Envelope postmarked Cairo, Ill Mar 2, 186(4?) Test Hospital Feb 22nd
Dear Friends:
I seat myself this afternoon to pen a few lines to let you know I am still alive & well. tis the first chance I have had for some time. I have been very busy the past week. I am now driving Ambulance for the Hospital & it keeps me busy most of the time. today it is raining consequently i have not so much to do. I have to drive down to HeadQuarters twice a day about 3/5 of a mile from the Hospital. & also haul rations for the Hospital & my horses & haul those that are sick to the Hospital & those that are dead to the graveyard..HeHe. We have but four white Patients at our Hospital now, but about two hundred yards from us is a shanty with eighteen niggers in it with the small pox. there are a hole lot of nigger families on the Island & the small pox has got among them & they cannot get it abated.. there is one that brakes out with it about every other day & one that goes to the grave yard about as often..
I have not heard direct from the Battalion since they left but I understand they are in Florida some place. I suppose I had aught to be with them but I am not as stout & cannot stand as much hard fare as I could before I was sick.. I have a good place to stay here. A good tent to stay in, a good bed to sleep in, & plenty to eat.. there has to be someone fill the place I am filling & I dont know but it might as well be me as anyone.. I have been detailed by the Surgeon so I expect I will have to stay untill he sees fit to let me go.. times are very dul.. no news.. but I expect there will be some stirring sort of time in Dixie afterwhile. I beleave our army is getting in about the right shape to wind this war up this summer. however time will tell..
I have not received a letter from you since the 2nd of this month.. On the 7th I wrote a few lines to you and told you to direct you letters to the Hospital which i suppose you have got by this time.. when you write again please send me a few Postage stamps. I am out of money & they cannot be got without money. We have not been paid since we were at Baton Rouge no more at present write often. Your Lucius Carhart direct to Test Hospital White River Landing Ark