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CSHR 9/39

Lancaster O.
January 14, 1863
[1863/01/14]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I have been sick, confined to my bed & to my room ever since the 23rd of December. I am improving now & can go out when the weather is fine. My hand is weak & nervous & I can scarcely write. I feel uncertain whether my letters will reach you. I have not written since I was sick because I have been in such a state of anxiety & because I have felt that you would not get my letters. I have been with you in spirit ever hour since you left Memphis & await with intense anxiety the news which has been harrowing but which thank God is not so bad as at first it appeared Even yet we have nothing but newspaper reports but we know that you are safe & after suffering the grief of his almost certain death we flatter ourselves that dear Charley is also safe or he would have been mentioned being so near you. Had I been present I could not have more plainly seen the 13th march, poor fellows, with their colors flying - after such long waiting & anxiety to participate in the war. Every Captain & officer commissioned & non-commissioned with their brave fellows stood out before me & I could almost see the havoc of the deadly missels of the rebels as they fell among them. But most of all could I see dear Charley in front marching to death if God willed with the comfort at his heart that his cause was just & holy. I would ask no happier death that in battle in such a cause after being fortified by the Sacraments but it is a terrible trial to those who have to sit quietly at home & wait the random reports that are often harrowing in the extreme. I was thankful to hear that you had all come up to await reinforcements &c. I am more than anxious for your letter giving me the truth of the affair why the enemy were more strongly reinforced than you expected & why you found it necessary to return. I cannot tell whether you are returning to Memphis or to Helena or where. The load will not be lifted from my heart until after the next assault upon Vicksburg which will be deadly & in which I fear you will risk your life unnecessarily. Boyle has gone with his Brigade to you & will reach you before this letter. How disappointed he will be to find McClernand in command. Lincoln ought to be impeached as an imbecile for that very act. I beg & entreat you to write to me as the other letters I get cannot in any measure compensate me for the loss of one of yours. Give my best & heart felt congratulations to each & every member of the Staff & tell them it will I trust be only a little while until I can congratulate them not only upon their safety but upon the capture of the rebel strong hold. I have petitioned for you earnestly dearest & I have had the prayers of the humble & the lowly said for you so fervently that I do beleive Our Lord will spare you to me until you are blessed with the sacraments of the Church. The children are well, but Emily is sick & last night they worried for her & kept me awake nearly all night so I scarcely feel able to hold up my head now.

Ever dearest your devoted

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
January 19, 1863 Monday morning
[1863/01/19]

[WTS]

At last my darling husband I have received letters from you and have the assurance I so much longed for that you are in good health and Spirits and satisfied with the past altho' disappointed.

The newspaper accounts were so harrowing & suggested such horrible slaughter & multiplied evils that I almost dreaded to hear particulars. For several days we felt almost certain that dear Charley was gone & the Suspense until I heard was hard to bear I assure you. Not until Saturday 17th evening late did I have one line from anyone below Cairo - or indeed below Cincinnati & if Satan had let all his imps loose upon a special mission of lying we could not have had more false information from there. Your strict orders seem to have been ineffectual in keeping away the correspondants (poor wretches) - they have an inglorious ignominious calling) for they have been writing to all the papers the greatest amount of abuse of every sort of you - I don't think they have ever before equalled their present efforts. Clearly they have surpassed themselves, all except the correspondant of the Chicago Times who seems to have known more of the truth & to have had a better appreciation of things than any of the others. Even the Missouri Republican is publishing abusive letters of you. They are penny-a-liners (the correspondants) and must live - the newspapers must have Something to publish so you must either give them a chance to live by fair stories or they will live by foul ones. You might as well attempt to control the whirlwind as the newspaper mania so I advise you to attempt no longer to set your face against the Storm. Rumor says that McClernand!! has taken Arkansas Post - The President ought to be impeached for such imbecile acts as placing McC. in command at the time he did or at any time. Now that you are appointed a Corps Commander I hope you will ask for Philemon as Judge Advocate on your Staff. Do have Dayton McCoy Taylor and Maj. Taylor promoted and Hammond if he remain with you and do let Sanger return to his Regiment. Now that your Staff will be increased you can get others to do you as much service as he and it would be most gratifying news to me to hear that he was with his Regiment and off your Staff. I have been sick for nearly a month but within a week past I have been improving & could go out now were the Snow not so deep & the weather so bitter cold. After Father gets home I will go to Cincinnati & get some medical advise. I fear my lungs are in a bad State. For several winters I have had more-or less trouble with them & could not live without free use of croton oil. I wrote you that Boyle had gone with his brigade to join you. Henrietta is writing to him to day but in case he should not receive her letter tell him the little Brigadiers are all well & Henrietta is keeping up her Spirits finely-spends every evening with me & I am very glad of her company.

Mother is at the Water cure. Sis returned yesterday from a visit to her. She found her so nervous about the Vicksburg assault that she was on the point of starting home - a thing the Dr. says she must not think of until Spring. We all feel that a load has been lifted from our hearts & I assure you they rise in gratitude to God for His great Mercy in Sparing you & dear Charley & all through so many dangers. I will have a mass of thanks giving offered for your safety as well as constant & earnest prayers for your continued preservation until faith crowns your virtues & you pass from the pure minded patriot - generous unselfish superior man to the humble worshipper of an incarnate God who died to redeem us - Give the enclosed to Charley. I fear he will break down if that Diarrhea continues. Do pay him all the attention you can. I know you will. Tell Hill he shall have his reward - Best & kindest regards to all the Staff & to my friends generally. I think of them constantly. How proud I am of my dear 13th. May Heaven bless all patriots who do their duty in this dark hour. I hope Gen'l Smith will live.

Ever your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
January 23, 1863.
[1863/01/23]

[WTS]

I have written repeatedly dearest Cump but I feel no assurance that you receive my letters. Every them seems so engrossed by Army affairs that we can hardly hope to have the mails carried regularly. You wrote to me on the 4th and promised to write again before you left the mouth of White River. I am sure you did write altho' I have not received your letter. As I wrote you it was not until the 17th that I received a single letter from any of you after the abandonment of the seige of Vicksburg. I never felt so releived in my life - a great weight was lifted off my heart, at finding that dear Charley was well and that you were in good spirits. I had been sick for three weeks nearly & was just getting able to sit up all day, when one morning Mr. Willock called before I was up - "to give me the news from Vicksburg." He followed the girl to my room door and I told him to come in - as I was an invalid I would receive him in bed. He then said that "our Army had been repulsed - driven back with great slaughter - Gen'l. Morgan killed - Morgan L. Smith wounded & the rest of the details too horrible to mention." Imagine my condition of mind & body! the more I suppressed my emotion, the worse I felt - I knew that you were not hurt but I feared you would be unhappy & discouraged, particularly as I knew McClernand was going there to supercede you at that unfavourable crisis as it seemed to me then. As the Slaughter was great" and "the details too horrible to mention" I thought there was but little reason to hope that Charley was living as I knew the 13th would not be out of the reach of danger. We could not help mourning Charley as dead & in the midst of our distress the letter he wrote on Christmas day was brought to me & we looked upon it as the last we would ever receive from him & read & reread it with tears & emotion that was irrepressable. We wanted Mother to see it but we would not trust it by mail but Sis took it up. We thought she ought to be there with Mother when the news came - that we feared would certainly come - of Charleys mutilation or death. Think what gratitude to God filled our hearts, when after all this, & a pitiless storm of newspaper abuse & false rumors, your letters came - My mind is calm & I am hopeful as heretofore, but I fear constantly that you will on some desperate occasion expose yourself unnescessarily. I feel very uneasy too about Charley's health. he has had that miserable Diarrhea so long. Tell him he must try the medicine I sent him by Capt. Cornyn of Boyle's Staff. Recommend to him to eat toasted cheese with cracker. Do not, as heretofore, dear Cump scorn my little prescriptions - they have releived many - Red pepper is excellent used as freely as possible. I fear we have lost many more friends in the attack on Arkansas Post. I am very anxious for the next news from you -

Father is still in Washington - he writes me that all there are indignant at the weakness of the President in sending McClernand to that place.

He says that your military reputation is too high to be injured - I was delighted with your report & have copied it to shew to Mr. Hunter & some of our friends. I am truly obliged to you for sending it. Tell dear Charley that we fully appreciate his good letters written after so much fatigue & whilst he is not well. Please give him this letter to read - send it to him, if he is not with you as I have not time to write to him to day. I have written to him & to you before since the receipt of your letters. Please say to Hammond & Dayton that I have written to them. I enclosed a letter to Col. Kilby Smith containing a commission as 1st Lieut. for Sergeant Moore. There is a private - "Allen" - in the 42nd Ohio who is a distant relation of ours & a good little fellow. Ask Charley to shew him kindness if in his power. Give my kindest regards to all the Staff & tell Maj Taylor we do not forget him in our prayers. Tell Capt. Taylor Tommy boasts of him as a particular friend. Tommy & Lizzie go to school to Kate. Elly & Rachel are too sweet to be described. They give me various jogs when I am writing. Minnie & Willy are well & happy

Ever dearest Cump your truly affectionate

Ellen -
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
January 28, 1863
[1863/01/28]

[WTS]

This, my dearest Cump is Minnie's birthday and I have just written her a long letter. She is twelve years old to-day and a large girl of good judgement sweet temper and great intelligence & piety. I am so lonely here, so far from you, with Father & Mother out of town & the dear children away that I think I shall not soon again let them away from me. Minnie will make her first communion in the Spring and Willy is learning his faith and it was more for that than anything else that I sent them there so when year's influence is acquired I can safely keep them at home. Willy writes to me often now & the last time he wrote he Said he was head of the arithmetic & geography classes & that he has been six times at the table of honor. To get there requires the very best conduct during studies & at all times. I anticipate a great deal of pleasure at the exhibition in June when I am sure both the children will hold their own among their comrades. Minnie's size makes her seem older than She is but I think she can stand in her classes with her seniors in years & equals on heighth.

I received your dear letter of the 16th yesterday. You seem not to have enquired of Boyle anything about us, or you would have known that I had been too sick to write to you for nearly two weeks before he left Henrietta here. I have not yet entirely recovered as the weather is too unfavourable for me to get out. Your letter to Father with your report & the maps was all that the envelope contained. You referred to other enclosures which I might keep for the children - you must have forgotten them. It has been some time since we heard from Father & I will not send your letter as he may be coming home very soon.

Philemon goes to Columbus today to endeavour to procure for Charley the Colonelcy of the Ohio 47. which is under Boyle and without a Colonel. I received Boyle's letter only night before last - the 26th -. I would go up with Philemon but I am not well enough yet to take the trip. Please tell Boyle & Charley that we will do all we can for him. If the appointment is not already made we must get it -

The victory of Post Arkansas is well understood to be yours and your reputation is so well established & so well grounded that you need feel no despondency at the present aspect of affairs as seen through the newspapers. You must either do as Rosecrans, & every other General in the entire Army but yourself, and treat newspaper reporters with some consideration or you must submit to a constant torrent of abuse & know that your friends at home are forced to hear these things daily & hourly. One man cannot stem a torrent by his own individual unassisted strength. And you cannot stand up against newspaper power - alone - as you do without being engulphed in abuse & a false public opinion - Instead of resisting why not use it - not in the way Demagogues use it but in an honorable dignified way. You would like no one to call John Sherman a mean trickster - he uses the newspapers & takes pains to conciliate them. And then too you must remember that people at home with friends in the Army - & indeed all people live on the news from the Army - the newspapers are looked to for this news every other General & man in the United States manages in his own way to let them have it & so must you - You shew them a way kindly & politely to get such news as you are willing they should have & you will find them subservient docile & your ardent friends - for they know yr. Superiority & would be glad to sustain you did you not kick & cuff them so unmercifully.

Consider this dear Cump & beleive me you will do better to act on it. For us who know you no outside praise is necessary but you might just as well be presented in your true light to the world at large & to do that you must endure correspondants - They are poor forlorn devils at any rate & compassion would induce you to treat them with forbearance would you only lay aside a false notion of fastidiousness

It is time for me to close for the mail - I trust in God Genl Grant will go down in Command - Love to dear Charley & Boyle -

Ever dearest your truly affectionate

Ellen -
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
January 29, 1863
[1863/01/29]

[WTS]

I wrote you yesterday, my dearest Cump but as I feel particularly like writing today I will not wait for more time to intervene between my letters. We are very lonely here, all our amusement being to talk of you & hear of you through the day and dream of you of nights. Your picture of Boyle's arrival & report to you was very interesting & my imagination presented a vivid picture which I would love to have witnessed in reality. Dear Charley! I can imagine his happiness to be with you & to have Boyle with his Brigade under you too. He has long sighed & hoped for such an arrangement.

Philemon went to Columbus yesterday to apply for the appointment of Charley to the vacant office of Col. of the 47th Ohio now under Boyle. I sincerely hope he may be successful. He must be if the Governor is acting fairly for he distinctly promised Charley a Colonelcy whenever a vacancy should occur. We will know by tomorrow. Philemon will write to Boyle the result of his application. Poor Mother is very unwell & cannot get home before Spring. Philemon will go out to see her. Father will not be home before next week. Yesterday was Minnie's birthday - I don't know whether it was the approach of that day or what, but I have been quite heart sick about both Minnie & Willy lately. I cannot let them go away soon again. The time will come soon enough when we must part. Dear Lizzie after being remarkably well all fall and early winter has begun to droop again. She is learning however and is very bright intellectually - Elly is too smart for any use & too full of airs and affectation. Sis says she grows prettier every day. She is very like the Hoyt family - like your Mother - she's the sweetest little singer I ever heard - nothing seems too difficult for her to catch & remember - She sings all the little song "Were coming General Sherman" - All the children sing it & I play the accompaniment & sing with them. Tommy thinks it peculiarly his song as he belongs to the Regiment. He will wear nothing but the uniform & we have had to make him a new one. He is an admirable boy since he made you a visit - goes to school and gives me no trouble whatever. He is very dear & good - Rachel looks just as Willy did when I found him so much afraid of me on my return from home to California. By the bye Sister "Benvin Stanbery" - one of the Sisters that was very kind to me twenty five years ago, when I used to be sent to Somerset - wrote to me yesterday lamenting, on behalf of the Sisters of "St. Agnes" your absence from Memphis. She wants you - the Memphis Sisters wish you to give them a letter to the Commanding Officer there now which will gain them some protection & favor. They have been much annoyed & indeed seriously troubled and alarmed since you left & feel unprotected without you. Write to me dearest as aften as you can and please do not trust to the letters of others satisfying me. I hope you will continue well & I trust in the great mercy of God & the powerful intercession of the blessed Virgin to have you restored safely to your little family & ever devoted,

Ellen -
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
January 30, 1863.
[1863/01/30]

[WTS]

During the time that you missed letters from me I was sick and unable to write. Now at last after more than a month's close confinement to the house I feel like myself again - but that's not remarkably bright according to your estimation. I feel more anxiety than I would admit about your health for the exposure on those Rivers is very great. And the poor soldiers too, must suffer and thus your ranks be thinned at a time when you need the services of every man. People are jubilant over the capture of Post Arkansas & not a paper that I have seen refers the credit to McClernand. On the contrary those who dislike you most are forced to leave the inference to be drawn that to your plans is due so important a victory. We well know the fearful struggle you will have before Vicksburg - Let me entreat you most earnestly, my dearest, not to expose yourself unnecessairly as I fear you may, We, as a family, have a fearful interest in the result of the coming conflict - you, Boyle & Charley there - poor Henrietta - I pity her when the fight begins & the first horrible newspaper rumors begin to come in - Nothing but my reliance upon the goodness of God could have sustained me through the last and notwithstanding my faith & hope & confidence I suffered more than I can tell. She is so nervous & timid at the best that she must endure tortures at such times. Let us have news from you as soon as possible after rumors have come in to the papers. Major Hammond has been most kind in writing me so often and I am truly thankful to him but you must remember that I am not satisfied until I hear from you. If you have not time to write much give me a short letter but let me have the assurance that you are in good Spirits & that you think of me. Dayton writes the most entertaining letter of any person out of the family. I enjoy his letters exceedingly. He is very clever.

Yesterday I received a long letter from Capt. Smith of 13th one string of praises of you & denunciation of the newspapers. He says the bone of his knee is fractured & is very painful. He writes from Marietta O. where his wife is nursing him.

In the "Lycoming Gazette" I lately read a first rate letter written by a Brigade Surgeon about Mr. Bowman & his Regiment. He was mentioned in the reports - especially mentioned - by his Division & Corps Commande's at Fredericksburg - He commands a Brigade now. I have not heard from him or Mrs. Bowman for two months. I would write to Charley to-day but I want to wait to know the result of Philemon's application for him for the Colonelcy. I wrote to you yesterday & the day before - Except during the three weeks that I was sick I have written you as usual. Please tell Col. Kilby Smith that I was very happy indeed to receive his very interesting letter and only wished it was longer. I see from your report of the Post Arkansas capture that you have mentioned him honourably but I want you to give him a personal recommendation - or a letter - in addition to that - so that he can get some friend to present it and secure his promotion. I hope Major Taylor is well by this time. Give him by best regards. I am sorry you have lost Dr. McMillen & Dr. Hartshorn as you like him. I am sorry too young Taylor has to leave. Give him my best regards also. I hope you will have Hammond promoted a grade & make Dayton a Major. I wish Sanger would join his regiment unless the recent regulation from Washington in regard to A. A. Genl's takes Hammond away. If either leaves, you will then have no more discord & quarreling in your little family. I think by that regulation Hammond will not be with you long - which probably is best. I want you now to apply for Philemon as Judge Advocate* & unless you press his name others will slip in for their friends. Philemon has evinced for you the truest & most affectionate regard - his judgement & acquirements are superior to what you would secure in any one else and I hope you will secure him the appointment and his services to yourself. I have many more things to say to you but six or eight children are in the room fussing over a "party" & Rachel every now & then jogs my elbow & the girls run in with errands & I don't know what I have written nor in what manner. Make Charley write to me. Tell Boyle Edith is here now & all are well. Love to dear Charley & Boyle -

Ever yours

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 4, 1863
[1863/02/04]

[WTS]

I enclose a letter for Charley, dearest Cump, as I think he will be more apt to get it promptly if directed to you Please send it to him as soon as you can. Charley writes us that you unnecessarily expose yourself in battle - that at Arkansas Post you took the worst possible position for your own preservation, if you were to be killed or even badly wounded the effect would be very bad on the men who look to you for Support & encouragement. Kind Heaven has protected you so far but you must remember that we should not improperly expose its precious gifts. And your life is my life & you must bear in mind my weary days of anxiety on your account - Think what the world would be to me if you were gone! desolate - I would then live in my children & the hope of Heaven would make life supportable but endurable only - but nothing could give me pleasure on my own account & my heart could never recover the loss. Do not say this is idle talk that the event would be different - I know my own heart best - I have loved you too long ever to lose you & be reconciled. And I love you more now, if possible than ever. Sympathy is expressed for the window who has been married but a short time - but she cannot mourn & cannot have loved her husband as entirely as the wife of many years. I never felt our seperation as severely as now and sometimes I feel that I must break through all restraint & against all prohibitions go to you - If you should be wounded I will go to you in spite of all obstacles - So if you do not wish to See me set a bad example to other wives you must - take better care of yourself & not get wounded. Your reports are highly interesting to me. I have let Mr Hunter and several other friends read them. After the next engagement I want you to give the "Regulars" the distict & emphatic praise - that you would give them were the strangers to you & not your Regiment - You never praise me - so you must praise them for me as I know they deserve it & you know it too

If you have time & inclination to read more family gossip read Charley's letter. He will bring it to you with a newspaper slip enclosed.

Ever dearest your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 4, 1863
[1863/02/04]

[WTS]

I wrote you this morning my dearest and thought I would write you a long letter to send by Dr. Davidson tomorrow but I have this moment learned that he leaves this evening. Henrietta has come over to take tea with me & it is near the hour for the Doctor to start so I cannot say much to you although I had hoped to secure the delivery of a long letter by him. I have written to you very often since I got well enough to write at all but I cannot tell whether my letters reach you as I do not hear from you now - At least I hear very seldom - It is a serious deprivation to get no letters. Your last to me was written at Napoleon & in the same envelope was one for Father which I enclosed to John Sherman for fear would have left Washington by the time it got there and thus lose it entirely - I send you an article from the Commercial which you may not see otherwise. I wonder if Gen'l Hurlbut did not cause the article - Tell me, if you know.

Give the 13th distinct good praise after the next engagement & encourage them now as much as possible. Give them some attention in my name if you can - a distribution of whiskey onions or something good. Poor fellows!

I received a letter today from Mother & she desired me to say to you that you have her fervant prayers for safe return & victory She says to tell you from her, that you must pray yourself that God will bless your arms & restore you to your family -

The children are all well but Lizzie & she is getting better,

Ever your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 8, 1863
[1863/02/08]

[WTS]

Your birthday, my beloved husband, and you so far away from us. Could you know how I long to have you with us, or to be near you on any terms you would feel what the trial of staying at home and quietly enduring is. As it is you know only the rough & boisterous & stormy side of heroism, whilst I often have a dreary monotony, with nothing to divert me from the inevitable heartaches & pangs, fear dread regret and longing. My heart is keenly alive to every danger you encounter & nothing can happen adverse to you which does not pierce my heart. But my faith and hope are abiding & my consolation is ever to look up to the Great God of Justice & Mercy who can bring good out of evil & in whom I trust to be reunited to you in peace & comfort here & forever hereafter in eternal joys. Your trials great & Small are trials all to me & sadly but secretly do I ponder over them and your every act of virtue & heroism - displayed in many ways & evident to your friends when not acknowledged by yourself - is treasured in my heart of hearts & tends to make you I sometimes fear almost too dear - Dear Charley is enthusiastic in his admiration of you - not as you appear under fire only - and you may be Sure it does me good to read his letters - No brothers could love you more than do Boyle and Charley and I am truly glad they have accomplished their first wish & got with you. You are dearly loved by Father Mother Philemon & Tom and Sis as well as by Boyle & Charley & when you reflect upon me & your dependent children and upon all others who love you so sincerely & whose pride is in you, you will not unnecessarily risk yourself in battle. Father in writing from Washington to Philemon Jan 31st says - "tell Ellen she could not desire her husband to stand higher than he does with the people east" - Mr. Stanton says you are the best Gen'l in the Army in his estimation & Halleck knows you are - But you have certainly allowed yourself to be too much worried by Newspaper men - You cannot do anything unaided against them & there is not one man in power who will unite with you against them. So do dear Cump give up the Struggle & Suffer them to annoy you no longer - The first distorted accounts that went forth of the fighting at Vicksburg was from the correspondant of the Missouri Republican who was evidently in Frank Blair's pay. The Cincinnati Commercial is only too anxious to stand by you but the pressure from correspondants and men working for other Generals is sometimes too great for it. I enclose you some paragraph from that paper of the 24th Jan & 2nd Feb. which please return to me. I want Dayton or some one to find out for me who was the Soldier who wrote the letter Signed "T. K." I cannot imagine who wrote the other article unless Gen'l Hurlbut gave the items & induced the Editor to write it. Tell me if you know.

The dear children are well - It would do your heart good to watch them at their plays. Elly is the Smartest, most talkative cunning interesting little thing I ever saw. She can sing better than most young ladies. She will use the piano well. Dear Minnie is taking lessons and from what I hear I think she is improving. Poor Willy! I can't bear to think of the little fellow so far away - How happy they will be to get home poor children. I will try and give them as much enjoyment as possible. You must come then to see them for if you do not we will all go to See you in the fall. I send a letter today which Mother enclosed to me to direct to Charley, so I will put off writing to him until tomorrow - Sis is also writing to him to-day. Give my best love to him & to Boyle & say to the latter that some complaints are heard of a want of letters from him. I suppose he writes but the letters do not come promptly. You have applied for Hardie to be sent to you. I sincerely hope he may be. I hope either Hammond or Sanger will get a regiment & releive you of the disagreeable state arising from their animosity towards each other.

Father is still in Washington - he Seems in no hurry to get home. Mother is confined to bed at the Water Cure. Philemon's fourth daughter was baptised yesterday "Mary Angela" - I stood for it. Tommy says it's ugly but I think it beautiful. Lizzie is getting better. Write often dearest Cump & beleive me ever your truly

affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 10, 1863
[1863/02/10]

[WTS]

I wrote you yesterday, or rather late the night before dearest Cump, and before that, I had written you very often after I became able to write without great fatigue. I was very sick & in a way that rendered me very uneasy about my health. My lungs are still sore and inflamed but I hope to get through the Spring without any more serious trouble. I will be thankful for life, with the greatest torture, rather than be taken from the dear children. Dear Cump I had so vivid a dream about you last night that I was - sorry to wake from it - but it is better to be happy if only in a dream than not at all. The children are constantly dreaming of you and they are delighted to tell or listen to the dreams next morning. The conversations on that subject end always with "O' don't you wish Papa would come?" -

Henry Cranmer told me yesterday that he would leave to-day for Memphis & perhaps Vicksburg - It was then too late for me to prepare anything to Send by him. He told me he already had a package to take to you "from Mrs. Reese". In all deliberation, & with the true love of my husband in my heart & the fear of God before me, I say to you Cump, that you must not write to Mrs. Reese or any of her children if you mean to continue to be to me what you have been - the truest kindest and best. I will not worry you again with all that afflicts & annoys me in this matter but I will say that by writing to her you will cast opprobrium mortification & unhappiness upon me. My happiness is in your keeping and you will not deliberately mar it for the sake of any one.

Elly has just stepped in with a message to dear Papa - to "tome home." She is very industrously brushing her teeth with what she calls a teeth brush - Rachel is a strong fine child with abundant good sense a proper degree of sensibility but not too much devoted to music & dancing & able to take care of herself - Every day I play the piano at least once & often two or three times a day for them to dance. Gertrude dances with them & they are happy as possible. Mother & Father still away & Lancaster dull & dreary.

Ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 11, 1863
[1863/02/11]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I enclose a couple of scraps from the Commercial which may not otherwise reach your eye. The extract from Tom's letter I sent to them myself having seen in their paper of a few days before an article taken from the Missouri Republican, headed "How to cross a River" and giving a very different version of the affair which is so prettily given by Tom - The letter was addressed to Father but as he was not here we took the privelege of reading it and extracting from it - - In writing to the Editors in sending the article I asked him - who wrote that letter from Arkansas Post signed "T. K." and who wrote the long article in vindicating you in their paper of the 2nd. Halstead replied that the soldier who wrote the letter referred to was Thomas King a private but he did not say in what Reg. or company. Please ask Dayton to find out for me.* Halstead also said that he himself had written the long editorial referred to, and that he "had taken great pains to ascertain the facts as he was unwilling injustice should be done you & detriment the country because you were unjust to correspondents" as he "knew you to be brave & beleived you to be capable." He was evidently gratified by my letter and it would only need a kind word to enlist them strongly as your firm friends. The Cin: Gazette is embittered against you by Tom Worthington - Mansfield the former Editor & still ruling Spirit is a brother in law of Tom. His wife is a bitter protestant and two or three members of her family (Worthington) having become Catholics her feelings are naturally arrayed against all of that faith. They know us well & think of you as Catholic no doubt and thus they feel a double animosity. Reed who publishes the paper has a particular spite at Father & would take pleasure in abusing you to make him uncomfortable

But Father is so well satisfied with your merits & standing that newspapers cannot trouble him. Still I do not want you to notice correspondents even when they do violate orders - You cannot do anything against them. Submit to them as you would to mosquitoes or any other annoying insect -

All pretty well but me - We hope for letters soon - Tell Charley our letters to him will stop soon if he don't write.

Ever dearest your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 14, 1863
[1863/02/14]

[WTS]

On Saturday evening, dearest Cump, I received your letter of the 4th inst. I assure you I was glad to See your dear hand writing once more. But I am Sorry to find you still have so much to trouble you. We have become callous to newspaper abuse and you must not allow yourself one moment's discomforture on that account. One of your merit can afford to wait you can live through the clamor of the day and bear the test of time. So long as you continue as you have hitherto been "sans peur et sans reproche" I feel only the more proud of you when the ignorant & the malicious assail you. But if you abandon your country & her cause when so few are competent & willing to Serve, I shall then indeed be distressed It is not Lincoln but the country you serve and you have done and will do your best and obstacles which you cannot surmount or overcome like this miserable newspaper mania you must get around in the best possible manner. But our country right or wrong grateful or ungrateful let us not desert her or shrink from serving her. Let not the "Snapping turtles" drag you down. You stand pre eminent - others have gone down because they were incompetent or demagogues or Secessionists at heart. But you have pure principle & loyalty & can move on your course tranquil & steady whilst the howling & barking goes on as dogs bark at the moon. I would like to See the papers you sent to John & I hope he will not keep them long. Whatever happens Cump hold on to your commission. Do not desert the good ship whilst she is in danger of Sinking - you cannot do it - If you have sent in your resignation let me beg you to recall it. God, who knows my heart, knows that in giving you up I make a true & a great Sacrifice but I consider it duty & honor & God's service and I dare not do otherwise. I only wish the boys were old enough to be with you. Were it not idle I would give way to vain regrets that I could not help & be of Service too in the terrible struggles you have to bear.

I have written you very often since, I got well enough to write, for a month now, but I greatly fear you do not get my letters, at least not more than half of them. Do be kind to poor Charley. He has never been healthy. Tell him he really must write to me; I feel uneasy about him. Father is still in Washington & poor Mother sick at Dr. Shepard's.

The children are rosy & happy. Rachel is as broad as Willy was at her age. She is very Smart & sweet. Poor Lizzie is deaf again. Tommy is great on the multiplication table. Kate is a good teacher and has a fine school. Do you notice Luke sometimes? One Allen private in the 42nd Ohio is a relation is some degree of ours. He is a young fellow of natural refinement seems delicate but is always on duty If you could notice him I would be very glad - Philemon writes to him often. Halstead of the Commercial writes me that private Thomas King wrote that beautiful tribute to you in the paper of the 24th Jan. Halstead wrote the long article of the 2nd Feb. & said he was at some pains to get the facts.

Lizzie is by me & sends love to dear Papa - she is fortunately very fond of reading now.

As ever, your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 20, 1863
[1863/02/20]

[WTS]

A report was telegraphed from Washington to all the papers a day or two since, dearest Cump, that you were in Washington. At first I thought it probable but on reflection I have concluded that it cannot be so. I almost hoped it was so for although it would not be agreeable to you to be there it would have insured us a short- visit from you here. I have become almost discouraged about letters. I hear from you so seldom. Do you write to me or are the letters lost? You ought to write to me often if you make your letters ever so short. I have not had a letter from Charley, since the one he wrote me after the attack on Vicksburg. I will enclose in this a picture for him & I wish you would tell him that until I receive a message from him, at least, I will not write him another line. I have written him as often as every third day since the 19th of Jan & I have not even had a message of acknowledgement. I am willing to write several letters to one but I want some assurance that my letters are received and some polite notice taken of them before I write fifty or more to the same person - If he is too sick to write he ought to ask some of you to give us a message - Hammond & Dayton both tell me that Charley has been sick, indeed every time they write nearly, they say he is not well. I feel very uneasy about him and think he ought to come home to get cured up. It is possible that Tom Ewing will be with you by the time you receive this letter. If he is please give him the enclosed paragraph & tell him I had it published in the Missouri Republican Daily Weekly & Tri Weekly because I saw a false account of it in that paper

How can I hide away that money Cump? If the Goverment comes to such a pass that property in the Cities (on' which I would take mortages) is worth nothing then the "green backs" will be worth nothing.

That note will of course be paid in Treasury notes as gold is worth a fabulous price - I feel no fear

It will not be many years till Willy & Tommy grow large & strong enough to work for me if necessary - if poor Willy lives - but you know I have always had a fear at my heart that he would not live to grow to manhood. I feel it a great trial to have him away & can scarcely restrain myself from going up for him now. But I made up my mind it was for his good & I compel myself to quiet & resignation. I hope you have written to him, poor little fellow - They call him "the General" which I suppose pleases him. On going to my locked up treasures yesterday I found among them a little sketch you drew for me in '38 - two dogs - one drinking, beautifully done. In one corner you have written "to E. B. E." from "W. T. S. 1838" -. I intend to have it neatly framed in order to preserve it in future. I received a newspaper from Lawrenceburg Ind, with nine cents postage on it. It contained the resolutions of the 83rd Ind. & written in pencil mark "compliments of Ben Spooner Col 83rd Ind -" left Genl &c &c. I got it too late to send him any acknowledgement If you think of it please tell him I received it.

Boyle writes seldom. I wish you would write to Mr. Stanton your honest opinion of Maj Chase. Give my love to all.

As ever dearest Your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 22, 1863 Sunday night
[1863/02/22]

[WTS]

Last evening dearest Cump I received the copy of your address to your St. Louis friends which has has more deeply impressed me with the fear that you may resign than even your letters to me & to Father. Nothing that you are capable of doing could cause me deep mortification except your resignation at this time. I implore you, by all you hold sacred & dear not to encourage the thought one moment longer. If you are weary & wish to have peace & rest, wait a little while longer until our prospects - I mean our Country's prospects are brighter & then you can with less discredit to yourself give up your labors in her cause. God who is my Judge knows how I long for that day of peace & rest for us but I would not have it at the price of the dishonor that would be ours were you to abandon your labors at a time when they are so much needed. In addition to the fact that you would be abandoning your country in her hour of peril do you not see that you would thus be giving your enemies - the correspondents - the triump they wish. "They will then have written you down." As it is they cannot injure your good name on the contrary it only shines brighter for all the rubs it gets. I have seen very little that you refer to. I see very few papers except the Commercial and Halstead has come out again in your favor and has gone to great pains to ascertain facts and lay them before the people. One whose reputation rests on the Secure basis of true worth cannot be injured by the hootings of the rabble - Besides you have so nobly steered your course heretofore guided by duty & high principle & unswerved by personal motives or desires that I have come to feel a kind of pride in the fact that you could withstand all the combined assaults of the unthinking & malicious. And now I cannot bear to See you succumb You have not been worse abused than Grant - It will soon pass - Think how many vicissitudes we have had now & all within two Short years! - You will be fully vindicated when the truth must be given to the public & until then the consciousness of having done well should sustain you. I do not like to See you put yourself in the category with McClellan, Porter & others - why not put in Fremont? Porter was cashierd by as good a court as Tom Worthington had & McClellan is in my estimation a traitor & I have not taken my opinion from the papers for they have been disgusting absolutely loathsome in their sickening adulation of a man who has never been within range of the enemy's balls - & never means to be -

If you feel that you cannot conscienciously conciliate correspondents I would not have you do it & if they are insolent to you I would like to See them kicked but how can you still hold McClellan & Porter as models when they encouraged & petted & fêted these Same correspondents? If it is unprincipled & disgusting how can you still admire these men who have been proved by able judges like Halleck to have done nothing else? Porter was as clearly proved a traitor as Jeff. Davis has been. I have a contempt for the whole batch of them - occasioned partly by the adulation not abuse of the papers & I would be cut to the quick to See you in the Same category by your own act. If it be right that he should be hung. I hope you will hang the correspondant but if you have not the power to visit justice upon him do not let him hang you - You have sailed through a worse storm than this has been - keep your eye on the guiding star of stern duty & let the wild waves make what commotion they may - you will ride triumphant into a glorious port at last. And may God who sees our hearts & motives sustain & reward you - These poor devils of correspondents are instigated by your enemies & not a few of them by that false hearted villian B. Stanton who Smarts under your letter. He would rejoice a thousand times rejoice in your resignation - do not give him that victory over you - A more auspicious time for a resignation will come very soon and then you can act without annoyance from these people - I tremble lest you have already done the act. If you have do recall it - if you have not wait to See me before you decide. But should it be done & be irrevocable you know I am ready as heretofore to go with you anywhere no matter how much I may dislike the place - But I would rather live in one room in Leavenworth than in any way that we can live in St. Louis - but if you have already irrevocably resigned use your own judgement in a choice. I was sick all day yesterday had I been well I would have started today to See you instead of writing. I sent Charley by express a box containing medecine which Mr. Stanbery recommends as curing him. Elly has ear ache to-day This is Monday morning. Tommy is at school - Father has not got home yet -

As ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
February 24, 1863
[1863/02/24]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I wrote you yesterday on the subject of your anticipated resignation. In the afternoon I received your letter Sent by Capt McCoy & feel much more at ease since I find you do not contemplate taking the step immediately. I feared you intended to act hastily in the matter & resign in the midst of the controversy on the newspaper question. After this has blown over & our cause brightens a little if you then think you would like to seek quiet & repose and lead a life of domestic comfort far removed from the bitter trials of the past year I cannot object. I would be sorry to have the country Sustain your loss but I would rejoice at my gain. For I too make my sacrifice & perform my act of heroism in giving you up to the Service of our country. I do not merely submit to your going but I cheerfully make my sacrifice for the Sake of the cause. I intended to Say in yesterday's letter, but it will do as well in this, that I sincerely hope you will sue the St. Louis Republican. The Commercial, except for a day or two, about the time the bad news began to come in, has been very friendly to you & I, consequently, have not seen all those reports you refer to. The Cin: Gazette is inimical through Tom Worthington's interest with his Sister & brother in law Mr. & Mrs Mansfield Mansfield controls the Spirit of the paper. They tried hard to fix the attack at Shiloh as a surprise & to attach the blame to you in the first instance. They have run well with Stanton, who works against you as unceasingly as the Devil works against us all. I am not surprised at the renewal of the charge of insanity - it was doubtless made by some correspondent in Stanton's interest. Stanton's friends some time ago let the fact leak out that he intended to get up that charge again. He is malicious & nothing would please him better than your resignation at a time when you are pressed & worried. I trust you will await a more auspicious hour for it. Proceed against the Missouri Republican at once. Give Father power to Sue in your name & will attend to it. Send us the charges.

I am very anxious for Charley to go on your Staff as In. Genl with Rank as Lieut. Col. unless Maj. Chase can be laid on the shelf. Tod is not sincere in his promise to give him a Colonelcy. He never can get one, at least not while Tod is in the Chair of State. I am preparing to move into the old Sherman house & will not expect you to call us from here before Fall. I will go to See Capt. McCoy at Columbus. I feel tempted to go down with him.

Love to all - as ever -

Ellen
[EES]

Neil House Columbus O.
March 2nd 1863
[1863/03/02]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I came here via Zanesville on Friday, arriving at ½ past one Saturday morning and after a short sleep (for me) got ready for the work of the day which was fill a trunk with knick knacks for you and Boyle & Charley & the gentlemen of your Staff & then find Capt. McCoy & put the trunk in his charge. He had written me that he would be here on Friday & Saturday, or at least that anything sent to Dr. Carter's on those days he would get. I sent to Mrs Carter's & he had not come & was not expected & Mrs Carter was out of town. I afterwards called there & Dr. Carter told me that Capt. McCoy would spend Tuesday - tomorrow in Cin: but I am afraid to send to him for fear he will not be there or for fear the trunk may not get to him in time. I filled it before I knew the Capt. was not coming & now it is filled I will send it by express as the Express agents in Cincinnati sent me word thro' James Slevin that they would take anything to you free - I am very much disappointed not to have Seen Capt. McCoy. I wanted to have a long talk about you all & I wanted him to assure you, as he could have done from personal observation that I am in no ways disheartened by newspaper abuse, but on the contrary, feel more proud of you than ever - I take some pleasure in the feeling of defiance because you have the real merits that will enable you to live them down. Not so Porter McClellan &c who had no true zeal in the cause but who have proved themselves to have been in league with the grand Democratic peace party. They have been electioneering - McC. has at least & play the veriest Demagogue ever since he was releived of command - drawing has pay all the time & making capital with the enemies in our midst. I beg you will for my sake never put your Spotless name in the same category with his again for I have a Supreme contempt for him for he has not even shown bravery to redeem his sins. Father had not got home when I left on Saturday. I think he will see that Boyle is not shuffled off the list of Brigadiers. You & Charley must do as you think best about the Staff appointment If Charley can have patience for another year we can get him a regiment or perhaps have him made Brigadier - I think the latter more likely - particularly should he get in another fight. If you are with them again I want you to make especial mention of the 13th I wish some one would send me Giles A Smith's report of the Arkansas Post affair. Please ask Hammond to do it. Dayton writes me very interesting letters. I wish he would write often. I send you a suit of light cloth as it will be warm down there. The Slippers Henrietta sends to Boyle. She also requested me to get the lemons for him. The Smaller cake is all for Charley & I want Boyle & Charley to have a share in everything, Please send the Small box of sardines & some of the cake to Major Chase with my regards. I have seen Hoyt & his wife - Hoyt grows like you. I will write by to days mail.

As eve

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
March 4, 1863
[1863/03/04]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

We feel so much anxiety about poor Charley that we cannot but urge you to Send him home for awhile to recruit his health. Do counsel the poor fellow to get a leave of absence and come to us that we may cure him. He could in the mean time be getting some recruits for the regiment for since the conscription act has passed many will be enlisting,

I wrote you from Columbus, and from Zanesville on my way home I wrote to Dayton telling him how I wished the contents of the trunk distributed. I was greatly disappointed at not seeing Capt McCoy but I could not have expected him here as his stay with his family was too short for me to expect any of it. But after he wrote me that he would be in Columbus Friday & Saturday and I went up to See him I did feel disappointed. However I may do better than that even - for I may get a chance to go down to See you - If it had not been for the moving coming on I would have met Capt McCoy in Cincinnati and gone down with him, I feel so anxious about your threat to resign and about poor Charley's health. Now that I have been over that route it seems a very easy trip to me and I stand in no terror of it, so you must not be Surprised to See me again. I got home with a very severe head ache yesterday and slept late this morning so my time for writing is short - I write always with the children about me and as I do not look over my letters they are probably full of errors. I wish you could see Rachel toddling about talking gesticulating and having everything her own way. She is the image of Willy but is more bold and self reliant, Elly is the most entertaining little thing I ever saw - She always gives me a message for dear Papa which I seldom send & she often writes to you herself & dispatches her letters by the boy charging him "not to stop on the way to Post Office "or he will be too late for the mail." After praying for Papa at night she asks God to bless Uncle Charley & bring him safe home

Ever dearest your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
March 7, 1863
[1863/03/07]

[WTS]

Yesterday dearest Cump was Charley's birthday and I wrote him a long letter which I hope he will receive promptly and answer too. I have written to you since my little trip to Columbus whither I went on a fruitless errand as far as communicating with you or directly from you is concerned. I was repaid for the trouble and fatigue of the trip by the pleasure which it afforded poor Mother to See me. I found her still in durance vile but bearing her close confinement and her banishment from home with great resignation. She sometimes gets very nervous and uneasy about you all at Vicksburg & some days after the bad news began to come in from there she got into such a state about Charley that she determined to releive her anxiety by motion & change if she had to walk home. Fortunately Sis went up to her at that precise time & found her in the City with her trunks packed ready to come. Since we received letters from you she feels satisfied but of course we must all suffer many a heartache & sickening dread in looking to the future. Our trust is firm in God who has so long showered blessings upon us, and preserved you amid so many perils.

Father got home yesterday after many delays. He is very well & felt but little fatigued from the long journey although he took no rest on the way. His health has been remarkably good all winter and he is looking as well as he ever did in his life. We are very thankful. Father has not yet had time to read all his letters or all that we have from you on the newspaper correspondance, but he is wroth at them & fully agrees with you on the subject and says something must be done to abate or abolish the nuisance. He wants you to Send him power of attorney or whatever it may be so that he can bring suit against the Cin: Gazette. It has done more against you than any other paper in the country - has pursued you with a deeper more bitter unrelenting hatred than any other & it is more generally taken by the sober minded class of old whigs merchants and country people - I did not think of a Suit against them but I spoke to Father about the Spirit of the paper which is doubtless influenced by Mr. Mansfield through Tom Worthington. He instantly said that it would be better on all accounts to sue them at the Same time you sue the Missouri Republican. Attend to this dear Cump at once & I promise you they will consider next time before they enter into a conspiracy against you.

The Commercial is friendly. I told you of the letters I have had from Mr. Halstead the Editor.

Henrietta received by Father five thousand dollars which her Father sent her. She has kept eight hundred out for housekeeper & furniture & will go to Cincinnati next week to Select the furniture buy linen &c. She has rented the house which Mr Slocum has lately lived in. The Slocums are going to live with Dr & Mrs. White as Julia is their only daughter and all their sons have left home. The old Dr. is nearly, if not quite blind & Mrs. White spends all her time reading to him & waiting on him.

There is no doubt but that Boyle's nomination will be confirmed by the Senate - The only danger to it has been that the President might leave his name off in reducing the list, but he did not at any time - His name is first of the Ohio nominations & has been reserved on even the most reduced list. Give my love to all and tell Hugh I will write to him in a day or two. I have best news from dear Minnie & Willy. The latter I take it for granted has scuffled kicked & played enough for he has worn out all his pants & I am officially notified that "Master Wm. T. Sherman needs two more pairs of pants" to scuffle kick & play in I have just received Col T. Kilby's letters. It is too late for this session but I will send them on without delay. Be kind as you can to poor Charley

As ever faithfully Yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
March 9, 1863
[1863/03/09]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I have tired myself writing, having just made two copies of your long letter on the newspaper Spies, to Father of Feb 17th. One copy I have made for my friend Halstead of the Commercial & the other copy is to be kept here. The original letter Father intends sending by today's mail to the War Department. Father feels the evils that may arise & have arisen from the nuisances and he seems fully bent upon, doing his share to rid the country & cause of the danger. I must acknowledge myself completely converted to your opinion on the subject, Indeed I never had looked upon it in the very serious light in which you have presented it but I had thought with John Sherman that your objection to them was a mere repugnance to playing the demagogue to the slight degree of simply tolerating them. As in other things, the general conviction must soon coincide with you as you are as usual in advance of the times. As I have told you so often, time will set you right in history & prove you to have been as Halstead says, "prescient as loyal" whilst your enemies by their outcries add one of the ingredients of fame - as Father told Stanton. Father thinks the proper way to put down the correspondents is to Sue the papers which publish their falsehoods & then prefer charges against the officers who encouraged their presence in camp. He is waiting to hear from you to bring suit against the St. Louis Republican & the Cincinnati Gazette - Do not delay sending it as this is the time to Strike them. I think as you say they have made capital enough at your expense they ought to pay us something for it. I got your good letters of the 22nd and 26th of Feb. We had a good laugh at home over your accusation of my "excessive vanity of Elly" - They had never discovered it and they were a little amused as I was myself with the charge. It must be true as you are generally very penetrating. Then I will say in my own defense that many a Mother is excessively vain of much less pretty & less interesting children & that if vain of her I do not indulge her in consequence. I am more proud of you than of anything in the world have you ever discovered that? Of course you have so don't deny it. Of course Cump you are too good not to remember our past lives & its varied incidents with which the dear children are associated but you should remember that it is in communicating to one another, such feelings that we poor mortals find our happiness - Stern men must condescend to those things for the greater happiness of those they love those who depend on their love -

I must write to Boyle this morning but will write you soon again. Tell Col. Stuart, if you wish, that Father wrote to the War Department in his behalf when he found there was some question about confirming his nomination. What a bitter pill for Genl Hurlbut should he not be confirmed - especially as Frank Blair is a Maj. Genl!! I was amazed to hear Ord insinuate against Genl Hurlbut. I think it was owing to prejudice. I could write all day but I will be too late for the mail if I do not write now to Boyle.

Love to all as ever,

Ellen-
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
March 21, 1863
[1863/03/21]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Mother got home yesterday but is in bed being unable to Sit up all day. We are all well except poor little Rachel who has a bad attack of asthma. Tommy has just recd a tent from Capt. Cornyn which he & Willy will doubtless live in during the Summer. I have had recent letters from Willy & Minnie & they are doing finely.

I will write you a long letter tomorrow. Charley seldom writes to me. Mr. Lucas sent Father & me ten papers each & wrote me a very kind letter - I suppose he sent you one of the papers. I replied to his letter promptly

As ever dearest,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
March 23, 1863
[1863/03/23]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

On Saturday I had the happiness of receiving your letter of 13th. You did not tell me that you enjoyed the cake I sent in the trunk but I hope you did as I know you are fond of that kind of cake. I do not think it unwholesome & so was not afraid to Send one to Charley so soon after the box of medicine. Father was very glad to hear from you but provoked that you are left without proper Staff Officers. He said he would write to Halleck or Stanton about it. I spoke to you of the Missouri Republican ten copies of which Mr. Lucas had sent to me & ten to Father. I suppose he sent you at least one copy. He wrote to me that he had sent to many of the papers & to California. It is quite a long article - but throws the blame of their abuse and unjustice upon the luckless correspondant.

Tom Hunter got home on Friday very much reduced in strength & flesh. His Father & Mother feel uneasy about him and feel deeply grateful to Boyle for his notice of him. He brought a Splendid tent for Tommy, a present from Capt. Cornyn. It is to be put up in Gran Pa's yard under the apple trees & he and Willy are to Sleep there when Willy comes home - they will forage. Tom thinks - such at least are his arrangements.

Willy & Minnie are delighted to hear that we are going to live at Grand Pa's. They are to have "Bob" the pony to ride to their heart's content.

Spring is coming now and one really feels like getting out of dusty old winter quarters. I am doing something towards moving & expect to be in Father's next week. The old house would have required more repair than I could have put on it for a short occupancy and as I cannot be permanantly Settled here I would rather Spend the Summers with Father & the winters in the City where the children may be at school. I do not like to be thus Seperated from them & from you too. I shall hail with true delight the happy hour when you can with honor retire from the service & Settle down quietly with us. You will find your daughters a source of great pleasure to you, they are so affectionate & good, so much more amiable & loveable than their Mother. It would do you good to See the little ones too, how prettily the play & how fond the older ones are of them. Tommy doats on Elly & Rachel & they evidently think him a prodigy. Willy will be a wonderful fellow in their eyes when he returns from College. I enclose a few verses which I have copied for Charley which I want you to read before you give them to him.

Ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
March 26, 1863
[1863/03/26]

[WTS]

On Saturday, dearest Cump, I received your letter enclosing one from Ord & one from Gantt. It was on Tuesday & not Saturday. Yesterday was a holiday and I thought for the moment it had been Sunday. You will be agreeably surprised I know to hear that Hugh has been confirmed & moreover that he never was in any sort of danger of non confirmation. Mr Stanton told Father that his name had never been removed from the list even when it had been reduced to fifty & the only thing to have been apprehended was that the President would take off his name to make room for some political aspirant. What made you all think so long beforehand that he would be dropped? He seems to have made his plans entirely with reference to that event. We were shocked and chagrined to hear of Col. Stuart's rejection but we feel certain that he will be renominated by the President* to-day and quoting from your letter to me about Col. Stuart. Why do you suppose he was rejected? Because of his connexion with that divorce case in Chicago some years ago! Great reason because an innocent man had been accused of committing adultery that he should therefore be rejected as General, after his faithful services to his country. Some of our pharasiacal Yankee brother did it. Cowen of Pa. to whom Father had written about Stuart the moment he heard he was in danger answered him to this effect & indulged in many expressions of indignation & abuse against the Yankees Should Col. Stuart be gone I hope you will be able to put Boyle in command of the Division. Charley then would be under his brother under his brother in law - most agreeable commanders to him. I am very glad Charley likes his Brigade commander Col. Giles A. Smith. I thought him a gallant fellow. I fear Gen'l Morgan L. will be confined a long time I will either write to him or send him something if I do not go down to Memphis. I wrote to Gen'l Hurlbut that I might make my appearance in that vicinity & asked if he could forward me to you I suppose you would feel so disgusted were I actually to make my appearance there that you would give up & come home. Well I would not object. When you can come I will feel happy I assure you. I have not sent Ord's & Gantt's letters to John yet for he has been in Columbus. I do not like to Send Gantts & think I will not as he Speaks of the Members & Senators being all mediocre He is a Snarling Sneering individual and probably thinks no one Smart or good but himself - he is certainly Smart enough & very agreeable - but I attach but little importance to his opinions. As to Ord - I am sorry to see him writing as he does - it is an evidence to me that he is in league consciously or unconsciously with our enemies. The man - the officer of sense & education who can so laud McClellan & Buell is but little if any better than they and in the face of Halleck's letter & Gen'l Hitchcocks evidence it is a participation in his crime of disloyalty to sustain or defend him Buell has been in league with Seward McClellan & Southern peace anti war Schemers, since they first began their efforts to break you down in Kentucky. Since the day I saw McClellan's dispatches to you at Louisville I have loathed him as a traitor.

Buell was his selection for that place before he got you quite out & what has Buell ever done that was not in accordance with McC. & the peace party's policy? Nothing. His tardy appearance at Shiloh has never been explained & the most he has to Say about it is to Sneer at "Grants' rabble" - Morton Johnson & Holt are patriots - Judge Thompson of Cal. is a Secessionist & I fear Ord is no better or will be drawn by them into trouble. Talk of buying Newspapers! who had the New York Herald & other Democratic journals in his interest & who was sold to them so that he must & would entertain their correspondants when he could not see Generals who had come from their departments to See him? McClellan I should think his disgusting demagogueism Since his removal would make you loath & contemn him

I am sorry for Ord & dont wish to See him. I think he is misguided or wilfully desires to draw you into trouble.

All are well and busy moving. Love to all. I do so love to get your letters. I hope you will write often

Ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
April 2, 1863
[1863/04/02]

[WTS]

I scarcely can write to you, dearest Cump, at such a time as this when I am so uncertain as to your whereabouts and uneasy as to your fate. First we had rumors that you had gone with your Division up the Yazoo & now a rumor, (but contradicted) that you have come down with Admiral Porter having been unsuccessful. I wait with great anxiety but one thing I always know - that you have done the best that could be done under the circumstances. If only your dear life is Spared to us I can bear everything else for I will never have anything to attribute to you but what is purely honorable upright and wise - I trust God will preserve dear Boyle & Charley. I think Charley ought to have written to me more but if he will not confer that pleasure I cannot help it. Life's pleasures are few enough - we might as well do what we can to make one another happy, but if Charley dont choose to Shew me that kindness I cant make him - Give him my love & tell him how glad I am to know he is well again. As long as you bear me out in my trouble with Elizabeth Reese I will not complain of anything. I do not know that such is the case but I have reason to Suppose that John Sherman has espoused the quarrel against me or that he has had his mind poisoned in some way. I will give you my reasons for my impression in my next letter for by that time I will know certainly. You must not think my dearest that I keep my heart hardened against your Sister or that I keep this thing open by talking. I never say a word on the subject now and my reason for avoiding intercourse was to avoid quarrels - One thing I cannot endure & that is to have her write to you or you write to her whilst she holds herself in the attitude she does to me & boasts of her children's disrespect to me. I told you how Henry had treated me in regard to the Photograph of Sword. After four weeks passed & I heard nothing of it I wrote a demand note & sent it to James Slevin & he called at Henry's Office & presented it. Then Henry wrote to me in brief terms that he had left the Photograph on the Steam Boat but when she came into port again he would see about it & let me know. That is the last I have ever heard of that - & I suppose the last I ever will hear. One day lately Elizabeth Sent to Mary Ewing to get your address. I presume she intends to write to you again to endeavour to get you to drop me -

I have been so worn out & disheartened moving again that I think I will not soon attempt housekeeping As I have no baby now I think I will try boarding for awhile. I am boarding now. Sis is housekeeper & I have nothing to do with affairs except to pay my share of expenses. Minnie & Willy are delighted that we have come here. They have improved very much lately in their letters, particularly Willy. As I write now Tommy is out at play with the boys it being recess in Kate's School. They are throwing ball & poor Tom goes it with his left hand. Rachel is sleeping on my bed. Elly is singing "Brave boys are they - gone at their countrys call - and yet, and yet, we cannot forget - that many brave boys must fall" - Lizzie had just used her dumb bells & put them away. She is improving. All send love to dear dear Papa and hope to See him home. Give my love to Boyle & tell him his little family are well.

Ever dearest your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
April 4, 1863
[1863/04/04]

[WTS]

Day before yesterday I wrote you dearest Cump and I am still in the Same State of suspense as to your movements and your whereabouts. The papers still give us contradictory news; the Memphis Bulletin asserting that you have possession of Haines Bluff and the Argus that you have gone back to Young's Point. From these two papers the Cincinnati papers quote. I have found out at last the principal cause of the animosity of the Cin; Gazette to you - they look upon you as a supporter of McClellan & they know him to be in intrigue with a political combination for personal aggrandisement. They are certainly not to blame in denouncing in the bitterest terms all who aid him in his demagogueism and as they really beleived you to be one I do not blame them. I told them - or one of them - who called to See me that they were entirely mistaken that you would not say aught against McClellan but you did not conceive it your business to uphold or defend him, & that you were not one of his "Supportors" in the Sense in which other Army Officers have declared themselves McClellan has openly & shamefully played the Demagogue since his removal from command. I sent your letter from Ord to John Sherman as you directed but I did not like to send him Gantt's letter for the reasons I gave you in my last. John has never sent me those papers you requested him to Send me in regard to the Vicksburg Assault of the 29th Dec - I wrote to him for them lately but he has taken no notice of my letter. I also wrote to him to be kind enough to return to me the letters &c of Col. Kilby Smith but I have not heard from him and as I told you before I suspect that he intends to cut me - Let him - so long you are true it makes no heart sick impression upon me. In truth it seems to me we have had so many disappointments that I have no hope and reliance except you & the children & my Good God - Hammond arrived on Thursday and left yesterday - He was very agreeable and we all enjoyed his visit - Father & all. Hammond tells me that before he left Frank Blair shewed him a copy of a letter he had written to his brother urging him to get you placed at the head of affairs down - there & lauding you to the Skies. I know that the Blairs understand your capacity and I really beleive they wish to see you elevated. Use Frank Blair as a friend - he is at least a loyal man & that is more than your St. Louis friends can boast of themselves I like him better than I do them for that reason and I know he is brave. Pray do not offend him Cump. The time is coming when we may need friends. Hammond says that New York Herald man is going back with Lincoln's Sanction. Lincoln has no more sense that to pet a dog at the risk of the best men of the nation but he is too weak a man to notice & the corresponandt is beneath contempt. I think your friend Grant Sustained Knox. What think you? Hoyt Sherman tells me they are friends - intimate friends! The children are in fine health both here & at Notre Dame. I go with Lizzie to Cin: to See the Doctor again on the 13th. I may run down to See you at Young's point - make you a flying visit. We are comfortably fixed at Fathers -

As ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
April 7, 1863
[1863/04/07]

[WTS]

This, dearest Cump, is the anniversary of the second day's fighting at Shiloh - yesterday the day you saved our army from destruction. To my great joy I received a letter from you yesterday, dated March 26th & giving me the true version of your affair up Deer Creek which as you supposed had been reported by the papers as another failure I look forward to the arrival of the mail today with anticipation of a good long letter from you. I never expect to hear from Charley again. Hammond tells me that he writes a great deal - if so his correspondents are out of the family for we very seldom hear from him except through others. I am very busy now with Spring sewing & consequently will not write to him. Had I letters from him occasionally or did he answer one in six of mine I would not let sewing or anything else prevent my writing to him. I suppose Henrietta will hear from Boyle all about the expidition. He wrote to her on the way up black bayou. You have heard of his confirmation by the senate. Did I tell you what Cowen of Pen: told Father about Col. Stuart? He told him (in answer to Father's letter) that the Yankees had actually rejected him on account of his connexion with that divorce case in Chicago! Did you ever hear of a greater absurdity? I hope he will be reappointed. Have you written to Halleck about him? If you have not you ought to write to him or to Stanton & have him reappointed. Do you know that Tom Ewing was nominated & confirmed Brigadier within a half hour of the adjournment of the Senate? He will probably be stationed at Fort Leavenworth. I received a letter yesterday from Mrs. Swords which I will enclose to you. Can't you ask John or Halleck to urge the Colonel's promotion? What has become of Prime? You never mention him now. Are you not good friends yet? You will fine enclosed a slip from the Cin: Commercial, which will possible enlighten you in regard to McClellan. Remember the Commercial has been owned by him in the Sense in which Ord says papers are owned by others - It has made a dumb idol of him and offered him incense daily in the most disgusting manner. For the Sake of your children, whose honor & well being you value so highly, never speak in his praise until he redeems himself - that is almost impossible

We are all Snugly established at Father's and the children are very happy. Father is delighted to have us and indeed he was so anxious to have us come that I had not the heart to refuse him. The old house would have required a good deal of repair & gas fitting and it is not large enough to accommodate us all and a governess. I will have to put the children away from me to Schools again in the winter or go with them to a City. I hope to be able to Spend the winter with you in some Southern City but if I cannot I will go with the children to Cincinnati & either board or hire a furnished house. All send love to dear Papa -

Ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
April 13, 1863
[1863/04/13]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Father goes to Washington today and tomorrow I take Lizzie to Cincinnati to See the Doctor again. From Washington Father will telegraph me whether I would be likely to See you if I should go down and if you are not off on some excursion I will take a trip down and spend a few days with you. We think it probably that you have brought a force up to Memphis & from there have gone to break the roads east of Vicksburg. Father says he can ascertain as soon as he gets to the War Department. I am very anxious to See you again and could go down & return on the Same boat from Memphis. In Memphis Gen'l Hurlbut & John McCracken would take care of me. Indeed I would feel quite at home there where you have so many warm friends. I am in hopes that we can spend next winter with you in some Southern City perhaps Vicksburg perhaps New Orleans. It would be delightful. Keep the 13th near you all the time for I want to See them again. Father says he will speak to the President about Gen'l Stuart and see if he will not reappoint him. Father wrote to him but I suppose he seldom reads letters that are addressed to him. When I was in Washington in Feb '62 John Sherman said he did'nt beleive Lincoln had read a letter for a month. Father said if he had only known there was any danger of Stuart's confirmation he could have Secured it and he would have remained there for that purpose, Father opposed Tom's promotion on the ground of his short term of service & intended to Secure Charley's promotion if possible but how he feels some delicacy in soliciting for other appointments having three Generals in his family. We are very proud of Charley I assure you and I know you must value him most highly as young men of his pure metal are scarce You would think so if you could see the Shoulder straps come down for breakfast at nine & ten at the hotels - drawing pay from the Government and doing nothing but dissipate. Father was so much pleased with Charley's letter about the Deer Creek Expedition that he sent a copy of it to Sec Stanton.

Rachel has just come in with a gash in her cheek cut in falling from her carriage. She did not offer to cry. I have sent her to the Doctor to have it plastered over, after first being certain there is nothing in it. She is a soldier & I wonder her spirit was not put into a boy's body. Love to all and beleive me ever

Your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Cincinnati Ohio.,
April 19, 1863
[1863/04/19]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I came down here on Tuesday and have been, ever since, as hard at work as a ploughman and my sole business has been shopping. Two or three ladies came down from Lancaster & John brought Cecelia here, and we have been "shopping alone & shopping together at all sorts of hours & in all sorts of weather." I am tired out & feel glad all my commissions have been filled & all the money I allowed myself has been Spent. I will now take a day or two for enjoyment and then go home disappointed that I cannot go on from here to make you a flying visit. Cecelia has just come in to ask whether we would prefer the opera or "Toodles" tomorrow night - (this is Sunday) as Henry Reese is in their room and will engage seats early in the morning. John & Cecelia went to Church with me this morning. Philemon, Mr Hunter, John, Cecelia, Lizzie & I took up the whole of Mr Slevin's pew. He was delighted to surrender it to us and took seats with his sons, in a pew opposite. John & Cecelia came down just to meet me and had I been able to go down the river without danger of guerillas they would have gone with me. I thought when I left home that it would be a real pleasure to get aboard a good boat & glide down the river. I did not expect to go ashore for a night at Young's Point but supposed the Boat would lie there two or three days & the happiness of seeing you for that brief period would have repaid me for any amount of trouble & inconvenience on any trip. But Gen'l Burnside & others advise so strongly against it that I have concluded it will not do to go down, particularly since I received your letter on Friday. I told Gen'l Burnside what you said about my having "too much sense to be in earnest" about going down. He knew that I had not so he laughed heartily at your speech. Mr Mellon, Sec Chase's Agent went down on Thursday & took his wife with him. Capt Hurtt the Quarter Master here sent word to me as soon as he knew it & afterwards finding that the Boat would be detained an hour he came & told me but I could not then get ready in time. When I afterwards received your letter I was glad I had not gone. I had to get a hat here for Minnie & as I expected when I left home to go to Young's Point from here I brought some dresses which we had made to Send up from here with the hat. I could not take them with me & I could not start without having sent them, so fortunately I did not avail myself of the opportunity. I say fortunately because I know now it would not have been agreeable to you to have me go there. Philemon came down from home yesterday. The pony had arrived the day before. Of course Tommy was charmed but not more so than I. A pony is the very thing I have been wishing for. Father has promised "Bob" for the children's use this Summer but there might be some mistake about him & besides there will be so many children to ride that one pony would not satisfy them all the Same day. Thank Charley for the present for me. When I go home I suppose the Corporal will have me write a letter of thanks for him.

I sent from here a box of pickles of the best kind and had them directed to Mr. Fish to be forwarded to you. I hope you will enjoy them. Give a bottle to Major Chase from me and let Charley & Boyle have some. I am deeply distressed & anxious about Boyle. I will not intimate to any one what you told me but I must implore you Cump to lose no time - not an hour - in correcting the matter and thoroughly too. It will not do & you must be stern & severe if necessary. I pray most earnestly that your efforts have been effectual even before this. I enclose you a letter cut from yesterday's Gazette and I beg that you will lose no time in sending on to Father power of attorney to institute suit against them. He wished to do it even before this & he will be confirmed in his beleif that it ought to be done now. Please do this - they are assailing you in pure malice so let them pay for it. Father went to Washington last Monday - that is he started on Monday & returned on Saturday - Philemon just saw him a moment before starting - he stood the journey well. He is quite full of business. Lizzie is improving finely the Doctor says. She is delighted to See her Uncle John - she says "it seems so much like having Papa here." I will write to Charley & Boyle this evening.

Beleive me ever faithfully & fondly yours,

Ellen. -
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
April 28, 1863 Tuesday evening
[1863/04/28]

[WTS]

To my great gratification dearest Cump, I received to-day your long & welcome letter of the 17th. On that day I was in Cincinnati and had just made up my mind to forego the happiness of a visit to you. It was a great disappointment to me but when I reflect that my coming would have been a mortification to you I feel reconciled. I thought that I could slip down quietly & spend two or three days there on the boat and return without attracting attention or giving Scandal to any one. But General Burnside advised against it and John said all with whom he conversed on the subject did the Same and then your letter came saying that you knew I had "too much sense to come." On the whole I thought it poor encouragement and was glad I had not been so imprudent. I feel distressed and uneasy since I know your opinion of the movement just taking place before Vicksburg. My confidence in your judgement is so implicit that I shudder when you condemn. My trust is in the Mercy of God and to Him I look to restore you to us. I cannot with any composure contemplate an utter defeat to our arms down there. Only think of our agony of suspense when the lives & liberties of our dear one are at stake. And you are so rash and risk your life so constantly. One consolation I have - that should you ever be taken prisoner you will be kindly treated by the rebels - for all southern people - whether loyal or not know your real worth and admire you. All who have ever known you intimately have a warm regard for you which time & distance and opposition can never overcome. I am heartily rejoiced to hear that Boyle and Charley are so well. They are happy to be with you & it is a source of great satisfaction to us to have them so near you. I know you will shew them ever the truest kindness. Col Kilby Smith has written me another long and most entertaining letter - entertaining because you were his theme - your woman's heart beneath your austere manners & your heroic courage. He sent me some seeds of the vine that grew by your window at Young's point. I will plant them and watch them with deep interest & if they bloom their flowers shall speak to me of my early and undying love for you - of the love that bloomed in the Spring time of life not to wither & die but to grow stronger & stronger until my very life depends on it. The Colonel's attentions are very delicate & I wish you would tell him that I appreciate them. I will try & write to him soon. Since I came up from Cincinnati I have not been very well & yesterday I was confined to my bed & almost to one position I had such violent rheumatism. I am much better to day and* Boyle writes to Henrietta that you had not been well for a few days. I sincerely hope you have not suffered again with that miserable asthma. I often think of your long & terrible sufferings dear Cump with that distressing complaint & wonder if I realised sufficiently your state of pain & if I did all that I could & should have done to alleviate it. And the hardships and privations you are enduring now - I can scarcely bear to think of them or to dwell upon your desire to be with your own little family, it gives me a pang which patriotism & love for your honor alone can soothe. Your honor is untainted your record not only clean but bright and so long as you have the health & nerve to Steer your straight course I must reconcile myself to the loss of your society & the want of a home - at least whilst the country is in such sore need of your services. I must own to many secret longings for the end of all these troubles or for the time when you can with propriety & honor retire to a quiet & I trust a happy home. You will be more than satisfied with your children they love you devotedly and they are obedient & good - even Tommy has grown to a quiet obedient boy constantly overcoming his propensity to ill humor & disobedence Minnie sent the enclosed letter to me to forward to you. About a month ago I sent a box of "good things" to Willy. He wrote me that he liked the home-made sugar, the candy the taffy &c but he "liked the almonds best of all." He divided the things with Tommy Ewing first & then had "scrabblings with the little boys," for the rest; & the day after the box arrived there were none of the contents left, Minnie writes me that Willy is very happy and full of life. He has had more good out door exercise and rough play up there than he would have had at home & he feels the benefit of them. I am growing very anxious to See them & as Minnie says I think I will go up early in June. They will be home the last of June. I am not without hope that I may be able to Spend the winter with you either in Vicksburg New Orleans or some conquered City. Mother continues to be a great invalid so much so that we begin to apprehend serious consequences. A few weeks longer will certainly produce some great change. Her death would be sad enough of itself but Father could not survive her long - he is too old now to endure such a grief without succumbing. We are doing all in our power for her health and spirits but she is not yet able to Sit up. Father is always so sanguine and so unwilling to anticipate evil that he keeps a determined hope that She will soon be well, but as I said before, we are uneasy. Tell Boyle & Charley what I say about her & have them write to her cheerful letters, hoping for her recovery for she is rather depressed and apprehensive herself. Father is deeply interested in Col. Stuart & says had he known that he was in any danger he would have remained in Washington & secured his confirmation. He has just got home from Washington & whilst there talked with Sec Stanton about Col. Stuart & the Sec. said that if he would remain in the service he would have him renominated & confirmed. I told Father that he could not remain as he was thrown out of service by the failure to confirm - if I am right please say so & explain so that I may tell Father. All send best & fondest love. Give my love to Charley & Boyle &

beleive me ever faithfully yours

Ellen
[EES]

[April or May of 1863]
[1863/04/00]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I send by this day's Express a box containing three cans of grated horse radish one for you one for Charley & one for Boyle. I also send some in stick & a couple of cans of peaches & a book with yesterdays paper containing the Confirmation of Boyle among others. Father has written about Col. Stuart and I have sent on Col. Smith's papers. I am just starting to Cincinnati with Lizzie to consult a Doctor about her deafness. I will write you from there.

As ever,

Ellen.
[EES]

[May 1, 1863]
[1863/05/01]

[WTS]

A lovely day, dearest Cump - the 13th anniversary of our wedding - and you are 13 times more dear to me than you ever were before. Would that I could see you if only for a day!

I intended to write you a long letter but I unconsciously wandered about the yard with Elly & Rachel Tommy & Lizzie until it is now too late. May Heaven bless you my dearest love & may the Mother of our Savior take you to her loving heart & intercede for you with her son

Yours ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
May 13, 1863
[1863/05/13]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

When it is so uncertain whether my letters will reach you I feel but little in the humor of writing. Your letters have done me a great deal of good lately & they have all come in due time. Your last of May 2nd was received on the 11th day before yesterday. The package of money came also to hand quite safely and in due time. You will be a little put out when I tell you that my Leavenworth property was sold for taxes and that it cost me $225 to redeem it and pay taxes. I let Philemon have my last note and he gave me mortgage of property in Stoddard Addition which he wishes to exchange after awhile for Cincinnati notes covered by mortgage. He is selling Cincinnati property now & it is selling very well.

Father has a fine team now and we have delightful rides. Father bought a mare to match Puss. Two or three of the mares at the farm will have colts after awhile and then Father says you can have one of them if you wish.

Hammond sent me from Cincinnati a splendid set of Lava - bracelet with six sets & a magnificent pin. I will keep them for Minnie. He had them cut in Italy & set in New York. He said he would send "Ugly" up here to rusticate & if he does we will ride him & drive him in the pheaton. Minnie & Willy will not be home until the very last day of June or first of July I am going up with Lizzie & Tommy early in June. They are very happy but we all wish very much to see them. Ellen Cox will be here soon but she is to Stop at Mrs. Connel's as Mother is too sick to admit of her coming here. Father is very anxious to see his nineteen grand children all under his roof at the Same time.

I will write you soon again. Dayton is improving. He is a good fellow.

All the children are in fine health.

As ever yours

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
May 22, 1863
[1863/05/22]

[WTS]

I scarcely feel like writing dearest Cump until we hear from you again. We have news of the capture of Jackson Miss. and a rumor of the evacuation of Vicksburg - this may be true as regards the infantry which has probably gone out to join rebel forces from another direction to attack you. We are on the qui vive for news & I need not tell you that I am feeling the greatest anxiety. I have told you of Mother's rescue from death & of my own fearful apprehensions. It requires my utmost effort to keep my mind calm and clear. I am going to Columbus soon to consult Dr. Carter. The children will not be home before the very last of June or the first of July. I hope to go for them unless the Doctor forbids the journey. Willy has become more vivacious & full of fun since he went up there - Dear Minnie is the Same good child she always was -full of affection for us all - her Grand Ma doats on her. The children at home are remarkably well even Lizzie is growing fat. By this time Hammond is near you if not with you. Tell him I have nice drives with "Ugly" in the pheaton. I will take good care of the old fellow. Hammond sent me some splendid lava I have written twice in the last week to Charley. Please shew him this if he has not got my letters. I have written to Boyle too.

As ever.

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
May 25, 1863
[1863/05/25]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

At Boyle's oft repeated & very urgent request I have succeeded in getting a Priest to go down to his Brigade. You will I well know do me the kindness to shew him all the attention in your power & to give him every opportunity to visit the Soldiers & administer the Sacraments to all who may wish to receive them. Would to God I could have the happiness of knowing that your dear Soul was washed and strengthened by the Sacraments. We are rejoicing over news from Vicksburg & anxiously await more.

Ever your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
June 5, 1863
[1863/06/05]

[WTS]

Until I heard from you, dearest Cump, I really could not write. You cannot imagine what a weight of anxiety is lifted from my heart even though you may yet be in danger. Still to know that you & Boyle & dear Charley passed those terrible assaults unharmed is joy indeed for us & should make us grateful forever to God who in mercy has spared you. My pride & pleasure on hearing of Charley's noble daring & successful bravery is unbounded & I wait for your mention of him in the report with great interest. Could you all see us now & know the pride we feel in you, the joy that filled our hearts at the news of your safety & the satisfaction we experience in knowing that ours have the skill talent & courage & the honor of defending the just cause in such trying situations you would in some measure feel repaid for the privations & hardships you endure.

On Wednesday, after many days of anxious watching for news Dayton left & that very day I recd your first letter of 19th written in pencil, That night - the 3rd - I got your dispatch of the 26th May & yesterday we recd your letter of the 25th. one from Charley to Father of the 26th and a very interesting one from Capt. Cornyn of the 26th. The family gathered in & they have all been read & re read with tears of joy. Father has been intensely anxious, feeling that we could scarcely hope, except by a miracle of mercy to have you all three escape without some severe wound if indeed your lives were all spared. I am very sorry for Capt. Washington but trust he is still living

Tom Ewing is here for a day or two. He was at St. Louis on business & came on to See Mother as we cannot feel certain that she is out of all danger. I will send your report to John as soon as we all read it today. Give my best love to dear Boyle & Charley & tell them we will write to them immediately. All the children are well. As soon as we hear that you have taken Vicksburg I will go up for Minnie & Willy I cant leave before for I am too anxious.

As ever faithfully yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio.,
June 8, 1863
[1863/06/08]

[WTS]

This is Willy's birth=day, dearest Cump - nine years old to=day and poor little fellow has been at school away from home nine months. He is very happy there however and I am convinced that it has been advantageous to his health; he has more good hard out door plays there more regular plays and more play=mates than he would or could have had here. The boys who play on the streets here are subject to the intrusion of very bad boys indeed rude violent fellows generally rule the plays & it often ends by the Mashall taking off some of them to jail & silencing the rest for a period. As far as I can see, the sports & pleasures