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Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number thirty-seven
Memphis, Tn July the 13th, 1864
Dear Mother and Home, Well Mother I received your most welcome and respected
letter late last evening. I did not get it any too soon for I had been
looking anxiously for it for several days. It appears to me quite strange
that mail is so long coming from Memphis to Ia. We are having some very warm
weather now. It is so warm that I don't go out in town but very little for it
is cooler in the hospital than out in the street. It is very unhealthy here
now. The hospital is all full of sick and wounded. There was about 15 sick
and wounded men got furloughs from the Gayoso yesterday. They started for the
North last evening at 5 o'clock. A great many of them was Iowa soldiers.One
of them was the old gentleman that I have spoke of to you in my letters. He
has been my partner since I have been sick. We have been together from the
day that the Red River expedition left Vicksburg. He had no money to go home
on so I let him have 5 dollars and a pair of calvary boots for he couldn't
draw any before he started home and his was rather dusty to wear home. The
pants that I sold to him for 3 dollars he wanted me to give him your post
office address and I done so. He will send you the 8 dollars if he isn't able
to come back when his furlough is out. I would lend him 100 dollars quicker
than I would lend most of men 5 cts. I feel kind of lonesome today for him.
Always slept side by side ever since we have been in this hospital. One of
the Co B 14th boys is in this hospital and very sick to and he is going to
get a furlow soon but I am afraid that he won't get home for he isn't hardly
able to sit up in his bed alone. Three more of my Co is in the Overton
Hospital and two in the Adams. One of them that is in the Overton is the
young man that you have the minature of sitting besides me. He gets a furlow
to, but the poor fellow is so sick that I fear he will not make it home
alone. He has the chronic diarreha and the worst kind to. He is so poor that
his cheek bones nearly come through the skin. I wish that I could take him
home for he only lives 30 miles from Fairfield, Ia. I haven't heard from John
Bunn since the expedition left Memphis but I trust that he is well and
hearty. We have a rumor that the expedition that went out has had a fight
with Forrest and his marrauders and whipped them. But the truth of the case
is not known but I earnestly hope that it is true. Well Mother I must stop
writing and go and draw my medicine for today.
Afternoon - Well I have been upstairs and got my regular medicineand have
gave it for 12 o'clock, so I am at liberty to go out in town until 3 o'clock
but I shan't go out today for I have got one very sick patient and I want to
take as good care of him as lays in my power. So if he dies it will be no
blame on me. Mother you had better let Mr. C alone unless that you can prove
those things if you can put him throught.I don't want to hurt your feelings
but I am forced to tell you that he is one of your Democrat friends. If they
was all like him at your Portland meeting one year ago last 4th you must of
had a gay and festive old time. Mother you must not think hard of me for you
know how bitterly I hate them viper copperheads. I think more of a rattle
snake than I do of a northern traiter. You never told me whether you got the
blanket and sheet from me. I am expecting a letter from Sarah every
day.Mother I guess that I will not write any more just at present. Your son
F.W.Kimble
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
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Iowa In the Civil War
