Feinberg/Whitman Box 32 Folder 18 Literary File Prose "War Experiences" (Mar-Apr. 1863) Proof sheet Includes A.MS. corrections 1000 After April 1863 War Experiences: corrected proof. A.MS. (1p. on another p. 11 1/2 x 13 1/4 cm.) Written in ink on a proof, pasted to a slightly larger sheet (on which WW has written on back (for covers Meyer, 17 Beekman st), 9 words (rest of material is in print): March & April, 163 (written) I continue among the hospitals in & around Washington [during March], [April, &c.], without intermission. My custom is to go through a ward, or collection of wards, endeavoring to give some trifle to each, without missing any. Even a sweet biscuit, a sheet of paper, or a passing word of friendliness, or but a look or nod, if no more. In this way I go through large numbers, without delaying, yet do not hurry. I find out the general mood of the ward at the time; sometimes see that there is a heavy weight of listlessness prevailing, and the whole ward wants cheering up. I, (over) [See Specimen Days, pp. 29 & 51: Nolin SD.] perhaps, read to the men, to break the spell; calling them around me, careful to sit away from the cot of any one who is very bad with sickness or wounds. Also, I found out, by going through in this way, the cases that need special attention, and can then devote proper time to them. Of course I am very cautious among the patients, in giving them food. I always confer with the doctor, or find out from the nurse or ward-master, about a new case. But soon I got sufficiently familiar with what is to be avoided, and learn also to judge almost intuitively what is best. WRITING LETTERS BY THE BEDSIDE. I do a great deal of this, of course, writing all kinds, including love-letters. Many sick and wounded soldiers have not written home to parents, brothers, sisters, and even wives, for one reason or another, for a long, long time. Some are poor writers, some cannot get paper and envelopes; many have an aversion to writing because they dread to worry the folks at home--the facts about them are so sad to tell. I always encourage the men to write, and promptly write for them. March and April, '63 I continue among the hospitals in & around Washington, without intermission. My custom is to go through a ward or collection of wards, endeavoring to give some trifle to each, without missing any. Even a sweet biscuit, a sheet of paper, or a passing word of friendliness, or but a look or nod, if no more. In this way I go through large numbers, without delaying, yet do not hurry. I find out the general mood of the ward at the time' sometimes see that there is a heavy weight of listlessness prevailing, and the whole ward wants cheering up. I, perhaps, read to the men, to break the spell; calling them around me, careful to sit away from the cot of anyone who is very bad with sickness or wounds. Also, I find out, by going through in this way, the cases that need special attention, and can then devote proper time to them. Of course, I am very cautious among the patients, in giving them food. I always confer with the doctor, or find out from the nurse or ward-master, about a new case. But I soon get sufficiently familiar with what is to be avoided, and learn also to judge almost intuitively what is best. WRITING LETTERS BY THE BEDSIDE I do a great deal of this, of course, writing all kinds, including love-letters. Many sick and wounded soldiers have not written home to parents, brothers, sisters, and even wives, for one reason or another, for a long, long time. Some are poor writers, some cannot get paper or envelopes; many have an aversion to writing because they dread to worry the folks at home--the facts about them are so sad to tell. I always encourage the men to write, and promptly write for them. See Specimen days Page 29 - 851 Dorn Not included in Specimen Days [Feinllerg] Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.