Mother,

I received your letter post dated May 22d last Thursday.

I reached this city & reported for duty yesterday at the Marine Hosptl under Dr. Kneland.

The buildings are large and present a fine appearance – The location is beautiful – some two miles from the City [unintelligible] piece of ground surrounded with a floral garden and large shade trees – The orange fig Magnolia etc afford a beautiful shade for us and patients to lounge under – As regards the City – it greatly disappoints me – I had very elevated ideas as to its beauty and scenery about it – for I had heard so much said by both Northerners and Southerners calling it one of the prettiest if not the prettiest of the southern Cities – In my estimation it will in no wise compare with New Orleans in neatness of its streets, condition of its sidewalks, nor shade – There is not a paved street nor flagged side walks, excepting Government St. in the whole city –

I expect soon to have charge of a small Hospital in the city soon as Dr. Daniels’ time is out, as he is going home, leaving the vacancy – I shall not like it as well as I do my present position as the responsibilities are more and consequently shall have more to do – We are now employed two or three hours in the day and the rest of the time is our own If I could get an increase of pay with this change I would jump at the offer

We expect to soon get our discharge from the service – but Dr. [unintelligible] Med. Director of this department, said a few days since that he should try and retain as long as possible that we may get our pay here before going North for the entire time of our service – We have not received a dollar yet from the Government but hope to soon – The great explosion that occurred at this City caused a fearful loss of life – it amounting to exceed a thousand of killed and wounded – It unroofed many buildings and destroyed the lights in others for a mile around – Dr. Daniels’ Hospital, which is close by, has I think not a whole light of glass in it three or four pieces of shell went through the roof – and now then occasionally explodes one of these shells as there continues a smouldering fire over the Magazine – and it is quite dangerous to go within its vicinity – This was supposed to be the work of those belonging to the Corn federasy as the young ladies are now pleased to call it here – There are here the stinkiest, lowest and meanest set of traitors among the young ladies that I have met since my stay in the south

You can see them promenading the streets arm in arm with those wearing Rebel uniforms almost any hour in the afternoon