The following letter was written by John H. Warner (1839-1919) of Co. G, 109th New York Infantry. He enlisted on 7 August 1862 at Lansing, New York, and was mustered out of the service on 17 May 1865 at Philadelphia. John was married at lived at Lockport, New York, until he checked himself into a Home for Disabled Soldiers in 1905 where he remained until his death in 1919. He gave the name of his son, James P. Warner (1872-1914) of Lockport, Niagara county, NY, as his nearest relative.

John was the son of George C. Warner (1811-1862) and Alvira Gilpin (1810-1849) of Lansing, Tompkins county, New York. He wrote the letter to his sister, Mary C. Warner (1842-1920) who later married William H. Tucker. He also mentions a younger brother named Genoa (b. 1846).

John’s letter was written from Satterlee Hospital in Philadelphia. He complains of a cold and sore throat—not symptoms that would warrant hospitalization so he must have been recuperating from something more chronic or perhaps he was detailed there to work as a hospital aide. He doesn’t say and the regimental roster only tells us he was “discharged with detachment, May 17, 1865 at Satterlee Hospital.” There isn’t much war news in the letter but there is a good description of the holiday decorations at the hospital and of the Christmas dinner provided the soldiers in Philadelphia hospitals by the generous donation of Dr. & Mrs. M. C. Egbert. [See: The American Menu]

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

Satterlee U.S. Army Gen Hospital
West Philadelphia, PA
Christmas 1864

Dearly loved Sister,

Yours of the 16th was received by me the 21st with much pleasure, but did not find me enjoying myself very well as I had a sore throat and a very bad cold. But the cold hangs onto me yet pretty solid and my throat is not much sore just now and that dried fruit which I brought with me which you and Mina gave me comes very good when I am sick and tastes good to me when I can’t eat anything else and I am ever thankful to you and Abby and Mina for it and will try and remember you all as long as I live for the good favors you have done for me and love you and Abby as a brother ought. And Mary, I am glad that Hi has got you and Abby each a nice skirt. Mary, I am sorry that you and Hi are not very well and have got colds, but you did not say how Genoa was or where he was. Now don’t fail to tell me in every letter about Genoa or at least a few words.

Mary, my cold is so bad that I can hardly talk loud. I am glad you sent that letter over to Abby as she will be pleased to hear from me and it seems that she is at work over to Edwin Bushes. I hope that you will have a good school teacher this winter, and there were more scholars the first day than I expected there would be as they are very scarce in District No. 3. I am glad to hear that Aunt Rush was there that day you wrote to me and you all had a good visit with her and now Mary, if she is out there when you get this letter and you see her, give her and Mary, my best wishes and respects and Uncle Josh too.

Mary, this hospital presented a very fine appearance yesterday and will for a few days hence as it is trimmed and wreathed with evergreen and flags and in fact almost every[thing] nice, and the Christmas dinner was served up in a beautiful style and the funds which bought it was contributed my Mrs. Dr. M. C. Egbert who gave 5,000 dollars to the hospitals around Philadelphia and 1,700 of it to this hospital. And Mrs. Egbert said that a Christmas dinner given everyday would not be doing for them half what they are sacrificing for us (noble woman that). She lives at Petroleum Centre, Venango Co. PA.

The dinner consisted of roast beef, turkey, and chicken, pickles, chow chow, cranberry sauce, applesauce, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, onions, pumpkin, apple and mince pie, sponge cake, apple cider, nuts, coffee, and dinner at 3 PM and music by band. Each man had a large card with the bill affair on his plate and I would send you one, but I can’t get it in an envelope of common size, but I will send you more good reading and Abby too for scrapbook. Not all at once, though.

I send you and Mina, and all the rest, my best wishes and respects and remain your friend and brother, — John H. Warner, Co. G, 109th New York Vol.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas.