[Letter]: 1864-07-20 from Joseph to Mother

1864 July 20 from Joe [Richardson] (Sickel [General] Hospital, Alexandria) to Mother re: received her letter of the 26th and asks her not to worry about him as he makes friends wherever he is. At the hospital he is spoken of by the doctors as being “such a fine and intelligent and attentive young man.” He says that the hospital is a mean place but “a good deal better than it was when I first came here and I get plenty to do and I am comfortable . I think it is too warm to live long.” He went up to Washington and visited Capt. Scott (George W.) who is in hospital in Georgetown - he was wounded in Maryland. The regiment was there two or three days and gone off again to attend to raiders near Chambersburg. Sorry to hear that the grapes will be scarce and told Amelia that she may have his share of the apricots. He did not get his money due him but did raise a little to last him. He hopes to be with the regiment when they pay again and will then send her as much as she sent him. He’s got $60 coming and if he had got to Washington three days sooner would have gotten it. Remarks that he thinks Miss Shimer? likes to tell lies and hopes that the lies she told about Amelia will do her a good bit of good. “I suppose Amelia told you that George Shimer was to be married this fall to one of the Miss Jacksons in Camden. I begin to want to be home again and when we get into winter quarters I will have a chance to get home. I only hope that Grant (General U.S.) will be able to take Richmond this fall.” Hopes his letter finds all fine and closes with love to all. “From your boy Joe.” [looks like a blood stain around closing]