U.S. Genl Hospital, Hilton Head, S.C.May 22nd /65Dear Parents & Brothers;

Page 1

I told you in my last letter that I thought this one, would be dated for the north, but I cant get away from here until they send me & I dont see much sings of their doing that, although they keep telling about going in a day or two.

I was in hopes to have got an answer the first letter by this time but it dont come. I dont know as they will think enough of a soldier at Jacksonville Fla to remail a letter for him his nothing but one of them sick fellers, he will die before it reaches him, that is what about two thirds of these army bummers

that have always had an easy time, would say, but no matter I will soon be free from them, perhaps you will think that I am getting discouraged but it is not so. I am not easy discouraged, if I was I should have died six months ago in Andersonville, Instead of that I am alive & in a fair way to get to Vt. again if the military will only act. I am getting to be pretty smart, got so that I am working a little just for my health, my work is in the dining room. I help set the table, clear it off & wipe dishes, this is the third day. I was in hopes, the other day of finding a relative here but I cant make it out so the Doctor told me his name was

Page 3

Sparrow, he asked me if my Father was an Englishman, & the wardmaster told me that the Dr. was a Canadian. I have seen some of the general orders about discharge the army. I suppose you have seen them all, any way I look for an end to my soldiering very soon & I guess you do.

I hope to be home by the middle of June. I wish I could hear from you it would do me so much good to hear that you are all well, & Irvin, & Eddy I suppose have grown so that I shant know them & Hiram & Curtis, are doing mens work & Albert is so big & fat that he has to stay in the shade hot days. Father & Mother I expect have

grown old as much as ten years since I was taken prisoner but I hope not.

I dont think of any thing more now. I wish I was going the boat that this will day after tomorrow, the wardmaster says that I wont be here next sunday, but that is nothing but his opinion as soon as transportation can be had they will send me I expect, give my love to all our connexion & those that inquire after me. reserve a part for yourselves. I must close now for the flies are so thick, that they all over my face, & in my eyes & every where they can get, & I am in the library where there is no vituals to draw them too.

Yours Truly,Bradford P. Sparrow