This letter (and two telegraphs) were sent by gas fitter John Ryner (1815-1901) of Philadelphia’s 14th Ward to his wife, Emily (McClay) Ryner (1815-1901). John’s correspondence pertained to his wife’s nephew, Alfred McClay (1846-1863)—a private in Co. E, 114th Pennsylvania (Collis’ Zouaves) who received a gunshot wound to the right thorax during the Battle of Fredericksburg. The wound was initially characterized as “slight” and it was presumed by all that he would recover. He was sent to Harewood Hospital in Washington D. C. where he seemed to improve but periodic episodes of bleeding prompted the attending physician to attempt the removal of one of Alfred’s ribs. He died not long afterwards on 24 January 1863.
Alfred’s parents, Aaron K. McClay (18xx-1848) and Margaret McClay (18xx-Bef1850), died when Alfred and his only sister, Mary McClay (1847-1865), were very young. As a consequence, Alfred was taken in by the Ryner family and Mary was taken in by her Uncle Joseph Davis Wood (1811-1899).
TRANSCRIPTION TELEGRAPH ONE
Dated: Washington D. C., January 17, 1863
To: Mrs. Emily Ryner, 1010 Lemon Street, 14th Ward [Philadelphia]
Dear Wife. Alfred is still alive and a little better than he was the first of the week. I do not know what time I can come home. Yours in love, — John Ryner, Harewood Hospital
TRANSCRIPTION LETTER ONE
Harwood Hospital
Washington D. C.
January 21st 1863
Dear Wife,
I take my pen in hand to let you now that I am well at present and hope these many find you the same. I received your welcome letter from home today and was glad to hear from you all but hardly know how to answer it for the doctor says that Alfred is in a critical situation and I want you all to prepare for the worst for I do not think that he will last the week out for he has been swelling very much and he is very weak. You talk about coming down the last of the week but Alfred and Miss [Mary Patton] Middleton think that you had better not for you cannot stand it for the place is very offensive and the accommodations are very poor.
Alfred says that you must not worry about him and he is very anxious to know how you have got [along.] If he should die, I will telegraph home immediately and I think you had better got a coffin at Stewart’s and send it down by Adam’s Express. Perhaps you had better see if he has them on hand. If you get these few lines before I telegraph, the size I cannot tell but I think a little wider across the shoulders and a little longer than Ben [Creagmile] would take.
Mrs. Hoover—a lady that visits the hospital—says that a common pine coffin obtained in Washington costs about twenty dollars. She also says that Adams Express will send a man down with the coffin and return the body home for ten days, whichever way you think best. I leave you at home to decide if Mr. Steward has now on hand. I suppose he would get one and send it down to the office.
I do not know when I will be at home—not until there is a change for the better, or death. If you get these lines before I telegraph, send me down a shirt and collar and about twenty-five dollars in if you have it and if not, please to get it if you can for they have not yet [been] paid off.
With these few lines, I close wishing you all health and strength and the blessing of God from your loving husband, — John Ryner
Direct your letters to Harewood Hospital, Ward No. 9.
TRANSCRIPTION TELEGRAPH TWO
Dated: Washington, January 24, 1863
To: Mrs. Emily Ryner, 1010 Lemon Street, 14th Ward [Philadelphia]
Alfred died this morning. Tell Stuart undertaker to meet us at depot at one o’clock tonight. — John Ryner
Spared & Shared 21 