2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Beautifully penned 4 page letter entirely in his hand with full signature of Dr. W. S. Newton to his wife from Fayetteville, West VA, March 7, 1863 (plain letterhead): "Two of our men died in the hospital in the same ward last night…one of typhoid fever the other mumps. We have four others in the hospital who might die at any moment and 15 who are pretty sick besides plenty in quarters who report every morning at Surgeon's Call. Our major is quite sick at a private house…I have to all see twice a day…my time pretty well occupied…and if my health only spared I will not complain." Writes that he sold his watch and sends her the money so that "…you may buy a new bonnet or anything you chose… but take care of your health…these are lonely hours and left to conjecture many things of which we are sometimes ashamed." It appears that his wife had sent him a box of homemade goodies and that someone had waylaid them before he received it "…if I could only shake the man who opened it… I think it would raise my spirits…just to think the hateful thieves ate up all the good things. Perhaps it made them sick, would I not to prescribe for them !..." Light aging. Exc. +. Full signature.
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