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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02596.14 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of William H. Bettes, L company, 6th regiment, Ohio, cavalry |
| Title | William H. Bettes to Lieutenant W. H. Betty discussing his health and intent to apply for a discharge |
| Date | n.d. |
| Author | Bettes, William H. (fl. 1862-1865) |
| Recipient | Betty, W.H. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writing a few lines to let Betty know that he sits up for most of the day but is very weak. Has all the care that he could wish for, and everything in the hospital is kept clean. The 60 to 70 patients there all seem to be doing well; Bettes does not think there is anyone who is dangerously sick and no one has died since he arrived at the Union Chapel Hospital in Washington. Believes he will apply for a discharge. Does not know if he can get one or not, but there is no harm in trying. Asks Betty to send him the letters that have arrived for him at camp. If he does not get his discharge, he will not be able to leave for ten days to two weeks. Does not know any war news and asks Betty to please write him with any war news. |
| Subjects | Soldier's Letter Civil War Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Military History Cavalry Children and Family Health and Medical Hospital Washington, D.C. |
| People | Bettes, William H. (fl. 1862-1865) |
| Place written | Union Chapel Hospital, Washington D.C. |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Health & Medicine |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Folder Information: This collection consists of fourteen letters written by William Henry Bettes. Eleven of these letters are written to Lodema Bettes, his wife, one letter is written to Charley Bettes, his son, one letter is written to Carrie Bettes, his daughter, and one letter is written to Lieutenant W. H. Betty. William H. Bettes enlisted on 5 October 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into Company L 6th Regiment Ohio Cavalry on the same date. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 16 December 1861 and was discharged for disability on 23 March 1863. Selected highlights include: Bette's thoughts on the Battle of Fredericksburg (11 December - 15 December, 1862) and his descriptive accounts of the war generals and their tactics. Further highlights include the touching letters to his children, and his genuine concern for the men that are sick in the hospital. Eleven of the letters have original postal covers. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Comrade |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 6th Ohio Cavalry, L Company |