Difference between revisions of ".NjI.MjExNTI"

This transcription has not been verified by Special Collections Research Center Staff. Please also consult images of the document.<br /><br />N.Y. Feb 1 - 1866<br /><br />My Amiable friend:&nbsp;&nbsp;At least<br />allow that name to be used,<br />notwithstanding ugly scars.<br />A that scar has bothered me<br />much - Can you pardon for<br />it - & when you look at it<br />pray let the more pleasant<br />moments of the past fall<br />there.&nbsp;&nbsp;Would to God that I<br />might see you - Miss Marga-<br />retta - Miss Rebecca & all of<br />those who so kindly smoothed<br />the pillows of the suffering &<br />dying soldiers of our dear<br />old army!&nbsp;&nbsp;As it were I<br />awaken in fright very often<br />from the terrible dream of<br />last spring - Indeed<br />to this ^hour I am hardly convinced.<br /><br />Of late my spirits have<br />been borne to the earth<br />pondering over the past -<br />thinking what might<br />have been - & groaning<br />in bitterness of spirit lest<br />I have neglected many<br />many duties.&nbsp;&nbsp;How hard<br />I try to say “forgive us our<br />tresspasses, as we for ---------”?<br />God forgive me I know I<br />sin.&nbsp;&nbsp;All have retired<br />& I am alone - My light is going out<br />The last words were written in<br />the dark - when I too was com<br />pelled to retire.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I am very sorry you are<br />unwilling to have me keep<br />your photograph - for I am<br />anxious to have yours as well<br />as those others who gave their kind<br />smiles & precious hours to the<br />last of the suffering soldiers<br />of the South.&nbsp;&nbsp;Your picture<br />would have been sent earlier, but<br />when Miss Rebecca told me that<br />you wanted it - a young Southern<br />artist had it, coloring in oil<br />for me - I have gotten it back -<br />the eyes are not touched as yet -<br />but as you must have it -<br />here, take it - but wont you relent<br />& let me have another some time?<br />for truly it is prized!<br />If you have an opportunity<br />show the picture to Mr. [Minnis]<br />& tell him that it is a specimen<br />of the style of the young person,<br />although not quite finished - &<br />I know will be right glad to<br />get anything of the kind to do<br />from him - or any one.<br />Are there any of the soldiers<br /><br />Left in R-----?&nbsp;&nbsp;Many things<br />have arisen here to make me<br />sad & more - but nothing<br />has provoked me much more<br />than finding several medical<br />students, who are pretending,<br />to be confederates - as nothing<br />more than deserters -.<br />In a lecture, or [eulogism] - on<br />the late Dr. Valentine Mott that<br />I attended last evening - the lecturer - said with<br />evident pride - that the vast ma-<br />jority of students at the college<br />where Dr. Mott was professor before<br />the War - came from South of<br />the Potomac.<br />Speaking with a young replublican<br />one evening - I remarked - that as<br />the negroes had been compelled<br />to fight for them I supposed that<br />they would feel compelled to allow<br />them to vote - He [not] knowing all<br />of my sentiments - & faith - answered<br />“You see the Catholics are about<br />to over whelm us - & the negroes<br />are all protestants - & their vote<br />will help us to crush out the Cath-<br />olic power.”?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From this you<br />may judge what is the new scent<br />that the hounds of persecution are<br />upon.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for me, I have met<br />with a few persons who have been<br />more than kind - never whispering<br />one word of the past - & truly such<br />men are not responsible for<br />the past.&nbsp;&nbsp;The people here will<br />not believe how much harm the<br />Freedmans bureau is doing in the way<br />of irritating & making the old wounds<br />more painful than before.&nbsp;&nbsp;God have<br />mercy upon us - & teach us that divine<br />virtue - to forgive.&nbsp;&nbsp;A I am very bad.<br />Remember me to friends - If you will -<br />[honor] [me] - direct to J.R.W care of Dr. James R.<br />Wood - 80 Irving Place N.Y<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Very sincerely, JRW