Letter dated September 4th, 1864
Sept. 4th 1864
Harewood Hospital, ward 28
Dear and beloved wife
Once more I sit down to write a few lines to you. I am as well as can be expected. Received your kind letter yesterday and was glad to hear that you was so well. I think I shall have to come home again when you get sick again and sleep with you. It seems to have done you good. Oh what would I give to be there this Sunday morning to sit beside you and feel you sitting by my side but I am afraid that it will be a long time before we have that happiness. I did have some hopes the other day that I would soon be with you again but they are all gone now. Last Monday my doctor
(no it was not my doctor, he was gone away) recommended me for an examination for the front. I was examined by Bonticou, the surgeon in charge, he sent me back Tuesday. Our doctor came and recommended me for a discharge. Old Dorsey examined me and said he would put me in the veteran reserve corps. The next day our doctor came round again to see me. I told him what Dorsey said and he examined me again and told the ward master to put me down for a discharge again and have me examined by Bonticou, but it is no go, I shall have to go into the invalid corps and try it awhile but I shall do my best to get a discharge.
I have not heard from Tom or any but your own dear self since I came back.
I am sorry to hear that the boys have enlisted. Little do they know what they will have to suffer if this cruel war goes on but I am in hopes that there will be a change and they won't have to do any fighting. I shall have another examination this week. Then I shall know what to expect. My doctor will do all he can for me. He is a (Masonic) brother, but I am getting along so well that I don't expect any better than the veteran reserve. There I don't think of any more to write this time so I will say good by. Write often for it does me good to hear from you.
No more this time
Yours ever and faithfully
W.W.vanAmber