Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I wrote you quite a long letter this morning and forgot to tell you what house it is that I have rented. It is the house Dr. White occupies at present. He is going into the country but as that life is yet to be tried with him he may want his house again at the end of the year. But as I do not look forward to more than a years residence in any one place it suits me better to rent for a year only. We will have comfortable healthy sleeping rooms and the furniture I have in this house will furnish them well enough. If I have no money for parlor carpets I can go without. The rooms are handsome, the wood work is so finished that they want but little furniture. The yard tho' not large is shady and pleasant and the walking to church to mother's and to the market is paved and good. Jan. 17. My rooms are in such constant use dearest Cump that I may say I am always surrounded by the children in winter time consequently the frequent interruptions and the careless style of my letters. Now I have got over my heart ache about your low spirits and I want to write to you on business. You have several times said to me lately that if you had anything to do here you would come back. In any times salt must sell and Father has recently put ten thousand dollars improvement on the Chauncey works - $10,000 - he told me that himself some weeks before he left home. Boyle does not expect to go down there. John Lynch is very anxious to lease them of Father. He told Sis when she was there that he would certainly make a fortune off of them if he got them. He has been to Washington to see Father about them but they have not made a bargain because I presume Father thinks you may take them. I let Father know what you said about them. I wish you would offer to take them for such a length of time and either pay Father a cash rent or part of the profits. You & Lynch could take them together. Philemon says it would be a money making thing for you either with Lynch or without him. We can curtail expenses greatly & be happy together yet. - - - It is thought now that Chase will go into the Cabinet and John Sherman into the Senate. John can easily procure you a high position in the Army if you desire it. - - - Fanny Sherman has her third daughter which she calls ‘Cecelia’ - I see a “reign of terror” is predicted in St. Louis - Charley and John Hunter have gone down in troubled times. All well but Lizzie - She is too deaf to go to school but she reads to me two or three times a day. I am constantly expecting you home. As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
I have written you very frequently of late but really your letters make me feel so unhappy that I must relieve myself in that way even at the risk of boring you with frequent repetitions. I wrote you this morning on the subject of renting or leasing the Salt Works. I hope you will think favorably of it. I am distressed that you are so desponding in regard to your own health but I will hope that your depression of spirits from other causes gives you this gloomy opinion of your own health. This evening I received your letter of the 5th and I hasten to relieve your mind of part of the dread that my heavy expenses inspire you with. A part of Doctor White's house is rented to Dr. Miller. If I let him keep the two rooms that he now occupies my rent will be one hundred & fifty - $150 — 00. If he keeps only one room my rent will be one hundred & eighty $180-00. Since you have such a horror of my incurring heavy expenses I will let Dr. White know tomorrow, that Dr. Miller can have both rooms. I will not put a rag of any kind of carpet on the floor of the parlors nor on any other rooms except so far as the carpets I have now will cover them. I will buy no furniture & the cost of moving will not be much. Those two notes that I got of Father some time ago are payable in St. Louis in May and if starvation stares us in the face we cannot do better than use that. If they do not pay it (which I do not apprehend) you can make enough, if you take the Chauncey works to keep us in bread & shoes. In the mean time I have my supply of flour for all winter, & until April, paid for. I have all my groceries - sugar, coffee, beans, candles, lard, &c. (for a long time ahead) paid for. My fuel, is paid for. My house rent to Mr. Martin is paid within twenty five dollars $25.00 which is all I will owe him next April when I leave & when some one else takes the house from him. I settled with him today, & that is the clear understanding, the house having been rented, some time since for the first of April. To butcher, baker, grocer, merchant, shoe-maker, dress maker, or tradesman of any kind I owe not a single dollar, with the exception of fifteen($15.) dollars to Henry Hunter. My wages to the girls are nearly all paid up and I have a little money left for necessaries in the Bank. I was amazed at the extent of my own indebtedness when I went round to pay up my bills. At one time, for instance for new grates to kitchen stove - wash tub & wash board - $8. At another time for cans for fruit for tin coffee pot for mending and for soldering cans $11. Shoes & little boots charged at one or two shoe stores - a bonnet or two at the milliners small charges at a grocers &c. all running up to an enormous whole. But one thing I must say in explanation I spent much more for clothing than I need to have done, in the fall, because I thought I was going away. The children & I all have an abundant supply of every thing & I cannot look forward to any expenditure that will be at all necessary in dress even next Summer except for shoes & hats. Bonnets the girls have & I will not need until fall - 'even then I can go without if I have not the money. So I hope you will not feel too much oppressed by the burden of a large family. Could I have foreseen your loss of salary I might have economised & I am willing to do it now. I am suffering miserably from rheumatism & am far from well otherwise but I manage to get the fresh air every day - Don't you think Capt. Anderson failed in duty when he suffered the “Star of the West” to be fired into without returning the fire upon Moultrie? Do come home- Yours as ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have for several days been most anxiously ex-pecting a letter from you and I must own that when the girl returned from the post office without one yesterday I felt very uneasy. I really think you are in some danger of bodily harm and I heartily wish you were safe in Ohio or some other state where the people are sane & not traitors to the best of Governments. Your name would condemn you in a crowd of excited people there. I shall not feel free from apprehension until I see you safe home & I do hope you will soon be here. I have not sent you a paper for a long time because you never told me whether you had received those I did send & I thought that in case of any excitement springing up against you they would be used to your predjudice. What do you think of Capt. Anderson's conduct of Sumpter when the rebels fired into the Star of the West when sailing under the flag of the Union? I think people have been premature in lauding him as a Patriot as he has done nothing yet but protect himself - What any woman would try to do. He may be true to the country which has educated & supported him but his fidelity remains to be proven. I think the Army & Navy Officers have disgraced their calling in this first emergency of the government which has hitherto maintained them. Gen. Scott stands nobly to the flag & he for one will redeem the Army & protect the honor of his country. I venerate him. John Sherman has made another speech which is called by some ultra - I go with it heart & soul, If we have a government it should be sustained and if we have not power to punish traitors we have no government & may as well yield at once to the many headed monster king the mob. — John Lynch has been on to see Father about the Salt works but they have not yet agreed upon terms. I think Father is holding off for you. One of Father's cases will probably be up about the tenth of March & he thinks he may remain for it. Tom Ewing writes that he will be through here on his way east in a week or two. Tom can't keep out of Washington. The children are all well but Lizzie & she is so weak that she faints in the mornings if obliged to exert herself, yet she is very active & stirring through the day. Willy takes the deepest interest in his school & is improving fast he spells remarkably well. Tommy is growing tall & is a better boy than he used to be. I think if the transportation of those barrels cost so little you had better send them back. Your new shoes are in the barrel. All send love to dear Papa. Ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I, yesterday evening, received your letters of the 8th and the 16th inst. I hasten to reply to both. In the first place as to any occupation for you here - I will make every effort in my power to find one both congenial and profitable. You wrote me some weeks ago that you would take the Salt Works if Boyle was not going there. I told you that Lynch had been anxious to lease them. He has just been on to Washington to see Father about it. Father writes to me under date of 23rd inst. that he did not lease to Lynch - so you can if you desire make a contract with him as a stranger when you would be better content than taking it in any other way. I will send you Father's letter but must say at the same time that Boyle has no desire to go down Hocking. Philemon says that Boyle is not fit for the business but he feels confident that you could make money at it. So much for that. You said also in a former letter that “if the worst came to the worst you would take the farm and pitch in for bread and butter.” I am willing to live there on the bread & butter chickens & eggs of our own raising. The fruit will bear this year should it be a favorable season & you would scarcely credit the sum Rainey made off his peaches last Summer. He has sold his entire wine crop of this year to one house in New York for fifteen hundred dollars. He sent in a sample & they ordered it all in March before it undergoes the second fermentation. So much for that - Now I have for some time past been convinced that you will never be happy in this world unless you go into the Army again. I have believed that John Sherman both could and would procure for you a high position either in some new regiment or in the place of some one resigned. Gen. Scott is high in favor and influence in Washington. John has always been a devoted friend of his & they will get you a high position before many months have passed - if you are willing to accept it - John wrote to Boyle that he had already spoken to Gen. Scott on the subject. So much for that. Now I will enquire and do all that lies in my power to ascertain whether anything else offers by which you may find occupation without being seperated from your family. I will own that I am the less reluctant to have you go into the Army again because I believe that if war should rage you will be impatient of any other employment & join some volunteer regiment. I am proud and happy in the knowledge that you have so promptly declared your disapproval of their rebellion & that you have so distinctly announced your opinion & position in the terrible state of affairs. The Government is weak only because Mr. Buchanan is weak. If Jackson had been in his place the Government would have been strong enough & the rebels weak enough by this time - Major Turner was educated & supported by Government for years of his life & in her first emergency he is ready not only to turn his back on her but to turn the knowledge & the arms she has given him against her. Were I a man in firm health he & I would fight together - not side by side but face to face. What a cause to fight for!- for freemen to desert their Government & betray their Country for - Slavery! and when no one has any power or any intention to interfere with it, where it already exists. They do not make it more secure by quarreling with us. Their evil deeds will be visited upon their own heads and without our interference. Then they will call upon us for help and not until then can I sympathise with them in the least. When they call upon us to help them put down their own slaves who will rise against them as wild beasts we will in the name of humanity respond to their call. I received the draft you sent for $29.05 cts. which I will deposit to my credit to-day. You want to know what I have done with the $500. balance on the California money. You say you are entitled to that much confidence. My bank book by receipted bills my notes and every thing else that is mine is at all times ready for your inspection & if I withold any confidence ever it is that you may not be worried or that I may not seem to thwart your inclinations. You say if I have “made up my mind to remain in L. no matter what fate attends you, you ought to know it”. To one who has within the last ten years gone with you to St. Louis, New Orleans, San Francisco & Leavenworth & during that time has had to endure the sickness & pain of bearing & giving birth to five children this is rather unkind. I will not give the insinuation the weight of a serious accusation by denying it. When you first went South - a year ago last October you wrote to me from St. Louis that you found men's minds greatly inflamed by politics - you said the Southern people were “greater fools than the abolitionists” “even sensible men like Turner.” You then said distinctly that you “would not be surprised by a rupture between the North & South & should it occur you would go with the North of course.” From that day I have looked upon your situation there as temporary & recent events have for some time confirmed me in that belief. I thought that if I went there we would not stay many years. I knew that the people there were rich & that the salary they gave you would not enable you to live well there: consequently I felt that I would never contribute more than by pew rent to their church there. looking Looking upon this Cal. money as my own & as something that you disclaimed entirely I felt that I had a right to use it according to my own judgement. I gave $250. towards the new church and the rest of the $500. remained to my credit in the Bank until it was gradually drawn out for family expenses. You want my confidence & you shall have it. About ten days ago I got Philemon to figure up my Bank account & I will give it to you with some extra figureing of my own - -- Since I came from Leavenworth in March 1859 - I have had deposited to my credit $ 7061.14 of this Father got $ 3000.00 “ ” you got $ 500.00 “ ” The Church $ 250.00 “ ” Charley $ 100.00 You also got of this at different dates as I will set them down now from my bank book. March 19th $50 - Draft Jno Sherman $6.06 August 1st - 1859 $100. Sent to Leavenworth to different parties there - $31.85 cts & $20.23 cts August 29th $25 - Sept. 7th - $50 - - - You can make out how much in all this is just as I find it in my bank book - - Of this money I find deposits from you since November '59 - According to my figures I have spent on myself & family since March '59 $2,828.00 With this I have furnished house paid house rent wages Doctor bills bought fuel groceries provisions of all sorts & had the best and clothed the family of six. As I told you in a former letter I have no bills unpaid & but little money. I have spent much more than necessary for I prepared my wardrobe for a long time South. In many ways I can retrench & still be comfortable. When I said you had not supplied me liberally what I meant to express was this that you might think me extravagant in calling so often for money but considering my proportion of the family my share of your salary had not been so great - I have got more from you than I had supposed. Yesterday was Minnie's birthday & she wrote to you. $ 80.00 700 " 101 " 201 " 100.50 " 100 " 118.19 " 234.25 " 100 " 100 " 290 " 293 " ________ All well,
Ellen.
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
You said in your last letter, but one, that you wanted me to write to you often as the mails were very irregular. Minnie wrote to you on Monday, I wrote on Tuesday and to-day Thursday I will give you a short letter. In my last I gave you an account of my receipts and expenditures since March '59. I hope I made an intelligible statement. The deposit of Cal. money was made after I lifted Boyle's note &c. for $1700. Father will be home on Saturday, and I will then get him to secure my last loan by the mortgage on the farm. It is probable that Father may be appointed one of the Commissioners of the State to meet others from the different border States in Washington on the 4th of February in which case he will be telegraphed to remain in Washington & will not be home so soon - We are all talking a great deal about your return and although I do not really expect you before March I would not be surprised to hear from you by telegraph from Cincinnati, any day- And I can assure you I would not be sorry. When I wrote you that I had but little money left I should have added that I have sufficient for necessary expenses until the first of April. I must remind you again of my St. Louis notes due the 14th of May - Notes for over $1900, the interest of which I might certainly be allowed to spend should I need it. I feel no apprehension about any of those St. Louis notes and Philemon, who croaks enough, says there is no danger of their not being paid. Did you get my letter in which I told you the rent of the White house was $150. Dr. Miller merely has those rooms as office & sleeping room and boards elsewhere & has no privilege of going into the yard. One thing is certain, if I have not the money to buy them I will have no carpets nor any extra furniture. I have three carpets here, that will do there and we can get along without more if times are hard. I need no clothing either for myself or the children for next Summer except shoes & hats. The girls have a supply of bonnets and I have a full wardrobe of everything I want. Lizzie's health is improving. The weather is fine & she gets out more than she did. Her cold has left her lungs and her hearing has somewhat improved. Minnie & the boys grow very fast. Tommy and Willy are as hearty and strong as young Indians. Willy goes regularly to school and takes great interest in his studies. He does little sums in addition whenever he can get a scrap of paper & he is constantly getting me to hear him & Minnie spell when he often beats her. He has learned to skate quite well, and Tommy is jealous of the accomplishment. He will have to learn next winter. Elly can hold her own with the whole of them and in their plays her voice can be heard as often as any. - All the ice-houses are filled and we are ready to see the frosts of winter leave us - yet they still remain. As ever -
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
As you told me to write to you until I heard that you were actually on your way home I will continue to write, though believing that my letters will not reach you. Indeed I cannot think that you are remaining there and by your presence even lending countenance to treason notwithstanding your protest & your official declaration that you could not coincide with them I cannot feel comfortable on the score of honor & duty to know that you are remaining. Officially, they have stolen whatever they could lay their hands on - officially- they are not likely to discharge their honest debts. Even if they were could it not be sent to you? I am constantly expecting a dispatch from you informing me that you are on your way home. I trust I may not have much longer to wait. The weather is bright and beautiful and Lizzie and I are improving in health. Minnie & Willy are very constant in their attendance at school and they are really improving, Minnie is very ambitious to read well. Day after tomorrow will be your birthday when she intends to write to you again. Father is still in Washington having been detained as one of the commissioners to meet the commissioners from the border southern states. I think they can accomplish nothing. The South demand so much that I should be sorry to see the North agree to anything that could satisfy them - We have done nothing wrong & I can see no grounds for compromise or concession on our part & I sincerely hope none will be made. I am shocked & disgusted with Major Turner - A catholic should be governed somewhat by the fact that the Church has always treated Slavery as an evil which should be abolished by wise & moderate means. It is hard to think that freemen can take up arms against their country for the sake of an institution like that - when it is threatened by a handful only, of fanatics - that could sacrifice country & honor for the privilege of whipping negro wenches - I can't look on them in any kind of favorable light. I used to dislike the Abolitionists but their folly sinks into insignificance when compared with the treason of the South. I hope you will never receive this scrawl - I look for you anxiously - As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
[WTS]
I cannot describe to you my dearest dearest Cump my sense of desolation & loneliness since parting with you yesterday. Were it not for the children I could not remain where I am but would have to follow you. Although I am anxious for you to have an honorable & distinguished position in the present hour of our Country's peril yet with strange inconsistency I hope for your return to the peaceful calm life we had just begun and which I had hoped would be so happy - happier as the years past on and we gradually got into the way of living which best suits our tastes and the children's wants. A home in the suburbs with some yard & shrubbery about us and all the advantages of the City at our command too; your pleasant acquaintances whose society you so much enjoy and all the conveniences for the practice of my religion for me in which I have an abiding hope that you may one day join. I shall await news from you with the greatest anxiety - so great indeed, for the future that I almost forget my present necessities & the near approach of that hour which is to increase my troubles and cares & prostrate me for a time. As yet I have done nothing towards packing, nor will I do so until I hear from you. I have concluded however that if I do go home, I will leave almost all of my furniture in store here with Lem Patterson and then should I be able to take the older children to some City which would be near you, in the fall, they could resume their studies at good schools and I could have my furniture at little cost and we could furnish temporary quarters and be comfortable at little expense. I shall not be happy until I see you again and in any event I must have that happiness if for only a short time before the long winter comes on. But I cannot feel that you will not return & I know not what to think or what to write. I have been where only consolation can be found when I am in trouble & distress - to church - and I have most earnestly prayed my beloved husband that your life so precious to your family may be spared many a long year and that when you are called away you may be blessed with that faith in our Savior which will induce you to call upon Him for mercy and save your soul. The children are getting ready to go to Mrs. Barretts We had dinner at one o'clock. Willy had your sword out marching before breakfast this morning. I have since put it away. - With every prayer for your safety & with all the hope & love of my heart I am As ever your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Do write often if you do not come back?
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I wrote you day before yesterday and the same afternoon recd your letter of the 23rd. I sincerely hope John may be able to do something towards getting Charley reinstated as Captain in your Regiment. Will you ever take command of the Regiment? or does your present position advance your rank & remove you permanently from the Regiment? After Gen. Scott has had you there awhile he will want to keep you near him. I will not be surprised if you remain permanently in Washington leaving there occasionally to join in some engagement with the enemy from which you must return victorious. I have made up my mind that there is no possibility of defeat for our Government troops and I will not for an instant admit the thought that you will not be among the most fortunate of them all. I have taken ostensible charge of things here & Mother has moved up stairs and given me her room. I will go to no expense but take things as I can get them and it may be that in the fall we will be so situated that I can take boarding in some City suburbs near you and have the children at good schools again. I will not unpack all of my furniture when it comes but will leave it in the lower vacant room at the office. We all get along nicely here with what we have although there are a good many of us. Henrietta & the children & nurses, Henrietta seems more cheerful than we expected to find her- I hope you will be able to see her friends occasionally. They notice any attention now, particularly that they are in affliction. They must feel badly about Wash & the rest of the family south as they cannot hear from them often. I hope you will write to me often Cump, as you know how great my anxiety must be to hear from you. Yesterday I recd your telegram about the saddle. I replied that I had telegraphed Lem Patterson on Saturday & again that day. I made a mistake - it was not on Saturday but on Monday that I got your letter & telegraphed him to forward trunk and saddle to your address. I wrote to him too, and yesterday morning after receiving your telegram I dispatched him again, so there can be little doubt but you will get it soon & I hope in time. - Elly was very sick yesterday but she is today much better & I am in hopes she is over the worst of her sickness. I replied that all were well in telegraphing you because I thought her fever was from her teeth & would soon pass off. In another week I suppose I shall be over my trial and I trust we shall as heretofore be blessed with healthy offspring. Indeed I have my own notion that the child is a strong big raw boned boy - if so I will call it Charley & I intend to tell Taylor he must take half the compliment to himself. It would do you good to see the children enjoying the liberty of the yard & the ripe fruits - they live out doors & trouble no one. Lizzie was very uneasy after I got your dispatch yesterday. She feared it indicated preparations for war. She hung round me for several hours in a state of nervous excitement & finally said she “did not believe they could take Washington if they tried.” I told her with a very confident air that I only “wished they would try it I wanted to see them whipped,” when she seemed somewhat consoled. She & Minnie went up stairs & said the beads for you. Willy & Tommy boast that no Southerner will get Papa's sword that “Papa will die before he will surrender.” Hely Hunter has promised me to get your picture taken for me in uniform. Do not disappoint me but send it out. I hope you will be able to shew them some attention & John too - As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
[WTS]
I had made every preparation for leaving home to make you a visit, dearest Cump, when your letter to Minnie was received on Saturday - I have now determined to wait until the position of the adverse forces is changed. As long as the Rebels menace Washington you will be on the qui vive & would probably not be willing to leave your post to spend one hour with me. When they retire from their present position & their attitude becomes less menacing I will take the baby and nurse and slip on to see you. I feel that I must have the satisfaction of seeing you once more before our troops make any advance movement, for after that it may be a long time before I enjoy that pleasure. Henrietta & I were ready to start tomorrow (Monday) but as I said before, after receiving Minnie's letter I concluded to wait until I hear that I can at least see you after I get there. Boyle joins his regiment to-morrow, at Camp Chase. Have I told you that he is appointed Colonel of the 30 - Ohio Vol? He is in great spirits and Father has the highest anticipations in regard to him. Henrietta wants to go on without me or without an escort tomorrow but Boyle is not willing that she should. A very clever gentleman of Cincinnati will pass through here on Thursday & take charge of Henrietta. If I do not hear anything from you in the mean time, opposing my coming I will probably go on with them unless we get news by the papers to discourage me. I will telegraph Mr. Brent in the morning not to engage the boarding at present & when I do go in I may take boarding in Washington instead of Georgetown as you say you sometimes go to Washington but never to Georgetown. Now I hope you understand how it is. I want to go on (with the baby & nurse) to see you before you leave your present position & move with the rest of the Army into the enemy's country. Owing to the necessity, just now, of extraordinary vigilance on your part I have postponed my visit but I wish you to let me know when I can best make it. If you can see me as well next week as any time telegraph me before Thursday and I will start on that day with Henrietta. If not, write to me when you think I had best come. All well and send love - As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
Yesterday I received your two letters of the 15th and 17th and I assure you I feel distressed to hear that you had not received my letters for two or three weeks past. I have written regularly and have directed to Georgetown since I received your letter advising me to do so. Before that time I had addressed as usual to John Sherman as I supposed you would tell me when to change the address. Your letters do not come very regularly, I sometimes get two at a time but I believe I have received them all sooner or later. I got the money also, but I did not receive your dispatch of the 14th. Day before yesterday, I received your dispatch or rather Father got one from you to this effect. - “I am notified of orders westward, tell Ellen.” Your letters of yesterday explain. We are still expecting news of an attack on Washington and as long as that is the case I will not hope to see you. I would rather see you going into Kentucky & Tenessee than into Missouri — but they are bad enough in Tenessee. Their exiling Judge Cat—[?] was as bad a thing as has been done yet. All of them men women & children would practice the same intolerance in Missouri if they had the power. I hope, whatever may happen that the Catholics who have aided the rebels or been among them or wished them success may pay dearly for it. And they will sooner or later & there will be no one to pity them & I hope no one to help them. Henrietta is preparing to leave in an hour or two and I have not much time to write being obliged to see her comfortably off. Mr. Mullet an Architect of Cincinnati, an agreeable young gentleman friend of Mr. Jones's will pass through from Cincinnati and take charge of her. She is very anxious to get home, since Boyle left. I wrote you that Boyle had been appointed Colonel of the 30th Ohio Regiment. He is very happy on account of it and so is Father. Charley writes that he is on duty guarding the powder magazine near the Barracks. He is very anxious to get into the field. Burbank has made a request for the volunteer companies now raised to be transferred to his regiment & if his request be granted Charley will soon command a company. Minnie Lizzie & Willy go to school to Kate Willock who teaches in a pleasant room in her Father's house - they are very much pleased. The baby grows but I have lost her nurse (the monthly nurse and am very much confined with her as Elly is still quite a baby & Emily has the care of her. Elly is cutting teeth and afflicted with boils so she has an excuse for being fretful. Tommy is pretty bad but he grows & is well. I am somewhat weak from the care of the baby. You have never told me whether you suffer with Asthma and I have asked you so often & feel so anxious to know. Ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I have no distinct idea of your whereabouts at this moment but I will venture a line to Cincinnati. Mr. Willock called today & requested me to write and ask you to address a line to Gov. Dennison in behalf of a Dr. Lewis who is an applicant for the appointment of Surgeon of the 17th O. regiment. He has the strongest recommendation from Dr. Boerstler & from Talmadge Daugherty Hunter &c. - so Mr. Willock says & he wants you to write Sunday in time for his application to the Governer. Father & Mother went to Chauncey yesterday & took Willy with them. They will be gone about a week. - - Saturday morning I did not get my letter closed in time for the mail this morning, dearest Cump, so I will send it down by Mrs. Garaghty who goes today with Tommy to St. John's Hospital. I hope you will be able to write to me often and keep me advised of your movements. Anything you may communicate I can keep secret if you desire it as I know you do not like to have things spoken of on your authority. John Connell is anxious to have his regiment assigned to your brigade not knowing that you will not form a brigade. I enclose some letters that have come to you lately. Very affectionately,
Ellen
[EES]
[WTS]
Yesterday, dearest Cump, I received your letter of the 18th inst. That same evening, according to the newspaper accounts, you left Louisville with a small Union force to proceed against the rebels on the Louisville and Nashville railroad. I am so very uneasy and so anxious to hear whether you have had a conflict that I feel fit for nothing. I cannot keep my attention fixed on anything and I have lost control of my nerves. It is indeed too bad that our forces are not better prepared. Nevertheless I still encourage the hope that no harm will befall you and that our cause will conquer in spite of the numbers against us. What a pity they do not depose Fremont. I wish you would write an account of your visit there and your impression of things under Fremont to McClellan, Gen. Scott or some one in Washington who could influence the President. I believe in Lincoln's sincerity and desire to act from patriotic motives and for the best interests of the country. I only wish he could see things in their true light and he cannot do that unless persons who see them as you do are willing to represent them truly & fully to him. But you have something else to do just now. I hope today will not pass without my hearing from you and your little band of Patriots. The will of God must be done but we pray hard that you may be successful even in the present struggle. I am glad you have recovered from your cold and I do hope you will be careful not to take a fresh one. There is more need of care now that the fall weather has set in. I am knitting some heavy woollen socks for you and many of the ladies of the town are knitting for the soldiers. I am sorry to hear that your Regiment is not doing well in the way of recruiting. You have not a full number of Captains yet. Why can't you recommend John Hunter? He did admirably with Schleigh & also with Henry Reese. They say John is to be married to Gen. Goddard's niece Miss Duncan. Recruiting is doing admirably here now. Nine full companies have gone already & several more are forming. Ann's husband and her Sister's husband have gone. John Mattack & many married men. The last companies that left were fine looking men. Father & Mother & Willy are still at Rock Oak but we look for them today or tomorrow. We are all well. I seriously think of boarding in Cincinnati this winter. Ever your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Last evening, about dusk I was in the parlor with Maria Garaghty & Sis when Father came in, a good deal agitated and handed me a dispatch which had just been brought to the door. With a beating heart I opened it and was relieved to find the assurance that you were safe and well at Lebanon. We waited anxiously until the evening news by telegraph could be received here but when they came about nine o'clock there was nothing from your command in Kentucky. So I must wait until tonight late or perhaps tomorrow morning, to know what you have gone through and what you have immediately before you. I have written to you twice directing one letter to Louisville & enclosing the other to Gen. Anderson at Louisville. This I will also enclose to him, as he will no doubt have them promptly forwarded to you. Yesterday I received a letter from Mr. Harding whose note you bought of Mr. Lucas. He wishes to pay the note now, and says that money is so scarce in St. Louis that Mr. Lucas or Mr. Yore could reinvest the money for me at more profitable rates of interest. I suspect, from that suggestion that he would like to pay me in Missouri money. I wrote to him by return mail saying that I would like to know what kind of money he wished to pay me in before I sent the note. I told I would not take Missouri money as I would not reinvest in St. Louis unless Father advised me to do so. Father wants to take the money himself - at least two thousand dollars (leaving two or three hundred over) and give me one of Carpenters notes for it which draws ten percent. He says he will endorse the note & he holds a mortgage on the farm. The Carpenters have paid all that has been due on that farm up to date and they are living on it still. What shall I do? I must leave the matter entirely to you. It seems to me better not to invest it in St. Louis. And I cannot well refuse it to Father if he thinks his security good. He says he will endorse Carpenter's note for me. Philemon wants to sell fifteen hundred dollars worth of gas stock. What do you think of that? I suppose I could fine many willing to pay a good interest on it but unless you advise against it I will have to let Father have it. I have always distrusted the Carpenters but there seems to be few to trust nowadays. Father & Mother got home yesterday at noon. Willy was so charmed with his visit that he wants to go back with Father tomorrow. I will not let him go however, as Father will be gone all week. Mother got Willy a handsome suit of clothes at the store down there: as fine as any in the City. Ive Miller is clerk in the Store and sells to the german customers. Mr. Workman buys the goods in Cincinnati and he has been doing well at the store. Elizabeth Reese is in Mansfield - Susan has buried a babe a few weeks old. Poor Susan! I am sorry for her, she is not happy at any time - All our children are well and very happy. Father enjoys their presence very much. Elly is talking sweetly and makes herself very interesting All send best love to you. Minnie intends writing to you tomorrow. She & Lizzie are going to school. Believe me, as ever, Your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Yesterday I received your short letter of the 26th written at Muldrough's hill. Although I had heard from you constantly through the papers yet I was rejoiced to see your hand writing and receive even so short a letter. I am sorry to find you still desponding. I have more hope than you and I cannot but believe that you will lead your army, be it great or small not to death but to victory. We have had a most interesting notice of your starting forth with your men & the speech you made to them when Rosseau dismounted & crossed the ford on foot. Many persons in town take the Louisville Journal and I have been getting Henry Reese's copy. I wrote to Mr. Prentice & requested him to send me the daily Journal & as I wished to pay I asked him to send the bill to me or to you should you happen to be in the City. He wrote me a very friendly & polite note saying he would send me the paper with pleasure & that “Gen. Sherman was commanding the forces on the Nashville road” &c &c - adding “he has the unbounded confidence of us all”. I wrote to you last week about my note which Harding is very anxious to pay. He has written to me a second time about it & says he wishes to pay it in American gold so I have sent it with the deed to "Allen Copp & Misbet & notified him that he can go there and pay it. As you may not be able to send me any money soon I shall probably have to borrow from that sum until you do draw some pay & transmit to me. I still think of going to Cincinnati with the children for three months during which time we will have cold weather when I shall hope to see you there. We have had a long rainy spell but it is now bright but fall-like. The children are all in fine health and growing nicely. Elly talks in the most interesting manner. Willy has got a flourishing uniform with the shoulder straps Captain Prime gave him in bold relief. He was out all day Saturday recruiting men for his company, and I believe he succeeded very well. Mrs. Reese got home Saturday from Mansfield. I called to see her yesterday. She says John threatens to resign & volunteer. She also says that the finest kind of men are enlisting up there. Two regiments came down on Saturday. Whilst they were in Camp a vote was taken to know where the majority wished to be sent & they were unanimous in their desire to be sent to you. Fremont has been obliged to start out in person on Lexington. I hope he may be forced to resign. I understand that John Connel's regiment the 17th was armed yesterday or Saturday & will be sent to you on Tuesday. - All join me in best love and all unite our prayers for your success. Believe me As ever dearest Cump your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Yesterday Father received your letter of the 30th ultimo which has caused me the greatest anxiety & pain. He has written to you by this day's mail & I presume he has told you what he has done for your relief, or what efforts he has made to have relief sent to you. He started an hour ago to Columbus to see Dennison. I think it much more important that urgent application be made for reinforcements from Washington. The troops there are better drilled & as we have reason to believe they are sending large bodies of men from Manassas to reinforce Buckner & Zollicoffer our Generals can easily spare some of our troops. I feel so nervous & uneasy that I am fit for nothing & cannot even write with a steady hand. But my hope is steady yet notwithstanding my fears and my trust in God is unshaken & are you not fighting for justice and legitimate authority against the foulest usurpation that ever ambitions sought to impose upon a free people. I begin to realise that we may be overrun by the lawless marauders of the South who must winter themselves somewhere & can do it better in our midst than elsewhere. If we do not send a competent force into Kentucky to drive them out of that State we deserve to have them over run our own. I am knitting you some warm socks which I will find some opportunity of sending soon. We are all in fine health and the children are doing as well as you could desire. Minnie & Lizzie attend school very regularly. The weather is fine & the boys & Elly are out doors all the time. We had a speech from Andrew Johnson It was most effective - inspired men & women with patriotism before unfelt. He staid with us and we were all much pleased with him. He joins the two thousand Tenneseeians who are at Camp Dick Robinson soon, to march with them against the invaders & rebels - All send best love to dearest Papa. Believe me as ever dearest Cump your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
All the letters I have written you lately I have enclosed to Gen. Anderson. I hope they have been forwarded. From the Louisville Journal I learn that the bridge over Rolling fork is complete and you will now be able to receive mails regularly so I will try the experiment of addressing to Muldrough's hill. Reporters at Washington announce that you are to be a Major General and have command in Kentucky owing to Gen. Anderson's health. I asked Father if he thought you would make Louisville your headquarters: he thinks you will establish headquarters at Nashville Tenn. When you do get into communication with the rest of Christendom put me in the way of getting some money for I have about concluded to go to Cincinnati for a few months for there I will stand a chance of seeing you sometime during the winter. Mother is quite sick but we hope to have some improvement in her today. The children are all well, and getting along nicely. Tommy cut his right hand quite badly today but he did not make much ado about it. Willy is crazy about the war & can hardly contain himself he is so anxious to grow up and be Gen. Anderson's aid. Mrs. Duval, you are aware, is living again in our place. Her daughter Mrs. Worthington is now in Kentucky. Dr. Worthington has applied for the appointment of Surgeon to some Regiment. Mrs. Worthington writes for her Mother to get you to speak to the proper persons on behalf of the Doctor. He is a Marylander but he has been true to the Union from the first out break. Thinking that your promotion may cause your return to Louisville I mention her request. All send best love. As ever your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
By the papers I am informed that you came up to Louisville yesterday. I am heartily rejoiced at the change in your position as your situation at Mouldrough's hill was one of extreme peril. I hope you will be able to obtain men & arms now that you may soon be able to establish your head quarters at Nashville. I received the kindest letter from John Sherman saying that he is, by Gov. Dennison, Authorised to raise two Regiments which shall go to you. He says he is going with them himself. Mrs. Duval wants you to recommend her son-in-law Dr. A. Worthington as Surgeon to a Kentucky regiment. He is a good Physician as his examination will prove but his wife and Mother in law want you to speak a word for him. I want you to enable Mrs. Myer to get into Tennessee to her husband. She cannot earn a living here or in Cincinnati. So many are out of employment. She tried faithfully to nurse my baby but the insatiable little creature could not get enough from her. I pity Mrs. Myer and hope you will give her a pass into Tennessee, where her husband can apply his earnings to her support. He is in the McDowell guards a company that went out from Cynthiana. Do not slight my request or I shall feel very much hurt. I have had quite a correspondance with Mr Prentice. In his letters he praises you to the skies. He said if I would go down to Louisville he would escort me to Mouldrough's Hill to visit you - What do you think of that? Probably you can send me some money now. Send me word again whether I am to pay Mr. Lucas. I am offered a furnished house in Cincinnati (Dr Mussey's) for fifty dollars a month and as I will probably have an opportunity of seeing you occasionally I think I shall go there & let the children go to school & take dancing lessons. Minnie is so very large she ought be taught a little grace The weather now is lovely; the children are all going to the fair - they were out after nuts yesterday. It will be a year tomorrow since you left here for Louisiana! How many changes have occurred since then. Henry Reese & John Hunter left yesterday, for Western Virginia after making a short visit home. I send Boyle some woollen socks & shirts by Henry. Boyle is still with Rosecrans & they are likely to have stirring times soon. Charley is in command at Jefferson Barracks. Andrew Johnson made us a visit which we all enjoyed exceedingly. He expects to go to you soon - Do write me one cheerful letter that I may have it to refer to when the gloomy ones come. Don't forget my requests. As ever,
Ellen -
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I need not tell you that I feel very unhappy on your account, not because I think you are in danger but because you are so desponding and unhappy yourself. I do hope you will come home and make us a short visit before you report to St. Louis. I beg of you to come if it be only for a day or two. Now that I know you to be in such low spirits I shall not have a comfortable or happy day away from you Thank God I have so many dear children to divert and interest me. It would do your heart good dearest to be among them for awhile and I really think you owe it to them to come home for a short visit. I found them all well and as happy as childhood only can be. Yesterday was Lizzie's birthday and it passed off entirely to her satisfaction. I said the children were all well and so they are but poor little Lizzie is still very delicate. She had a bad fainting spell last Sunday. Minnie is the tallest child of her age I ever saw & her judgement is mature. Rachel is splendid. I am very proud of her - she is the image of you except that her eyes are blue. Give my warmest regards to Col. Sowords & tell him I will never forget his kindness. Remember to all your friends & believe me as ever your devoted,
Ellen.
[EES]
I must see you again before you go west or go with you there.
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I am only living now to know what you are going to do, when you will leave Louisville and where you will go. Cannot you spare the time to pay us a short visit? Do my dearest husband come if it be only for twenty four hours. Telegraph me when you are on the way that I may have the children all at home to meet their dear father. Poor little things - they talk about you all the time & Willy & Lizzie are particularly devoted to you. All the family are very anxious to see you. You will find the trip much more plesant by taking the boat at Louisville Lib McComb, (Ewing Miller's wife) died last week at their residence in Columbus. Amelia's health is still very poor. All are well here. Father is again at the Salt Works. He would love to be in arms for his country. We hear often from Boyle; he is doing very well. Do come soon. As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
[WTS]
I feel desolate in my room now, without you, dearest Cump. This time yesterday morning you were here and now I may perhaps never see you again. But I trust in the goodness of God for better things. It is too cruel that you had the pleasure of your visit destroyed. I am sorry that I allowed myself to succumb to that horrible thing but I could not help it when I saw you so shaken by it. Is it not shameful that I could not have had the happiness of a visit from you, when your health so much required rest without those vultures the newspaper reporters attacking you and destroying my peace of mind in that way. Until I have seen you under brighter auspicis I shall ever have a weight upon my heart caused by the fear that you are unhappy & out of health. After this thing has passed by & the public have another victim to gloat over I hope you will resign or have some quiet place assigned far from your St. Louis acquaintances where we can avoid the troubling of the wicked & be at rest. If you only had divine faith to strengthen you & I only had the consolation of knowing that by faith, all these trials could be made by you to add lustre to an immortal crown I could bear it better. I received a most kind letter yesterday from Gen. Halleck. He said he needed your services badly but he wanted you to stay until you grew stronger as the field duties would be severe. He says you must not give ear to those newspapers. He treats them with the contempt they deserve. Please present my warmest regards to him & tell him I heartily wish him success. Cump I ask it as a particular favor that you will not go to see the Turners. Mother & Philemon & all know that I have made this request of you and to refuse it will be to show me a personal slight which you would not be unkind enough to inflict at this time, Believe me with my whole heart Your ever affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I enclose you a copy of a letter received from Mr. Prentice yesterday. It is copied verbatim. I would send you the letter itself but I wish to keep it to show to Father & to file away. In the letter he enclosed six dollars & thirty seven cents. I will of course return the money to him as it is never customary for Editors to refund. I shall at the same time acknowledge his retraction in the handsome article which I enclose to you & which is being copied in all the Cincinnati papers. I would have written to him today but I would rather wait & consult Father on the kind of letter I had better write. Prentice was not in Washington but in Louisville, when that infamous article appeared, but his note is true, in effect, for he had not resumed a supervision over the paper, at that time. You see he did not misunderstand my motive in writing to him. How could he have done so? I send you the “Commercial” in which Prentice's retraction is copied. Philemon recalled those fellows to some sense of responsibility as is evinced by their copying all these things now. The colums of the Commercial have been devoted to the praise of Pope - it looks very suspicious just at this time. I will find out in whose malice this orginated & by whom it was carried on, if God spares me life. I will send you the “Lancaster Gazette” which also contains a good article on the subject. We look for Father today. Mr. Hunter's Mother is to be buried this afternoon. I hope to hear from you tomorrow. Do not go to see the Turners or any of those people. The weather continues mild here but not as bright as when you were here. Your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
[Enclosed in letter of Dec 20th/61] E.S.F.
Dec 20th/61To Genl Sherman
[WTS]
Mr. Miller of the Salt House Louisville sent me a number of the Journal containing a letter from the Correspondent “W. C. Carroll” in which he speaks of you as follows - "In the opinion of the writer, the credit of the preservation of Gen. Grants Army sufficiently long to permit the reinforcements of the Ohio to arrive is due to Gen. W. T. Sherman. He did apprehend an attack on Sunday morning, turned out his division to receive it, & sent warning to Genl Prentiss. It is not probable however that Gen. Sherman had any just estimate of the magnitude of the enemy's force in front - & consequently was not prepared for so vigorous & overwhelming an attack. But after the attack was made it was the great personal gallantry he displayed & the dogged stubborn resistance he interposed to the central attack of the enemy that prevented the constriction of the fatal coils that were rapidly enveloping Grant's Army.
E. S. Fitch
[]
[I think this a copy of letter from “Mr. Prentice”]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
I was not gratified yesterday as I hoped to be, by receiving a letter from you. Tomorrow it certainly must come. I trust in God you are feeling in better spirits than when you left here. Father got home on Friday. He wrote to you by yesterday's mail Today he was obliged to go to Chauncey but he left the letter which I will enclose with this & he directed me to send you a copy of John Sherman's letter, or rather his letter to John Sherman. As I am anxious to keep Genl Halleck's letter I have made a copy of it for you. I hope that will answer. I hope you will lose no time in authorising Father to begin a suit. He will not be satisfied unless you do. He says there is no trouble in the case & it is one for heavy damages. I yesterday received a letter from John Sherman in which he says “the charge of the Commercial is so damnable & injurious that I could not hesitate to take any course that would inflict the highest punishment.” “Breaking the head of the Editor is a poor way & a lawsuit is the only alternative.” “The Commercial has been hounding Cump in a manner totally inexeplicable.” Your Father thinks this is one of the rare cases in which a suit is expedient." So now my dearest Cump as Father so strongly recommends a suit & John concurs with him in judgement you will not refuse it when you know it to be my most earnest wish. Not because I feel so vindictive toward the miserable Editors but because I believe it will be a complete vindication of you & it will enable us to discover who are in the conspiracy against you. Do not let Halleck or anyone else (who is not effected by it & can thus treat it with great indifference) induce you to overlook the request of one who suffers keenly with you & for you. There is a vast difference between this and ordinary newspaper abuse & no man need flatter himself that he is less easily effected by such things than you until he has had this to bear. May God bring to us good out of this evil & may we turn our hearts to Him when wearied with this unsatisfactory troublous world. Monday morning I took tea last evening at Mrs. Daugherty's with Mr. Pierce a friend of theirs from Kentucky. He says you are the only military person on our side who has ever given a correct estimate of the enemy's forces. He says it will require now more than the two hundred thousand He says a great deal in your praise & believes that all will be convinced of the accuracy of your judgement sooner or later. I will never be satisfied until you seek with us some quiet home & leave these heartless people — May God protect & bless you my dearest husband
Ellen
[EES]
[WTS]
I am just starting down, dearest Cump, to get the little presents for Christmas. Tommy is still a firm believer in Christ kinkle and his stockings must be filled tonight. I enclose to you a letter which came yesterday. Let me advise you to comply with the request of the writer. Attention to these little requests are the best evidence that your mind is tranquil & clear. Have you given Throckmorton an answer yet? I fear your health will break down, if you are much exposed to cold this winter. I hope you will be able to see a good deal of Charley whilst you are at St. Louis. Do visit him & your regiment instead of the Turners or any of that family. I entreat you Cump to send on to Father without delay your consent to a suit in this case He & John both advise it & do all your friends here. I hope you will write to me often as you know my anxiety about you under the disagreeable effects of this horrible calumny. We are all well. Believe me ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Gen. Wm. T. Sherman St. Louis Mo.
Write the day of the week on your letters - you misdate.
[WTS]
I fear you have passed anything but a “Merry” Christmas dearest Cump. I cannot but hope that some better days are in store for us - that before our lives close we will have some quiet happy years with our children apart from the noise & bustle and the intrusion of the heartless world. Until that time comes or until I can know you to be in a happier frame of mind I cannot throw off - except in outward appearance - the terrible load that oppresses my heart. How can I be happy & enter really, into any enjoyment, whilst you are away and under such depression of spirits? Otherwise, I could be happy, whether I felt confident of our ultimate success, or certain of universal defeat. For we are all in the hands of God and if we have faith and hope in Him, He will bring to us good out of evil. Should the evil alone be our portion here we need not even then depond, for if we bear it properly we go to greater glory hereafter. Could you unite with me, in this hope and faith I could then defy the spirit of gloom & uneasiness that sits at my heart & will represent you as ever sad and desponding. “Peace I will give to you” said our Savior. The peace which surpasseth all human understanding would pervade your dear soul could you submit your proud understanding to the obedience of faith, and receive the consoling sacraments of the Church. Why do you not go to the Church since you find no hope & no peace out of it. It cannot do you any harm. It must do you so much good & to believe it is only necessary to submit the will and ask faith of God. My first & most earnest prayer is that this holy faith may be given to strengthen & console you and to afford me the happiness of a closer communion with you both here and hereafter. For this world is short and our greater interests are above. That this faith which is a shield and comfort to all hearts may be implanted in the souls of our children I am anxious to put them where they may receive good instruction. I mentioned to you that I thought of taking Minnie & Willy to Notre Dame in Indiana. If you are willing that I should do so I would like to start with them now, within two weeks. Write to me whether you are willing. The terms are very low & I have money enough by me for the tuition & travelling expenses. Do not forget to write to me on the subject. Elly has just come in to my room & she says “write to Papa to tome home” I hope you will take such steps for the future dearest Cump as you feel will most conduce to your own happiness, for in that, mine consists. I am most willing to go with you anywhere or to live in any that you may prefer as the humblest & the hardest life is preferable to this separation where you are subjected to such persecuting annoyances. Father is impatiently awaiting your consent to the suit. I told you about Mrs. Daugherty's friend, Mr. Pierce. He says that the retreat of the Wild Cat expedition is considered by intelligent people who know the enemy's strength to have been the most judicious move that was made in Kentucky. A gentleman of Marysville, who was in Zollicoffer's camp at the time says that it was so considered by the Southern Generals & officers. Mr. Pierce says you are the only Federal officer who has yet had a correct estimate of the Southern forces, in Kentucky The weather continues beautiful with us. I hope you have not taken any cold since you left home. The papers are hounding T. W. Sherman in the same style they did you some time ago. The Commercial is as bad as the New York Herald. The commandmant not to bear false witness against your neighbor is as strong as the commandmant not to steal or to commit murder - Those poor wretches must howl on their own account when the day of judgement dawns on them. They will “call on the mountains to cover them.” Is Charley coming to see us? Where will the 13th be ordered to? I understood Col. Burbank was making an effort to have it removed from Jefferson Barracks. Remember me to Capt. Hammond. Love to Charley if you see him. Ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
Philemon leaves today for St. Louis. I hope you will be able to make his visit a plesant one. I have not heard a word from you in answer to my request to go down to see you. I do hope & pray that you will not allow your mind to encourage any self reproach. You say you could have done better had you the past year to live over. Who cannot say that any year? Not one of your friends finds any fault with anything you have done but all feel with proud satisfaction that the more that is known of your past transactions at any time, in the whole course of your life the more you must be esteemed and honored. Let the hounds bark - even if they hunt you down they cannot make you guilty of any fault in management or in honorable life. I send you a letter just recd from John Sherman. Do write to me often if it be only three words. Ever dearest Cump Your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Friday.
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
Father has got home and is unhesitating in the opinion that suit should be brought against these libellers & he says it is important that it should be instituted immediately. He says the melancholy and depression to which your family is subject must not be brought up by us & it will be very hard for them to prove that because your Uncle & Grandmother suffered from extreme depression of spirits that therefore you were stark mad whilst commanding in Kentucky. Father saw the President & John Sherman saw him after hearing from you & me & he was most friendly toward you. He says they will not refer to the family liability to depression so there is no danger of wounding anyone's feelings by that. Father gave me his letter to read. I explained to him that you were far from criticising the course of the President or any one else conducting the war but he could not write another letter without an effort as he is tired from his journey. He is anxious to hear from you as soon as possible, as he thinks no time should be lost in letting them know that suit will be commenced. The fact published & disseminated will be the best refutation of the charge for, as he says, persons will know, at once, that the family would not bring suit were there any truth in the report. A simple denial by family or friends will not be the same - this is the only proof that can be given. Aunt Henrietta sent pretty presents to the children which have delighted them. I hope to hear from you today. Believe me ever Your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
P. S. Father wants to conduct the suit himself - just leave it to him.