The following letter was written by Henry Newman Chapman (1843-1917), the son of Jeremiah Chapman (1817-1854) and Sarah Newman (1810-1894) of Washington, Sullivan county, New Hampshire. Henry was born in Sanbornton, Belknap county, New Hampshire. He was a painter by profession.

Henry was 18 years old when he enlisted on 14 September 1861 as a private in Co. A, 8th New Hampshire Infantry. He was wounded on 27 May 1863 at Port Hudson and after recuperating in Baton Rouge, we learn that he was placed on duty as a hospital steward in the Theatre Hospital. He re-enlisted in 1864 and mustered out in January 1865.

I have not been able to find any information about the Theatre Hospital in Baton Rouge except for notices of certain Union soldiers dying there. Presumably the theatre stopped productions for a time in Baton Rouge due to the Union occupation and was converted into a hospital.

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Theatre Hospital
Baton Rouge
July 29th, 1863

Dear Mother,

I will write you a few lines to let you know how and where I am. My health is first rate. It never was better. I am in the above hospital acting both as clerk and Steward. I have learned enough of medicine so I can give it to patients. Anyone would take me for a regular doctor to see me here. I also have the hospital registrar to keep which takes me about half of the forenoon.

I can say as Hillis Wilson died when he was at Carrollton that we should hardly know there was any war. We hear more war news here from the North than we do from this part of the country at present. I always thought it would come to that if the draft was enforced. It is not at all unexpected to me. I read in the New York Herald this morning that there had been a riot in Portsmouth. I think these riots will prolong this war one year at least, and I find this is the general opinion here. But one thing I know—that is that they cannot keep me but a little over a year and that is some satisfaction, I tell you. The 9-month’s men of this Department are very anxious to get home.

I suppose the 16th New Hampshire is at Port Hudson yet as I hear none of the 9-month’s troops have gone home yet. When I was at New Orleans a few weeks ago, Lieut. Wilkins they said was there but I did not see him. I should like to see him and the rest of the boys before they go home—especially Lucius Wilson.

The most of the troops have been paid since Port Hudson was taken but our Paymaster I believe has not come up yet. I wish he would for I begin to want some money as I have been out for some time. They owe us 9-month’s pay the last of this month. The 8th is still at Port Hudson and the tents and baggage have gone up too so I think the regiment is going to stay there this summer.

But I must close as I have got to go to work soon. I shall have to send this without a stamp but I will send you one as soon as I get some. Please write as soon as you get this for I have not received but one since I came down here the 30th of May.

This from your affectionate son, — Henry N. Chapman, Co. A, 8th Regt. N. V. V., Baton Rouge, La.

Direct to New Orleans, La.