To the Same.

Cambridge, May 26, 1863.

It is more than eight weeks since I lost the use of my right foot, as you have doubtless learned from home. I began about a week ago to use crutches a little, and have ridden out twice.

Now in all this time I have had plenty of leisure to write you, and the disposition to do so also, but for some reason — I think from sheer laziness, I have hitherto neglected this as well as all other kinds of effort, living on in the serenity of nothing to do. .

You have doubtless also heard how your man Henry has become my man Henry. This was a fugitive slave who, coming into our lines, had become the servant of Lieutenant Wright, and been brought to Northampton. Chauncey’s father had sent him to Cambridge to take care of the invalid. ³⁹ In fact, I have all the external appearance of a veteran soldier, with my wound, my crutch, and my contraband. . . .