Letter writing of late

CONTINUE my recovery from the wound in the knee received at the siege. While I am rubbish at doing anything that involves a great deal of standing as of yet, all the sitting has given me an opportunity to catch up on my correspondence. My writing has been accompanied by Molly's pianoforte lessons. I have heard the same three songs bang'd out so many times, I daresay I could play them myself whilst I slept.

The following is a letter written to the young fellow at Locust Grove:

Mr. Cushing,

It was a pleasure to finally get to speak with you in the Hellfire Club on Saturday last. I believe that I have found the means with which to procure a proper waistcoat for myself, but did want to inquire once again as to the origins of your fine black wool jacket, ruffled shirt and trousers. I would be very grateful if you would pass along the names of those that I might contact to have similar garments made for myself.

Lizzie and I greatly enjoyed the talk you gave about men's clothing, it was informative and just the right length. I would venture to call it my favorite talk of the day were it not for the copious number of attractive young ladies in the style show. I think that I would have to rank your speech a close second to them.

I understand from Captain Martin, the fellow in the red coat and unsightly mustache, that I missed a greater gathering at the Hellfire Club Saturday afternoon. When I saw he and his wife at their four o'clock tea, he informed me that a number of gentlemen had gathered to drink and read some rather ribald poetry. I must confess, I am sorry to have missed it.

Know also that I would be very interested in a position in the unit you discussed as Physician. I have excellent references and all my own instruments, everything I would require to perform the tasks of unit surgeon. You may find my references, as well as my journal, here:

http://manskerman1780.blogspot.com/

I look forward to hearing from you in this regard. Until then, I most sincerely wish you all health and success; and am, with great respect,

Your most humble & obt. servant, etc etc...


My second letter was addressed to Mrs. Kish, the mother to young John. I was able to locate them through a mutual aquaintence, Ms. Davis, at the Van Cortlandt House.

My dear Mrs. Kish,

I am writing in regards to your son John, the brave young Grenadier whom I operated on during the Siege at fort Niagara. Being the surgeon that removed the prodigious splinter from your son's eye, I felt it my duty to inquire as to his health and well being. I was able to implore him to hold still enough to allow me to carefully remove it, once it was out, he insisted I allow him to keep it. After examination of the eye, I believe that his sight will eventually return to normal, he was very fortunate and brave. Your son repaid the favour when he aided as a surgeon's mate the next day when I was wounded upon the field.

I hope that you and your family are well. Please feel free to pass this letter along to your son, as I am certain he will be interested to see some of the attached images. My dear Lucy has done nothing but talk about John since we left the Niagara area, she being quite taken with him and very aggrieved by the great difference in their ages. 

http://wayne861.smugmug.com/keyword/surgeon

As well as the images and entries in my journal at:

http://manskerman1780.blogspot.com/

I most sincerely wish you all health and success; and am, with great respect,

Your most affectionate & obt. servant,
Albert Roberts

N.B. Whenever your leisure will permit, it will always give me the greatest pleasure to be informed of your welfare.

Mrs. Kish checks on her wounded son John, as my Lucy looks after her favorite patient.

You may, gentle reader, have also found the kind note I receieved in regards to one of the men I operated on during the siege. It was posted here in my journal:

Dear Sir,


I am most obliged to you for your services in removing the bullet from my husband's shoulder. He is healing quite nicely, and I am pulling out the linen strip as you instructed. Likewise, the bullet graze on his head has also healed quite well. I am most appreciative of your services.



Your servant,

Mrs. Hanson of Beall's Regiment, Maryland Forces

Mrs. Hanson, center, comforts her husband.

I have but one letter yet to finish, to the wife of my friend Capt. Jack Johnson, late of the area around Fort Pitt. Capt. Johnson is the man in charge of the fair to be held this present year at Schoenbrunn Village.

Dear madam,

As regimental surgeon it gives me great concern to relay to you the events of Febry. 16th. of this present year. Your husband, Capt. J. Johnson, was commanding a forage party out of Fort Pitt and were returning when they were set upon by a large band of French allied indians. Nine men were killed or wounded, including your husband.

Capt. Johnson was quite fortunate in that the musket ball did not strike the bone. Amputation was not required, but I am afear'd that he will be left with a rather noticeable limp that may preclude him from further military service. He is healing well and is being sent home upon my orders to convalesce. your husband will need to stay off of the leg in order for it to heal properly, I strongly recommend a fortnight.

Please give the Captain my most humble thanks for his service to the King, and know that I most sincerely wish you and the Captain all health and success; and am, with great respect,

Your most humble & obt. servant,
ETC ETC...