General Hospital, Leavenworth City. Feb. 12, 1863
Dear Wife: Yours of the 4th of Feb. came last night. I had been looking for a letter from you for several days but I am very thankful to hear from you if not so soon as expected. I have been quite sick since I wrote you last. I do not like the idea of taking so much medicine as I do. I have not got my discharge and do not know as I ever will get it. If I had my discharge I would not stop here one day. I would like to know how you heard that I got my discharge and was on my way home. It would only take three days to go home..... I do not know at all when I shall come any more than you do. I can only say that I am very anxious to get my discharge and have no doubt I am entitled to it, by an act of Congress passed the 27th of last December. The Act says "all soldiers in convalescent hospitals shall be examined and if fit for duty they shall be sent to their commands and if until for duty shall be discharged and sent home. I was examined by the surgeon in charge 10 or 12 days since with 60 or 70 others. They reported me unfit for duty and yet they make no move to discharge me according to the aforesaid Act of Congress. Sixty or seventy men left here a few days since for St. Louis and enlisted in the marine service. I think many of the poor fellows will die before spring but they were willing to do anything it appears to get away from this place. I do not blame them but I think they have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. I know that I enlisted out of patriotic motives but I am treated in such a way that I fear my patriotism is on the decline. I have run my chances with the others of my fellow soldiers. I have three times been where the bullets flew thick and fast and once where cannon ball, grape and cannister and shell flew around me like hail. I do not tell this to boast of my valor but I do believe that we are kept here out of a speculative motive that I cannot well explain to you by letter. I have not been paid yet. Some of the men have. Do as well as you can till you hear from me again. I am in hopes that I can send you some money.
Tell the children I am glad of the kisses they sent me although they must remember that I have never received one of them yet. I will send them back and you must be sure and deliver them to each one of them.
Mobs reign triumphant in the city of Leavenworth. The city is first under military law and then civil law and so changes every two or three weeks. I think from all the news I can get that the war is about played out. I do not believe it can be made to run much longer unless they manage the thing differently. I hope and earnestly pray that the war may speedily end in honor to the government of the United States. I only hope that I shall see you soon.
May heaven bless and protect you all. Write on receipt of this.
I am as ever yours,
C. N. Mumford
P.S. We have had a few days of very cold weather this month, but very little snow. Weather very changeable. CNM.