the sights, and finally tied our skiff to the steamer Williams going up by our Boat, and had a fine ride over the the waves made by the boat. Dr. Patterson stripped and jumped into the river holding on to the skiff and had a nice bath in the waves. I went next day down to the Point on the 'Williams" with a lot of goods to be shipped to the Quartermaster at St. Louis. Shipped them on. You need not direct in care of Dr. Strawbridge any more. I am so well known now myself it is not necessary & then he is going away soon. Our new doctor has come I like him very well, though not as well as Dr. S. Orange is well Don't forget to send me your likeness. Ah I'd give a V to kiss you this day. Love to my Ida, Anna, Edie, Hattie. Romp & play all of you, as much as you like, only be good to mother & remember Pa. Good Bye all