Sidney Brooks letter to Susan Brooks, 1864 July 18
Description:
Sidney Brooks letter to his wife Susan Brooks in which he writes regarding his current situation as a delegate of the United States Christian Commission in the American Civil War. He discusses bringing stores to places in need such as Gettsyburg and Frederick City and mentions Judge McCreary, Mr. Francis, and Reverend Mr. Kimball. Sidney describes what it was like in Frederick including their eating and sleeping arrangements, their work, and the numbers of Union and Rebel wounded soldiers in the hospital. He writes about the plundering of Frederick stores and a post office eight miles out of the city. Sidney explains that he chose to be one of the delegates detailed for Washington (D.C.) as it was not pleasant for him to stay among the Rebel soldiers when so many of their own needed help. He mentions the Sisters of Charity and describes his journey from Philadelphia to Washington. Sidney remarks on his arrival to Washington and describes his accommodations there in detail. He also writes regarding people of color there, whom he calls "colored people," and he says that they appear to him to be "Uncle Abe's" own children. Sidney discusses the work he has done in Washington thus far and says he has now been assigned to Carver Hospital. He briefly describes the hospitals.
