.MTA0MQ.MTYyMA
This transcription has not been verified by Special Collections Research Staff. Please also consult images of the document.
Clarksville Sept: 19th 1864
Monday afternoon-
Helen is just starting out to Sunnyside for a
visit, and not feeling quite equal to the trip in
part from laziness and partly because I am [not?]
well I have declined going and have determined, at least, to begin a letter to you , my dear Husband, to ex
press to you how great was my disappointment to
learn on Saturday that all hope of your coming
home next month had [blown over?] for the present.
I felt very down cast after I read your letter,
and would find your presence very [?]
in more ways than one. This is a dreadful thing.
separated from your Husband and Mother at
the same time and for so long-one might be
be [sic] reconciled to separation from the latter, tho’
in all cases it must be painful, were the
former near to minister consolation when the spirit
droops. My poor Mother deserted, tho’ not willingly
by nearly all her children. I am glad finds [sic] comfort in
Zettie. I don’t wonder at her suffering in prospect
[?] marriage, as she had a right to think [?]
not forsake her in her old age, and the [step?] has
resulted in a double separation, only Charley for a
[streak?] of brightness-bless his little heart, he is so sweet,
and I do want you to see and enjoy him as I know
you are capable of doing. He is the greatest
dancer in the Country, and the most imitative
little creature, he seems to watch and make me
his model. Helen says I will have to walk very
circumspectly. Yesterday she tried to make him
say he wanted to see you-Charley, you want to see
a [house?]”?? Yes mam”?. “You want to see a Cat?”? Yes
mam”?. “Charley, you want to see your Father.”?
“No no”?. He evidently don’t [sic] know what his Father
is, but some times when he looks in my face he
sees something there that makes him say “[?]
see [how?] [Far?]”?. Do try and come home to stay a
month, less time will do me no good. Have you
made [application?] to the Surgeon Genl: for an examination?
you remember I wrote you to rely upon the assistance
of the assistant Sur: Genl: Dr. Charles Smith,
who promised Brother Speed to give you all needful
aid. I do want you to be full Surgeon both as
a matter of pride and for the additional renu
=meration. If you don’t make haste and come
and look after me I will abscond, or write to
Dr. Smith to get you a furlough. I think I
will now dress myself and go to see Mrs. Daniel
for she is very kind to me. I wonder what you will
think of the changes you will [observe?] when you come home.
This morning I was in the room under the parlour &
Charley was in the dining room. I called out to know
what he was doing-and he answered “Feeding self”?.
and sure enough there he was with his cup of tea &
bread feeding self. Tuesday morning. It is well
I began my letter yesterday for this morning finds
me so unwell as to be nearly [nous?] de combat. We have
had a good deal of fruit recently of which I have partaken
quite freely, and I have, in consequence, been [humble? trouble?] with
diarrhea for several days. Last night I took a Blue [Ma?]
pill, hoping to correct the [evil?], and might possibly have
done so had not Charley had me up with him several
times in the night. He always sympathizes with me.
He has a very pure [?]. Helen brought home some-
flowers from Sunny side of various gay hues, but among
them was one pure looking rose. When Charley is asked
about the pretty flowers of which he is very fond, he in
=variably selects this rose, and his next [choise? choice?] in this
rich boquet is one of delicate pink. This little evidence
of his taste reminds me more of you than anything
else about him. You remember I wrote you about the
snow white chicken. This young son of ours is a
pretty obstinate and determined young man. I rarely
make a point with him, but when I do, I invariably
carry it, tho’ to do so a good whipping has [invariably?]
to be administered. I think he will learn SEPT. 19, 1864 before long
the [?] of obedience. You amuse and insult me
by saying so frequently in your letters be patient with
him. I am patient, but always administer the punish
=ment if necessary in my opinion unless, he is sick.
I would like to take a [nice?] drive this cloudy morning,
but the sun is coming out. We have had beautiful weather
[?] sinse [sic] my return, tho’ almost too dry for the gardens.
Helen & Mama [report?] the garden as having done remarkably
well considering the drought, certainly I was very wise
in devoting a large space to [Cyanblines? Columbines?] The potatoes &
Tomatoes turned out badly. The hogs got in and
attacked the frames once or twice. The corn did well but
was all stolen with the exception of about a dozen dishes.
I have nearly all the fodder saved. My [Sorghum?]
is not yet ready for grinding, nor have I succeeded
in making an arrangement for having it done tho’
I expect there will be little difficulty on that [head?] The
cabbages are not so may or so fine as they were last
year. I have put in quite a good quantity of Turnip seed,
and some [?] Lettuce. I can’t stay in the garden
in the heat of the day [passing?], these September suns.
Mama is out there now giving an eye to Toby, who will do
nothing unless an eye is constantly upon him. Helen &
herself learned a good deal about both Toby & Sarah
during my absence. I have made a calculation of
our years expenses, and found them much less than
I had expected. In the neighbourhood of four
thousand dollars. [?] [?] [?] four thousand more
dollars to come from [0 ?] Potatoes last year [some?] $6. per
bushel, now I hear of them at $20. But for the meat
[act?] our families of Soldiers would be in a bad way.
But I have [?] we shall not have enough to eat “the
Lord will provide”? in some way. Capt: Williams is
truly kind. I can’t think what has put it in his head
to be so. Do pray send the requisition whether you know
the amount of rations or not. Your long delay to [strangers?]
looks so careless, that I don’t like to think of it.
Suppose we could spend the Winter together in [S.C.?]
[written sideways on the first page]
What do you think of it? I am tired of not living with my Husband.
Howard & Bob have just come in from the [County? Country?] I expect, they
will dine
here.
I have not
time for
another word.
Your devoted
Wife.
