HEADQUARTERS ARMY of the UNITED STATES.
Washington, D.C.
June 9th, 1870 Thursday night.
[1870/06/09]
Dearest Father;
[TE]
Cump reached home Tuesday night at ten o'clock. We had a houseful of company when he arrived, all of whom were accidental guests except Mr. & Mrs Butler of New York and their daughter whom I had invited to take a game of eucre with Sue Bartley and myself - Our guests did not leave until nearly midnight so the cherries were not produced until Wednesday morning, when they were found to be as fresh and plump & sound and delicious as if just picked from the tree.
Tom and May had the benefit of those you sent to Ellen whilst the whole family here participated in the pleasure of those sent to us. Cump evidently enjoyed his visit exceedingly. He tells me Col. Steele did not go down the Valley with the party. We went up last evening to see Ellen and Tom and found nearly everything packed. I presume they will soon get off and think Ellen has about decided to go to Bedford at once and not see any more Physicians. She thinks the waters there will be highly beneficial to her.
Mr. & Mrs. Butler speak with great satisfaction of your visit to them and desire to be very cordially remembered to you. Tommy is in the infirmary today at Georgetown but it is nothing serious that ails him. All send best love to you.
Ever your loving daughter
Ellen.
[EES]
Washington
June 16th 1870
[1870/06/16]
Dearest Father:
[TE]
Tom & Ellen left this morning for New York taking May with them of course. Charley saw them off and Cump and I were up there last evening to bid them goodbye. Tom was out all evening so we did not see him but he had dined with us the day before. The Army Bill seems to hang fire. It may go off "bang" when we least expect it and it may kick and hurt Logan more than his intended victims.
I have been thinking about Lancaster and your ability to to entertain us. Ellen has watched the packing of every piece & parcel and I know by experience that she will not like to have her goods opened until she is there herself. Linen and clothing & carpets &c are put in with furniture and all is done in such a way that to have them opened & scattered by any one but herself would give any woman fits. I know how women feel about such matters & I know by the pains she has taken in the packing that her feelings will be unusually keen on the subject. I would not be willing to have anything of hers brought into use for my benefit & I think it would not be right to ask it of her.
Sis has long since invited me to bring four of the family to her house and if Cump takes Lizzie & Tommy to California that will leave only two for your house. But I presume you could give four of us all we want. I would just as leave have the floors without carpets - indeed I think I would rather have them so. They do not have the sign of a carpet at Berkeley - We cannot stay long for we must have the baths at Berkeley. I shall come as a guest purely and in no sence a housekeeper so Rosy can boss us all and I know she will do it with the most kindly intent. I shall be happy to be with you all awhile & shall be glad to meet my old friends. Give my love to all & believe me ever your truly affectionate Daughter
Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
Washington, D.C.
July 13th, 1870.
[1870/07/13]
Dearest Father;
[TE]
Yesterday morning I was summoned to poor Mrs. Dahlgren & remained with her until half past ten at night. I would have been there today but I am not well & suffered so much this morning that I could not go down. It is now 4 P.M. and as soon as our dinner is over I must go to see her as she has no congenial friend but me near her. Anna Smith has gone to Notre Dame on a visit. Admiral Smith is very sympathetic & kind but she needs female friends about her. The paper which I send gives a correct account of the Admiral's death and previous very slight indisposition. The shock to poor Sarah was terrible, and the poor little children looked terrified; they nestled about her all day & could not run about -partly from nervous terror, which the dread king of terrors, death, had inspired and partly from indisposition. The little girl said "why Mama I don't hear Papa walking about" Mrs. Dr. Maxwell of the Navy took the children & nurses in the early train this morning to some place near Phil; where the Admiral had boarding engaged for them & whither they were to have gone tomorrow for the summer. The funeral will take place on Friday at the Cemetery near Philadelphia & Sarah will then join the children. She will have a desolate summer, alone in her grief at a boarding house among strangers.
This and the uncertain fate of the Army bill defer my departure. We have serious thoughts of closing here to return no more but make our residence in St. Louis. It is better for us on many accounts and we are unanimous in our consent as a family but do not know how the President will regard the move. In any event, whether the bill passes now or not, we will sell this house if possible and take a small one. All are well with the exception of boils with which the children Elly Ray & Cump are effected. All send love to dear Grand Pa & long to get to Lancaster, As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
Washington, D.C.
Sept. 5th, 1870 Monday morning.
[1870/09/05]
Dearest Father;
[TE]
When we got to Zanesville Friday evening we found we had to wait two hours for the train. We accordingly made ourselves as comfortable as possible at the Depot where we sat on the platform & read or promenaded whilst Cumpy performed prodigies in the way of swinging himself and jumping. The Landlord gave us a good supper and when the train came in, the Conductor of the Sleeping Car accosted me with the information that he had kept the Sections for me and General Vincent of the War Department greeted me very much to my satisfaction. He and his wife and little Son were fellow travellers and the General took entire charge of us & very good care of us. We did not get out to a meal but had tea sent in which was very refreshing. At twelve at night we were aroused from sleep and informed that the car had a hot box & the choice was given us to dress then & change cars or to sleep until morning & then take the train which would bring us into Washington at 10 P.M. We chose the latter and I had my wish thus accomplished of not travelling at night, and of seeing the beautiful views as we crossed the mountains. Charley met us at the Depot and everything was bright and in good order at home.
I have telegraphed you so you will know that we are safe & well long before this reaches you.
Until they commence work on the partition walls our house will be undisturbed by the new building. The contractor told me this morning that he would not be ready to cut doors &c before the 10th of October. During the interval, as the season for visiting has not come on and Cump will not be at home to bring company on us in shoals I shall close the doors between the parlors, move down the furniture from one of the rooms in to the back parlor and I want you to come on and lie in it during those weeks which you would otherwise spend by yourself in your own house in Lancaster. Neither Tom & Ellen nor Hugh & Henrietta will be able to go to Lancaster before the 10th of October and you had better be here at that time whilst the driving is pleasant & the weather is fine than to be alone where you are. I hope you will not hesitate to come. You can go to Zanesville at any time and rest there at the hotel. I would not advise you to try to catch the morning train because you will have no sleeping car. I think your best plan will be to go to Columbus in the 8½ A.M. train and after a rest at the Neil House take the afternoon train for Washington You will get the sleeping car at Columbus & will get into Washington at 6 in the evening. Telegraph me when you start that I may have your room in readiness.
Give my best love to all to Sis & Philemon, Mrs. Daugherty and Mrs. Reese and all their families. Try & start next Monday - for I am very impatient to have you come & feel as if I coul'nt wait.
Ever your loving daughter
Ellen
[EES]
(Note date at end of this first letter)
My Dear Daughter
[EES]
I take tea at Blaines this evening and will take much pleasure in dining with you Tomorrow- I hope our cousin will be of the party Your loving Father
T Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E. Sherman Sunday April 3rd 1870 This date written in Ellen E. Shermans handwriting E.S.F.
Lancaster
May 25/70
[1870/05/25]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I got home last evening at 6 o'clock after a very pleasant journey Would have been in at 10 A M but missed the connection and had to wait at Zanesville for the freight train They had no sleeping cars on the morning train and I had to sit up all night- When you come be careful to get the Nest, which is faster and has be ter accomodations though it does not profess to connect with ours- I found all well and the house in good order Affectionately Your Father
T Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
Lancaster
June 3/70
[1870/06/03]
My Dear Daughter
[EES]
The General is to be here this morning to go with me down the valley- We will return Tomorrow-
Everything here will be in tip top order for the children-fruit abundant- the early cherries just beginning to ripen- they, early and late will be gone, but the early apples and pears will supply their place- I have not got a housekeeper but expect one soon- a woman of forty of good repute, good health, and what is quite important no dependants to support out of my larder
Affectionately- Your Father
T Ewing
[TE]
Mrs. Ellen E Sherman
July 3/70
[1870/07/03]
My Dear Daughter
[EES]
Siss gave birth to a fine boy last night and is doing well- Come soon and be sure to bring Charley with you- All well
Affectionately
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
Lancaster
July 9/70
[1870/07/09]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I was quite ill yesterday and even went the length of sending for the Doctor, determined however to defend myself against blister and mustard plaster, but strange to say, after examinining me thoroughly, he said there was nothing the matter worth naming- but he was mistaken- it took him most of the day to cure me, which he did at last with a table spoonful of castor oil- You know he sometimes resorts to heroic remedies- but he talked me almost dead- You know how thick is his utterence - I cant understand more than one word in six-
I was delighted with Tommys report, particularly as you assure me he does not over study- he has a finely balanced mind and if he grows up in sound health will make a first rate man- Siss is doing very well- I have not called to see her yet- having forbidden under severe penalties her seeing anybody but her nurse for the first ten days- four friendly ladies well charged with gossip called on the second day and were denied admittance I will have a room for you fit for the reception of the Empress Eugenie and we can, among hands stow away as many young Shermans as you choose to bring- Make Charley come with you
Your loving Father
T Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
It is you know vain for me to write and pretend I am well when I am not- The face of the letter will have a nervous look- this is quite healthy in appearance
Lancaster
July 14/70
[1870/07/14]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I am pained to hear of the sudden death of Admiral Dahlgren As you see Mrs Dahlgren to offer your kind condolence, assure her also of my heartfelt sympathy in her sorrows-
We are all well here- Siss and her boy are getting on finely, and we will be quite ready to receive you and Charley and lodge you sumptuously- I have an excellent pair of horses. My carriage well chosen, and a very good driver, though an African Sun has evidently burned on him or his ancestors; our roads are in fine order and the weather temperate-
We have some gossip- I write in haste but a faithful friend should be in advance of me- Mrs Duvals new husband turned up at Topeka and she had him arrested for swindling and to obtain his release he paid over & secured the re-payment of the plunder-
Agnes & Ellen Ewing are now at home- they are handsome little girls, and intelligent- Phil is enlarging his house as is needfull-
Affectionately Your Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
Lancaster
July 18/70
[1870/07/18]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
Now the Army bill has passed & Congress adjourned, you can now regulate your movements- Let me know when you will be here that I may certainly be at home to receive you- I meditate an excursion of a day or two down the valley - no time set for it -
Phil has been unwell for a few days but is about again- his baby was quite ill is mending- all else well
Affy your Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
Lancaster
Sept 5/70
[1870/09/05]
My Dear Daughter
[EES]
I have just got your dispatch announceing safe arrival- I am well but lonely
Affectionately
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
Lancaster
Sept 7/70
[1870/09/07]
My Dear Daughter
[EES]
I was quite ill for three or four days but this morning find myself well again - I took divers magic pills, and even went the length of calling in the Doctor- The poor old man is nearly heart broken- one of his sons, the married one who became drunken, and about two years ago reformed has broken out again, & has been for two weeks drunk in Cincinnati, somewhere probably in a low doggery where his brother could not find him- I called on the old man last evening and he could not come down stairs to see me-
All well at home- have not got the letter you promised me-
Both the sick babies are getting on finely- I have not heard of Tom since he left Lancaster- I think of getting a New York detective to hunt him up-
Affectionately Your Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
Lancaster
Sept 9/70
[1870/09/09]
My dear Daughter
[EES]
I have at last got your promised letter and as I had become uneasy in consequence of your long silence, I was rejoiced to read of the good health of you all- but I cannot join you in Washington this month- business that requires my personal attention will prevent me- and I am not entirely alone- Agnes & Ellen have just bid me good night and I never have less than four guests at my table though some of them are small- and among them all none can interview me as well as Cumpy- so I get on more comfortably than you would suppose though still lonely- I want you to enquire of Charley whether he intends to "fall back" on Tommy Steele as to the gum drop farm- it is perhaps a matter too important to settle at a distance- tell him that if he will come out this fall he shall be my guest and I will receive him kindly & treat him hospitably and will have two or three weeks at his disposal when the whole matter can be settled- Tommy thinks he will be able to hay hay soon-
Your loving Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
Lancaster
Sept 11/70
[1870/09/11]
My Dear Daughter-
[EES]
I got your dispatch yesterday & would have answered by telegraph but I supposed you would get my letter containing an answer as soon as a dispatch- As I advised you in that, I cannot come to you for sometime- I have private matters to settle that will require my personal attention for a month or more to come- in the meantime I would much like a visit from Charley and would be delighted if you could make me another call- When I come to Washington you must not be surprized if my visit is so long drawn out as to be a visitation-
All are well here- the two babys doing finely- Poor old Doctor Boe[?]stler is dying of grief- he has as yet heard nothing of his drunken boy-
Affectionately Your Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman
Lancaster
Sept 27/70
[1870/09/27]
My Dear Daughter
[EES]
I am in fine health this morning and we have good signs of rain-
Tom is out making speeches somewhere in the North, & Ellen is in better hopes- She is now at Wooster and Charley I suppose will be with you before you receive this Doct B[?]oestler's information of his Son is not certain- he is supposed to have gone to California & he has taken with him wherever he be $500 of the County Honey entrusted to him- I do not think his father will ever see him again- his relapse is said to have been occasioned by the extravagance of a silly wife
Your loving Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs Ellen E Sherman I have written Hugh at Washington- Hurry him out when he comes, and I most especially want to see Edith- She must be grown almost to womanhood and Charley says as handsome as ever- What shall we do with our fine girls?
Lancaster
Sept 29/70
[1870/09/29]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I write merely to tell you that I am specially well & that Mrs Doherty who kindly called last evening to relieve my loneliness says that Doct Boe[?]stler has certain information from his truant son & that he will be at home soon- We have just rain enough to lay the dust & make the driving good
Your loving Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Oct 2/70
[1870/10/02]
My Dear Daughter
[EES]
It is hardly possible that I omitted to write you for 12 days at any time- I think you will find some vagrant intermediate dropping in soon- My health is very good and we are all well here- I have a letter from Ellen Ewing- She is better- She and Tom will be here on the 11th- Also from Siss- She is enjoying her visit greatly- and little Witte is doing quite well without her- I hear nothing lately from Hugh- I suppose he is on ship board- I suppose Cump and Lizzie are in the wilds of Oregon and you will not hear from them till they come into the settlements
Affectionately Your Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs. Ellen E Sherman
Oct 26/70
[1870/10/26]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I am pained to hear of poor Lizzies illness- Keep me daily informed of her situation- Not getting a dispatch from you I hope she is better-
I have just returned from a short visit to Columbus, and find all well here Siss's little Wittie is mending She was quite ill- Siss seems in good health, occasionally troubled with headache- Ellen Ewing seems well
Your loving Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Lancaster
Oct 31/70
[1870/10/31]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
We are having quite a tearing up of the old home- the hammers are as noisy here as in your house, but my room and alcove remain undisturbed- Ellen is very busy and quite well again- My own health continues very good- I go to Chauncey today to see about the opening of a coal mine at Rock Oak.
I hope Lizzie is doing well- poor girl she has had a hard time of it- the typhoid is a terrible disease and one hardly knows when it is over.
Your loving Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
To Ellen
Lancaster
Nov 6/70
[1870/11/06]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
Mrs Doherty goes today to Athens and Cincinnati and she requests me to urge on you a compliance with her invitation to remain with her on your promised visit- She wishes you to bring Minnie with you- I think it will be well- Our house here is much torn up, and the mechanicks will not soon be through- Ellen hopes to have a room safe & comfortable for Charley and his bride, but of this she is not certain, as the halls above being plastered they may not be dry enough to be safe to pass through- All below is undisturbed and you can be with us through the days and evenings Siss has made provision for Charley but if the up stairs of the old home is in a proper condition I want him to come here- Ellen will not bring her children home till the middle of December- Her health is greatly improved- Talk over the matter with Charley- tell him to give us exact information of time and all things important to be known- and give my love to Minnie & Lizzie & the little ones -
Your loving Father
T. Ewing
[TE]
Mrs. Ellen E Sherman
(undated) 1870
[1870/00/00]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I send you some fair copies of my letter as to Hugh.
Affectionately
T Ewing
[TE]
I am quite well
(undated) 1870
[1870/00/00]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
You may show the accompanying letter to the General and take his advice whether the suggestion be made or not- The Secretary might I think address a note to you saying that accusations had been made derogatory to your brother Hugh- that they had been examined and proved to be without foundation and that he was well satisfied with his official conduct
T E
[TE]
Following was written on a loose sheet of paper between the folders 1854 - 1855
Handwriting of Thomas Ewing of Ohio but than no idea [illegible] from E.S.F 3
Nature, then, inscrutible, we understand & have seized and control- We to the light. Wings go. & they go, & come unto us and say here we are- but our encreased knowledge & power are all of matter but of soul or spirit- of origin of man his condition here, his being, his dependence & his final destiny our reason, our experience, the thought ages, circles of Revelution has taught us nothing- It is all beyond the reach of human research & experimental philosophy- It is a curious fact illustrative of this tendency of the human man mind, that in Italy, the country of Europe where the learned most implicitly admit of spiritual interpositions to control the ordinary natural laws- that the discoveries of science have been mainly successful in the middle space between the matter & spirit - the imponderable substances, power or penomena, of these the discoveries of Ga i Volter ( light) are examples- Matter * The constellations- a is not visible in Piece torn here Indian can bind the influences of the & wore the bands of Orion or know the moment they will be bound or loosed- on reverse side it read We may look at the works of God