The following letter was written by Simon B. Wait of Canton, St. Lawrence county, New York, who enlisted at 19 years of age on 9 August 1862 as a private in Co. K, 106th New York Infantry. He was almost immediately transferred to the 23rd Co., 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps (VRC), apparently judged by a surgeon to be unable to withstand the rigors of life in the field. He remained in the service until 31 August 1864 and was detailed to serve as a hospital nurse or aide.

Simon wrote the letter to his cousin, Lucy P. Waite (1844-1909), the daughter of farmer Benjamin Waite (1812-1875) of Canton, St. Lawrence county, New York. Lucy never married.

Simon informs us that he was working in the Mount Pleasant General Hospital (pictured below) which was a purpose-built hospital raised in the winter of 1861-62 on Meridian Hill in the District of Columbia. During construction the buildings were guarded day and night by 9 soldiers under the orders of General Sykes to prevent attempts of incendiarism. It was based on plans provided by P.B. Wight, Esq. of New York and built under the approval of the Sanitary Commission.

It covered about an acre and a half and contained ten wards along with a kitchen and an administration building two stories high on the south side, 80 feet long and connected to the back via a 275 feet long corridor to the wards (five on each side of it). A 27 feet wide yard was added between each building to introduce light and ventilation to the wards. The wards were 87 feet long and 28 feet wide and had both gas and water. The surgical room will be at the end of the corridor on the north side. It was fitted with the necessary equipment found in hospitals at the time. The kitchen laundry and other supporting services were on the east side of the administration building.

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Nick Kaup and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

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

Mount Pleasant General Hospital, D. C.
January 5, 1864

Cousin Lucy,

Perhaps you will think this is a late hour to write but I have been some busy for the last two weeks. I have not had time to write home. It being the last of the year, they took an inventory of everything in the hospital and many other things that took some time.

We had a snow storm here yesterday for the first time this year. The ground is all covered here now. It seems like home to look out of the window and see the sleighs go past, I have not been out yet but I think I shall have a snow ball tonight. We don’t have to go out of doors for anything here. There has been two weeks at a time that I never was out of doors so when I do go out, the cold weather makes some difference to what it used to at home.

Now what for a time did you have New Years? For my part I had a very good time. I worked all day and at night had a pass to go to the theatre. They played the Iron Mass so that is the way New Years went with me. I expect you had a very nice time. I expect you had a very nice time. I expected to of been there but as bad luck would have it I could not come very well so I do not know when I shall come now. It is so cold I can’t think of coming this winter but I shall have to come when I can the best.

There is not much news to write here now so you will not expect a very long letter. I had a letter from cousin Isadore yesterday. She is well and all the rest. Mary has gone to Canada to live this winter with her sister so Isadore is alone now. She sent me her picture and Mary’s. I think very much of them. I hope you will be able to send yours when you write again for I should think so much of it. I send my best respects to Uncle Ben and Aunt Lucy & all the rest, taking a share for yourself.

I am in the best of health now, hoping this will find you all the same. I shall have to close for this time as I have got out of writing tinder and you will get sick of reading this before you get through reading it. Write as often as you get time for you always tell me all the news. You spoke of going to Canton to school in about three weeks when you last wrote, so as it has been nearly four of them, I think there will [be] no danger of directing your letter there.

I must close for this time. Please answer this and I will try and so better next time and not wait so long. Goodbye from your cousin, — Simon B.

I will direct this to Russell.