.MTA0OA.MTYyNw
Clarksville October 23rd 1864
Monday morning
Charley is on the floor "making cars" out
of his block letters, Mama and Helen sitting at the window
the one knitting the other putting up a fan over which
she says she is losing all patience and will "squeal
soon". I am planted right in the fire, of which I have
not had a sight or task for several hours, to write
a letter to you, my beloved Husband. Now, that
I have drawn the family picture, I have but little
else it seems to one to say, but, as I write different
incidents occur, the topmost of which is a consultation
I had yesterday with Dr Camm. He informed me
he had been asked to become Contract Surgeon for these
Government shops and that he had made application
for that purpose, that a Capt: Dinwiddie, who while
stationed in Richmond has a great deal to do
[P. 2]
with this post had opposed him, on the ground that
he was not entitled to the pay and [?] of an
Assistant Surgeon, which Dr C. contended he had. Capt:
D. said that he "would send an Assist: Surg: here
who could also practice out." Whh Which Dr C. con
=strued into a threat that Capt: D. would send
some one to interfere with his practice unless he
abated his changes. DrC. was not to be seen off
but, accepted the position leaving it to the Department
to fix his salary. He added that he had been asked in
Richmond to return to the Army, and he would
have done so, had his health allowed, and he not
had so many small children. The fact is, Dr
C. will serve his Country when be so doing he can
serve himself. A long time ago I said I wished you
could be sent here to these Government people, and
Mr [Pichard] said the number was too small
[P. 3]
to justify it, and now when the number has been
greatly reduced by recent conscription, a man is
to be appointed with all the pay of a Assistant Surg:
You have never made any reply to what I told you of
Dr Tucker's wishes. What do you say to the transfer? But,
I tell you, when you come you must be a full Surgeon.
I know there is no real difference between Assistant and
full Surgeon, save that the former rank is accompanied
with more work, but, the world does not so regard it,
and I confess my pride is sorely wounded that you
should not have the full rank. I wonder that I should
say this, for I firmly believe the expression of my wishes
does not retard the fulfilment of them.
I have been right constantly accompanied of late, though doing
I hardly know what, as I see small reults. I have a
good many [?] in the fire at the same time, and
not working longer and, complete nothing. I can
[P. 4]
vibrating between your shirts, Charley's winter
flannel and a new calico dress for myself. All of
which are needed. Your collars too are to make. You
would be astounded to see how well we manage to
get along by [?] light. I am really very thankful
that we can get it. Cousin Lizzie Paine sent me
a half dozen beautiful candles the other day by
Mrs Morton, who together with her three daughters
has come to live with her Brother Dr Scott who
forsaken by his only daughter, the little ^girl died
last Summer, importuned Mrs Morton to make
his house her home; and she has come. There is
great rejoicing among the Caring [?] who
are very fond of her. Mrs W. T. C. is her daughter.
Miss Peggy Vinable is at Sunnyside, and will
probably dine with us to-morrow, and also Lizzie
and Mr Ewell, Miss Hoge from Richmond and
[P. 1 -marginalia]
a Marquise [underlined]. What think you of that? Our refugee establishment is
coming out ain't it? Georgie and Emily go off on a [?] the
last of this week
to be absent several
months I beleive.
I have furnished
to spend the
night with
Emily before
she goes. Why
don't you send
your
requisition?
As much as I
want to hear
from you I
would rather
have your name on a black sheet of paper ! T ! ! Tom
[P. 2- marginalia]
writes me he has seen an order from Butler that all persons must leave
the lines
or take
the oath.
and that
he had
heard
privately
that she
Mother
had been
threatened
with
banish
=ment.
God help
us.
I send
you an extant from the Examiner. Tim health is improving
[P. 3-marginalia]
with the cold weather, and he is now on duty in Richmond,
Your
devoted
Wife.
Write
soon,
[P. 4-marginalia]
How are you off for flannel [underlined] shirts? I might manage to get you two
new ones if they a
are needed,
How would
you like
knit ones?