LL-L "What does it mean?" 2002.04.05 (03) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 05.APR.2002 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: What does it mean?

Folks,

Yesterday I sought help with the word "busoned" in a letter from the
American Civil War era:

<quote>
  ...
  This is the 31 of July. I reached the regment last night. I have the
  chill and fever every other day. I am in a bad fix, my deare. I
  almost as live be dead as to be in the fix I am in. I hate to tell
  you what alds me, but I can't help it. I am BUSONED. I come so to day
  and if it get any worse I can't walk a step, but I will quit this
  subject. ...
  ...
</quote>

I understand that this and other letters were transcribed (i.e., typed?)
from the original handwritten versions in the 1950s.  I now wonder if
this alleged "busoned" was an error on the part of the transcriptionist,
that the intended word was "bushed," meaning 'utterly exhausted', poorly
handwritten under difficult circumstances (in a field hospital) and
probably not well known in the U.S. in the 1950s.  If so, this should
serve as a reminder that transcriptions and translations ought to be
accompanied by facsimiles of the originals at all times, at least as
long as any questions or doubts remain.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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