Sherman Letters

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CSHR 9/16

St. Louis,
Jan. 27th 1868
[1868/01/27]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

I am suffering severely from sore throat and Rachel is almost as bad with it as I am.

From a letter received from Mrs. Bowman's brother Rev. Mr. Boardman in New York, I learn the account of the presentation of the Roger Sherman watch was published and that great stress was laid on the christian name "Thomas Ewing" Tommy is proud of the letter his Papa wrote him on the subject. Please ask Tom to send me a paper containing the account if he can. Charley takes no notice of my letters. What is the reason? I will write to Ellen as soon as my cold is better. Ever your affectionate daughter

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis
Jan. 30, 1868
[1868/01/30]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

I am in a state of great uncertainty not knowing whether to expect Cump home or not. I know he desires to come and intended to get off this week if possible but I have had no letter written since the 24th and from the papers I am led to fear that you really may have an armed collision. If that should occur I trust Cump may feel it his duty to arm in defence of the President the law and the constitution. Were I a man I should be glad to do so rather than submit to the usurpation of the Radicals & the Dictatorship of Grant. Whatever Cump may do he will consider right & I trust the same wisdom may direct him that guided him safely through the past. I feel anxious about you all & have got Father De Smet and other holy Jesuits to pray for your safety & that of Cump & Tom & Charley, as they pray daily in offering the holy sacrifice, for the peace of the country and for those in office.

I know where Tom will be if anything should occasion a conflict. More armed men, well commanded, without regard to congressional supplies could be brought to the President's defence in three days, than the Radicals could stand against with the entire army & navy to back them. One good thing will result from their violence- they have ruined themselves with Grant at their head. All these notions of mine are gathered at my own fireside. I see no one & read no papers but the dispatches so you need not fear that I am coming out at the head of a party when I tell you that I have named my ticket & run up my flag (for the next election) for Johnson & Ewing(Tom). With that ticket we can sweep the country. We are ice bound again in this hopeful chinese city and I am not sure that the mails can be got over today. I will send you soon a pamphlet which I want you to read as I know you will enjoy the style of the argument. It is considered the best satire in the english language and the most unanswerable argument in favor of an established, infallible church. I never enjoyed anything more in my life & knew not which most to admire the argument or the humour. It afforded me some hearty laughs which do one a world of good. The children are all well but Rachel who is a little ailing. I have a bad sore throat. Cumpy Jr. is as bright as can be. He shewed me O and A in the alphabet this morning & afterwards shewed them to Emily. He has such a fine disposition & resembles both you & Cump. Please ask Charley why he will not write to me & let me know. Ask some one to send me the paper with the account of the watch presentation. Give my love to all. I did not intend to inflict such a long letter on you but you know I must have my political "say". Praying that you may continue well I am ever your truly affectionate daughter

Ellen Ewing Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis
Feb 10th 1868
[1868/02/10]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

Cump got home yesterday much to our delight; for although we had a pleasant happy winter we missed him very much. Next winter we will have Minnie with us. The last winter month is nearly half over, and then the spring will come "smiling down the vale, the lillies and the roses bringing". It is to me now rather a sad than a joyous season, and has been ever since we laid Willy "on his couch of clay, the sleep of death forever sleeping." Yet I want to make it as bright and pleasant to the children as possible and I hope I shall have the happiness of having you with us during all the pleasant weather. It has now been a very long time since you were here and I feel sure that I can make you comfortable and that your time would pass pleasantly. We are all quite well except Rachel who is ailing but not really sick. St. Louis has been very unhealthy this winter.

Cump wants me to moderate my views of Grant but I suppose it will answer if I moderate my expression of them. He has a holy horror of Washington and intends if possible to keep away from there. Give my love to all dearest Father and beleive me ever your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis
Feb. 16th 1868.
[1868/02/16]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

I wrote a few hurried lines to Ellen on Friday, and sent you word how greatly Cump is distressed by the order calling him East. He now seems rather more quiet on the subject but it is a very great trial to him. He says, in his letter to the President that it is the severest blow he has ever received. I do not know how soon he will have to go, but we could not remove the family until the schools close in July. I will be pleased to get to the Sea Shore with Rachel as she very much out of health. The other children are well. Tommy is devoted to Greek and Latin & is one of the leaders of his classes in all his studies. Elly does not learn anything very fast but dancing, and that she is devoted to. Charley is still here awaiting the arrival of Genl Smith from Leavenworth. General Smith telegraphed that he would be down tomorrow. Charley seems to intend on business to give much time to anything else and I am glad of it. He tells me that little Tommy is quite indisposed and he feels rather anxious about him. I hope he will soon be better. Give my love to Ellen, Tom and all the children.

Please tell Rosy that I am glad to hear she is doing so well & is so faithful to you. I hope I will have you with me hereafter.

Ever your truly affectionate Daughter

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Feb. 21st 1868
[1868/02/21]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

Your letter of the 15th inst. is received and at the same time a dispatch from the President to Cump excusing him from acceptance of the order. So we will not be in Washington and I hope you may feel inclined to spend the spring months with us here. I have a great deal on my hands just now, and hope you will excuse careless and short letters. I attempted to write yesterday but really I could not I was so interrested and finally taken off altogether. Rachel is better & the rest are well. Charley expects to go to Chicago this afternoon. I hope Tom's children are now well. With love to all ever your affectionate Daughter

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
March 5th, 1868.
[1868/03/05]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

We are all quite well except the baby and he has been quite ill and under the Doctors hands for ten days past. I was unable to attend Aunt's Susan Boyle [illegible] funeral, as I had expected, because he was taken with high fever and other symptoms of serious illness.

Cump holds himself ready to go over to some Indian tribe and there lose his identity- there seems no other way of getting out of the troubles "that harass the land". If he could only get his candidate Spotted Tail elected, he would be all right, but I do not see how is to accomplish it, as neither he nor S.T. are likely to become finished demagogues, and Schuyler Colfax could not be induced to go on that ticket unless S.T. would pledge himself beforehand to resign immediately on his triumphal election.

I was glad to hear of Charleys return.

Give him my best love & tell him I am expecting a letter from him. Please tell him that I was as polite as possible to "Little Phil" when he called to see us en route to Leavenworth. I may be said to have blarnied him, but it was with the most amiable motive in the world.

I hope if dear little Tommy is going to heaven soon that God will spare him such agony & suffering as I witnessed in my own two children. Poor Aunt! her life was made miserable from more than one fault in her early life. Had she had habits of industry thrift and economy, or any order or system in anything she would not have dwelt in such a chaos as must inevitably bring on despair. I trust and beleive that the merits of our dear Saviour's passion & death have been efficaciously applied, through faith & humble hope & love & confidence to her poor soul, and that as through God's mercy alone we hope for eternal bliss she will at last be purified and blest. I had a strong natural love for her living and I will never forget to pray for her now. Did you receive the paper with notice of Tommy's school? All the children ask me to send best love to Grand Pa. When will you get here to make us the promised visit?

Ever your affectionate Daughter,

Ellen B.E. Sherman.
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
March 10th 1868
[1868/03/10]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

I have been and I am still quite sick and suffering from eating fish for dinner last Friday. Fish never agreed with me and I seldom taste it but I had neglected to get anything else for dinner and feel the consequences. Cump says I have been complaining all my life and never was sick an hour, that it is pure imagination whenever I complain & that if I chose I could be always well. I think he missed his calling when he took a civilized wife, as nature made him for the spouse of a squaw (but I do not tell him so) and I think furthermore that when he retires to the tribe in which he may lose his identity, should they ever give him any power or he attempt to force his views into practice he will kill off by severity and want of all sorts of kindness and comforts the remaining squaws of the unfortunate, doomed tribe. Fortunately I know how to take care of myself and I look no longer for immediate comfort and sympathy in my multiplicity of small woes (such as most women have in this day & generation) but I endeavor to make the love of my children in heaven my guiding star to their abode of everlasting bliss, and I try to make a perfect offering to my dear Saviour, who suffered so much for me, of all the pains & sorrows I feel. I have failed this time however insofar as I have gone to you with any complaint. But you are my Father.

Minnie asks me in a letter received today "if Grand Pa is sick." I will explain to her that she is not to expect letters from you often. The baby is getting well very fast and Rachel is also regaining her strength but not as rapidly as I could desire. Tommy does not study too hard. He has plenty of time for play & enjoys it very much too. His health is better now than it ever was. I had a prophetic dream last night - ("Oh my prophetic soul &c"!) of you & Camp & Johnson &c. The scene opened at some immense place of public resort where all the leading men of the country were assembled. I thought I saw you & Cump & Johnson mounted on gay horses & starting out. Your horse was full of life and I ran to the window to watch you full of anxiety lest you would not be strong enough to curb him. You rode some little distance then called a groom & quietly dismounted. Whilst I was waiting for you to come up, Cump joined me, and I said to him "I thought you had gone with the party?" - "So I did", he replied, with a discomfited air, "but my horse threw me". The President & suite rode on, Grant was non est and poor little Schuyler I overlooked entirely. Please shew this letter to Charley, he must be Daniel & interpret it. Charley has ten times more sense & talent than Cump & Grant put together. Give my love to Ellen & Charley and to the dear children.

Ever dear Father your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
March 19th 1868
[1868/03/19]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

Since the storm on the 16th we are having delightful weather. The winds have dried the sand & the sky being bright and beautiful & the air cool and bracing. I have made arrangements to ride to the cemetery with Mrs. Amington. It will be necessary to start very soon, so you will excuse a short letter. This being St. Joseph's day, I have been to Church, which makes my morning shorter for letter writing. St. Joseph having been the earthly guardian & guide of the boy Saviour, he is the patron of little boys & young men & I love to place my remaining two, under his protection & patronage, & beg his prayers for them, as I believe that the two who are in heaven, must love him & unite their prayers with his for their little wayfaring brothers. As I have already written both to you & Charley, Cump is in Chicago. He had not been well for several days before he left home but the trip will doubtless do him good. This City has been very unhealthy since fall. Mr. Lucas' Son-in-law Mr. Hicks died a day or two since.

We are all quite well now. When will you get out to see us? I cannot think they will succeed in condemning the President. With love to all

Ever affectionate daughter

Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
March 23, 1868.
[1868/03/23]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

Charley dined with us yesterday & then left for Leavenworth by the 4 P.M. train. He took us greatly by surprise having stopped at the Planters & come out very quietly to the house here when we were spending a solemn Sunday morn. He tells me that he thinks you do not take the fresh air enough and I feel very unhappy about you and must beg you dear Father for the sake of those who love you to try and keep up your strength. If it is not convenient for you to ride daily where you are why will you not come out here? It will be delightful here for two months and I can make you so comfortable on the first floor and my carriage is large and comfortable and I will hold it at your disposal and ride with you at such times as you may feel like riding. The change of air will do you good and I never have been as well and as free from other duties with as much time to devote to your comfort as now.

Minnie writes me that she fears she has offended you in some way because she does not hear from you but I have written to her that she must not expect you to answer her letters. We are all well, the weather is fine & I should feel remarkably well were it not for my anxiety about you which makes me quite heart sick.

With love to all believe me ever Your truly affectionate daughter

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
March 26th, 1868
[1868/03/26]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

We had at one time concluded to spend the coming Summer at St. Paul but Cump now says he will be among the Indians the greater part of the summer and I feel reluctant to go there under the circumstances as the place does not suit me in any particular. I would there have such a number of visits to receive & return as would make the summer a period of labor rather than repose. Mosquitoes are very bad there day & night which would be a serious inconvenience for the children and we would have to take rooms at the Hotel which would not be agreeable to me. At the same time I have to consider that Cump cannot draw his commutation of quarters if he goes out of his Military Division. For the sake of being near you and others that I love I would go to Lancaster if I could get suitable boarding there. Mrs. Beery could board us and would do it well but there are some objections to her house- it is too far from you and I would be liable to meet that bold creature Mrs. Biddle who has made herself intolerable to me by repeated impertinences in pretending intimacy with me to further her own designs in cotton speculations &c.

Grant will probably be nominated and may wish to go abroad & have come to W. In that case we can go to the Sea Shore. In the fall we would go to W. when I should claim you. We might make an arrangement to consolidate our establishments. If you would let Sis take her three babies into a little house of her own & keep your house for a Summer resort for you & me and our house in the City as our joint winter home. I will "run" both establishments if you will have your house put in good repair & give me what furniture kitchen & otherwise you may have there at present.

For some time I have been intending to beg something of you. Can't you deed me a little farm down the valley? It will save you that much taxes. I am here to interrupted and have an engagement with Cump so soon that I cannot write more today.

I am praying earnestly & securing the prayers of holy people that God may bless your dear soul with faith in Christ Jesus and with everlasting life in His Kingdom. Ever your loving

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
April 24th 1868 Friday morning
[1868/04/24]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

We reached home between two & three oclock yesterday and found all well and my silver pitchers unconscious of burglars; not so my spoons & forks, for the scamps had broken a dozen more or less, in mere wantoness if not in revenge for not finding silver. Many houses in our vicinity were visited the same night and in one house, where they failed to find silver they appeased their wrath by breaking the entire set of china. I am thankful they did not break mine. They took a few old spoons which were silver from my dining room. Patrick is quite mortified about it but he says the night was pitch dark and wind & storm made so much noise one could not distinguish sounds about the house. I have to go to Chicago on Sunday. Mr. Healy is waiting for me. I have been greatly disappointed at not finding Philemon either here or on the way. He writes me that he will not come before the 1st of May. Sis has written me again about the house, and we have unanimously voted to go "to Lancaster" & will be there by the fourth of July. I have more to do than I well know how to get through with. I will write Ellen tomorrow. Ever dearest Father Your daughter;

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis,
May 8th 1868
[1868/05/08]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

I came down from Chicago on Tuesday but I have to return there again. Minnie has been ill of diptheria and I have made arrangements for her return home via Chicago where I will meet her. She likes the prospect of going to Lancaster having all along preferred that to other places named. I fear that preparations for our coming may put you to great expense as I know the home was gradually running out of needful supplies & repairs for some years before dear Mother left us for her heavenly home. A man cannot know all the minutiae required to make a home comfortable. I will not be a burden upon you for subsistence &c when I get there but aside from that you may find there is more needed than you imagined. I will send Patrick with my carriage & horses by the river to Cincinnati to be driven up from there, when we can have independent little riging parties and bear you company in you rides. Or has your carriage "fallen asunder"? Mine is not half as comfortable or as easy to get into as yours. I wish it were.

Give my love to all & believe me As ever your loving daughter

Ellen B.E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis
May 26th 1868.
[1868/05/26]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

I was rejoiced to hear of your safe arrival home and glad to find that you expect our advent with so much pleasure. Sis has arranged to give us plenty of room and I look forward to a particularly happy summer. The children are on the tip toe of expectation and delight & would leave on the next train if they were consulted but we cannot go before the close of the schools. The Exhibitions take place on the 26th & 27th of within a day or two of those dates. As soon thereafter as possible we will start. Minnie is already improving in health and I think a few weeks of riding & driving among the hills of old Fairfield will completely restor her. - Please tell Sis that I am anxious to hear how the little suit fits Tommy and whether she has made arrangements for me with Mrs. McDonald. I cannot be at the trouble of hunting up a washwoman when I get there. I have had a year of labor and unsatisfactory efforts to get my work done by unprincipled independent and worthless girls & I want to have a season of rest when I go home. Will there be room in our carriage house for my carriage and what will forage cost me? I can easily get a supply after the horses get there, and really it is no difference what the price, for I must have it, unless it costs as much as the load of hay Charley is fond of plaguing me about- viz: seventeen thousand eight hundred & ninety dollars! Don't you think you can give us, all the families I mean, one of the Office rooms for ironing and in the other upper room I would like to put Patrick & Emily where Cumpy will probably also make his bed, as the little rogue objects stoutly to sleeping in my room since I have left him so much with Emily.

I don't think I can afford to run up my flag for Colfax for fear he should wish to run me up "a la Surrat" should he get into the White House.

Cump will be home in about three weeks. With love to all I am as ever your truly affectionate daughter

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis
June 5th 1868.
[1868/06/05]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

I enclose here the two notes of Bej. D. Barton, one of which has just got stained with the "violet ink" which you insisted upon calling elder berry or mulberry ink. I am really ashamed to have the note soiled in this way but the accident seemed unavoidable. One of these notes is due in September next, the other not until a year from next September. You have the mortgage, but I presume you will not attempt to collect both notes now. If you do not, please return them to me, or lay them away for me. I have four more of the Cincinnati notes. Two of George Barton payable same time as these and two of Andrew J. Tully of same dates.

Please tell Sis that I recd her letter this a.m. about Mrs. McDonald and am much obliged. Please let me know if you will have Sarah at her post & if Rosy's matrimonial jokes are at an end and if you have secured a "butter man" for at least twelve pounds a week. If I am to keep serious and exclusive possession of the house I shall most probably want to have Mrs. McDonald in it during our winter sojourns in Washington. I have heard of Cump at Fort Sumner in New Mexico. Minnie is doing quite well but is very anxious to get to Lancaster. So are we all.

Ever your loving daughter

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis
June 19th 1868
[1868/06/19]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

Cump will be home on Monday or Tuesday, the Exhibitions occur on Thursday the 25th and Cump takes Minnie via Chicago to Cleveland to attend Mary Sherman's wedding on the 30th. He writes that he will take Minnie Lizzie & Tommy to the rocky Mountains & then bring them to Lancaster so I do not know whether I can go at once and stand not upon the order of any going. I am very anxious to get off. The baby feel the heat greatly. Lizzie is sick today & I am sitting with my right foot in a bowl of water for a sprained ankle. I am very anxious to get off, it is so hot and so dusty and I am so weary of limestone & motor. I hope little Maria Steele is quite well again. Give my best love to all. I am so happy at the thought of getting home again that were it not for the hundred & forty five pounds of flesh that oppress me I should feel superstitious & think that I am soon to die. I suppose you will have as usual good cows or a fresh cow for the benefit of the babies- the catnip can be dispensed with - or sent to Sis. My baby will be considered a lad and not a baby by the time we get there. Give my love to all and look out for an invasion of Sherman's Bummers.

Ever your affectionate Daughter

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis,
Aug. 27th 1868 Thursday 2 p.m.
[1868/08/27]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

I have not heard a word in any way since my dispatch received in Lancaster at 6 o'clock Tuesday evening. It is unaccountable. I cannot understand why no message has been received here. I have seen Genl Nichols and have been to the telegraph office. We got in at 9:30 A.M. and have dined at the Planters where I am now writing. We leave at 3.30 P.M. on the North Missouri Road via Macon. St. Joseph & get to Omaha by this time tomorrow. We only had one hour from Depot to Depot in Cin but I took a carriage & drove to Colonel Moulton's where there was nothing for me. I infer serious news from the mysterious silence.

Patrick has just left my room - He got the horses here in good condition on Tuesday & says they are not timid in the City. I met Judge Reber & he says Mag has sore throat, No sickness among friends that I hear of. Give my love to all & kiss my little children for me.

Ever your truly affectionate Daughter

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Sep. 13th 1868.
[1868/09/13]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

Immediately on my arrival here on Friday I telegraphed you so you have not had occasion to feel any uneasiness about us. We had a safe trip rendered somewhat uncomfortable by the train & wet pavements at the Depot in Cincinnati where we were jostled & shoved & run hither & thither, by a great crowd all carrying baskets (like ourselves) or sharp cornered boxes, valises, carpet bags & the dear knows what not. We scuffled through and took triumphant possession of the second omnibus we assailed, but were afterwards compelled to admit about seventeen more into it, when the Powers apparently satisfied gave the order & we were dashed at a Gilpin speed to the other Depot where the Ohio and Miss: train had been waiting a half hour for our train & consequently would not wait for us to get a bite of supper whereupon we finished what was left from our dinner, of the lunch Sarah put up. Luke met at the Little Miama depot and Effie was on the train when we arrived at the other Depot. Patrick was out of the Hospital when we got here but I notified him that I would not re-employ him and he & Emily went that evening to a boarding house.

Minnie is improving slowly. I do not feel entirely satisfied about her yet, but I think it too soon to be able to tell whether she will entirely recover. She dresses after breakfast of mornings, & after lunch lies down, and then retires very soon after our dinner is over or about seven o'clock. Effie is invaluable to me now & I really think she will be satisfied for some time. Her health is better than it was when she was here before. Cumpy is well & very good. Elly & Lizzie commence school to-morrow. Tommy's lessons are hard just now, he is so out of the habit of studying.

I find some Buffalo tongues here that were sent to me by Lieut Dickey formerly of the 13th. The officers of the old 13th are scattered into different regiments & he is at one of the distant outposts. I will send some of the tongues to you. By the same mail with this I will send you the map of the Territories, which lies before me in an envelope ready for stamps. With best love to all I am ever your truly affectionate Daughter,

Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Sep. 20th 1868. Sunday Night
[1868/09/20]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

Your letter of the 16th was received yesterday morning, but before that I had become very uneasy on account of your silence, as I had expected you would write to me after receiving my telegram announcing our safe arrival. I am truly releived and happy to find that you are so well, instead of being ill as I had feared.

Philemon arrived yesterday morning just before your letter was brought out, but as he left home the day I did, and has not heard from home since he left, he could give me no news. He is very well and seems to have had quite a good time in Macon Ga. Lizzie Tom & Elly are attending school regularly, & the two former are studying quite hard. Cumpy takes very kindly to Effie & is perfectly well. Minnie is far from being well, although Cump insists upon it that there is nothing but a lack of energy that ails her. I think it was misdirected energy that hurt her. She is under the most judicious treatment & I hope will soon improve.

Theodore Talmadge & his daughter dined with us yesterday, with Col. & Mrs. McCoy with whom they were staying & who are old friends of their from Columbus. Mag & Judge Reber were here also & you can tell Mrs. Reese from me, that Mag is better in health than when I saw her last. There are many laments for Lancaster on the part of Elly & Rachel and Lizzie is even worse than they. If Minnie is in a condition to be benefited by the trip I will take her with me when I go over in October. With love to Ellen Sis and all the children I am as ever

Your truly affectionate Daughter

Ellen B.E. Sherman.
[EES]

St. Louis,
Sep. 25th 1868
[1868/09/25]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

You have heard from us through Philemon, who reached home. I hope safely on yesterday. We all enjoyed his visit exceedingly, and regretted that he could not remain with us longer.

I sent by Philemon two of the Buffalo tongues that Lieut Dickey sent me. If you enjoy them please let me know and I will take you some more, when I go on. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing Tom next week. Cump is very much harassed by Indian affairs. He cannot get the money from the Treasury that Congress gave him orders to disburse. The western people are telegraphing fearful accounts of Indian outrages and imploring help, whilst the Radical hounds are denouncing him for his agressive movements. Tappan has written him the most insolent letter letter I ever saw or heard of. I sincerely hope we may have a change of Government soon. There is no great improvement yet in Minnie. Her debility continues. The rest are well. Tom has had an attack of sore throat but he is better today & is at school. I have reason to believe that -- will not bring a bride home with him. Had his habits been above suspicion I think the girl would not have yeilded to the arguments of bigotry against religion on the part of her rich Brother-in law. As it is I fear he will be disappointed. Poor -- my heart aches for him, not because of this disappointment, but on account of the danger he is in of being ruined soul & body. Give my love to Tom & Ellen and all the family. Ever dearest Father, your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Sep. 27th 1867 Friday morning.
[1867/09/27]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

We got here safely yesterday morning at eleven o'clock and found Cump waiting for us at East St. Louis with a chartered Omnibus. He was glad to get us home again and did not relent in the least when I told him how very much I had desired to remain this week in Lancaster. Clara Garaghty joined us at the Depot in Cin: where her Mother & Father and Mike had come to see her off. Mr. Hunter went to the Depot also, and Col. Moulton who had not been able to get us berths in the sleeping cars. We took the cars with the easy chairs, paying fifty cents a seat & were tolerably comfortable. We got nothing to eat or drink, but our lunch, except at Odin yesterday morning & that was miserable. Cump had ordered dinner at home at two so I assure you we sat down to it with good appetites. I gave Cump your message about Washington, He has a horror of the place. I will go with Cump to Leavenworth next Saturday, to see Aunt Denman who is paralised & cannot live long. Poor little Rachel took a good quiet cry to herself when we started from Lancaster. Elly's grief was mingled with indignation towards me for taking her away - a good solace- as I have often proved- a counter irritant. Give my love to Sis & tell her I am ashamed to find that I have run off with her pen-handle, I borrowed. Kiss the "dood boy" & the "dood ittely boy too" for me and tell them all their little cousins send love particularly Lou, Mike

Ever dear Father your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis,
October 4th 1868.
[1868/10/04]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

By yesterday's express I sent a package directed to you, which is a present for Rosy. I prepaid the express charge & intended to write to you by the same day's mail but I have been so very much occupied that I could not write. I got up at five this morning to go to church and am availing myself of a quiet time to write whilst the most of the family are at late Mass. General Grant has gone down town & Cump is entertaining his visitors in the study. Cumpy Jr went to sleep after a protest and a struggle & I have my room to myself for an hour. I let Minnie go to Church although I doubt whether she has the strength to remain. Effie is very watchful however, and as she is very anxious about Minnie I feel satisfied. There has been no change in Minnie since Philemon left, and as she is not better I regard her condition as worse, since so much longer time has passed without decided improvement. I intend to send, today, for Dr. Linton and if he does not effect a decided change very soon, I shall try Homeopathy.

Genl Grant will leave this afternoon, his visit having been arranged for one day, instead of one week, as we understood. He is very diffident almost painfully so, and is the lightest eater I ever saw. He is even a more delicate eater than Philemon.

Maj. Turner called this morning having just returned to the city. He received a copy of your letter, from Lancaster, & feels highly complimented in supposing that you sent it. We are all quite well and all send you dear love. Ever your truly affectionate daughter

Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Oct. 11th 1868
[1868/10/11]

Dearest Father;
[TE]

Your kind letter regarding Minnie & Tommy I received yesterday. I see you have no faith in Homeopathy. The general remedies which you prescribe for her I am using. Flora Amington is here and reads to her and walks or rides out with her and keeps her from ever feeling lonely. You need not feel the least concern about Tommy. You could not have a greater repugnance than I to infant phenomena- I have no desire to make him one of the class. The lessons always come hard at first- at the beginning of a session. I have heard strong & hearty young men say that they often cried over their Latin & Greek lessons for a period of time every session- just when Philemon was here both Tommy & Lizzie had to study very hard to get their lessons but now Tom has no trouble. He had last Wednesday as a holiday to go to the fair and Thursday was the regular recreation day. He got his lessons for Friday by ten o'clock Thursday morning and Friday night he did not study at all for he said they were to have a review or repitition on Saturday and he was prepared by having learned each lesson at the proper time. One reason that he has more trouble at the beginning of a session is, that he is each year in a new class with new boys and being a little sensitive & timid in the play ground he does not get quite enough exercise. I called to see the President about it after Philemon left and by a little quiet gentle supervision on the part of the Prefect of Discipline it has been nicely arranged & he gets plenty of play & consequently studies with more ease. I found that he was studying too long & that it seemed too great an effort for him and I said to him "Tommy you do not play enough - that is the reason you cannot get your lesson"- He replied that he could not play much & when I asked "why" he replied, with chagrin - "the boys don't choose me" They have arranged so now that the boys who are not "chosen" into the grand game of baseball are made to get up side plays on their own account & Tommy is no longer weary & nervous when he comes home, but sits down to his lessons fresh & cheerful. He attended nine o'clock Mass at the College Chapel this morning and when the bell rung for lunch at one he had got all his lessons. Lizzie still studies hard but she seems in very good health. I am anxious for Tommy to get through this course at sixteen, as he easily can should his health continue good, and then have from sixteen to eighteen to learn a trade and develope & strengthen physically after which he can take any course he may prefer & complete his education for the Priesthood for the Bar or for business of any kind that he may prefer. I will weigh well & hear in mind your kind admonition & if his health should ever seem effected by confinement or study I will make him stop - but his disposition is such that if he goes to school he must be allowed to get the lessons which are given to the class, I am told that he is the only boy who has had them all thus far. Dear Father, I fear my visit to you will not be very long as I feel uneasy to be absent from the children & I cannot take Minnie unless she improves more. Cumpy is quite ill from fever catarrh'l fever. He had got better & I was on the point of going to Chicago yesterday to spend one day, but he became suddenly worse & the Doctor considers him quite ill. I expect Cump home from Chicago tomorrow. Genl Nichols (Cump's Adjutant) lost a fine son yesterday who died of this same fever - a boy of fifteen. It was very sickly here last winter & I fear it is becoming so this winter. The Summer was healthy. With love to all as ever

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Dec. 5th 1868.
[1868/12/05]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

Your welcome letter of the 1st was received yesterday, after I had worked myself into quite a fever of anxiety about you. I am so glad you continue well. It was four years yesterday since my little Charley went to heaven. I have nearly forgotten the little creatures sufferings & my own when he died and feel only thankfulness to God for His great goodness in creating & redeeming him.

All are well but me: I am suffering from rheumatism in my head, such as I had last winter but I hope it may pass off sooner.

Rachel goes to school with Elly now. They put their Father through the catechism the other day but when they asked the articles of the Creed he gave the articles of War which scandilized them greatly & they reported him to me as not knowing his catechism. They also suggested the fear that he did not say his prayers. Cump is much interested in the approaching meeting of the officers of the Western Army in Chicago. He will take Minnie up with him & would like me to go, but I do not feel in spirits for it & think I really cannot go. With love to all I am ever dearest Father Your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Dec. 14th 1868
[1868/12/14]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

The weather today is beautiful & I feel greatly rejoiced, the more so, as it insures a delightful time to the Army people in Chicago.

Cump went up last night with Minnie. He was very anxious for me to go but my cold is too bad and my spirits are not equal ti it just now. I feel quite down hearted, indeed I am anxious and unhappy about -- for I well know his future must be a dark one unless he completely reforms his past habits. My confidence in God's mercy is still the same, but no man can be saved without the cooperation of his own will. Mary, the pure & perfect human link, between man's frailty and God's sanctity, I daily invoke in his behalf and for us all. May her compassionate heart plead for him effectually! I am going now to see Dr. Hunter, who treats throat & lung diseases by inhalation, for my cold is too serious to be neglected. Cumpy Jr. has another severe cold. The rest are well. Minnie went off in all the glory of a new silk dress (really elegant) and a superb set of jewels. Mrs. Phillips is to give her a handsome party in Cincinnati. She has not gone out here, this winter & will not. Cump & I do not wish her to do so and she has no desire herself to go into society regularly. Give my love to all. I shall adopt the whiskey & salt water bath. Many thanks for the suggestion.

Ever your affectionate Daughter

Ellen B.E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Dec. 27th 1868
[1868/12/27]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

Your welcome letter of the 22nd was received yesterday. I have had a busy time with the Christmas presents and Church &c. Professor Reid's Daughter is making us a little visit and Mrs. Amington has lately spent a few days with me. You remember I spoke to you of Professor Reid of Madison, who is a great admirer of you and a brother of Judge Reid who died in Cal. The Professor is now President of the Missouri State College at Columbia.

We are to sign a deed tomorrow for Lizzie's California lot for twentyfive hundred dollars, to be paid in currency on receipt of deed by third party in San Francisco. This is much less than it is worth but it has become entangled & we cannot do better at this distance & indeed we feel much pleased to do so well. Minnie is in the midst of her Cincinnati visit. Col. Dayton telegraphs us today, that she is well. She writes that she is having a delightful time. I am so sorry that Hugh suffers so much from gout. I feel uneasy about him. It may go to the stomach & carry him off suddenly. My cold is getting better but I am still rather deaf and my voice husky. I am thankful that Charley is doing well. Give my love to him & to all the rest and believe me ever Your truly affectionate daughter

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis Mo
Jan 9th 1868
[1868/01/09]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

Yesterday I wrote to Cump, enclosing a letter which I had received from poor Mrs. Amington in regard to her Husband's death. I requested Cump to send or take the letter to you. I wish you would shew it to Charley & Tom- should the letter care anything about seeing it- and then be kind enough to return it to me.

Please say to Ellen, with my best love, that I send to her by today's Express a dress pattern which I hope she will regard as a New Year's gift although it comes rather late. From the 20th of December until the 6th inst. I was unable to get to the stores and I was not able to be at my room until the 1st of Jan save once. I am now tolerably well. This is a pernicious climate- both summer & winter. Tommy was delighted this morning to receive a present of a book which Willy Cue sent him. We are all very fond of Willy. I am much releived to find that the dear children have recovered from the scarlet fever. All of my children have had it but Rachel & Cumpy Jr. They had it in Lancaster in the spring of 1860- Minnie Lizzie Willy Tommy & Elly, all within six weeks, one after another in rapid succession. Elly was a young babe then. I am thankful that Willy rests now on the bosom of God his Father, free from the vicissitudes & calamities of life, which seem to me more & more severe as I grow older. But my heart seems to grow more tender towards my children who are gone, & who will be children still thank God, when I meet them in our heavenly home.

Minnie writes hasty letters & promises details when she has more time. The last two letters have contained one item; viz that Uncle Charley gave her a set of jewelry & that Aunt Ellen gave her sleeve buttons to match. The young miss was greatly honored to be invited to dine with the President. Was the compliment intended for Cump or for you or for me? I think it was for me! Is that egregious vanity or is it common sense? Women will be women as the Phrenologist proved to Tom & me. On Saturday last the thermometer stood at 65 and now it is at zero at noon. My room is the coldest I have ever inhabited and now while I write by a large fire my hand is stiff with cold my feet are beginning to ache. This is little Cumpy's birthday and we find him such a bright little treasure that we almost wonder how we managed to be happy so many years without him. Everything revolves around him now, we keep house for him, in short we live for him, but he being of masculine nature is all unconscious of it. I hear from Sis very often but Philemon has grown very lazy about writing. I am rejoiced that your health is so very good. Minnie says she found it a trial to leave you.

With love to all, ever your truly affectionate Daughter,

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis Mo.
Jan. 16th 1868.
[1868/01/16]

Dearest Father:
[TE]

I very much regret the trouble which has arisen in Washington. How scandalously they do treat Mr. Johnson! I am surprised at the part Grant has taken but I presume he wishes to secure the nomination of the Radicals for President. He will defeat himself if he works for selfish purposes. Had I a vote, I would not give it to him now, but against him. I hope the honor & dignity of the President may be vindicated, and that the northern radicals may yet be made to bite the dust as the southern men have had to. It has been some time since I have had a letter from any of the "Ewinises" but I hope you are all well. With love to all I am as ever dear father, your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]