Civil War era letter dated April 13, 1864...

Item # 705206

April 13, 1864

Civil War letter dated at the top April 13, 1864, Cliffburne Barracks Depot, Washington D.C.
The letter is written to the soldier's wife, and much of it is concerning his anxiousness to get his paper, presumable for discharge from the military. Other incidental items. It is winged; William Bartlett.
Four pages on lined paper, 5 by 8 inches, nice condition and nice handwriting.

AI notes: In 1864, Cliffburne Barracks in Washington, D.C., functioned as a central depot and hospital for the Veteran Reserve Corps (formerly the Invalid Corps), a unit composed of soldiers who were wounded, ill, or otherwise unfit for front-line service but capable of performing light duties such as clerical work, guarding installations, or hospital service. Originally established as cavalry barracks, the site had earlier served as Cliffburne General Hospital during the Civil War, treating Union soldiers and occasionally Confederate prisoners. By 1864, it operated as both a medical facility and an administrative hub where soldiers were examined, assigned, and cared for while recovering or serving in limited capacities. The barracks accommodated hundreds of patients in repurposed military quarters and included a medical examining board to determine the fitness of men for continued service. Its dual role as a hospital and depot made it a critical component of the Union Army’s infrastructure in managing and utilizing soldiers who could no longer serve on the front lines but were still able to contribute to the war effort.