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Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number thirty-two
Memphis, Tn.,1864 May 8th, Sunday
Mother, This pleasant Sabbath finds me seated to let you know my where abouts
at present. I left Vicksburg Apr. the 27th and landed at Memphis the 30th.
The next morning being Sunday, May the 1st, the sick was removed from the
boat to different hospitals in town. Myself and one of Co E of my regt was
sent to the Gayoso Hospital. We are here yet and a getting along first rate
or al least I am doing fine. I wouldn't have any objections to serve my time
in the hospital if I wasn't any sicker than I am at present. But I ought to
have a good time for, I with the rest of the sick, suffered while on Red
River and while coming up the Mississippi. I haven't heard from my Regt since
I left it. Nothing more than the rebs is making big calculations of whipping
Banks as gain. Memphis is not as lively as it was last Feb. when I was here.
I was out in town yesterday and went up to Overton Hospital to see one of my
Co. He wants me to try and get a transfer to that hospital and try and get a
detail as nurse but I won't do anything as long as I can get around it. I
forgot to tell you that I got your last letter on Red River. I got it 10th of
Apr. If you get my last letter I suppose that you have sent me 5 dollars. I
am sorrow that I wrote for it for I may not get it but if you directed as I
told you I guess that I will get it sometime. One of my Co is at the hospital
of Vicksburg and I have written to him to send it to me at this hospital for
fear that I will never get the other 5 dollars. I guess you had better send
me 5 more in answer to this for I have no chance to get any pay from the
government for I haven't my descriptive roll with me. Direct your letter, my
name first and then Gayoso Hospital, Ward B, Memphis, Tn. and then put my Co
on across the left end of the envelope. Put Co and Regt on in small letters.
You had better get the post master to back it for you. I wouldn't want the Co
and Regt on it but I may leave here before I can get an answer. My health is
improving fast since I have been here. We have plenty to eat and ice water to
drink. As I am out of money I went over to the commissary room and got this
paper. They furnish soldiers with writing material if he is out of money. It
isn't very good but it is better than none. I must tell you one thing more.
We have a woman in each room. I must stop for the present. I hope this may
find you all well. I would like to hear from E.E. (sister). So no more
F.W.Kimble
Memphis, Tn.
Eliza, I must say a few words before I close. I wish that you could see the
city of Vicksburg and the fortifications around it. I must say it and tell
the truth to. Almost every house in town has been struck by a shell. It is a
rough looking place. It is fun to see the holes in the hills where the shells
landed. We had to stay while the seige lasted. Eliza I would write more but
my candle is about out and I will have to stop pretty soon or be in the dark.
Liza, John will be in the same army with me probably. We will be together
some of the time. Eliza you must take care of yourself. Direct your next
letter via Memphis, Tenn. Jimmy you must be a good little man till I get back
again. And give Sate my respects the next time all of you write.Excuse
scribbling for I am in a hurry. Good evening sister. F.W. Kinmble to E.E.
Kimble Excuse haste.
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
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