December 28, 1862
Dec[ember] the 28th, 1862
My Dear Sarah:
Your letter of date December the 22 I have just received and was very happy to hear from you and that all was well. I have not received any of your letters from the Camp (California?) as they have stopped the mail from coming to the soldiers. There must be 2 letters at the Regiment for me from you. I have not seen George Foster yet, nor Robert Edgar.
I forgot to tell you that we have got a splendid hospital here. We had a good Christmas Dinner gave to us by the ladies in Washington—singing, dancing, a band of music, speeches, plenty of turkeys, ham, chickens—everything too numerous to mention.
Oh, I lost my blanket on the morning of Thursday at the opening of the Battle at the laying of the pontoon bridge. I sent 59 bullets across the river to the Reb[el]s. I had the last one in the gun when those Reb[el]s left the city and ceased musket firing.
I want some money to get me a blanket, as we have not got paid of yet. When we do, I will send you $50 dollars of it. I had to go without one ‘til I came [illegible]. Here we have beds of the nicest kind. You need not fret about me. I am happy as you please.
Sarah, when I get better I will return to the Regiment again and try the Reb[el]s another heat at it. I like a soldier’s life first rate. We have to do our cooking of course at Camp.
I am glad you are doing so well. I hope you will always prosper. I never wished you any other in earnest from my heart. When I get killed I hope you will remember these few words. I want you to take good care of my boy Willey and not to lick him in my absence. Be good to all of them and you will receive your reward.
Sarah I have heard that [Major General Edwin V.] Sumner’s Corps were going the [illegible] this winter. Our Division is in his Corps. Ours is the 2 second and with he has got command of both.
Sarah, I dreamed a night or two ago that Lot (Charlotte?) was just started on the way for a young one. I thought it would not be any bigger than a mouse and it had a mustache. I must not say any more about that. She [is?] mad if I do.
No more at present. Write soon as you get this and direct same as the other. My love to all and accept the same yourself with a kiss from your ever true husband,
John Bryden
I don’t want a discharge. When I get through with this war I will [go] on board of [a] Man of War and see if I like that.
Please to write soon. Don’t forget my love [to] Mrs. Edwards.
Scot is living with your father so I hear he is.
Nice warm weather here.
Written in ink on white 8.5” x 10” landscape-ruled rag paper, folded along the short axis into a 4-page signature. No watermark.
Here’s a description of Campbell Hospital from a website on Walt Whitman’s work as a nurse during the Civil War. According to the article, though the food at Campbell Hospital may have been as John described, the sanitary conditions were no better than any other medical facility of the era.
