St Joseph Hospital New York City Oct. 6th -63

St Joseph Hospital New York City Oct. 6th -63

My dear AuntI take the present oppportunity of informing you that my health has got good again and I sincerely hope that these few lines may find you and your dear family enjoying good health I recieved your kind and ever welcome letter of the 7th of September a few days ago this is the only one I have recieved from you for months although I have written three to you and uncle and William but I expect you did not get all of them. I cant tell you dear Aunt how glad I was to hear from you but I was exceedingly sorry to hear that you was not well but I hope that ere this reaches you that your health may be restored to you again. as I informed William in his letter my disease when I was first brought here was Chronic diarrhea but I am well of it now but I have not yet gained my usual strength. we are well provided here with everything necessary for our comfort and we can get passes when we want them to go to the city or any place we please but still I sometimes feel very lonesome and then I am sure to think of you and the rest of the dear friends and long to see you all once more.I recieved a letter from Father on the 3d of this month and it brought me the unexpected and sorrowful news of the death of my dear Sister Louisa I was not expecting this mournful news for had recieved a letter from home a few days before shedied stating that she was better and that the doctor now had hopes of her recovery. but alas how very uncertain is human life truly mortal life is but a shadow that appeareth for a little while and then vanishes forever but there is consolation in knowing that the soul will not thus perish. you asked me in your letter if I had a bible I have not got one but I have a testament that Louisa give me when I started to the army and a hymn book that Aunt Eliza Dennis give me at the same time you would hardly believe what a value I place in these two small Books I have carried them in my knapsack on many a long weary march when I had thrown nearly every thing else away to lighten my load. but I allways cling to them in every difficulty I shall soon have to bring my letter to a close but before I do let me request you to write whenever you can for your letters allways cheers and comforts me. if you can send me a few postage stamps you will greatly oblige me for there is no telling when I will get my pay and therefore I will have to be very saving of my change If I could send them away from here without stamps I would do so and let you pay the postage at the office but they will not start a letter from here without a stamp like they will in the Regiment give my love to Uncle George and the children and accept my love and best wishes for yourself no more now but I will ever remain your affectionate NephewDavid Close to Rachel Dunbar