PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA May the 16th, 1863 Dear Companion, I drop you these lines that you may no where I am and how I am. I am in a hospital in Petersburg, Virginia and I suppose you no of my wound that I received at Sommerset Key it got nearly well before I left there, but moving caused it to break out and it is tolober sore and running again. I still have to use my crutches but hope that I will be able to throw them aside shortly. I have a tremendous bad cold which was caused by being carried so far north where it was so cold. Here I will tell you the truth when I reached dixies soil. I did not feel the pangs of my wound or the effects of a bad cold, for I were overwhelmed with joy at the first appearance of the stars and bars, but what more when I came ashore to meet our dixie boys who were there in readiness to receive us upon the dare to take a ride in dixies land. The effect was still stronger and when we got started on our way to this place we were received with loud cheers at every house both women and children waving their handkerchief and old men (some so old that it seemed they could not straighten themselves), would wave their hats to us (these things are not unusual In the South, I know but I wish you to remember we are just from Yankeedome) but such sudden change I was buyoed with the joy till the tears did trickle down my face. Though there we were lodged in Fort Mississonery and rested 1 day then took shiping to Fortrefs Manor and from there to City point where we were excahanged and brought to this place and those that was not fit for service was put in xxxx the horspitals. This one that I am in is one furnished by South Carolina and everything is kept clean and nice. We get plenty of good vittles to eat regularly and at properx times. Perhaps that you do not know about my capture. I was taken 30th of March near Sommerset Key, in a fight it was there I received my wound in thick part of the right thigh, some 4 or 5 Inches from the body on the outside it affected the top leaders that connects the body, My mare was shot in the right hip that is why I could not get away. It lamed her till I could not out run the Yankees and of course I had to knock under. I lost my hat In the scrape it was knocked off by the mare running under a limb. I had the hardest work that I ever had to keep her from running against a tree with me when she was shot it seemed like it scared her nearly to death. She run with me for a mile or more through the woods and I could no more hold er than if I had not been on her the curb. But o.k. the first path or two she made. I attribute my safety through that trouble to God only for it seems to me all most impossible for any one to of been safely taken through so much danger therefore God's the praise. I write to you twice while I was at Sommerset Ky. but do not no whether the letters got to our lines, or not but suppose they did. I recon you would like to here about my treatment North it was good while I stayed at Sommerset adter I left there it was very bad. I was caried to Lexington where I was searched by the Federal Officers for Confederate money and pockett knife. But I was fast enough they got nothing from me there but striped most of the boys but when we got to Louisville they searched again both person and baggage they here made a haul off of me In little tricks that I have bought to cary home with me. They got several dolla rs worth but I still kept my money and pocket knife. My money I had in the lining of my boot leg, my knife In the lining of my coat sleeve soed up fast and tight. They took every blanket that had any resemblence to theirs, they kept us there some 6 days, fed us I xxxxx slice of fat meat a meal about the sise of my middle finger 3 times a day with about as much sour light bread as one of your biscuits would make. When we left there we met with worse fare, hard crackers was they good. I forgot to tell you that the prison at Louisville was chuck up with body lice, you may gulp my pore case though somewhat relieved since I come here. I got clean clothes we went from Louisville, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio, Tennessee to Baltimore. Poem: 1. When I took my leave of there, I thought thy face I'd shortly see, but we met with reverses which to my mind rehearses. And with a view retospective when we together recollective. 2. When ''d thy hand to guard and cheer I was not weary all along and thy eye to bind on my a glance resonsive to my ow. Thy own hearts trance were holy love to me and ever ready me to shelter. 3. When I'd come with weary feet, I'd thy smile to welcome me, and thy voice to speak in charming tones with thy warm lips presed to mine, I'd thy true arm to lean upon or closely round me twine. 4. I'd the fondlings of Charleys play with sweet enchanting melodys when I was from cares and xxxx labor free, He was ever ready to my knee and thus he'd lean upon my breast and hapily did he rest. 5. Hush throbing heart, these are all your cheased unslept years-I am from home Hope whishpers softly through the gloom-I will not always be a boon. The dawn of a fairer, brighter day will come before times past away. I want you to write to me as soon as you get this letter for you have no idea how bad I want to here from you, I feel like I were a waste in a free land, but a man is not free here. I tryed the suregon in charge to day to let me come home, he says he can not do so. I will have to stay here until I get able to report to the Commander, which I hope will not be long. I wish you would find out where it is and let me no. If I could get to it I think I could get to come home. I would not of been here, but we had to walk some two miles from this place and I could not walke that far so here I am. Let all read as to themselves in this life. When you write, direct to Petersburg, South Carolina-Ward 3, be certain to name bothe hospitals and no. of ward or I will not get your letter, give my best regards to all. Yours affectionately until death, Philip Hall Please write in haste. To Mary I am healed.