[Written on "U.S. Sanitary Commission" letterhead.]
U.S. Naval School Hospital
Second 2. Ward 19. Annapolis Md.
January 29th 1866
Dear Uncle William:
I am seated this lonely hour of midnight for to write you a few lines trusting that they may find you all well and enjoying the many other blessings of life.
I arrived safe to this place where I have found quite a change in one short month. I left home Wednesday Jan 18 after visiting many places. We seterz[sp?] with Uncle John Shriver all night. We came to Uncle Alfred's next day through quite a snow storm. Next day we went to see Jane Richardson where we found her with afit[sp?] apparently doing well, in the evening returning to Uncle John Kasper[sp?] left for home next morning.
At 3 p.m. I took the train and began to be unhurled[sp?] away from home[?] the most delightful place to a person that loves home and home security. It just commenced to get dark at Grafton and commenced to get daylight when we were at Martinsburg. We lay over at Harpers Ferry for a few hours and arrived at the Relahouse[?] at ten p.m. At four we took the train bound for Washington D.C. When we got to the junction there was no trains leaving on Sunday evening. We tried to get accomodations but could not. We started afoot for Annapolis distance 22 miles. After walking after night we thought we had better camp for the night and went to an old fashioned Southern School house, which found learned[?]. We then went to a farm house and asked to sleep in his barn. He took us back to the school house where we stay till morning.
Early in the morning leaving and walking four miles to station we waited for the train. Which soon unhurled[?] us to our journey's end, where we arrived Monday January 23rd and found all right. I reported and was ordered to report to Stewart[sp?] Little John of Sec. tiren[?] 2 Where I have been doing hospital duty since. How changed this place appears, almost threefourths of the soldiers have left, some _____, some transfered others have been sent home and many have died of hardships they suffered while prisoners. Two of the best ladies of the yard have died one that have been doing duty for 14 years in this yard. Life is uncertain and death certain. Oh! May all be prepared to enjoy everlasting peace where thou is troubles for to endure.
Well there is quite a fleet laying here to be ready for some purpose. Admiral Farragut, Grant, Mead, and others were here the other day. We have had much ice here, but the tide and high wind have taken the most of it out. Some of our boys have been enjoying themselves skating on the big pond and some splendid skaters that can almost fly on a sea of glass. What a beautiful sight this is of a bright morning when the sun is just rising. I will bring my letter to a close by inviting you to write. I send my love to you all. Yours very respectfully,
William H. Shriver
Navy School Hospital, Annapolis Md.
I send my respects to S.P.Tenant. Please let him read this letter.