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� 12 December

Dear General Presson: - Aint that a heluva way for one of 2 men who have drinked as much rum together as you and I have, to address the other!

This is just a line for I hafter rite to the boss before I go to the Club + go to bed.

We have our hospital in running order, and I guess the thing is all right. We have one V.A.D. nurse (Volunteer Aid attachment) and 12 nursing sisters of Can. [C underlined] Army [A underlined] Medical [M underlined] Corps [C underlined] ).

And 4 male L.C. men from the fort who stay here.

Their idea is to use the hospital to evacuated the military hospitals into. They have but one hospital to St. John. Another is on the way. The hospital will last 4 or 5 or 6 weeks. I told Col. Bell that this crowd didn't come prepared to stay so long -- This is how it is ! I ought to be home, but I'll stay till I can be replaced. Dr. Shawes of Brewer is with us. He and Cox and OConnor + Stetson want to leave 20th Barker + Stoll 22 Murphy + Crafine 23 Merrill + Boyer 14th (Thursday of this week. Hill + Foster will stay through Ames will only stay a few days and Garcelon the same.

NOW! Maybe Col. Bell will find he can use the hospital from the city. If not, do you suppose we could get volunteers in Maine? Dr Brad - bury so he could replace in 10 days? or somebody else? With Foster + Hill staying 6 doctors + Bradbury could run this thing