The identity of this soldier has not yet been learned. He was probably from a Massachusetts regiment and it may be that he was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Fredericksburg. The letter provides us with a great description of the Portsmouth Grove Hospital (later Lovell Hospital) in Rhode Island as it appeared in March 1863.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Portsmouth Grove Hospital
March 8, 1863

Dear Mother,

I received your letter yesterday and was glad to get it for it is three weeks since I had one from home. I am well and my leg is all healed up but is a little still yet. I cannot bear my weight on it. I have to walk on my toe with a cane. We have been all moved out of Ward 16—all but those that were in bed. I’m in [Ward] 27 now. It is a good ways from the mess hall and everything else.

They have got a great long walk built from 16 clear up to 28. It looks about like a rope walk. The wards are [ar]ranged in this way [sketch] and this is the walk between them. When you are at one end, when the doors are all shut, you can’t hardly see out of the other end.

[Ward] 27 is close to the river so we can look out of the windows and see the steamboat as it goes up and down and all other boats. There are vessels and schooners passing all the time.

It storms every other day. We had quite a snow storm yesterday—the most we have had this winter. I am acquainted with all that were in [Ward] 16. They were all able to go about but six who have not been able to sit up much for two months.

You wanted to know what we had to eat. One morning we have one slice of bread and some hash of some kind with coffee, and the next morning we get bread and a piece of boiled meat, and for dinner we have soup of some kind every day. And for supper, mush and molasses one night and apple sauce the next, & two potatoes and a piece of bread the next and tea every night. And mother, for dinner they keep us on just about half rations and we are hungry about all the time. I shall be glad when I get away from here where I can get enough to eat. I thinkUncle Sam must be failing very fast if he can’t give soldiers in the hospitals enough to eat.

I expected that box last night but it did not come. Clarence got one last night. Today is Sunday but it storms so, I guess I shan’t go to meeting. The Chaplain’s name is Proudfit. The Library was opened week before last. We had a speech and music by the brass band. General Wool and his staff were here last Thursday and they had a great time. The guard all turned out and all that were able in the wards and formed in line. They had two little cannons and fired a salute when they came off the boat. All the doctors went down to the boat to meet him. They then marched up to headquarters and through one or two of the wards and mess hall and library and back to the boat. Music by the band.

I got that money but it is all gone now. And your picture. I was glad to see you and hope I shall see you all soon. That box we got was not marked paid but when I got the receipt, I carried it down to the office here and he sent it to the office in Newport but I have not got the money yet. I expect it this week.

This war is a money making concern and half the officers ought to be shot and I should like to help shoot them. I am glad Aunt Nancy has got started after a while. I had a letter from Alice the other day. She said they stopped there one day. I have a letter from Boston most every week and papers. We have plenty of papers and books to read now. It is most noon and I guess I won’t write any more till tomorrow.

You asked me why I did not answer Julie’s letter. I have not had one from her since I came here.

Monday, my box came this morning and I was glad to get it for I was pretty hungry. But I don’t think I shall go hungry much now for two or three months. And besides the box, I got the money. I paid for the other one. Tell Julie I will answer her letter soon. I have plenty of paper but no stamps. Give my love to all the folks and write again soon. Your affectionate son, — Grinyilleewaasaloolasso

Please excuse this writing for my pen is poor and I am in a hurry.