General Hospital No. 19. Ward 2,  

Nashville Tenn Oct 18/64

Bro. Sister & Mother,

I am yet in the hospital at this place & do notknow when I shall be able to get away. I am gaining strength very slow,my sickness is similar to that of two years ago--I have very hard nightsweats, but am able to be up all day. I have a pass to go where I pleasein town every afternoon from one to four o'clock. I wrote you last Fridayfrom this place, also to Lafe at the same time. I have not heard from himyet nor from the regiment since I left them at Franklin about 20 milessouth of this place, I think they can not be very far off, the next twodays & nights after I left them it rained all the time & raisedthe streams so they probaly could not travel as Forrest had been ahead& destroyed the rail road & bridges, he made out to get south ofthe Tennessee River just in time to save him self as the water was riseingwhen he crossed. a few hours makes a great difference in an armys crossingstreams. So much of the country lies edgewise that the water all runs intothe valleys, & cause the streams to rise in a few hours so as to theimpassible for a number of days. as for war news I do not hear any morethan when I was at home, here in the hospital we get a paper about thesize of the Statesman, every day with about three fourths filled with advertisements,for 10 cts.

I met Tommy Cave on the streets yesterday. he is asblack & tough as ever. is doing duty at hospital No 8, in this place,said he would call & see me. I have not heard from Fletcher since HenryWinters came, before I left Lookout Mountain I sent Mother a picture &would like to know if she has got it, also if you received the money Isent from Jackson & my certifficate of credit from Indianapolis. Thereare about three hundred patients in this building they are going &comeing every day. to have died in this ward since I have here. it is apoor place for a person that is very sick, so many in a room & so muchwalking around by the nurses, which cannot be avoided,  

The U.S. Christian Commission are doing a great dealfor the sick & wounded soldiers. there is either one or two ladiesthat come through the hospital every morning calling upon the patients(especialy those not able to be up) furnishing them either paper, envelopes,thread, wine, soups, crust coffee, or anything in the way of light dietthey think they can eat,

A person must have stomach as strong as a small muleto stand full diet, for breakfast we get potatoes, bread, strong coffee,sometimes butter. dinner beans, bread pudding, meat, bread, & riverwater. Supper dried apple sauce Bread & what they call, tea, I havejust commeced on full diet. do not know how I shall stand it but live inhopes. Write as often as you can & Oblige Yours Truly--Bro--& SonE F Alvord

sent to : Asa R. Alvord, Athens, Calhoun Co., Michigan

Postmarked: Nashville, Ten., Oct. 14, 1864