FROM MISS DELLA WEEKS - Corregidor, P. L., July 5, 1899Lake City Graphic To Mrs. L. S. Hutchison, Lake city, Iowa My Dear Friend: The aprons you so kindly sent me have all been received. Accept my thanks. I apprecate them, coming as they do. I feel you are interested in me and my work. You ladies who contributed to the fund sent to San Francisco can feel that the money was used at at time when it was needed. So far here our regiment has had less sickness than any on the island. It seems the good Lord has been watching over our brave boys, for so few have been wounded, so far, or killed in battle. Our boys, especially the First Battalion, have seen continual service on the firing line since February - have been in all the battles since that time. I was sent to San Fernando last Thursday. The boys are in native houses. Am glad for when they come in they can rest better in a house than a tent. I am at Corregidor Convalescent hospital, 30 miles from Minila. At present have but one Co. A boy, Harry Arney. He is improving nicely. Please tell his mother he is doing well. Am in hopes he will be sent home but cannot tell yet. In this tropical climate when any one gets sick it takes months to fully regain strength. We are in hopes that our stay here will be short so we are anxious to send all home. I must close, thanking you and all the kind people there who are interested in the 51st. While at present am not with the regiment as there is no place for me on the field, I do all I can for the boys here and visit all the sick when I go to Minilla, so I am interested in them just as much as if I was with them. I hope to go home when they do.
In a letter to Aunt Becky Young since the above was written Miss Weeks says:
I saw so many poor sick boys; they were so glad to see me. I took ten, but sixteen were too sick to go so I promised to go for them as soon as they were well enough to be moved. I wish so many times the mothers could stand by their beds when they are so sick. |