The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02596.08 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of William H. Bettes, L company, 6th regiment, Ohio, cavalry |
| Title | William H. Bettes to Lodema Bettes discussing a visit to a hospital |
| Date | 11 December 1862 |
| Author | Bettes, William H. (fl. 1862-1865) |
| Recipient | Bettes, Lodema |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | The day before yesterday, orders came for Sigel's Corps to change position. When they came to load up, it was discovered that one of the wagons needed repairing and would have to be sent back to Washington; someone would have to accompany the wagon to ensure that it was repaired. Went to the city to see Wellington today. Found him sitting up and quite comfortable. Says he has a good appetite and feels very well but he is still weak; Bettes stayed with him for an hour. Everything about the hospital is as neat as a pin; Wellington says he has everything he needs and the best kind of care. An agent from an aid society in Ohio had been to the hospital to see the patients and tend to their every need. Bettes found no difficulty in accessing the hospital. Writes that if all their sick could be so well taken care of, he would feel very satisfied. Bettes wanted S. Z. Dickinson to go the same hospital that Wellington has gone to, but Dickinson thought he had better stay in the Regimental Hospital for a few days. When the order came for the Army to move, Dickinson was put into an ambulance and sent to Fairfax, Ohio; Bettes has not seen or heard of him since that day. This camp is composed of the disabled horses and dismounted men of their Regiment. When one of their horses gives out, he is sent here and remains until the government can supply another one. There are about 60 men here now but few are fit for duty. There are parts of other Regiments encamped there; it is not a very desirable place to stay, and Bettes will start back for the Regiment in the morning. Expects to find them somewhere near Brentsville, Virginia about three miles from Bristow Station. May also find them at Chantilly as he heard that they were ordered to leave their teams and baggage there until further orders. |
| Subjects | Soldier's Letter Civil War Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Military History Cavalry Health and Medical Hospital Washington, D.C. Charity and Philanthropy Transportation |
| People | Bettes, William H. (fl. 1862-1865) Bettes, Lodema (fl. 1862-1865) |
| Place written | Camp on Hall Farm, 4 miles from Washington |
| 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 | Wife |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 6th Ohio Cavalry, L Company |