San Francisco, California
March 5, 1849
[1849/03/05]
My Dearest Ellen,
[EES]
The Steamer California arrived at Monterey on the 23 of February and has turned us all crazy. I received a good lot of letters, yours and Phil's from May till December last. You can hardly imagine the effect of this arrival upon us poor devils out here who for years had received scarce a letter once in six months. Until this arrival I had not heard from you or any of my correspondents for a whole year. Merchant Ships would not bring letters lest they might convey mercantile intelligences, and there is now no doubt that many a mail bag was cast into the sea - indeed a man of war picked up a letter for me floating in the Pacific Ocean. But at last a Regular mail has come and we begin to feel better. Still the Steamer is here, out of coal and all her hands have gone to the Gold Mines so that it is doubtful whether she will return for a long while. An opportunity now offers to send to San Blas Mexico, from which place letters may cross to Vera Cruz and thence to the U.S. -- When the Steamer arrived at Monterey I was Adt Genl to Col. Mason, and living most comfortably in the family of Dona Augustias. When Gen. Smith arrived he offered to take me as his staff officer. I preferred being ordered to the U.S. but he said he could not do so for the present. So I stay as his adt Genl. Headqrs at San Francisco. I did not like to leave Monterey but it was to my interest to come with General Smith and here I am. How long I am to stay no one knows - the Adt General at Washington writes in Oct. last that the Artillery Company will be relieved in the course of 18 months. That settles the question and I have really little or no hopes of ever getting back. I would resign but it would take two years to conduct the correspondence, and by that time the favorable chance will have passed. This Country is worse than ever -- a house cannot be rented here for any price, and men will not hire for twenty times the wages of any other country on earth. I really don't see how our officers can stand it much longer. I'll make great efforts to get away when the 2nd Infantry arrives in May. I will then try and go to the Gold Mines myself. I have already been there twice with Col. Mason to gather information, and I see by the newspapers that that information has turned half the U. S. crazy. There is no doubt that Gold exists in great abundance in California, that fortunes have been made and are now making, but these will be less as the number of competitors increases. I am glad to hear that ships are coming out with some clothing &c I am out and cant afford to pay the exorbitant prices now charged. I suppose you have received but few letters from me of late, few opportunities have occurred, and there is now no doubt that mail bags have been cast into the sea lest they should carry news that would affect the interests of merchants here. I cant describe my feelings at your sad letters. I must come home to see you this year and will make every sacrifice to accomplish it, but the Govt have got us bound tighter than slaves - I am not alone but every officer in Califa is like situated. Some are worse off than I am. Col. Mason will be relieved as soon as Gen. Riley gets here, and I am in hopes that I will be permitted to accompany him to Washington.
As soon as the mail steamers get in operation if ever that is accomplished I will write more frequently. Though my hopes in life are al destroyed, my love for you has never abated, never waned in the least and upon it you may constantly rely.
Most sincerely
W. T. Sherman
[WTS]
(On outside of letter) Miss Ellen B. Ewing Lancaster Ohio United States, North America (Stamped) VERA CRUZ April 7 NEW ORLEANS May 7
Mansfield Ohio
March 27, 1850
[1850/03/27]
My Dearest Ellen,
[EES]
This morning I feel so much better that I think I should write with more confidence yet will I be prudent and wait one or two days more till the Doctor says I may take exercise on horseback, something to give an appetite and invigorate the system. I am too thin, and weak in proportion, so that I will have to gormandize a little to fill up the volume of a man at least before I publicly assume the high trust of your Guardian & Master. I will not promise to be the kindest hearted, loving man in the world, nor will I profess myself a Bluebeard, as there is a wide medium in which the contented happy world moves on, and so will profess contentment and joy - All I believe is that if health be given us, and that love and mutual confidence which I trust we both deeply feel continue, we stand as fair a change for a slight share of worldly contentment and happiness. I know we can plan a pleasant Summer tour, and during that time may fully discuss and digest the plans for the future, and I do not know but that in the uncertainty of our destiny there be not more true happiness than to be bound down to a certainty. Our hands are not tied and we are at liberty to choose one of a variety of starts on the journey of life, and though our vision extend not far along the avenue, we can form some idea of its character and make a good guess. Therefore I hope you will not urge me to resign, but freely in your heart consent to let me hold on till the time arrive when I am compelled to act. Now I am as free to go and come as though I wore not Uncle Sam's livery, and when the 1st day of September come, if a fair prospect present itself of living in competence elsewhere then I shall resign, but should it be prudent to wait one or two years, you shall be convinced of its propriety, and assured that it is but a suspense, not a change of purpose. You shall be my Adjutant & Chief Counsellor, and I'll show you how to steer clear of the real and imaginary troubles of this world. Only be contented, happy and repose proper trust in me, and I think when the time comes for us to part, which I hope will be many a year hence, we will look back upon a fair and goodly prospect. At all events let us live in that hope. Yesterday I got no letter - but today shall expect one. Mine have been daily of late, but I think you will think me too much of a scribler if I go on thus, and therefore think I shall drop a day occasionally should don't get alarmed at all at all.
I prefer two Groom's men Bride's maid. I fear Cousin Augusta* can not come, having no one to escort her, but if she can she will. You may invite her. I haven't heard of Ord. I have plenty of people who will come from a distance if necessary - and can raise a dozen in no time. So don't be uneasy - we can have plenty of male attendance.
Yours ever
Sherman
[WTS]
(on outside) Miss Ellen B. Ewing Washington, D. C. Augusta - "Gussie" Hoyt - of New York - W. T. Shermans Cousin
Mansfield Ohio
March 29, 1850 - Friday
[1850/03/29]
My Dearest
[EES]
Last evening I received your letter of Saturday written in so much better spirits that I feel cheered by it. For myself I feel gradually, steadily improving, indeed yesterday I rode horseback across to Susans, up to John's new house and round about for a mile. The Doctor says the exercise is good i not too violent, for you will be pleased to hear that he has long since ceased to prescribe for my lungs, but says my tongue, appearance & symptoms indicate Mexican Dysentery. Now that disease was very bad in California, but I never for one moment was troubled by it and it is possible that the poison may have entered my system and lingered there till now. I shall exercise daily some, but as long as I employ Dr. Barbour shall follow minutely his prescriptions, though all here tell me that he is famous for giving medicine and keeping his patients down. He gives me a great many little doses of tasteless stuff, but very exact as to time. Among these are not your favorite oil*, over the administration of which you linger with a species of pleasure, not unlike the wine bibber. Now the bottle I have is not pleasant to the taste, but in my ignorance I adopted a simple plan viz. pour out a tablespoon full, swallow it just so, and take a swallow of cough mixture afterward. Your plan is doubtless better and should I renew the doses will follow your advice, and you need not fear that I will give the Doctors here a hint as to the improved mode. The Doctor discontinued the use of the oil about six days ago, but said it might be wise for me to resume taking it a soon as my other complaint was sufficiently abated. Now Ellen Dearest you have all the case up to this moment, and I assure you that were it not for the deep heartfelt anxiety evinced in your letters I should not trouble you this much in detailing bodily ills. I trust and believe they are leaving me, at least, I now say let us be married the First of May. I have always rejoiced to see the flowers bloom, and nature put off her gray morose garment for the brighter one of Spring. The day is peculiarly appropriate, for we can unite our day of joy with all nature, and will have all her beauties to cheer us in the Journey proposed - As to tour that, one of convenience for you - To start for Baltimore that same afternoon too is good - Thence to Phila - then New York, West Point, Falls of Niagara, Mansfield, Urbanna, Lancaster & Hocking. With all those places stacked with mutual friends we can manage to pass off a few months, without hurrying ourselves with the details of the Grand future, which nor you, nor I, nor any one can see far enough to arrange. The present is ours. Let us make the most of it -- Bridesmaids two or three as you please - Ere this I suppose Gussie has told you whether she could come; if she do Miss Goddard of course. Her society would be most agreeable all the way home - Invite her now to join the party - say if necessary that I insist upon it, and will see that she reach Zanesville safe, well and properly attended. I have not heard from Ord - his course in life is exceedingly executive, and I doubt much if he will be in Washington - had I told him that I was to be married in May he would have made it a point to be there at great sacrifice which I would not like him to incur. I have written him that if he can conveniently be in Washington then he can render me a special service. I expect to hear from him in time, but should I not I have other very particular friends within call, who would quickly obey the call. One is* Hardie at New London, the Catholic and therefore to him you will not object - another is Capt Brown now at New Port Rhode Island an old esteemed friend, and handsome, at least was so when I last parted with him in 1846. Either of these would come in a minute's notice. So in your arrangements you need not fear a good group. Think well of it and let me know the number. Tom as a matter of course accompanies us, but whether I should not have two officers to back me in so awful a danger is a question I now throw out for your deliberate investigation and answer. We must not invite many to be present. I cannot call to mind more than six or eight gentlemen that I feel inclined to ask, but those are subordinate arrangements which can be made when we meet. which must be ten days before the time appointed.
I received a letter from Phil last evening in which he says they expect me soon in Lancaster, but mentions from his letters he infers that I have been summoned to Washington earlier than I seemed to have first thought when I wrote to him about the Hocking trip. I shall write to him tomorrow saying that for the present I cannot come to L. at all, but that we shall make him a long visit in May and June. - - Again for myself - I don't like the stage route from here to Cumberland - six days & nights, jammed nine in a small coach, mulattos, loafers, women & children. No, you must not come West that way, nor do I propose to go East that way, but thus, Leave here in the Cars to the Lake, thence to Buffalo, Albany and New York. Then I shall consult the best physician in the City as to whether I am in a fit state of health to marry. If I have time I shall then visit New London and New Port, then return to New York, Philadelphia & Washington where I propose to meet you about the 20 of April. We can then conclude definitely all things. When I can disappear and return when wanted. This is better than coming direct to Washington, and then going to Phila. I shall endeavor to start from here about the 4th of April. So cease writing to Mansfield, but have two long letters for me at New York by the 8th of April - direct as heretofore care of Charles Hoyt, Wall Street, N.Y. When in New York I shall get me a plain suit of dress clothes, to be married as any plain citizen - I shd prefer the jingle and style military, but think best to doff it. Should you want anything there let me know. If Gussie Hoyt select your dresses you'll be a queen indeed, for she won't take second best. Don't get too much baggage, at least be prepared to travel with two trunks at most. If it be a customary to make presents to the Bridesmaid before marriage, select yourself or write to me to New York - but you must tell me exactly what to get. Let us be liberal but not extravagant, and thus I trust we may ever be. Do press upon Miss Goddard to come out with us, it will be so pleasant for us four* to make so grand a journey - the mere thought of it makes the blood circulate more freely. The time is drawing nigh for the mail to close and I want this to get to you quick, that you may see that no urging is needed if nature imposes no impediment. An earlier day is not insisted on by me only because I want a pleasant time for our trip out, and I think we shall have it. I shall receive and write you up to my day of starting which no human being yet suspects, and in this time may fill up the programme, but the foregoing two sheets I trust will be acceptable to her to secure whose happiness is now my chief and only aim.
Yours
W. T. S.
[WTS]