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I don’t know if you can blame the doctor here for my illness as I sure had every symptom of sciatica at the start. When it began to swell, they just put it down to a very severe case. Then when it got spongy, they thought it was from the sciatica. With me being in bed they thought that was the cause of it not draining to the feet the way sciatica does in severe cases.

But no fooling the doctor I have now, he sure is a peach of a surgeon. His name is Dr. Colbet. Of course they have several surgeons and each take their turn at operating. But each one operates on urgent cases that come to their wards whether they are on duty or not. Our doctor here operated on me both times although off duty each case. I have described the hospital to you before so need not bother you again, only to tell you the hospital is equipped with everything known to surgical and medical science.

Tell Elliott I won’t be home till the bugle sounds Last Post. Many of us may never answer it but if the Lord spares me I will return with all speed then to home and friends. But I am afraid, Mother dear, that you will have the hardest part, waiting and looking for your boys to come home. However I know you will bear your part and thank God you had sons to fight for a just cause. But I don’t want Elliott to enlist at all as he sure will do his part to stay home and look after you all while we are away. If he would promise that, and I know it’s hard for him to do, I would be as happy as the day is long.

I sure am glad you like the baby’s carriage and as for thanking me for it, the best way to do that is to say nothing more about it. That boy sure was worth a carriage believe me. I sure am glad you like the aunt I picked out for him. I think I made a good choice this time, the only one for me anyway. I wish you would invite her down for a visit some time this summer if possible for I will have to depend on you to entertain her somewhat while I am away.

Your loving son,

Cliff