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General Hospital Sixth & Master Streets August 13th 1862
Dear Friend
You will be surprised at receiving a letter from me at this present time from the City of "Brotherly Love", but [underline]"fortuna belli"[/underline] has placed me here and here I must stay till I am able once more to resume my old duties. "What ailes you?" I hear you ask. Well in fact I cant tell you for no one as yet has come to a satisfactory conclusion in regard to my case and there is some difference of opinion in regard to it. Dr. Childe is the only one who has named it. He thinks
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I have a milk leg such as troubles Major Foster to this day. Dr Sanborn thinks it is a swelling caused by a cold. At any rate I have had a bad leg. It is much better now and is but little swollen above the knee. The calf, ankle and foot are swollen considerably. Since I came to this Hospital there have been so many new patients that the Surgeon has had hardly time to look at me. I keep my bed all the time. It is the only way I can keep it easy. When I put it down the blood rushes into it and it pains me considerably. My meals are are served to me at my bed. We live first rate and have good nurses.
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I am considerably reduced in flesh and am quite weak, incapable of enduring any exertion. I cannot step on my foot and have to be helped from place to place.
I wish you wwere here with me. There are plenty of 4th Vt. boys here. 8 from our Co. are some where in the City. We came on the Spaulding and arrived yesterday.
I must close this for I am getting tired and must lie down. I write this merely to let you know where I am next time I will write more.
Your Friend
Henry.
