(To Ellen B. Ewing at the Academy of the Visitation Georgetown, D.C.)
Military Academy West Point N.Y.
June 5th/40
[1840/06/05]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I had the pleasure some time since of receiving your letter but have been unable to comply with your wish to tell you when to expect me - until now.
The examination will commence on Monday next and terminate in about two weeks after - at which time we will be relieved. You may therefore expect to see me about Tuesday the 23rd inst.
I heard from Wm Irvin a few days since - he had just returned to his post from home where he had been called to see his father who was dangerously ill and not expected to live - he expressed but little hope that he would ever recover his health - His death would be very much felt not only by his family but by us all. All the rest were well.
Affectionately
W. T. Sherman
[WTS]
(On outside of letter) Miss Ellen B. Ewing Academy of the Visitation Georgetown D.C.
From Fort Pierce East Florida (To Ellen B. Ewing, Academy of the Visitation, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., from Lieut. W. T. Sherman)
Fort Pierce E. F.
Sept 7th 1841
[1841/09/07]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I cannot express how great was my pleasure upon receiving this morning your very kind letter. I can only show my sense of it by punctuality
I sincerely thank you for pardoning me the apparent adherence to ceremony in my letter to you for believe me that no one regrets more than I the disposition of this world to surround the sweetest & best pleasures of this life with the cold garb of Formality and if at any time I should bow to its dictates it is because I fear that a departure from them would give offence
You are anxious to know when you may expect to see me - Indeed I cannot tell but it appears pretty certain that we will not leave Florida this year and when we do it seems to be the intention to Post us at the Southern and Gulf posts, in which case many years may elapse before I may have the pleasure of going home. But a Soldier's life is so varied and it is impossible to see even a month ahead and possibly some occasions or opportunity may occur whereby I may have the pleasure of seeing you all at Washington - Hope is however a rather fickle staff to lean upon All you see is uncertainty and depends upon the authorities at Washington
Although Florida is losing many of the charms which novelty inspires still I cannot say I am very tired of staying here. We have many of the comforts of life and what is the greatest of all blessings good health with just active enough kind of life to give experience to the mind & strength to the constitution. This is also a kind of warfare which every young officer should be thoroughly acquainted with as the Indian is most likely to be our chief enemy in times to come. You doubtless little sympathize with us in hunting and harassing a poor set of people who have had the heroism to defend their homes against such odds for such a period of time - Even an enemy must admire those qualities which have enabled the Seminoles to maintain the country thus long although those qualities have been chiefly cunning and perfidy - We have had during the past year a great many here - in every capacity - prisoners - captives - visitors - guides & interpreters - in all of which they display the capacities with which they are endowed by nature sharpened by the straits to which they have been accustomed from their childhood up -
A few days since we learned that a Dutch vessel had run ashore about 75 miles South of this and that the Indians had come down to the beach and stolen some beef & pork they had put ashore to live upon in case the vessel went to pieces before they were picked up - We would instantly have gone in search but unluckily about one-half the command were absent on a scout with near all our boats - they returned last evening and tomorrow we start and will doubtless be absent 8 or 10 days
I suppose but little of the turmoil and excitement of the Capital reaches you in the peaceful and quiet halls of the Academy and reaches you, though near, like it does us as a faint distant echo devoid of all its original harshness. It certainly is a disgrace to Washington that the President should be insulted in his own house and burned in effigy in the face of the whole City because he differs from them in opinion - it is to be hoped that the actors will be held up to the contempt of the world. No wonder you are anxious to go back to Lancaster the best of homes but I fear that four years residence in the City will wean you all from the peaceful and quiet home of the West
I wrote to Philemon not long since by a brother officer who has been stationed here for the past season & has now been ordered to West Point I hope Phil may see him before he has left for Lancaster which he contemplated when he last wrote to me. I likewise sent some time ago a box of Florida curiosities which I hope he may receive in time to take home with him. He has been my most regular correspondent and I feel under great obligations to him for his kindness & punctuality. The night is now pretty well advanced and the mosquitos very troublesome. You must therefore permit me to conclude with the hope that a very long period shall not elapse before I shall have the pleasure of hearing from you again - Give my best love to yr father & mother & remember me to Misses Mary & Maria
When you write home remember me to your mother & all the family & connexions - Charley & little Sister will soon or doubtless ere this forgotten this Cumpy & the way he used to ride them on his poney - I have a real Indian one here which I wish I could get to Charley - it would suit him so well to learn what is so essential to all persons to ride well - I hope that you have opportunities to avail yourself of this to take a gallop across the Country - and if ever I have the pleasure to come home again the first thing I will expect of you will be to mount the wildest horse & charge over the hills & plains - next to drawing it is the most ladylike accomplishment in my mind - A brother officer in looking over the paper a short time since pointed out a column in which recorded the prizes awarded at your Academy - I was very proud to see you take one the Second in Drawing Good night
Yr affectionate friend
W. T. Sherman
[WTS]
(On outside of letter) Miss Ellen B. Ewing Reorgetown D.C. (Below the address to Miss Ellen B. Ewing, Georgetown, D.C. written by W. T. Sherman, is written in Ellen's fine hand writing "received Dec 2nd week on Tuesday evening while Sr Cecelia was in her retreat")
(To Ellen B. Ewing, Academy of the Visitation, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.) (From Lieut. W. T. Sherman)
Picolata E Fla
Jany 13th 1842
[1842/01/13]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
Your last letter did not reach me till about a week ago in consequence of my having been changing from post to post, but now being onece more seated will immediately obey your request - I cannot without entering into minute and uninteresting detail give you any idea of my life for the past three months - now at Fort Pierce then at Lauderdale - in the Everglades - in the Big Cypress on the other side of the Peninsula then at Fort Dallas - back again to Old Fort Pierce all in rapid succession and just as we supposed we would have a short respite I got an order announcing my promotion to a first lieutenancy in another Company. So I had to turn about and come up to the Old City of St Augustine to report to my Captain who is stationed there - by him I was ordered to take command of this Post. Thus you see an entire change has taken place in my affairs removed suddenly from the War District to this the peaceable one but the change is a very pleasant one for I have here an independent Command - have a large good house and what is better than all mails twice a week. This fact I wish to be distinctly understood and also that I shall expect to hear often from all especially yourself - Now for a description of my post
Picolata was an old Settlement before the War - consisting of a large frame building intended for a Hotel for invalids -- with barracks outhouses guard houses stables &c built since the War also a family of citizens who keep a kind of boarding house for passers-by - It is situated on the St. Johns River opposite and 18 miles distant from St. Augustine between which there is a good road with a military escort twice a week - Along this road many murders have been committed but now since we took Coocoochee, whose party had formerly infested the road - now there is considered no danger and persons pass backward and forward constantly in parties of two & three - Still the escort which guards the mail is usually accompanied by the cautious.
It is very beautiful spot indeed - magnificent live oak trees shade the yard enclosing my splendid quarters and the St. Johns a noble sheet of water about one & a half miles broad adds beauty to the whole - In fact I would much prefer being here to St. Augustine for 'tis like living in the country with all the advantages of both town and country for with a good horse I can ride over at any time in a couple of hours get books, see the Ladies &c &c
St Augustine you know is the oldest town on the North American Continent nor does its appearance belie its age - An old fort overlooks the town with its narrow crooked streets the houses are low close and dirty except some few built by Americans since the purchase of Florida from Spain.
The best society of the place is made of American families who from its delightful climate have made it their home and some few old English families - The Spaniards or Minorcans with some exceptions are ignorant but very pretty with beautiful hair & eyes which have so allured many officers who having been a long while exiled from the world that in spite of their good sense they have been captivated - In fact as many as a dozen or twenty officers have been married at Ft Augustine so that now there are few "aspirants" but they play so desparate a game that the least penetrating cannot but perceive it - One thing cannot be questioned - their Spanish dance is most beautiful graceful & enchanting and the ladies know how to dance nor do they seem ever to weary of it - At the Barracks they had a ball the evening I was in town and although I did in fact could not participate yet I admired it very much more than the beauty of the ladies themselves and should we remain here many months I must certainly make an attempt to learn the Spanish Dance. I have nearly filled my sheet without telling you our prospects of going out of Florida - A long time ago we were ordered to garrison the posts on the Gulf of Mexico so soon as Col Worth could spare our services. Of course we have been waiting till his decision was made known and when we met his Mightiness in the Big Cypress did not fail to ask him when we would be ordered out, he said between "the 10 & 15th of this month" but as this time has arrived I fear he has forgotten his promise. Neither do I think he should send us out till the Campaign is over. However when the order comes it always is unexpected and I have do doubt we'll all be turned about & sent off at a tangent and the first thing we'll know we'll be on our way to the Gulf - When we do I'll be stationed at Mobile. I am very glad indeed to hear that you intend to go home soon. I should above all things like to go with you but I fear that years will pass away before that happy time is reserved for me. Tell your mother that I am very sensible to her kindness and would write but think Phil will tell anything from me worth hearing for with him I communicate frequently in fact oftener than with anyone else
Give my best too to your father and to all the family when you write home Write soon for now a letter can reach me a little sooner than two months. My love to Miss Mary and Maria
Yours affectionately
W. T. Sherman
[WTS]
I've tried to write a little plainer but have caught myself dashing off like a race horse several times. I trust however you will have less trouble than you last complain of Direct to Picolata E Fla
(On outside of letter) Miss Ellen B. Ewing Academy of the Visitation Georgetown, D.C. (Postmarked) SAVANNA JAN 17 GEO
Fort Morgan Mobile Point
April 7, 1842
[1842/04/07]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
I received your most valued letter but a day or two ago and have read it some doxen times pondering over well the good advice, rejoicing at the expressions of kindness and friendship and thinking of the incidents at Home. Do you know that I nearly was on the point of coming home this Spring, that I had made up my mind, but changed after due deliberation. Yes, such was the case, and had there been an officer nearer Washington with authority to grant leaves of absence of one month, I would have come home to stay 5 or 6 days, but upon reflecting how long it would take for a letter to go to Washington and back, the great distance to Lancaster and back, I thought it better to defer it for a year or more. I could easily get a leave for I know the Colonel would recommend it warmly, But why don't I leave the Army? you ask -- Why should I? It is the profession for which my education alone fits me, and as all appearances indicate the rapid approach of action when the soldier will be required to do his proper labor, when a splendid field will be spread before him, every reason exists why I should remain. Moreover, I am content and happy and it would be foolish to spring into the world bare handed and unprepared to meet its coldness & trials. Moreover not a day passes without my meeting some old fellow who once was an officer but was persuaded by friends or a prospect of immediate wealth to abandon a life for which his early habits and aspirations fitted him and all with very few exceptions say it was the most foolish act of their life. Believing myself similarly constituted, I intend of course to wait a more auspicious moment than the present to abandon my present life.
You speak so liberally and feelingly upon the subject of Religion that I must satisfy a curiosity that you must have long felt. Since I left home six years ago I have practiced or professed no particular creed. Believing firmly in the main doctrines of the Christian Religion, the purity of its morals, the almost absolute necessity for its existence and practice amongst all well regulated communities to ensure peace and good will amongst all, yet I cannot with due reflection attribute to minor points of doctrine or form the importance usually attached to them. I believe in good works rather than faith, and believe them to constitute the basis of true religion both as revealed in Scripture and taught by the experience of all ages, and common sense. You see that my ideas are very general and subject to be moulded to a definite shape by time, circumstances and experience. I have always maintained and believe it sincerely that amongst Catholics there exist as many good actual Christians as amongst any other class or denomination, yea more, judging from the great number of excellent benevolent institutions in all Catholic countries. Although matters of religion is a source of much discussion amongst us I think I have written more on this paper upon the subject than I ever did before. I have got into so serious a train that I fear I will not be able to tell you of the thousand and one things I thought I would of my last visit to Mobile, the people I met, &c, &c. Suffice to say that the Ladies of Mobile feeling as they ever do for the desolate state of us woebegone bachelors, took pity upon us and made the gentlemen charter a steamboat to come down to see us; How kind! So upon the first day of this month they played us a most precious trick landing at our wharf and marching bodily into the very heart of the Citadel and carried the Fort by storm. Imagine our surprise to find about 100 ladies and gentlemen descended as it were from the clouds but after our surprise was fairly over we showed them the various points of the Fort, the Guns, embrasures, casemates, &c., &c., and after we had exhausted our means of hospitality were invited on board the boat where they had a band of music, wine, refreshments, &c. &c. Not satisfied with this they played their batteries so well that they prevailed upon about 7 of the officers to go up to the City with them, myself among the number. It would take a volume to record their kindness, to name the ladies, their beauties and accomplishments. Three of the officers stayed only one day and returned but another & myself spent 6 days, and a more delightful time you could not imagine. We were invited everywhere and the bright button was a passport at all times to the houses of the Best. Temperances and temperance processions, (in which Ladies took part,) balloon ascensions, visits of an ex-President & Sect, Paulding, Theatre, Paintings, &c. were some of the attractions, but where I was delighted most was in the Country. Mary Keeler has a sister, Mrs. Bull, who resides about two miles in the country in one of the most delightful spots imaginable. I had received a letter from her sister in Brooklyn, with whom I correspond, and who insisted that I should call. I did so, of course, and found a most delightful family. Mr. Bull a fine man - merchant - and my cousin a most charming woman with a family of three lovely children. Imagine what a chance, to be welcomed as one long known into such a family, to be made as it were at home so soon after returning from the roving life in Florida. They insisted upon my making it my home whenever I should visit Mobile. Think of a fine well painted house with a portico in front with roses of every hue & shape & size and color creeping over it in all directions - approached by a walk shaded by lovely flowers and shrubbery and an air of quiet and Home spread over all that rendered a perfect Paradise to me. And the strawberries and cream - but I can't talk of them for want of space, for I must tell you of our delightful rides, but as I see I'll have to cross this I may as well first give you a general description of Mobile Port. Situated on the head of the Bay 30 miles from here, totally and entirely a Cotton Port. On the River it resembles any other business city but as you leave the wharves and go back you find beautiful streets of hotels, stores & shops, &c., all as gorgeously ornamented as at New York. A little farther back the streets are ornamented with trees and in front of the houses a little garden bed now & then shows a profusion of roses and shrubs - a little farther and they begin to assume a beauty, neatness and comfort I never elsewhere beheld.
These are the residences of merchants residing in town and as nothing can be more delightful than after a hard day of labor amongst dirt, cotton bales, presses, carts, drays, &c. to go home to a beautiful quiet home, they spare no expense or pains in furnishing & ornamenting their residence and grounds adjacent. The houses are mostly white with piazzas all around with all kinds of roses and flowers creeping up the latticed portico. They are generally situated one or two hundred yards back from the Road, or rather Street, with a carriage road to the very door passing under an arbor of shade trees. In all other respects each exercises his own taste and judgment, and thereby have created for Mobile the most beautiful suburbs & country seats in this country. Lieut. Ayres and I after forming acquaintances and preferring some to others determined to astonish them - so one morning, although everything indicated a storm we went to the livery stable in town and got two of the most splendid and showy horses we could find, mounted and rode out to see my Cousin's family, staying there eating strawberries a couple hours. We mounted again and rode a couple miles further into the country to call upon a Miss G. -- who by the way is one of the most intelligent ladies I ever met with. The rain set in and as we paid it no attention making our calls in a thunderstorm soaked with rain and covered with mud and as we dashed on mindless of the storm everybody thought us crazy, but immediately after dinner we got buggies & picked horses, got our ladies and as they were young wild bold & what not our horses' were not spared. Such racing, the mud flew, silk dresses suffered, veils could scarce protect the face against the showers of mud our horses' heels cast but as we got on we dashed down one street up another and then down the Magnolia Road and did not slacken pace till we found ourselves in that most beautiful of nature's ornaments, a Magnolia Grove, and could you have seen us covered with mud, our horses white with foam and seemingly as mad with delight and excitement as we.
It was long after dark before we had taken the ladies home and gone to our Hotel. We were invited to a party and had to go, and getting a parcel of negroes one scraping the mud off our capes another our coats, for they were the only ones we had up in town, we were ready by ten o'clock and then attended one of most pleasant parties I ever saw.
Next day was passed in like manner with another party but in a little more quiet manner. But I hear the ladies when thinking soberly will take care when riding with us to take off the silk and satin for they find that with good horses we are too gallant to let them walk. Yesterday we got here to our desolate home but feel content that whenever we please we can go to town and be welcomed to many a delightful family and can find Ladies who are not afraid to ride fast. We have now an invitation to the Magnolia Grove the first full moon -- that is a little too poetical for me and I fear I will not go up.
I have written a great many letters home but have not received acknowledgment of the receipt of any but I trust you at last will make good your promise now that you are home and can interest me so much. We have no excitement in this part of the world except that caused by the late invasion of Texas by Mexico, which has sent from Mobile some men and money, and a young gentleman is now here who used to be at West Point, enthusiastic in the Texan cause and is now raising a company to go there to proffer their aid to the President of that republic.
What a long letter I've written. You must excuse for I must try next time not to trouble you with crossing as it gives more trouble to decipher than writing.
My best love to your Father and Mother, to Phil, Bub, Lissy, Charley and little Sister. Remember me to Abbie, Rachel, Laura & all the friends, and believe me affectionately
Yours truly
W. T. Sherman
[WTS]
(Addressed to) Miss Ellen B. Ewing Lancaster Ohio (Stamped) MOBILE, ALA. APL 13
Verified True copy E S F. O. K.
Fort Moultrie S. Carolina
November 28 1842
[1842/11/28]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
It is now near midnight, the winds are howling terribly, the surf roars as it dashes against the ramparts, threatening the insecure foundation upon which we stand - just such a night as our friend Bos [Dickens] would depict for the villain's prowl, and I have selected such a time for answering your letter - Why? A bright fire is on my hearth and my fancy is regaled with the picture of your bright smile as you penned the many little sarcasms that are now before me - poor me - spare me - but score it onto the young fellows about you who seem to be so efficient in gallantry - I have no pretentions on that score or else would be tempted to set forth at once for Ohio to sigh with you and serve you as a faithful knight - but I forget that Mary keeps me back, and should I adopt your suggestion to bring her with me she might have objections to my good intentions - In this dilemma I must, like the good Ottoman smoke a cloud from which the spirits may ascend to guide my steps and direct my failing sight. The very next time I go to the city I intend asking those questions about the whys and wherefores you propose - to her whose name you always - what her decision will be I kn not but presume she will agree with me that it depends altogether upon circumstances - All must feel the want of one friend who will stand firm so long as life lasts - men seek the comforts, the delicate attentions and affections which women alone can bestow, whilst she the protection which nature teaches her to look for from the harsher part of creation. Yet society is so constituted that the feelings and promptings of nature are drowned by other considerations as potent, and very few are so situated as to act freely and unrestrainedly - The lady must select from her admirers whilst the gentleman is bound to provide all the materials, the property and so forth for their united maintenance and comforts. Thus society often prevents marriage altogether, if not by positive rules by circumstances not to be avoided. Such I regard mine and accordingly shall act.
The Army is a first rate place for the single man but no place at all for one that is married unless the wife is willing to forsake home and often even the comforts of civilized life.
But what am I about - actually discussing a matter upon which I look as an axiom and taking up space that may be more usefully employed.
On Sullivan's Island we have no church whatever. Charleston is near with its churches of every denomination, but our custom requires on Sunday forenoon a thorough inspection of the quarter's clothing, arms and accoutrements of our men by the Colonel & this usually takes from 9 to 12 A.M. making it impossible to take advantage of invitations for almost every congregation then to take a part.
On wed. Lt. Ayres & I went up one morning after inspection in the Barge and entered the church just before the sermon closed & had to take the parting benediction alone for our share. Last Sunday however for the first time this fall I spent in the city I went to the Presbyterian Church I must confess to sit with her and felt peculiarly devout. A Catholic Priest comes down to the Fort sometimes to preach to our men most of whom are foreigners & Catholics. His sermons are very good but limited to the capacity of his audience and therefore not inviting to us. I sometimes go to hear him. This you see answers your questions. I can say little else than that to be a soldier and a regular professional Christian is somewhat incompatible.
The Jews have a most beautiful synagogue in Charlestown Passing there one Saturday evening (their Sunday) and seeing it illuminated I entered. Sanctimoniously with cap on and a most gorgeous sight presented itself. A most magnificent chandelier, with other lights properly distributed light up the interior, which cannot easily be excelled in tasty architecture and ornament. The ladies all were seated in the gallery & the gentlemen with hats on immediately below being the central part with seats from the center of this arose the pulpit which was situated about 4 ft above the floor In this stood a reverend old gentleman with a broad beaver reading hebrew through his nose with a most lugubrious sound. His congregation were laughing and talking - the ladies doubtless chit-chatting of little occurrences, trusting entirely to the holiness of the minister to carry on the service. I remained long enough to admire their building and to form an opinion of their worship & cleared out.
We are now in the midst of Court Martial - one is now sitting of which I am a member - trying whole panel of deserters & other offenders against military law. This will be in session about a week & then a court of inquiry will assemble to which I have to act as Recorder. This will be a most disagreeable & laborious duty on account of its being to investigate the conduct of a brother officer with regard to certain transactions in Florida three years ago.
I am getting into a habit of writing very fast - do you find any difficulty in deciphering - if so I'll take pains to write plainer which I can do by taking time. Not long since I took a notion into my head that I could paint. I went to the city & laid in a full set of artists equipments, prepared my studio and without any instructions whatever have finished a couple of landscapes and faces which they tell [?]e are very good. I have great love for painting and find that sometimes I am so fascinated that it amounts to pain to lay down the brush, placing me in doubt whether I had better stop now before it swallows all attention to the neglect of my duties and discard it altogether or keep on - what would you advise?
Why do you ask as to my correspondence at Lancaster - they are so few at present, more especially thus you may be surprised to hear that for the past three months no one beside yourself and mother have written to me. Phil was my principal correspondent. He has not written for a long while - either engaged in politics or professional business.
Give my love to your father & mother, whom you may tell that I am all anxiety to receive the promised letters - For your expressions of kindness for my present and future welfare I am far more grateful than you are disposed to credit. Yours are written without any affectation of regard speaking truth and sincerity which I feel very much. I seldom lay down your letters without a second and sometimes a third perusal - In many places you so that I cannot but understand your meaning for instance to exclude me from you all by speaking of the "defeat of our party" True I care not for either party to prepare myself for a useful member of this profession which has in the course of events fallen to my lot is my chief duty & far more agreeable than to array myself under the banners of Party which is the veriest Tyranny known to man - Yet I feel so great an interest in the welfare and interests of your father and friends that all my feelings them, causing me at all times to advocate that party to which he belongs without pretending to study either the principles of it or the success or defeat it may meet.
Neither do I regard myself a perfect heathen in religious matters but as one who assumes he cannot fathom the mysteries of many Christian institution but endeavors to strict adherence to honesty & the general rules of morality - pretty safe guide board to the Destination. Whether I will ever be inspired with clearer powers to discern or more faith to believe, I know not but will have to leave it to its proper time.
The night is now far advanced and you doubtless think. I had better stop. I hope that Bub Charley & Sis have ere this recovered. And let me recommend to your father a Southern climate for that head complaint you mention. A trip to the Havannah would cure it for certain, & should you pass this way I would go with you. Don't think this Quixotic.
Good night Yours truly
W. T. Sherman
[WTS]
Fort Moultrie S. Carolina
November 28 1842
[1842/11/28]
Dear Ellen
[EES]
It is now near midnight, the winds are howling terribly, the surf roars as it dashes against the ramparts, threatening the insecure foundation upon which we stand - just such a night as our friend Bos would depict for the villain's prowl, and I have selected such a time for answering your letter - Why? A bright fire is on my hearth and my fancy is regaled with the picture of your bright smile as you penned the may little sarcasms that are now before me - poor me - spare me - but score it onto the young fellows about you who seem to be so deficient in gallantry - I have no pretentions on that score or else would be tempted to set forth at once for Ohio to sigh with you and serve you as a faithful knight - but I forget that Mary keeps me back, and should I adopt your suggestion to bring her with me she might have objections to my good intentions - In this dilemma I must like the good Ottoman smoke a cloud from which the spirits may ascend to guide my steps and direct my failing sight. The very next time I go to the city I intend asking those questions about the whys and wherefores you propose - to her whose name you always - what her decision will be I know not but presume she will agree with me that it depends altogether upon circumstances - All must feel the want of one friend who will stand firm so long as life lasts - men seek the comforts, the delicate attentions and affections which women alone can bestow, whilst she the protection which nature teaches her to look for from the harsher part of creation. Yet society is so constituted that the feeling and promptings of nature are drowned by other considerations as potent, and very few are so situated as to act freely and unrestrainedly - The lady must select from her admirers whilst the gentleman is bound to provide all the materials, the property and so forth for their united maintenance and comforts. Thus society often prevents marriage altogether, if not by positive rules by circumstances not to be avoided. Such I regard mine and accordingly shall act.
The Army is a first rate place for the single man but no place at all for one that is married unless the wife is willing to forsake home and often even the comforts of civilized life.
But what am I about - actually discussing a matter upon which I look as an axiom and taking up space that may be more usefully employed.
On Sullivan's Island we have no church whatever. Charleston is near with its churches of every denomination, but our custom requires on Sunday forenoon a thorough inspection of the quarter's clothing, arms and accoutrements of our men by the Colonel & this usually takes from 9 to 12 A.M. making it impossible to take advantage of invitations for almost every congregation to
Lt. Ayres & I went up one morning after inspection in the Barge and entered the church just before the sermon closed & had to take the parting benediction alone for our share. Last Sunday however for the first time this fall I spent in the city went to the Presbyterian Church I must confess to sit with her and felt peculiarly devout. A Catholic Priest comes down to the Fort sometimes to preach to our men most of whom are foreigners & Catholics. His sermons are very good but limited to the capacity of his audience and therefore not inviting to us. I sometimes go to hear him. This you see answers your questions. I can say little else than that to be a soldier and a regular professional Christian is somewhat incompatible.
The Jews have a most beautiful synagogue in Charlestown Passing there one Saturday morning (their Sunday) and seeing it illuminated I entered. Sanctimoniously with cap on and a most gorgeous sight presented itself. A most magnificent chandelier, with other lights properly distributed light up the interior, which cannot easily be excelled in tasty architecture and ornament. The ladies all were seated in the gallery & the gentlemen with hats on immediately below being the central part with seats from the center of this arose the pulpit which was situated about 4 ft above the floor In this stood a reverend old gentleman with a broad beaver reading hebrew through his nose with a most lugubrious sound. His congregation were laughing and talking - the ladies doubtless chit-chatting of little occurrences, trusting entirely to the holiness of the minister to carry on the service. I remained long enough to admire their building and to form an opinion of their worship & cleared out.
We are now in the midst of Court Martial - one is now sitting of which I am a member - trying whole panel of deserters & other offenders against military law. This will be in session about a week & then a court of inquiry will assemble to which I have to act as Recorder. This will be a most disagreeable & laborious duty on account of its being to investigate the conduct of a brother officer with regard to certain transactions in Florida three years ago.
I am getting into a habit of writing very fast - do you find any difficulty in deciphering - if so I'll take pains to write plainer which I can do by taking time. Not long since I took a notion into my head that I could paint. I went to the city & laid in a full set of artists equipments, prepared my studio and without any instructions whatever have finished a couple of landscapes and faces which they tell me are very good. I have great love for painting and find that sometimes I am so fascinated that it amounts to pain to lay down the brush, placing me in doubt whether I had better stop now before it swallows all attention to the neglect of my duties and discard it altogether or keep on - what would you advise?
Why do you ask as to my correspondence at Lancaster - they are so few at present, more especially thus you may be surprised to hear that for the past three months no one beside yourself and mother have written to me. Phil was my principal correspondent. He has not written for a long while - either engaged in politics or professional business.
Give my love to your father & mother, whom you may tell that I am all anxiety to receive the promised letters - For your expressions of kindness for my present and future welfare I am far more grateful than you are disposed to credit. Yours are written without any affectation of regard speaking truth and sincerity which I feel very much. I seldom lay down your letters without a second and sometimes a third perusal - In many places you so that I cannot but understand your meaning for to exclude me from you all by speaking of the "defeat of our party" True I care not for either party to prepare myself for a useful member of this profession which has in the course of events fallen to my lot is my chief duty & far more agreeable than to array myself under the banners of Party which is the veriest Tyranny known to man - Yet I feel so great an interest in the welfare and interests of your father and friends that all my feelings them, causing me at all times to advocate that party to which he belongs without pretending to study either the principles of it or the success or defeat it may meet.
Neither do I regard myself a perfect heathen in religious matters but as one who assumes he cannot fathom the mysteries of many Christian institution but endeavors to strict adherence to honesty & the general rules of morality - pretty safe guide board to the Destination. Whether I will ever be inspired with clearer powers to discern or more faith to I know not but will have to leave it to its proper time.
The night is now far advanced and you doubtless think I had better stop. I hope that Bub Charley & Sis have ere this recovered. And let me recommend to your father a Southern climate for that head complaint you mention. A trip to the Havannah would cure it for certain, & should you pass this way I would go with you. Don't think this Quixotic.
Good night Yours truly
W. T. Sherman
[WTS]