December 16, 1861 from Bardstown, KY

December 16, 1861 from Bardstown, KY

Bardstown

Decr 16 1861

My dear wife I wrote this letter yesterday but knowing the facility for mail that you would not get it till the last of the week I did not send it. I am in the hospital at Bardstown (not sick) but try to cure the sick. I have been detailed? for two day as surgeon of the Regment while Pearson will be absent to Jeffersonville. We have about 40 in this hospital. I am boarding at a mr Glaslys?. It is Quite different fair to ______? fair. My dear wife I expected to have Seen you about the first of last week. You may imagine how much I was disapointed. I had made my arangements to come home on Tuesday but Monday Night we were under marching orders. I beged hard for a permit to come home but was positively refused. My heart is their. If I could get one Kiss from your lips and see my little ones but Love of Country duty say no. I never was more resigned to the will of providence than now. I often pray. My prays have been somewhat answer. May the Lord bless you. Write soon.

John A. Ritter

[page 1 margin]

I hope you are well. Your Letter are welcome visitors. Camp life is a hard one yet it agrees with some. I think it will with me. I am in my Country service. Where or when I will go I no not.

[page 3 margin]

There is one thing that I have learned that I can walk and that I can fight. The alarme the other night showed who wold Flag? and who wold not.

[page 4 margin]

If I get sick I will Resigne and come home. I? never was better ______? than I have been for a few day. I walked every step of the way from Camp Jo Holt to Camp Dumont and did not complain. The Boys say that they wold carry me if I gave out.

[short note enclosed on separate paper]

I am under a thousan obligations for the likeness you sent to me. I love to look on it. I am timpted to got to camp two miles to night to see it. When I find it in my Kachet? it thought is was tobaco?.

yours John A Ritter