August 14, 1863---"Letters are the desideratum in this part of the world."

AUGUST 14, 1863:     

Cornelia Hancock, the 23-year-old Union nurse deemed “too young and too pretty” to be aiding the wounded at Gettysburg writes a surprisingly upbeat letter home. It reads in part:

“I received thy letter this morning and was glad to get it; letters are the desideratum in this part of the world.  I am regularly installed in the General Hospital now, and like it better even than the Corps Hospital.  The main reason for my staying, aside from duty, is that I am so well, if it only lasts.  I feel like a new person, eat onions, potatoes, cucumbers, anything that comes up and walk as straight as a soldier, feel life and vigor which you well know I never felt at home.  The place here is very healthy.  I cannot explain it, but I feel so erect, and can go steadily from one thing to another from half past six o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock at night, and feel more like work at ten than when I got up at home.”