The William H. Grady Letters Collection in the North Carolina State Archives contains five letters written by Grady during the Civil War. The letter below, written from a Richmond hospital, was written with Grady’s typical tongue-in-cheek style, but it also recounted the tragic deaths of some of the men he knew. All five letters (transcripts and images) are located HERE.
Chimborazo Hospital
Richmond Va
May 29th 1864
Dear Sister
I wrote to Pop last week but I do not know whether he received it or not as the mail is rather irregular. You see I am yet in the Hospital my wound is doing very well. I hope that it will soon heal up. I have been here every since the day after I was wounded the (15th). There is several Tar Heels here but none of our Co. They were in a different Hospital one of our Boys John James[1] come here with me his arm had to be amputated and he died his wife come to see him but got here a day or two after he died. Lam Sullivan’s[2] wife (Rachel James) come here To see Lam “she is one of them” she thinks the world of Lam or a least she appears to.
I have not heard from our Regt since I was wounded. I do not whether they are below the Bluff or up with Cousin Bobb.
One of the 43rd is here he said that Stephen Miller was killed[3] and he thinks one of the Gradys.[4]
Lee and Grant are manouvering. Grant is making for the Peninsular to join
Butler & Lee is keeping his army between his & the city. Robert will keep thing all right on his side of the house.
As I can not think of any thing to write I had better close. Wonder if my “sweet Heart” has been informed that I have a Yankee ball in the side of my unmentionables.[5]
Write soon and give me all the news for I have not heard from Duplin since I left Ivor![6]
Dinner is about ready & I will close. To day is Sunday if I was at Wilmington or Petersburg I would go to church with somebodies daughter &c.
I remain your afft Brother
(Direct) Wm. H. Grady
3rd Division Ward 2
Chimborazo Hospital
Richmond Va
[1] Served in Company C with Grady; wounded in left arm; remains were taken home by wife, Charity.
[2] Private Lemuel L. Sullivan served with Grady in Company C; he survived the war.
[3] Sergeant Stephen H. Miller was killed at Hanover Junction, VA on May 24, 1864.
[4] None of the Gradys serving in the 43rd North Carolina were killed before this letter was written.
[5] Grady was severely wounded in the left buttock.
[6] The 51st Regiment left Ivor Station on April 26, 1864.
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