Archive Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Catalog Number

XI.1.2.2019.029.39

Collection

Hazzard Family Collection

Object Name

Letter

Title

Letter from Thomas D. Hazzard to Joseph H. Hazzard

Scope & Content

From his stay at the Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, Thomas Davis Hazzard writes to his brother. He sends his thoughts about the New York Draft Riots. Hazzard calls the rioters "traitors" and "villains". Filled with Unionist pride, Hazzard claims he would rather go put down the riots than go back to the front lines. He also recounts a trip to his mother's and friend's houses in the city of Philadelphia. While in the city he went with a young woman to a party which he did not know was actually thrown in his honor.

Dates of Creation

July 26, 1863

Date

July 26, 1863

Notes

This letter is addressed to "Brother." All of Thomas D. Hazzard's letters are addressed to "Brother," in reference to Joseph H. Hazzard.

The full transcription of the letter is as follows:

U. S. Hospital. Chesnut [Chestnut]
Hill Pa
July 26th/ 63
Dear Brother
I recived [received] your letter last evning [evening] and was gld [glad] to hear from you and to hear that your famile [family] was in good health. i had read the full account of the grait [great] Draft rioets [riots] in your City. i am sorrey [sorry] to know that thear [there] is such traitors and villens [villains] in the North. and i would scooner [sooner] Reenlist for Three year to search and fight the traitors at home. then to goe [go] back to the front whear [where] the Rebles [Rebels] come out and say publickly [publicly] that thay [they] are fighten [fighting] against us but this fire in our rear such as peace makers + thoes [those] Resting [Resisting] the drafts is the worst. i am opposed to the Three hundred Dollar clause but the remainder of the Lawr [Law]
[page break]
i think is correct
and would endever [endeavor] to force the Draft if i lost my lifgh [life] by so doing. The men hear [here] althow [although] we are wounded, was all ready to leave the Hospital at a moments notice for your City, to put down the Rioet [Riot] but the Order for us to leave did not come. and if we should have come we would not alow [allow] the mob to disperce [disperse] but would have gave evry [every] one of them one of Uncle Sams. Draft Pills, althow [although] i have to walk with a cane i would have come on if i did have to crawle [crawl].
My Wound is neather [neither] Better or worse. thay [they] keep proben [probing] and burning it with Caustick [Caustic] and want to cut the ball or pice [piece] of shell which ever it is, out but thay [they] cannot practize [practice]
[page break]
on me, as I will take it back with me to my Regiment, whear [where] i know thear [there] is Surgons [Surgeons] which can take it out with out butchering me. I was down home on Thursday and got back to my Prison on friday [Friday]. all the famile [family] was in good health then, i paid a viset [visit] to nearly all my friends in this city. on Thursday i whent [went] to see a young lady and i was just in time to accompeny [accompany] her to an evning [evening] party which was gotten up on my account althou [although] unkno-wing [unknown] to me untill [until] i arived [arrived] at the place whear [where] it was to take place it was at a Lawers [Lawyers] house by the Name of Davis. he uest [used] to be on Gen [General] McClleonds [McClellans] Staff. we had quite a fine time and i did not get home untill [until]
[page break]
6 oclock on Friday morning, to my mothers i mean.
I have no news this time but i will write again as scoon [soon] as i see if i can get detailed on some duty in this city, i think i can get to be a coping [copying] cleark [clerk]. to coppy [copy] Orers [Orders] in one of the many Offices which are in this city.
Give my Best Respects to John Barrey, and to ann [Ann] and kiss the children for me and Recive [Receive] my Respects Your self [Yourself]
all the famile [family] I remain Your Brot-her
sends thir [their] Best Thomas. Davis Hazzard
Respects to you
writes scoon [soon]
i am much oblidge [obliged] for the 50 cts [cents] as i can now goe [go] dowen [down] to the city again. it cost 37 cts [cents] to goe [go] to 9 + Green from the hospital and Return. 18 cts [cents] each way.
Direct as befor [before] to me
Ward 25, Bed 7 Army armey [army]
U.S.A. Hospital. Chesnut [Chestnut] Hill
Philad [Philadelphia]

Extent of Description

1 leaf, 9.9" by 8"

Relation

Show Related Records...

Condition

Good

Condition Notes

Overall, letter is in good condition. This sheet has one vertical folds down the center. It has two horizontal folds that split the page into equal thirds. There is slight discoloration along the edges and fold lines, especially on the front of the sheet.

Legal Status

Owned by The Union League Legacy Foundation.