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The originals of these letters are now in the Archiries of Notre Dame University Eleanor Sherman Fitch New York July 11 - 1952 1862 1863 These typed copies of letters written by ELLEN EWING SHERMAN to her husband GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN have been carefully read and compared by me with the original long hand written letters and are correct copies. Eleanor Sherman Fitch August 28, 19360

Lancaster O.,
Jan. 1st 1862. New Years morning
[1862/01/01]

[WTS]

I hope my dearest Cump that the beginning of the New Year finds you well and in improved spirits. You write me too seldom. I am so very anxious to hear from you all the time and you say so little when you do write. I have seen it suggested in the papers that you will be given command in the District of St. Louis But whether you are or not cant you not let me take Minnie out there & put her with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Why can I not take Lizzie or go alone & spend some time with you. I think you ought to let me when you know how well the children will be taken care of here. Have you many sick among the soldiers? How is Mr. Lunt? You remember his wife is Hoyts Sister in law. I was rejoiced to have your promise not to go to Mrs. Turner's. I suppose you will see Hoyt sometimes now. Give my love to him when you do see him. How does Capt. Hammond get along? Is he at the Barracks with you? How does Charley look & what kind of spirits is he in? Tell him I have written him several letters to which I have had no answers. Tom Anderson is here again and has succeeded in getting himself into trouble He thought he had a right to recruit for the regular army from the volunteer force regarding them as militia. The officers of this Regiment warned him not to meddle with their men. The other night they found that several of their men had broken guard & on search they were discovered locked up in Captain Tom's room. They said that he had promised them $25 & better clothes & fare in his company. The officers of our regiment are furious & intend proceeding against him under an act of Congress. In the mean time they have written a complaint to Washington. What do you think of it? Tell me. - Elizabeth Reese is going up to Mansfield to see Amelia who is much worse. I told Elizabeth that if she would go over to Henry's & give me that house a year I would put a new roof on it & put it in perfect repair. She is not willing to do so They occupy two large houses and their families united are not as large as mine. Out of the first money you send me I want to send that sum to Capt. Welsh as I consider it very important to secure that for Lizzie. I will write today to the Capt. & tell him that I will send the money soon. The children are well and very happy - all but Lizzie. She is deaf again & as usual when deaf she is fretful and not so happy. They had a Merry Christmas. All send best love to you. Philemon goes to St. Louis soon on business. I wish you would let me go with him. I think you will too.

Ever your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Jan. 4. 1862
[1862/01/04]

[WTS]

I hear from you too seldom my dearest Cump. I feel heart sick about you fearing you are unhappy and out of health. Can't you let me go down and stay with you awhile? If you knew how solitary & forlorn I feel since you left you would not refuse to let me go down. Do Cump let me stay with you whilst you are in the vicinity of St. Louis. You know the children will be well cared for and happy enough in my absence. I am very anxious to have Minnie at a convent for awhile and I might as well take her there, where she can see you sometimes Captain Hammond very kindly wrote me a long letter which I received a day or two ago. Please tell him I will answer soon. He wants to be introduced to Ann Patterson. I suppose he will accomplish it after awhile. Charley has been laid up with a mashed toe. He wrote to Father that he was just able to walk with a crutch. I hope he will soon get to see you again He does not get my letters or if he does he fails to answer them. Capt. Hammond tells me you are quite comfortably quartered, but very busy. I can't imagine why they have not got Major Turner & Mrs. Hunt down on the list of persons assessed. I am thankful for your promise not to visit Mrs. Turner again. I do hope I shall hear from you again today.

Boyle writes to us often He has been assigned to duty in Washington for awhile. Henrietta's cousin, Clemintina Young is now here making us a little visit. She came out to see her brother a priest now in Zanesville. She came over to Somerset on New Years days and yesterday we sent the carriage over for her. She will spend only a short time with us. Night before last Sis gave a dancing party at which Mrs. Lowe, of California was most elegantly dressed and looked beautiful. The party was given for John Hunter's bride but they could not attend, owing to sickness & death in Henry Hunter's family. Henry's eldest and youngest children died of diptheria after a short illness and within two days. Doctor Boerstler lost one of his twin boys yesterday. He died from cold taken after measles. Father is very uneasy about our children and charges me to keep them close. They have had colds but I am not at all apprehensive. Willy is in bed today but I think the pain he has in his head proceeds from his eyes which are sore now, as Elly's were when you were here. I have given him some Rochelle Salts and he will no doubt be better tomorrow.

Philemon leaves on Tuesday for St. Louis. Would my dearest that I were going with him to remain with you as long as possible. My children seem to me now of little consequence compared with you but I would not slight them in leaving for they would be well cared for. Hoping to see you soon I remain as

ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Jan. 8, 1862
[1862/01/08]

[WTS]

Yesterday my dearest Cump I received your letter of the 1st inst. Seven days in coming! and I, impatient and so very anxious to hear from you. I feel badly, worse than I can tell, to find that your spirits are still depressed. Why will you say that you have brought disgrace upon any one? You in whom we all feel so much pride. It is not in the power of your enemies to lower you in the estimation of those who know you and time will prove the falsity of their charges to the world. You could not disgrace anyone for you could not do a dishonorable action and your talents are of the highest order. So let me beg you, my dearest husband, for the sake of your family, to put away all such depressing thoughts & stand calm - and undisturbed in the brightness of your superior intellect and your admirable virtues. In giving way to these feelings you may bring on that more serious melancholy that afflicted your Uncle Charles. Do try to drive them away and submitting your will to that of our Good God keep your soul calm & hopeful. We are all in the hands of God & if we have faith in Him & love Him we can have peace of mind under all circumstances. It needs all my faith in Him to keep me now from extreme unhappiness on your account. I feel so anxious to be with you, & so desolate since you left, that were it not for the sick children I could not see Philemon go to St. Louis without me. Do write to me if I cannot come out after awhile. The children will soon be well, and I shall certainly go unless you positively forbid it. Willy has been quite sick but he is now almost as well as ever. Tommy has entirely got over his attack & Rachel is now suffering. I thought last night she would suffocate but she is better this morning Poor little Lizzie has frequent fainting fits She has had one this morning & is now in my bed. Elly's eyes are still sore having been better but got worse again. Mother is sick this morning but I have not seen her having been busy with the children.

Clemintina Young has just made us a short visit. She had a great deal to say about the time I visited them from Georgetown school. She reminded me of how anxious I used to be to get letters from you & how her brother used to plague me when he brought out one for me, saying that my anxiety was very suspicious.

Boyle has been assigned to duty on the Potomac. 'I am truly sorry you do not like your position & that you consider it a subordinate one. We all supposed it to be just the thing. The Commercial announced through its correspondant Bickham that Gen Sherman at Camp Benton was a fine appointment as a military man was needed there'

In haste the Doctor is here

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Jan 11th 1862
[1862/01/11]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I yesterday recd your letter of the 5th and assure you I feel much happier to find that your spiri?? are improving. I hope you will enjoy Philemon's visit. I most sincerely wish I could have gone with him but I hope you will not be very long in the west. John Sherman will attend to your interests in Washington and as he said to me, attend to those who are hounding you. That traitor Thomas has the police on his track & they have already arrested his daughter. The wicked must eventually be punished. He has not done himself any good by secretely persecuting you for John is his bitter enemy & can do him justice yet. Did you get the copy of Prentice's letter I sent you & the very complimentary article from his caper? Poor Lizzie is very delicate again. I am giving her salt baths and intend to give her a tonic but I do not know exactly what to give wine or whiskey or what.

I you have time to go into the City I wish you would send by Philemon a few little things for the children. There is a game called Snake which they want also a box of paints. Minnie's birthday will soon be here & you can send her the paints. Send the Snake to Lizzie. Do not send Willy anything to Willy unless you send to Tommy too. All are better but Lizzie & I fear she never will be strong again. I have just sent to Philemon's. The children are better except Frank who was fretful last night & the baby to - Write to me often

As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Jan. 13, 1862
[1862/01/13]

[WTS]

Your letter of Tuesday was received on Saturday, dearest Cump. With Church & the children I was too much occupied yesterday to write you, as I desired, a long letter. Willy, Elly and Rachel are all better but poor little Lizzie is still very feeble. I take the best of care of her; give her salt bath every morning get her the best and most delicate food and take her out in the carriage to ride yet she droops & looks pale & thin & is weak & faint without having any pain or any sympton but a cough. I cannot go to Washington immediately, perhaps not before the first of next week; but I will be very glad to go then, and take Lizzie with me to consult Dr. Miller. She needs a tonic but of what kind I am unable to conjecture. Last winter she fainted often and was drooping but she is worse this winter. She is very thin. She is very patient and good.

Philemon is now in St. Louis and I hope you will see as much of him as you can. Mary wrote to him this morning but in case he should not get the letter tell him they are all well but Johnny who was indisposed last night.

I did not ask you dear Cump to discontinue your visits to the Turner's because they were Secessionists but for your own sake. I am not willing to release you from your promise. I am thankfull to you for the promise, & I hope in the end you will not repent it. You could not go into Mrs. Turner's presence without hearing what I would not listen to or hear, and what no Army Officer ought to hear without resenting. It gives your enemies power to injure you & they are on the qui vive for any indiscretion or apparent fault. It has already been hinted in the papers that you are more friendly to Secessionists than to Union people. As to Mrs. Turner having any claim upon you that is all a great mistake. If Major Turner's predjudices did not blind him, he would perceive that it was an insult rather than a compliment, to invite you there to be vilified and ridiculed and held to Scorn as we always have been when in his house lately. Mrs. Turner has insulted me grossly many times during our few last visits but regarding her as a monomaniac and for your sake I bore with her. I trust however that you will soon be ordered away from there when this question will no longer vex us. If you are ordered away I would be willing to release you from your promise then that you might make the Major a farewell visit. We can live without them I hope both now & in the future. Any life would to me be preferable to again submitting to Mrs. Turner's arrogance. At last we are having cold weather and I am in hopes it will be more healthy. The poor soldiers must suffer during such damp weather as we have hitherto had. As you prefer that I would keep the children at home I will do so, and not send them to Notre Dame. I hope you will call and see them should you be ordered east as I hope you will be. I will stay but a few days in Washington. I think I will go to Mr. Young's to stay as they have house room enough. Henrietta & Boyle write often and always desire love to you. Have you written to Boyle? I wish you would, if you have not. What is Luke doing at the Barracks? Charley never writes to me. Is Dr. Edward's at Benton Barracks yet? Give my regards to Capt. Hammond and tell him I recd his letters about the socks. All the children send love - they talk about you all the time.

As ever,

Ellen.
[EES]

If convenient you can send me some money by Philemon. Send me twenty dollar gold pieces. - Ellen

Lancaster, O.,
Jan. 15, 1862
[1862/01/15]

[WTS]

Father heard yesterday from Mr Winton, dearest Cump, and as his case will be up very soon he will be obliged to leave tomorrow for Washington. I will go with him & before I return we hope to have you ordered to a more agreeable post where you will be relieved from the annoyance of feeling that you are out of place. A rumor reached us yesterday that Mr. Cameron had been sent to Russia & Mr. Stanton made Sec of War. If this be true we will have no difficulty in securing whatever may be desirable for you as Mr Stanton is an intimate friend of Father's. Boyle is still in Washington & I will therefore stop at Mrs. Young's. Unless Father's stay there be short I will come home before he does for I hate to leave the children just now as they are not yet entirely well. I will take Lizzie with me as the journey may be of service to her & Dr. Miller may be able to prescribe a tonic that will brace her up. Do dear Cump try to cheer up and regard yourself as we regard you. No matter what an ignorant populace believe, all intelligent people, will know that you did well refusing to send those me to destruction thro' Cumberland Gap and after there has been time for the truth to be known all men will admit this who are not malicious & designing. And what need we care for their opinion? I am just as proud of you as ever & hope to continue so for it is impossible for you to commit a mean action & your talents are indisputable.

As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Jan. 17, 1862.
[1862/01/17]

[WTS]

I start in a few hours dearest Cump, for Washington, with Father. I hope to be home soon as I cannot hear from you there and I am not satisfied now without frequent letters. Philemon got home last evening. We were all rejoiced with his return because we had been afraid that we would not see him before we left. He says that when he got there you were in improved health but unfortunately you took cold and were sick when he left. I trust that by this time your cold is over - Charley will probably be home on Sunday, I am sorry to miss his visit but I hope to be back before he leaves; I take Lizzie with me to get Dr. Miller's advice about her. Unfortunately I have a sore eye - like the childrens. It is not quite as bad as theirs & I hope it will soon get better as I am not very presentable at the best & with a sore eye I am a sorry figure. I hope you will be ordered from there & perhaps be able to meet me at home when I return. Nothing will be left undone by us to secure you a more agreeable situation & one more suited to your merits. There is nothing in the past that you need regret. You did perfectly right to leave Kentucky under the circumstances. You would have regretted the past more had you staid there so do not indulge in such feelings of self reproach & makes me unhappy to feel that you do - The children were charmed with their little presents. Minnie is flattered that you sent her paints instead of a toy. They do not know that I gave you a hint about them & they are exceedingly gratified that you remembered them in this way. Mr Stanberry is going on with us today. I am in some haste as I must go to the Bank & make one or two calls before I leave. Give my best regards to Capt. Hammond & tell him I send him a paper by today's mail.

Ever your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Zanesville, O.,
Jan. 17. Friday night
[1800/01/17]

[WTS]

Father & I left home this afternoon, dearest Cump, intending to go directly on, but owing to some derangement in the machinery we were - delayed long enough on the way to miss the connection. We are at the Zane house & leave at half past six in the morning. We are very well satisfied to have avoided the nights ride & the changes of cars

I see that the Kentucky Correspondants complain that Buell is neglected & badly treated by Authorities at Washington If he is badly treated what name could they find for your treatment. I hope dear Cump, you will never again reproach yourself for having given up the Command in Kentucky. With the Small force of raw recruits that you had & with miserable arms & a scarcity of even them what would have been the inevitable result of a battle against vastly superior numbers, particularly as in case of a defeat the river would have been an impassable barrier & the entire population would have become hostile. You shewed the kind of courage most to be admired in resisting the clamor for an advance & no one could expect of any man the forbearance and nonchalance to remain there longer, under the circumstances that existed when you left.

They are examining into the merits or rather demerits of that rascal Thomas. When the truth comes to be known he will appear leaged with Mitchell as the cause of all this neglect. Justice is Slow but sure & they will each have to render an account of their crimes as well as their fellow culprit Pope.

Lizzie is in bed asleep & so is Father I suppose. I left all the rest well at home. Elizabeth Reese has just got home & will write to you.

Believe me ever yours

Ellen.
[EES]

Washington, D. C.
Jan. 22 1862 Wednesday -
[1862/01/22]

[WTS]

We arrived here on Monday, dearest Cump. Father brought Lizzie & me to Mr Young's where we found all well & received a most cordial reception. I have a miserably inflamed eye but I have been out some. I have seen John & Cecelia & Mary Sherman Father has seen the President. I cannot yet say anything definite but we hope and believe that things will soon take a turn most agreeable and advantageous to you. Be patient my dearest husband & for the Sake of your poor wife & little children keep as cheerful & calm as possible & in a very short time you will look back upon these dark days as a troubled dream - a night mare. You were suffering from rheumatism when Philemon left St. Louis & as I have not heard from you since I feel very uneasy about you. What would life be to me Cump without you? A thorny path indeed & a desolate day forever dark. The longer I live the more my happiness depends on you & now that I know you are not happy I am miserable away from you. Heretofore when I have been separated from you I have felt happy & content in the consciousness that you were so, but now that you in depressed spirits & in poor health I feel miserable away from you. Be assured I will not stay here one hour longer than is necessary & when I leave here it will be with the consoling hope of seeing you very soon. Lizzie is taking a tonic & the Doctor thinks she will soon improve. As ever

Your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Washington, D. C.
Jan. 23, 1862 Friday morn.
[1862/01/23]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I was in hopes that, by this time, I would have a letter from you, forwarded from Lancaster. You were so unwell when Philemon left St. Louis that I feel uneasy about you. Rheumatism is a miserable thing & so difficult to cure. Nothing relieved the Sciatic pain that Father suffered but cold water. John Sherman came round to see mee, night before last and brought the telegraphic dispatch which you had sent him I hope you do not fear that I will behave ridiculously here. I have not yet done anything myself or seen anyone but John Sherman. Father wished me to wait until he had seen the Sec. of War. He had seen him & McClellan but he has not even told me his plans or designs but bids me stay here awhile longer. I have been afflicted with sore eyes but they are now entirely well. Yesterday Dr. Maynard plugged two teeth for me & I have to undergo another sitting today. Poor little Lizzie has miserable eyes. She is very delicate. I feel that she will soon pass away. Dr. Miller gave her a tonic & is coming today to see how she is doing. He says her lungs are sound. Father's case comes up today I hope he will gain it as the fee will in that event be very large. I wish you would give my best regards to Capt Hammond. Hoping soon to see you I remain as ever dearest Cump

Your truly affectionate.

Ellen.
[EES]

Mary Sherman is beautiful.

Washington, D. C.
Jan. 29. 1862
[1862/01/29]

[WTS]

I this moment received your two letters of the 17th & 19th my beloved husband. I can assure you that my visit here has given me the greatest satisfaction & particularly when your name is mentioned. It is well known & it is moreover perfectly certain that there was a political combination against you in consequence of which you were ignored whilst in Kentucky. It is certain that your Successor was immediately reinforced & that with more than four times the number men you had, when you applied to be relieved, & with many other advantages he has been there almost twice as long as you had and up to last week had done nothing & even now cannot "push forward into Tennessee. I think I know your wishes now & I will do only what you would like Father & I go to the Presidents' to-day, I have not time to write you more now & my hand trembles I dont know why. Lizzie is improving. Believe me ever with best affection & highest respect

Yr devoted

Ellen.
[EES]

Henrietta & Boyle send love. Mr & Mrs Young & Mary desire to be remembered. Ellen

Washington, D. C.
Jan. 29th 1862 Wednesday evening.
[1862/01/29]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Father and I had a long & most satisfactory interview with the President today. He gave you the highest praise, said that he and Mr. Seward had been strongly impressed in your favor when you were in command at Fort Corcoran & that he had nominated you for Brig. Genl before the Ohio Delegation sent in your name or any names. He said he felt sorry to lose you when you went to Kentucky but he felt that the Department was safer after you took command than before. He then intimated that after that, dispatches &c. had come from you had the effect of making him feel less comfortable &c. He seemed anxious for us to know, and said that he wanted you to know that he had entertained the highest & most generous feelings towards you, and that he still entertained them; and he intimated that by testing, in your present position, that recent reports were unfounded your abilities would soon secure promotion. Father was very much pleased with the entire interview. I asked Mr. Lincoln if he thought you insane when in command at Fort Corcoran. I told him you were no more so now. That I had known you since you were ten years old and you were the Same now that you had always been. I told him you had enemies among your fellow Generals & that the newspaper correspondants were mere tools. That one of the poor miserable wretches had since committed suicide. I told him that Adj. Genl. Thomas and Mr Cameron were inimical to you & that they had placed you in a false light to him. I represented how you were situated & Buell's advantages &c. &c. I told him that I did not come to ask for anything but to say a word against those who had conspired against you &c & in vindication of your name. He seemed very anxious that we should believe that he felt kindly towards you. He and Father are great friends just now. He says John Sherman rather "turns up his nose at him, & wont ask him for anything".

I called at Mrs. Chase's where I had a long talk with Mrs. Genl McDowell. She has been in an insane asylum she tells me but is now completely restored. She says the Genl. will call to see me, that he is a warm friend of yours and is very indignant at the Slander against you. I called on Mrs. McClellan, this being her reception day. She spoke most cordially of you & invited me to call in the evening as the Genl would like to see me. I stopped yesterday at the office and saw Gantt & afterwards called on Mrs. G's house without seeing her. I am going to see Mrs Van Vliet & Mrs Dr Tripler tomorrow. I intend to call also on Mrs Seward & Mrs Chase I sent in my card yesterday to Mrs. Buell but she was really not in. Gantt was very friendly &c. Tom Ewing has great influence with the President & he feels deeply this persecution of you. He will not be idle in the matter when he gets here.

Lizzie sends best love to dear Papa & wants to thank you for her present by Uncle Philemon

Thursday morning.

I was interrupted here in my letter. I am compelled to stay here until Monday. I will reach home on Tuesday I hope. I must go out to see you; so say that I am coming to make you a visit before I come, so that your enemies will not have a chance to get up another scandal. I cannot be happy seperated from you now that you are in low spirits and in poor health. I look forward with great confidence to the future. The President is very friendly to you. John Sherman has great influence & so has Tom Ewing. Father will not let an opportunity of serving you slip. A little time will wear away this slander and then you stand higher than ever. Time will also prove that you were right in your estimates & in your demands. I hope you will not suffer the opinions of others to ever induce you to admit that you were not. If you will only keep a brave heart and not be desponding & not care how you may be judged your abilities will bring you out one of the first in the land. You acted from principle & from honor and your wife & children will ever point with confidence & pride to every deed you have done - Keep calm & your enemies cannot injure you further but will themselves be put to shame. Ord has just called

Ellen
[EES]

Washington, D. C.
Feb. 3, 1862
[1862/02/03]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I will leave here in the morning with Charles Anderson. Father will not be able to leave until next week. I dislike to leave him here or to have him take the journey alone but I am so anxious to get out to see you that I cannot wait. I must stop & stay awhile with the children. Do not write to me that I must not come for I have a good deal to say to you, and I cannot be happy away from you now. John Sherman after a long waiting succeeded at last in getting your correspondance from the War Department. Father has read your letters & says they are splendid. Lizzie's health is better. The Doctor says she must be in the open air as much as possible. Expect me the last of next week or earlier.

As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Feb. 4, 1862
[1862/02/04]

[WTS]

affairs to remain as they did, in Kentucky, whilst he held the resources of the nation at his beck. He should be made to account for his failure to do anything here, or to relieve other Commanders & enable them to accomplish something. I hope he will meet no mercy. I believe he is a selfish conceited man, incapable of discharging the great duties entrusted to him. I would rather see the army under a volunteer than under him. Philemon writes me that Mr. Henry Miers is dead. He was perfectly well and was at the depot the day we left home. His illness was very severe & very sudden. Lizzie is very much improved. I have seen many of your old friends but I will wait to tell you of them when I get to see you. Do not write to me not to come but make the best accommodations for me you can. If you can go from the Barracks we might get boarding at Barretts, for the time I would stay. Her good fare would agree with you. I wish you would. I will go wherever you are however & fare as I may. I will let you know when I will be there & if you cannot meet me I wish you would let Capt. Hammond do so. You can yourself I hope and I shall expect you at the Depot. I will not get out before the last of next week or the first of the week after. Boyle & Henrietta send love to you & Charley. Lizzie sends love to dear Papa. Ever dearest Cump

Your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Feb. 10, 1862
[1862/02/10]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Father and I reached home on Saturday after a very comfortable journey. We staid Friday night in Zanesville. I found two most welcome letters from you and in the afternoon I received your letter of the 5th urging me not to come to see you. I cannot give up the hope of spending a short time with you my dearest Cump. I will share whatever you have, and can do so now for my health is fine and I am so much stronger than I ever was before. Whatever you have I shall be content to take so do not tell me again not to come. I hear that John Healy is to be in Lancaster today. He will probably return the last of this week to St. Louis. I think I will go with him as the children are all well. I am extremely busy today & am as usual surrounded by the children. Elly & Rachel are having a tea party and Rachel comes down with a dash among the dishes now & then making sad havoc. Elly says "never in my life saw such a girl" Lizzie is some better but still delicate Minnie is tall as Aunt Sissy.

Believe me as ever yours

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Feb. 21, 1862.
[1862/02/21]

[WTS]

I got home day before yesterday my dearest husband after the inexpressable disappointment of missing you in St. Louis. Your letter did not reach me, or of course I would not have gone. Deeply do I regret not having left Washington some days sooner as then I could have got to St. Louis in time to see you. I was ready and very inpatient to leave but as Father was so soon to take the trip I thought it would not be right for me to leave him to come alone only a few days after me. I felt that it would be wrong to leave Father & I went to Washington for your sake & I trust that God who knows my motives to have been unselfish will grant me the happiness of again seeing you well and happy. I am very anxious to hear from you and to know where you are going, and with what column you move. I telegraphed you yesterday and I am now looking anxiously for an answer to my dispatch. I hope you will send to Genl Hitchcock for the four companies of your regiment. Genl. Hamilton was the cause of their being sent up there & he shewed a very ugly feeling in regard to it expressing indifference whether you ever had your regiment. The soldiers have no quarters but inside the Penitentiary with the prisoners & they are dispirited & will become demoralised. Genl. Hitchcock said to me that that was no place for regulars. When he takes command he will send them to you, if you ask him. And John Sherman must see to having the headquarters of the regiment removed elsewhere, I pity Col. Burbank. He cried with mortification. Genl. Halleck was extremely polite to me & of course I was so to him. I went up to Alton & Charley returned with me to St. Louis & saw me off. I was strongly tempted to go to you but I feared you would be displeased. If anything happens to you I must go if my life be the forfeit. Do write to me soon. Your trunk is here. Did you get my letter from St. Louis? Dearest Cump let me implore you to recommend your soul fervently to God. If you die without uttering a prayer for mercy I shall lose my reason - I could not stand the fear that would be my portion. The children are remarkably well. Lizzie is improving. All talk of you constantly. Believe me ever

Your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Feb. 22, 1862
[1862/02/22]

[WTS]

I this morning, dearest Cump, received an answer to my dispatch to you of day before yesterday. I am glad that you have written for Charley's batallion and I sincerely hope it will be sent to you, as it seems too bad that Charley should be made a jailer at such a time as this. If Genl. Hitchcock takes command he will send them to you at once. I think you owe to Schuyler Hamilton their being sent there, not from any apparant necessity to him, but because he has a grudge at the regiment. If you have time I hope you will make some effort to get the headquarters removed from that Department as whilst there the Officers are so constantly interfered with they cannot attend to the interest of the regiment. Schuyler Hamilton shewed a very ugly & unfriendly spirit about it and I will remember him for it. I had always before thought him a friend of yours. Now I know that his friendship was skin deep. He is so elated with Halleck's success and his own importance that he forgets himself & what is due to others. He is certainly a weak man and not capable of any generosity. I am heartily glad I did not write to him that time we were in trouble. I never care about seeing him again and I warn you not to rely on him as a friend capable of any act of unselfishness or of justness. Where his whims interfere or his vain glory. - I hope if you hear that Mr. Bowman is wounded you will let us know. I suppose some one would let Mrs. Bowman know. No list of killed or wounded has yet appeared. Remember, dear Cump, if anything happens to you I must go to you at every hazard. Gladly would I go down to stay at Paducah were you willing to have me do so. Nothing but the fear of worrying you, induced me to come home without seeing you - I am very impatient for a letter from you. Your trunk was here when I got home. It is in my room now. We get no news by telegraph of the future or present movement and of course I feel deep anxiety. I know that victory will be ours but what will be the price of it? How many lives & whose lives? My trust is in the mercy of God. Why dearest Cump do you not prepare your soul, by the healing graces of the sacraments which bring forgiveness hope joy and consolation? If you would only break the trammels of long habit and submit your reason to the obedience of faith you would possess a peace & happiness such as you never found on earth before. My happiness depens on yours - my misery on yours.

As ever dearest,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Feb. 24th, 1862.
[1862/02/24]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Yesterday I had the happiness of receiving a letter from you and although it was written a week before I was thankful to get it and hear from you from your new post. I am sorry that you feel worried about my trip to St. Louis. My disappointment was greater than I can tell you, but I would be sorry to occasion you any further annoyance by it. You have too much to trouble you without having any additional cares, on my account. If you received my letter from St. Louis, you know that I was cordially treated by Genl Halleck, that I went to Alton & saw Charley and Col. Burbank, that Charley came to St. Louis with me & remained until I left on Tuesday morning. I am very sorry for Charley as also for the poor old Colonel, who was so mortified he cried. I hope you will pay some attention to your Regiment and have the Battallion sent to you and the Head Quarters removed to some point where they can recruit. I wish you would demand your rights and persevere until you get them too. Why on earth you have not got proper aids and enough of them I cannot imagine. Major Garesché asked me when I saw him in Washington to tell you that he would be glad to go with you, as aid, and that he hoped to do so when you took the field. Can you not write requesting him? Write to him on the subject at any rate. There is a first rate smart active young business man now with Henry Reese, as clerk. He is anxious to get a commission, and he would suit you admirably as Quarter Master. If you will write a letter to Gov. Todd requesting his appointment as Lieutenant you can then appoint him to your Staff. Genl Rosecrans has appointed several in that way & being from Ohio the Governor would be pleased to make the appointment for you. If you enclose your letter to Father he will have it attended to. The young gentleman's name is Dayton. I do not know the initials but Father can give them in his letter to the Governor, He has been accustomed to business on the railroads & he has belonged to a militia company; he understands telegraphing is a good clerk and very quick and active. Now do not slight me, dear Cump by refusing to do this for I cannot bear to think of your being without proper help when you can secure it so easily and at the same time confer such a favor upon a worthy young man and oblige all your friends. If you write to Major Garesché he can probably secure you some one else even if he cannot come himself. I am impatient to hear that Genl Hitchcock has taken command at St. Louis as then Charley will be sent to you and some favor be shewn your Regiment. Hamilton was very ill-natured and unfriendly in the matter. He is a weak man.

I wish you would demand your rights until you get them. You have endured too much neglect already. McClellan will I hope pay dearly for his apathy and indifference in regard to Kentucky. He is called now a mere stick. I think he is worse, I think he has been a mill stone. Had Mr Stanton had command the rebels would have been driven out of Kentucky and Tenessee long ago & you would have been saved all the trouble you have had. But God willed it so and He is able to bring good out of evil & He will in this case I know. People criticise Mr Lincoln's party. McClellan attended several parties while I was in Washington. Genl. Rosecrans waited there two weeks & could not see him and during all that time the correspondants of the New York Herald were seeing him every day & when I was there immediately after he was attending parties constantly. I know of three he attended. I hope he will be set aside & cashiered after awhile He is set aside now. I hope you are not over working yourself again. Remember me to Capt. Hammond. I am anxious to know if Mr Bowman was killed or wounded. We have no list yet All well and send best love to dear dear Papa - Believe me ever your affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
Feb. 28, 1862.
[1862/02/28]

[WTS]

We hear that Government has taken possession of the telegraph, dearest Cump and that we can no longer hear what is going on, therefore I hope you will either write or get Capt Hammond to write to me very frequently & let me know as much as is proper about your individual movements. I have rented Nick Little's house, opposite Philemon's and expect to move into it the the first of April. It is a most comfortable pleasant house and has a large yard with many trees & much fine fruit. So when get home to make us another visit we will be able to entertain you handsomely. I want you to invite Capt Hammond to come here whenever he takes a leave of absence. I hope Capt Prince[?] will call on his way back to duty. I will write to him this afternoon. I am very anxious to know what Halleck says in response to your request about Charley.

Please send me his letter, and please persevere until you get that Batallion, for I know you will have satisfaction with them. Boyle has been spending a few days with us. He leaves tomorrow for Western Virginia. Did I tell you of his young Son Hugh Ewing Jr? Boyle saw Genl. Stone a few hours before his arrest. He told him that I had been in Washington & had been very anxious to see him. He sent his warmest regards & said he considered me one of his true friends. I never can believe him guilty. What do you think of his arrest? Charley has bought a beautiful pair of Shoulder Straps for you, which he hopes to have the pleasure of putting on you soon. They were twelve dollars and are the handsomest pair I have ever seen. Dear Cump I am ashamed to ask you for more money but I must get you to send me a part of your next pay as I am nearly out at the Bank & do not want to Spend my gold. I have spent so much money in travelling that although I have endeavored to be economical my money has melted away. I have promised the Same very often & I now promise again to Spend as little as possible. We have had a good deal of company here & in consequence have spent more than I intended. Doctors bills and all are paid up to date yet I want for current expenses & for preperations for housekeeping. I have nearly all I want for the house but it was cost something for a stove & fuel - I hope you will never deed that house of your Mother's to Elizabeth. I want it to stand in the name of Sherman & I am not willing you should give her that much more when we may need it ourselves more than she does. She boasts that Mr Reese put the improvements on it & presented it to your Mother. That is not so. Father says that Mr Reese owed yr. Uncle Parker money & your Mother gave her note & afterwards paid it on the strength of those improvements for two thousand seventy dollars. I enclose a note from Mrs. Dr. White. Can you make Stanley H. Stewart or Clerk? Believe me ever

Your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
March 5th 1862.
[1862/03/05]

[WTS]

Yesterday, dearest Cump I received your letter of the 26th ult. It was post marked Cincinnati so I conclude you must have sent it that far by private hand. Letters are a long time on the way to & from your present abode. I am sorry you did not see Hoyt at Cairo. He ought to go to see you when he is there again. It has been a long time since you saw him last, has it not? Mr Bowman wrote me that he liked Hoyt exceedingly well & that he thought him very handsome. I hope you will be able to visit Sr. Angela some time as I know she would be very much gratified to see you. They must be very busy attending the poor wounded men The ladies have sent down several boxes of necessaries to her since the Battle. We are not allowed to hear any of the movements of the Army consequently I feel more than usually anxious for letters from you. Just a few lines to assure me that you are well & to keep me informed of your whereabouts will be sufficient. I do not wish to impose the burden of long letters upon you when you are so very busy. You had better write to Col. Burbank about reporting his companies.

I have received a letter from Mrs. Welch. She says the Captain is making nothing now & if they can rent their house she will come to New York for the sake of spending less. She desires her love to you. The children are all well & all go by turns to Kate Willock to School. Minnie & Willy go regularly & Lizzie & Tommy whenever they choose. Elly is crazy to go. Minnie is as tall as her Aunt Sissy and by the time you see her she will be even taller as she is growing constantly.

We are having more winter now than we had in December & January. It is snowing & very cold today. I hope you will not expose yourself whilst the weather is so inclement.

We look for Tom Ewing in a day or two. He will make us a short visit on his way to Washington after first paying Charley a short visit. Would I could tell when I shall have the great happiness of seeing you again.

Believe me ever your

Truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
March 7th, 1862
[1862/03/07]

[WTS]

Day before yesterday I received your good letters of the 1st & 3rd my dearest Cump and I cannot tell you how happy it made me to have such words of affection & with it all an assurance that your spirits are improving. I am truly glad that you saw Hoyt as I know it was a gratification to you both. You must not give me credit for loving & respecting you as I do for who could do otherwise who knows you as I do to be the soul of honor, & full of the truest courage; & withal so kind and forgiving - You only want Christianity to make you perfect & that you will have for my unceasing prayers for faith to you will be answered. The centurian's faith in our Savior raised his servant who was ill & I know God will not refuse my prayer for you. Then will happiness as unalloyed as earth can afford be ours.

We are all rejoiced at the possession of Columbus & glad that you had the pleasure of planting the flag of the Union on its walls. Why did you let Cullom send the official report to Halleck? You rank him & you are in command of the District. I do not understand it. The children are in fine health. I gave them a taffy pulling in honor of the day, when we got the news from Columbus.

Philemon has been appointed Judge in Whitman's place the latter having gone to Cincinnati to practice law. Mrs. Duval has called & I must go down. I have written to Dayton & Father has written to the Governor for a commission for him. With best love, as ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
March 12, 1862.
[1862/03/12]

My dearest husband;
[WTS]

I was more happy last night than I can tell for I had the most vivid dream of your being here and in good spirits, but the only trouble was you did not stay long enough. I got your letter of the 6th yesterday. I am glad you are going to have such a pleasant part of the world to be in and I rely with the same confidence as hitherto upon your doing well and being preserved to me & our dear children. Mr. Dayton will be with you possibly before you can get this letter. I am sure you will find him an agreeable useful young gentleman, I feel more happy to know those that are to be always near you. It is a great comfort to me to know Capt. Hammond & to know that he is so good and so much attached to you. You did not mention Charley in your last. I do sincerely hope he will not be left to guard jail whilst you are engaged so pleasantly. Has not Halleck answered your letter? I am suspicious of Halleck's sincerity towards you. I think that both he & McClellan are afraid to give you the chance & the means to distinguish yourself - McClellan certainly was whilst you were in Kentucky & it looks a little now as if Halleck were I am satisfied whatever hapens for no one can take from you your unsullied honor and your true courage.

I will write you a long letter to send by Mr. Dayton, one something like you used to write me from the very same part of the world you are now in. How freshly & tenderly those days return to my mind when you were in Northern Alabama & wrote to me what a pleasant home it would be for us at some future time. Would it not be singular if we were to be there living with our children at last? Mr Haly has been here from St Louis He talked about Mrs. Perkins & said she was never tired talking of you. She told him that she used to think you were in love with Kate Childs & that Kate was in love with you. I shall have to cross examine you on that subject when we meet again so prepare the best defence you can!

Father has lost his great case, with the ten thousand dollar fee. Catron decided it against him when, Father says, every principle of justice were with his client. Give my kindest regards to Capt. Hammond.

The children all go to School to Kate Willock. Tommy is very smart at arithmetic. All well. Rachel is larger than Elly now.

Truly yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster, O.,
March 14, 1862. Friday morning
[1862/03/14]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Tom Ewing got here last evening on his way, to Washington, to attend to some rail road business. We talked over your affairs pretty freely and Tom says what must be apparant to every one that the truth and correctness of your words have been more than verified. In the first place they have now more than the two hundred thousand men just where you said they ought to be. Fremont had to acknowledge, in his defence that he had received a letter from you in the fall stating that the fighting must be done between the Ohio Missippi and Cumberland rivers. Jeff. Davis is bitterly complained of, by his own people because he did not carry the war into Ohio & take Louisville & Cincinnati at the time you expected them to do so & Davis & his friends urge in his defence the fact that they expected Johnson to do so and Johnson is under a cloud on account of it & they propose to drop him from the Army because he failed to do what you said they could & would do. Truly did Father say to the President that the only trouble with you was that you saw too far & too accurately into the future. When I look back at your letters now they seem to me like prophecies just as your predictions in California as to financial matters were. I want you to banish the spirit of self distrust that you have admitted lately and do not allow yourself to believe that you have been mistaken for you have not in anything. They have failed to act in the natural & accustomed spirit of rebels but you were wise and exhibited the utmost sagacity & forethought & regard to them & their plans & capabilities. It still remains a mystery why they did not take Louisville & Cincinnati & lay waste an entire state. Buckner told you too that he was prepared to make the movement you apprehended but that he was prevented by Sidney Johnson & Sidney Johnson will lose his commission for failing to do it & be disgraced in the eyes of both people.

Mr. Dayton hopes to get his commission & join you in a few days. I will send you some pocket handkerchiefs by him. I earnestly pray that the time may be not be far distant when we will have the great happiness of being united again.

What do you think of the new Army regulations? I am glad McClellan is brought down & I would like to see him even more out down but he will hold on to his commission which keeps him higher than he deserves to be. My health is not good this Spring I sometimes feel very uneasy for fear I may die suddenly I have so much uneasiness about my heart. The Doctor has ordered the usual meat & wine that they always order for me. The children are in splendid health. You will have to send Capt Hammond in to recruit his health after awhile. When shall I have the happiness of seeing you my dearest.

As ever,

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
March 17, 1862. Monday morning.
[1862/03/17]

[WTS]

Mr. Dayton passes through today, dearest Cump, on his way to join you having a promise from Gov. Todd that he will send out his commission as soon as you notify him by telegraph that you have written requesting his appointment. I supposed there would be no difficulty in his getting the appointment & wrote to him to come on to Columbus. Genl Rosecrans & others had had many appointments made in that way & I thought with Father's recommendation he would have no trouble. Henry Reese came on with him & they brought to the Governor very high recommendations from Genl Rosecrans & Genl Wright but the Gov. said he would not issue the commission until he got a letter from you or got a dispatch from you notifying him that you had written that letter. He advised Mr. Dayton to join you immediately & he would forward the commission as soon as he heard from you. Henry Reese gives Mr. Dayton the highest praise & I am certain that you will find him useful & agreeable in every way. As he has lost his clerkship you will of course write the necessary letter to secure his commission. I feel sorry that you must be troubled to do this and had I known there would have been any difficulty in his getting the commission from Father's recommendation I would not have disturbed his relations with Henry Reese. I should be sorry to have him lose by me & shall be anxious to hear that he is secure.

You can well imagine my anxiety to hear from you. Since the Expidition started we have not had a word of it from the papers or otherwise. I fear from the rebels evacuating New Madrid & Island No 10, that they are swelling the numbers against you wherever you may meet them. My trust is still firm in God. & I hope for the best. I cannot tell whether my letters would be forwarded to you. I had intended writing you a long letter by this opportunity but I was very unwell yesterday & Tom Ewing being about to leave this morning my time is of course interrupted. To think of you in that part of the world takes me back to the days of our courtship & recalls the delightful letters you wrote to me from near the point where you are now. Did I tell you what Mrs. Perkins told Mr. Haley about your penchant for Kate Childs & hers for you? Of course your conscience pleads guilty but I have nothing to say in condemnation as I have no doubt she was an attractive agreeable young lady & treated you kindly. The wonder is you did not bring me to terms & place yourself at liberty to take her for I was so long an invalid & was altogether so incompetent for an officer's wife. But here we are! old people almost now, & loving one another better than we could have done before. What a blessed compensation it is - the increased affection which length of attachment sorrow & exposure bring. I never did put my children in the balance against you, as person who marry as late as we did are supposed to do but they seem really now of too little importance when compared with you in my mind. My hopes of Heaven alone compares with my earnest love for you & the one does not conflict with the other. My health has not been good since I left Washington. I lost my appetite before I went there & eat less there then ever before in my life & I think it is that that has broken me down. I hope to recruit with good care soon. The children are doing admirably. Willy & Tommy are the picture of health & always happy. Minnie grows but keeps strong & even Lizzie is improving. Rachel is very large & strong & all think her very pretty. Her eyes were sore when you were here. They have all recovered from sore eyes. Elly is a great chatter-box & is very interesting. She attempts to Sing everything she hears & makes a pretty good effort too. When asked to Sing anything that she is afraid we will laugh at she says very prettily "O that is'nt in my book Minnie has a singing book & they all sing the patriotic songs that have come out lately. Willy refers to the map as much as you & watches the progress of our arms & the relative position of the different points assailed. Tom satisfies himself with betting on the Union & abusing "the old secesh". Father goes to Chauncey to day. Philemon has been holding court in Whitman's place. All send best love to you and are very anxious to hear from you but none so much so as your devoted & affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
March 21, 1862.
[1862/03/21]

[WTS]

My last letter dearest Cump was written on Monday to send by Mr. Dayton who has by this time I hope reached you and been set to work. I did not think, when I wrote to Dayton that he would have any trouble in getting a commission or I would not have written. Both he & Henry Reese were so very much pleased with the situation that was offered that they came to Columbus and so pressed the matter that Dayton's heart was so set on it that he could not give it up. You seem to have forgotten that you said to me in a letter from Paducah that you would keep a place for him I am rejoiced, indeed, that you have a proper Staff at last & I hope you will still have a place for Dayton for I shall feel that I have done him an injury by sending him down, if he is disappointed. You can let one of your Lieutenants return to his company & keep Dayton. You will find him very servicable Do not forget to write to the Governor about him & let him write at the same time to the Governor telling him where to direct his commission which is not to be given until your letter is recd I feel very anxious for news from you as there is a large force opposed to you, but my hope in God's mercy is strong and I have prayed that you may be spared to know the truth and to die in the Church. I am too happy to have the assurance of your improved health & spirits. Even the newspaper correspondents say that Genl Sherman of Ohio never looked better than now. All the country is on the qui vive for news from up the Tennessee. I received your dear letter from Savannah and it made me a happier being. I am sorry to hear that poor Hammond is sick. Give him a chance of distinction & recommend him for promotion. He has the devotion of a brother or son to you and I will always remember him for it. When he is too sick for Service send him to me. I will be snugly fixed in Nick Little's house in a fortnights' time & there I will have room to entertain & take care of any sick or wounded friend you choose to send to me.

Dr Davis asked me to ask you to send him a pass to visit the troops in that Column to render gratuitous assistance as Surgeon &c. Can you do so?

I received the money you sent for which I thank you. Must I send to Capt. Welsh the money for the street rail road along Lizzie's lot? Mrs. Welsh wrote to me that the Capt was doing nothing & she thought of coming to New York, for the Sake of economy. I think it likely that he drinks to excess.

Tom Ewing saw Pottor & the Editors of the Commercial in Cincinnate & they told him that they were sensible of the injustice they had done you & that they felt it keenly. They said that recent developments had proved the correctness of your views & the impossibility of a successful expedition into East Tennessee. Halstead - one of the Editors said that Carter had told him since the bridge burning that the fight at Wild Cat had led him to suppose that the Expedition was ready & he had ordered the destruction of the bridges three weeks before the time agreed on with you. Carter said the men were paid in gold for the work & that one man had pocketed $1,500, fifteen hundred dollars for destroying one bridge which is still standing Both Editor & Proprietor told Tom they would take pleasure in making amends for the injustice done you & that they would use every favorable opportunity for that purpose The children are in fine health & running wild the pleasant weather. All send best love to dear Papa & all the family send love to you. Believe me as ever truly yours

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
March 26, 1862
[1862/03/26]

[WTS]

I am awaiting news of you dearest Cump with the greatest anxiety. You are far down in Dixie now & if the rebels intend to make a stand anywhere they must make a desperate one there. We will have good news soon though, I am sure and in the meantime we feel most anxious for we know how many must suffer.

Yesterday I received a letter from John Sherman in which he says Secretary Stanton assured him the day before that "he would seek an early occasion to express his sense, of the injustice that had been done you." He asked John how he thought he could best do it. So even in this world justice will be done & that very soon. Men will appear at their true value & when they do you will come up all right. McClellan is in a ridiculous position but even worse may befall him yet as it is believed by many that he is a Knight of the Golden Circle.

We are anxious to know whether Charley is ordered down to you. He had some hopes of receiving orders when he wrote to us last on the 16th inst. Genl Hitchcock is on duty at the War Department, and I think he will order the head quarters of the Regiment into Ohio where it can fill up. Colonel Burbank or you ought to write to him on the Subject. When the head quarters are removed orders can then be got for the battalion to be sent to you.

The pay masters receipt you sent me was returned from Columbus with word that provision would be made for those things at the County Treasury. The County Treasury know nothing of it & I am like the old woman whose would not go over the stile & who could'nt get home that night. Believe that the money would be sent on this from Columbus I sent Capt. Welsh a draft for $163 on Lizzie's lot that being the assesment for the Street rail road. I had a long & very good letter from the Capt. I need money just now for my housekeeping arrangements as I wish to get a stove & some few other necessaries which as I buy second hand I must pay the cash down for. Can't you send me by Adam's express company - The children's school bill to Kate & a new shoe bill - which is worse than any blacksmiths - are now due, I enclose you a letter from poor Bainbridge - too - can't you give him a letter of recommendation? Lizzie was mortified at the bare idea of it being she who was at the President's party. Give my regards to Mr Bowman Capt Hammond & Mr Dayton Believe ever faithfully yours

Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
March 29, 1862
[1862/03/29]

[WTS]

I have not had a letter from you for some time, my dearest Cump, & Capt. Hammond writes me that you were sick on the 20th. I trust you have by this time recovered. If you had not I think there would have been some notice of your illness by the correspondance. We hear through them that small pox is in your division. I feel great confidence in the fact that you are not prone to take any of those contagious diseases. I fear our soldiers will suffer greatly from sickness in that climate in this & the approaching season. I suppose my letters do not all reach you and for fear you have not got my last I will repeat, dear Cump, that the money for that paymaster's receipt is not forthcoming & that I am in need of money for school bills shoe bills & for moving &c. If Adam's & Co have an ag-ent there you cd send by them or if you could send me your pay account I could send it to Washington to whomsoever you might direct.

I hope you find Mr Dayton useful and agreeable. I am anxious to hear that his commission is on the way to him as he will be the loser by my effort to do you & him a service should he fail to get his commission.

Give Capt. Hammond a chance to distinguish himself & gain a Major's commission

All are in fine health here and only anxious to hear of the great battle in which you must soon be engaged May the great God of Justice protect & save you now as heretofore. Ever faithfully yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
March 30, 1862
[1862/03/30]

[WTS]

Lieut Rice leaves in an hour for the Tennessee River and he has called to say that he will deliver a letter to you. Lieut. Rice is a nephew of Mr Talmadge & in Tom Worthington's Regiment, he has been home on sick leave for some time & has only now recovered.

I have but a few moments to write & will only say that I have been very constant in writing but I fear my letters have not reached you regularly. Captain Hammond will be sorry to hear that Miss Curtis - General Curtis's daughter is dead. We are in constant expectation of the news of a great battle near or at Corinth. The papers give me news of you & your last reconnoisance on Monday the 24 or the day previous. I hope Mr Dayton is installed & that you have written to the Governor about him. The children are all in fine health and enjoying the delightful spring weather exceedingly. I move this week into Nick Little's house. If you wish to send Mr Bowman Capt Hammond or anyone else wounded or sick for me to take care of you can rely upon my being ready for them. I will have a bed room down stairs & can put up beds in two other rooms, on the first floor that will be quiet & comfortable as there is an outside kitchen to the house. If you should be sick or wounded I will go to you if it be at the risk of my life & bring you home or stay with you but my hope is strong that you will escape unhurt from all perils. May the Great God of all mercy protect & restore you to your family & yours ever,

Ellen,
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
April 3, 1862.
[1862/04/03]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I wrote to you a few days since & sent my letter by private hand. A nephew of Mr. Talmadge was starting to join his Regiment - Tom Worthington's - which is in your division and called to offer to take a letter to you. Yesterday I received letters from Capt. Hammond & Mr. Bowman both of whom tell me you are well and in good spirits which makes me feel very happy. I am truly indebted to Capt. Hammond for his attention in writing to me so punctually ever since I asked him to do so. He says his health is miserable - poor fellow I am sorry for him. Should he get too sick for duty you must send him up to us to take care of. Mr. Bowman says he has not heard from Mrs B. for a month. I will write to him in a day or two. I have written to him quite recently but as my letter was not directed to your care he may not receive it. We are enjoying most delightful weather. The children live out of doors. We are preparing to move into Nick Little's house. The children are impatient to go now the time has come but Mrs. Matlack is there too ill just now to move. It is a very pleasant house with plenty of rooms and an out side kitchen for Summer. I have weaned the baby and let her nurse go. Elizabeth Reese spent last evening with me. The friends/everywhere are well. Father is at Chauncey & will go from there to Cincinnati. Poor Charley must be sick at heart being kept there at Alton so long. Can't you make another demand for him? or would it do any good. McClellan is openly charged with being a Knight of the Golden Circle and I believe he is guilty & that he will be in Fort Warren, in the place of Stone, in six weeks time. It is scandalous that he is permitted to hold the best part of our Army still idle after having paralised it for so long. He is sworn to Jeff. Davis without a doubt. He is politically dead now. How could Halleck have supposed him competent? Until he & the rest of the conspirators high in our service are brought down our country is in imminent peril. No matter what victories we gain. May the Great God protect & defend us. I would bitterly regret that children had ever been given me were the country to be brought to ruin & anarchy. I await with the greatest anxiety the coming contest in which you must be engaged. I fear they will have great numbers there but of course they sent their spies to us with exaggerated accounts. Recommend yr. dear Soul to God - As ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

[April 9th 1862]
[1862/04/09]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I forgot to put in John's letter - I also forgot to say that I wish you would take a little more time & write to Halstead. He nor any one else that ever I heard, ever intimated that you were vain of of your present position or proud & haughty because of it. He said you were naturally so & you do seem so to some -

faithfully yours

Ellen
[EES]

Same date as other - 9th April

Send me word how much express bill T. W. Sherman owes you

I will have the Bank collect it

Lancaster O.,
April 9th 1862
[1862/04/09]

[WTS]

Yesterday, my dearest Cump, I received your letter of the 3rd inst. I feel uneasy about your having the complaint common to that latitude & to Camp life. I hope by this time you are entirely recovered from it. You must not let it go too far but if you find it becoming chronic come home & take care of yourself. I trust Halleck will soon go down and have the work commenced in desperation & finished before the hot weather & the yellow fever come on. McClellan has been playing into their hands - he is sworn to them under pain of assassination - and he has allowed things to work so as to leave our troops to be killed off by yellow fever when Summer comes on. Men high in authority are watching him & he will likely be in Fort Warren in Stone's place before long. Stone was a scape goat for him & he send Stone to prison to prevent his own treason being discovered. May vengeance fall on him! It surely will for God will have justice done us sooner or later.

I am sorry Hammond is so unwell. You had better send him up to take a rest & recruit. I have a bed room fitted up on the first floor of the house & can entertain him comfortably. The house is delightful Large pleasant halls with south windows, two parlours a sitting room, a large dining room & pantry & a few paces off, but under coveredway, a large nice kitchen with fire place. Up stairs rooms over the two parlors a small room at the end of the hall and rooms over the sitting room & dining room. All the windows have nice shutters. The rear buildings are good, the stable is very nice & I intend to keep a cow. The yard is fine & has many fruit trees & grape vines on it. So you may rest assured the children will be comfortable and happy. Rachel has been weaned & is thriving wonderfully. She is the image of Willy in appearance & disposition. She is very fond of me & I hardly know why for I do not pay much attention to her. She is so healthy & strong it does not seem necessary. You would be highly entertained could you hear Elly chatting. She is a great talker & singer. "Our flag is there" is her favorite song at present. She calls herself "Ellen Sherman" & talkes about what she is going to do "after to-morrow". She knows everything is very smart & interesting but she is still cross after Emily & frets when out of her sight long. Willy & Tommy are growing finely & Willy & Minnie are studying well with Kate Willock. Tommy is a real Yankee for calculating. Yesterday he wanted a cent to buy licquorice. I gave him five cents & told him that would get one stick & I wd give him part of it. "Five cents for one stick, said he, twenty sticks for a dollar". Kate is quite proud of him when he does go to school which is only when he feels disposed. Lizzie is very deaf again & as usual, when deaf she is full of mischief.

Mr Willock has just called & given me the first gleanings of the terrible battle Thank our merciful God you are alive but your poor hand gone - Will you come home. Telegraph me what to do. Send Hammond Mr Bowman anyone you wish here & for God's sake come yourself for awhile. In life or death

Yours ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
April 13, 1862.
[1862/04/13]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I await with great anxiety authentic accounts of the wounded of the terrible battle of last Sunday & Monday. The papers twice stated you were shot in the hand by a canon ball. Capt Hammond's dispatch came to me Thursday night stating that you were alive & well. I cannot but hope that you were not wounded whilst I, at the same time, fear, it is too true. When Mr Darst left Friday I was too sick to write. I never was more sick for a day but I was up although very weak the next day.

There is a report in town that Mr. Dayton is killed but I will not believe it until I hear it from a reliable source & I think we would have heard it in that way by this time had it been true as he had been regularly announced before the battle as your Aid he wrote me.

Poor Charley is distressed to death and we are one & all sympathysing with him. I think it outrageous in Halleck to leave them an ignominious post whilst he sends so many raw regiments into the field. It is an outrage too that your request for them has not been granted. Halleck gave me his word when I was in St. Louis, that they should be ordered into the field soon. Do see him about it & demand them as a partial justice for yourself. You have recd injustice & neglect enough, do not submit to any more. Demand your Battalion & if Halleck is not as treacheous as Hamilton you will soon have them. Hamilton is no friend of yours. He shewed me that very plainly - he treated me with great rudeness. I will improve the first opportunity I ever have to let him know that he need never make protestations of friendship again for he has shewn his true spirit & it is not one of friendship - it is widely the reverse. That Battalion is kept there to indulge a pique or ill will of his & I hope you will see that he can no longer treat you in that way. If you write to Washington for your Battalion you can get them. I am anxious to know whether to send you anything & if so what - whether only eatable or both dainties & light clothing. You must need a light coat. I trust I will hear the truth about you today. May God continue his mercy to us and protect you as he has hitherto done amid so many fearful dangers. I get into my own house today. The children are charmed. You must send up any friend you wish.

I hope you will soon be able to write me a few lines. I hope to hear from Hammond or Dayton in a day or two. All well and most anxious to hear. Elly tells, that her "other Papa had his hand shot off". Every one expresses the deepest interest & utmost regard. Poor forlorn Charley Hood passed me on the street & said "have you heard from the General, I could'nt sleep last night for thinking of him, it hurt my feelings so".

We have news this morning of Beauregard's death,

Believe me ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
April 18th 1862 Friday noon.
[1862/04/18]

[WTS]

Yesterday my dearest Cump, I had the gratification of receiving letters from Capt. Hammond Mr. Dayton & Mr. Bowman. I was rejoiced with the assurance of your good health, notwithstanding your severe labors of the three previous days. The papers gave us full accounts & by comparing notes I was able to tell pretty nearly how the matter stood with you. Genl Halleck Genl Grant as well as all the subordinate Officers concur in the testimony of your great skill energy & courage. I felt as certain before that you would display these qualities as I feel now that you have shewn them but it is nevertheless a gratification to know that others are disposed to do you justice. Whether any blame can be justly attached to us for the surprise I know not but I do know that as far is in your power lay, you were on the alert and had your pickets out. I do not require to be told that. I know you well enough to know that it was so.

I hope you will recommend Capt. Hammond for promotion as I am sure he must have served you well during those terrible days.

For all our sakes do have Charley's companies sent to you. It is a shame that they have been doomed to that ignominious post so long to gratify a pique of your pretended friend Hamilton.

We all receive with infinite pride & satisfaction the accounts we get of you each day. You would yourself be astonished at the general interest felt by men women & children of the town & country, in your welfare. I enclose you a slip from the Gazette - The Eagle also contains a pretty notice. The children are all well and doing finely. Willy and Minnie interested in their studies; Lizzie keeping house; Tommy enjoying the yard all the day long & Elly trying to nurse Rachel who is as large as she, I am better than I was last week but I am not well yet. We have got into our house (Nick Little's, opposite Philemon's) & you would be pleased to see how very delightfully we are settled. Two parlors a sitting room dining room & pantry out side kitchen cellar well, cistern, stable, fruits & flowers. Up stairs, five rooms a fine hall & a garret window shutters in nice order & every thing comfortable & pleasant. Father gave us a cow. I have good girls and we flourish. All we want to make us happy is our head our best beloved you who are exposed to so my privations as well as dangers. You must reflect Cump on the painful long & sorrowing days your death would leave me to bear & no longer risk your life rashly as I fear you sometimes do.

Believe me ever yours.

Ellen
[EES]

April 19th Saturday
[1862/04/19]

[WTS]

When I sent my letter down yesterday dearest it was too late for the mail so I have opened it to say how happy I was at receiving your letter last night. It must have been your left hand that was shot. Poor young Holliday! Where do his friends live? tell me that I may write to them; his parents, his wife, or his sisters. Truly your escape from death seems miraculous & I have offered & will continue to offer a grateful heart to God for His Mercy to you. Do not expose yourself unnecessarily & do recommend your soul with contrition to God every day. Do not go into the battle as a heathen would with no prayer for another world to which you may be hurried. Poor young Holliday. I hope God has had mercy on his soul. Write me how Hammond & Dayton did & about Mr Bowman. Father feels that Genl Halleck is treating Charley with unjustifiable neglect. We all feel insulted & hope you will demand your rights & rescue the poor fellow from his prison. I am sorry you lost everything. You must take from the Rebels now. Shall I send you a box? You have a trunk here. Until it is sheep shearing & weaving time you send me your pay account endorsed to my order. Have Hammond made Major, I will write more letters than you want to read,

As ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
April 23, 1862
[1862/04/23]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

Yesterday I received your letter of the 16th written in Capt. Hammond's hand. In obediance to your wishes I have got the receipt from my trunk, for $10.000 signed by T. C. Pomeroy, and have copied it. When I have closed this letter I will go down street with it & get Philemon to attest the copy & the original shall be mailed to the Quarter Master Gen'l by the Eastern Mail which leaves an hour or two later than the one which takes this letter. I am pained to hear that you are suffering from the wound in your hand. I had just concluded that it must be your left hand that was wounded, otherwise I thought you could not have written me the long letter you did after the battle. I hope your wound will soon be well and you will not again unnecessarily expose yourself. The papers, some of them - are howling about the absence of pickets & your consequent surprise. Grant has been tried & condemned by a supreme court of newspaper correspondants & editors who, of course, know more about what was done, what was left undone, & what ought to have been done than the best Generals in the field. Do write me about the pickets & why you were surprised. I am just as certain that you took every precaution in your power to guard against surprise as I am that you are living and my equanimity is not disturbed but I would like to have you write me just exactly how it was - whether there was any failure in the placing pickets whether they failed to do their duty, & whether anything more than was done, could have been done to guard against surprise. I think the papers are right in their criticisms of the course Gen'l Halleck pursues towards the wounded. Our own wounded should be attended to first & then if we have means men & time attend to them. I think too it is a gross outrage to prevent the negroes in their efforts to escape. The rebels - inhuman blood thirsty wretches who have brought all this suffering upon us - their women as well as their men - ought not to be protected in their property, especially that property which enables them to keep up the means of carrying on this warfare. They have been treated every where with too much kindness, their bush whackers, wire cutters & bridge burners, when among pretended peaceful citizens ought to be shot without the preliminaries of the law. I, for one shall be sorry to see the south received into the union again until her slaves are free & she is humbled in that which has led to her pride & wickedness. Miserable people I feel no compassion for them.

It is hard that those regiments should not have a chance to retrieve their characters. They were so green that their running might be overlooked & they have a chance to redeem their name, when better diciplined.

I hope you will recommend Capt. Hammond for promotion in your report, He must have done his duty well in those terrible days when you forced the admiration of even the correspondants who hate you. Do not forget to let me know where poor Holliday was from if you can find out. We are in constant expectation of the news of another battle. I shall feel thankful indeed when it is over & you are safe. I have written you often of our new house. The peach pear apple & plumb trees are all in bloom: the grass is green & the sun is bright and you can imagine how the children frisk & play. In the house everything is pleasantly arranged. I am busy yet fitting up window blinds &c. &c. Lizzie is at work all the time washing ironing sweeping sewing or something. The Dr. said she must not go to School. I had to get her a little wash board, to wash with the girls on wash days All are well at home & ever anxious to hear from you. The boys are anxiously expecting those bullets May God in Heaven bless & keep you -

Ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
April 24, 1862.
[1862/04/24]

[WTS]

I wrote you yesterday, dearest Cump, & in the afternoon I received your letter of the 14th telling me about your expidition up the river & the breaking of the road. The newspapers had noticed it before and Capt. Hammond, who loses no opportunity of giving me pleasure by conveying agreeable information, had told me of the trip. Father was however more pleased with your account of it and your message to him regarding it. The Captain had sent me a copy of Gen'l Halleck's letter & it circulated extensively among your friends & the community generally. It gave the truest pleasure to all your acquaintances old and young.

You tell me to say nothing more about McClellan - Aside from his treatment of you I am convinced that he is a Knight of the Golden Circle & sworn to Jeff Davis under pain of assissination. I think that nothing else can explain his conduct throughout. You cannot know all the we do - Was there ever such a thing heard of in history as the evacuation of Manassas in the face of such an Army & such means of he had? He has the confidence of no one but Mr Lincoln & he is no judge of character. No victory, however brilliant can restore him to the confidence of his countrymen, but he will not gain a victory - he will suffer a few men a York Town to hold him with his still splendid army whilst the majority of the Rebel troops will fall upon McDowell, To you I must speak my convictions & they are that McC. is a greater traitor than Jeff. Davis. You committed no mistake in leaving Kentucky. Treated as you were you did right & I have rejoiced a hundred times that you had the penetration to see & the character to do what was best at that time. I am rejoiced that you have had so much pleasure in the Kentucky who joined you at Shiloh. Capt. Miller told me, at Louisville that if you staid there you would gain a name such as no man ever had, you were so much valued by them. You now begin to believe it. I wrote you yesterday about the newspaper howlings about the pickets at the battle. Do write me something or have Hammond write something definite on the subject. I am truly rejoiced to hear that the story of Dr. Hewitt is false. I had been afraid it might be true. You have never told me what you think of Stone. I copied the receipt for ten thousand dollars & Philemon certified to it & I then sent it to Gen'l Meigs. Philemon says that two other receipts which I have duplicates but as they are not exactly similar though for the same account of money I thought it better to copy that & file away the copy. I have not told you how nicely we have our household arranged. First in my parlour I have over the mantle-piece that picture of Father which you had framed in Louisiana (I had it varnished) & under it the pretty crucifix you bought me in St. Louis. On one side the room I have Minnie's picture, with a northern light on it & each side of it hang your picture & John's - under it Helen Hunter's. Between the windows hangs my picture & under it the fine picture of the Bust which Mr Griswold gave me. In another recess I have Boyle & Henrietta's hung high & lower at each side the Arch Bishop & Father Ryder & under it the pretty medallion picture of the Madonna. All are handsomely hung with cords & tassels & they give the room a furnished appearance with the fine carpet & a nice sofa from Mother's &c. &c. In the back parlor I have a nice bed & suitable furniture where I will put the first of your friends that you send up for me to take care of. In the sitting room there is nothing but carpet blinds table & chairs - there, the children romp as they please. The dining room is well supplied with cupboards & is shady cool & pleasant whilst the kitchen, a few steps from the dining room, is large well lighted & very nice. A well and cistern are near the kitchen & the surroundings are neat & sufficient. I have the front room up stairs where I am now writing. Minnie & Lizzie have the room back of mine with a door between. They have the birds that you painted for them framed & hung in their room & they take pride in keep it very nice. Tommy & Willy have the little room over the front hall where they sleep together every night. In the rear building are two rooms over the sitting room & dining room - in one, Emily keeps Elly and Rachel & Gertrude has the other. At any time I can give my room or Willy's room to a guest & should you send up a dozen wounded I could put beds in all the rooms & take care of them. Gertrude has to write to Joe all she hears about you. Tommy & Willy are anxiously awaiting those bullets &c. and the girls protest that they are also to have some of the relics I am glad Mr. Bowman had the pleasure of going on that expedition, I know it gratified him. We all feel sorry for Charley but I suppose God has permitted it for the best. He may have our children to take care of when we are gone. May God have mercy on us in our last hour! Do give Hammond a chance for promotion. Henry Reese spent evening before last with me.

Take some care of yourself for our sake if not for your own - think of our desolation should you die

As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
April 26, 1862. Saturday.
[1862/04/26]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

Tom & John Sherman, on receiving a copy of Gen'l Halleck's letter from Capt. Hammond called with it on the Sec. of War. He had not recd it but was greatly pleased & said as soon as he did receive it he would have it published. He had sent your name in to the President for promotion as soon as he had seen Grant's report but the President prefers to make the nomination on Halleck's recommendation & said he would send in your name to the Senate as soon as Sec. Stanton got his letter. He asked Tom when the Gen'l's name was sent in to present his compliments to Mrs. Sherman "to whom he had taken a great liking". Tom assured him the liking was reciprocated & told him that I had run up the Republican flag as his nomination &c - He rubbed his hands & with much pleasure said "thats first rate". Mr. Stanton has expressed for some time both to Tom & John a desire to do you justice. He said that the trouble with you was, you were a General & those who failed to support you were not Apropos, Father is in constant communication with Mr. Stanton, & his opinion of a certain person whom you told me to keep my own counsels about are just what I expressed to you in a former letter. Last night Father received a dispatch from the Secretary, concerning him which has occasioned him great uneasiness for the country. Time will prove to you that he is what I said. Charley is so heart sick that he has given up all hope of kind treatment from Halleck, & I fear he includs you. We are making every effort to get them into another Department where they can possibly get some other than jailor's duty. I will never like Hamilton again. Please tell Capt Hammond & Mr Dayton that I am under the deepest obligations to them both for their letters. I will write to them soon. I do hope you have mentioned the Capt Honorably in your report. We have not seen it yet. Did Grant neglect any duty? Truly do you stand vindicated from recent slanders. I need not tell you of the pride & pleasure of your friends. May God in his mercy preserve you to us.

Ever your devoted

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
April 29, 1862
[1862/04/29]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

Willy was perfectly delighted to receive a letter from you yesterday. He shewed it to Grand Pa & Uncle Reese and wanted everybody to see it. All the children were more pleased with it than with any of your letters to me. You seem to think so much more of Willy than of Tommy that they all perceive it. Poor little Tom was charmed - his eye brightened & his whole face beamed happiness when he found you had mentioned his name with Willy's as one to whom the bullets were to sent.

You would be well satisfied with Willy's progress at school - he reads & spells remarkably well - he is in the third reader & can read a story for me without any blundering. Kate says he is very ambitious & persevering. Lizzie cannot go to school but her health is better than it was. Rachel is the great pet with all - Grand Pa says she is the most intelligent child he ever saw & so sweet & amiable - he loves her dearly.

We are all rejoicing at the prospect of Charley's going down which we infer is very certain, from what you said to Willy.

See that you have him with you or he will be made a baggage guard or grave digger Hamilton has a spite at him & I reciprocate the feeling with Hamilton. I am truly glad to hear your contradiction of the base slanders against Dr. Hewitt. The slanders against you were nothing to them. Please shew these articles to Hammond. May Heaven protect & defend you -

Ever yours

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
May 1st, 1862.
[1862/05/01]

[WTS]

The anniversary of our wedding dearest Cump and I must write if only to remind you that I never can forget or cease to recall every date connected with you.

Mr Stanton had Genl'l Halleck's letter in reference to you published. He told Tom that he would. Your name was sent in to the Senate yesterday & will of course be confirmed as yr. only enemies are among the Generals.

I have recd & filed away the receipt of that receipt of that receipt which I sent to the Quarter Master General for $10,000.

We have not seen your report yet - Send it to me.

I want you to write to Mr. Stanton & recommend Hammond's promotion. Send the letter through John Sherman or Thomas will suppress it. He kept Gen'l H's as long as he could. All well & anxious to hear from you.

As ever.

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
May 2nd 1862
[1862/05/02]

[WTS]

I wrote you a few lines yesterday dearest Cump. I was so hurried I had scarcely time to say a word. John Hunter left, with the Sanitary Committee, for Pittsburgh & by him I sent by him our little old carpet bag with a suit of summer cloth clothes a change of underclothes & a lot of new & old handkerchiefs to you. I hope you will get them. John McCrackken called to tell me of your promotion & seemed to feel infinite pleasure at it. I find that Charley has given up all hopes of being ordered to you & rejoicing over the prospect of being sent to Elmira N. Y. whither they are to be ordered. Charley says it wd gratify the first wish of their hearts to be sent to you but they have abandoned all hope of it. By applying for the Battalion they could be ordered to you, from Washington. They have two more companies which Charley is drilling, It will nearly kill Charley if he is kept in inglorious inaction all the time. Poor Lieut Lovett died at Alton. You will have to send me a pay account on which I can get money at the Bank - I need money badly. Why do we not get your report? What of Hildebrand? See article enclosed from Cin! Gazette.

All well - As ever your

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
May 15 1862
[1862/05/05]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I must lose no time in acknowledging the receipt of the pay account for April, which you sent me. It will pay all my expenses of moving &c. &c. and start me off fresh again. Very recently I got the money on the certificate you sent & that paid all the old bills but before that I had got in the condition of Dick Swivller- nearly every street was blocked up by my creditors. They were not very severe however & I managed to live through it. Philemon has had some sport at my expense about my letters to you which he said he feared to see published in the Southern papers after hearing that your camp had fallen into the hands of the rebels & all your clothes &c. destroyed. I am very glad indeed to hear that yr. clothes were not all lost. We got the map & the report over which we have been exceedingly interested. Father is very much pleased with it. I am glad to see you mention Hammond but I want you further to write to John and some other of your friends, or to the proper authorities in Washington & request his promotion. Please do this. You have a warm friend & admirer in Mr. Stanton. Genl Hitchcock has written me the most kind and complimentary letter congratulating me on the "high position now occupied by my husband". He says Genl Halleck has written to him of you & that you will be known as the hero of Pittsburgh Landing. The President desired a friendly message to be given me, "when the Genl's name was sent in for promotion". I have had a beautiful letter from Mrs Swords, & from every quarter the most friendly & kind congratulations. Harriett Stanbery even writes me her congratulations & evinces the greatest interest in you. The Cincinnati Commercial really seems disposed to do you justice & now that you have risen above them in every way & utterly confounded their malice I would say no more of them. If you give them a little kindness they will prove your best friends. One of the Publishers - Halstead I think it is - (the one who acknowledged to Tom the gross wrongs they had done you) certainly seems now to understand your true character & I wd if I were you say nothing about them there for it will only please the poor miserable correspondants to know that you still remember their flings.

Boyle writes to Mother in the happiest & most enthusiastic manner over your triumph. He says among other things "Truth crushed to earth has risen". Boyle has the most unbounded enthusiastic devotion to you - you ought to love him for it. Our mail leaves earlier than usual & I must close to be in time for it. I am glad to have your word against the slanders about "the surprise" also about poor Dr Hewitt. Mr Dayton must be very happy. I am glad you mentioned Col. Worthington in yr. report. I wrote to you about Stanley White. I have since had reason to believe he is not a very suitable person to recommend & I am sorry I troubled you. With a heart full of love

Your ever affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

I hope Charley will soon be with you

Lancaster O.,
May 11th 1862 Sunday night
[1862/05/11]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I was sadly disappointed today to find that John Hunter had gone to Pittsburg Landing without seeing you. He got home this morning in the freight train & I hear through Helen that he was not permitted to land. None of the Committee were allowed to go ashore, further than the mere landing. It has been a week since I heard from you by letter either of yours of Capt. Hammond or Dayton. If Captain Hammond is sick send him up to me and I will take care of him & send him to you well in a short time. I feel the greatest apprehension for you now, my beloved husband - the exposure to climate & the dangers of the battle field are immeasurable & my courage sometimes grows somewhat faint when I reflect on the fearful risks you run. Great & fervant will be my thanks to God when you have safely outridden the storms which have gathered around us. Whatever be your fate with my latest breath will I teach our children to revere your name & look back upon your career with pride and glory. I wrote thus far last night my dearest & this morning have come over to take care of Mother who is quite ill. Sis is in Cincinnati. All send best & truest love to you. May our good God spare you to us my ever dear one - All the children are well & looking & doing well. Mr Vinton is dead! News by telegraph. Regards to all friends.

As ever

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
May 22, 1862
[1862/05/22]

[WTS]

I have been waiting in the most painful suspence dearest Cump, for the news of the battle which it seemed to us last Saturday cd not be delayed a day longer. May God protect you & bring you safely through to your poor little family for we would be desolate indeed without you. My faith & hope are stronger than my fear but contending emotions make a quiet suspense very painful.

I got the receipt for which you wrote & sent it to the Quarter Master General and disposed of the remaining papers according to your directions. I have an acknowledgement of the receipt of the receipt for ten thousand dollars which I sent on some time ago. I will take care of it.

Your Sword is scoured bright & hangs in my room, your trunk is in the boys room & your watch is carefully put away. I have sent your picture, which you had taken for me in N. York, to Washington to Tom Ewing to have some pictures taken from it some for sale & some for me & the family. Twenty persons have written to me for yours and I had not been able to send it. because I hated to part with this long enough to have others taken from it.

Can't you move in some quarter to have Col. Swords receive proper promotion Mrs. Swords has written to me once about you and once about that.

I really think you ought to do more than you have for Capt. Hammond. Please write a letter recommending his promotion to date from from the 6th April & I will send it with one from Father to Mr Stanton. I ask this as a special favor - please do it. just a short letter to Mr Stanton & enclose to me & I will get Father to write & enclose it with his to Mr. Stanton. Mr. Stanton is Father's particular friend & he thinks most highly of you. Long before the battle he said the only difficulty with you was that you were a General & those who had failed to see as you did were not. Now do not slight my request, If you will not write to Mr. Stanton write at least to Gen'l Hitchcock.

Gen'l Stone sent me McDougal's speech on his arrest & imprisonment. How is Schuyler Hamilton? I was sorry to hear he was sick & hope he is by this time better. Where is Prime? Tell him he must come & see us. I recd Dr. Murray's kind letter. I have concluded to drop that young gentleman of whom I wrote. The Dr. wants to see you President. I would not be surprised if he would some day. It would be a good time for him if you were

We have fine fruit on our lot - cherries pears apples plumbs apricots quinces & grapes - all in the finest condition. The children are very happy & very well. I am going down now to see Rose & Mary Reese who reached home last evening.

You may well say Elly is a chatter box she is the most interesting little talker I ever heard & is not at all shy before strangers. She sings "Our flag is there" & many other songs & is greatly pleased when invited to sing by any one. Rachel is our darling. She is fair as a lilly & her cheeks are red her eyes the sweetest blue & her hair a lovely shade. She is like Minnie & Willy but prettier & smarter than either. She is very large & the most self confident and amiable little thing but I fear we will spoil her. We could not live without her now. She was weaned long ago & she is no more trouble than Elly. Minnie & Willy improve with Kate.

May God forever bless you,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
May 29, 1862
[1862/05/29]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

It is now a little after nine at night. Sam Lilly is playing the fiddle in the dining room where an oil=cloth covers the floor. Minnie Lizzie with Mary Willock & Doctor Boerstler's daughters & my two girls "Gertrude" & "Anne" are dancing to their hearts content. I cannot let them stay up late so I must soon go down & give Sammy his marching orders. Elly Willy & Tommy watched them dancing until they got too sleepy to stay up & they are now as sound asleep as dear little Rachel. You have no idea how very pleasant the house & yard are for us. We are really most delightfully situated & I only wish you could know how thoroughly the children enjoy it all. I have told you often of the abundance & variety of fine fruits we will have. Already the birds are thick in our yard & the children are devising ways & means to scare them off before the cherries get ripe. I have mentioned to you several times the fact that the war missles have arrived & elicited intense admiration and some little apprehension lest they should explode. The box is still in the corner of the front hall where the Express man deposited it, the day he brought it up.

Philemon had been attending court in Logan & returned only last evening. He shewed me your letters. Father is at Chauncey & as he will be home tomorrow we have concluded not to send the letter for publication or the original to Stanton until after Father sees it. Father would feel slighted if we did. The letter cannot be sent verbatim to the Newspapers for they will not publish it with the slur upon "Editors & anonymus scribblers" We will have to strike out Editors, & leave it "Anonymus & irresponsible scribblers" & we would like to have the published letter an exact copy of the one sent to Stanton. Will it not do to send Stanton in a letter envelope the printed letter cut from a newspaper? He will then know that you intended the original to be sent to him but he will not know that we have withheld it. Philemon will write an article touching the charge of Rodney Mason for whose Father & Father-in-law we are sincerely sorry. For their sakes he will touch as lightly on him as possible. The articles shall be extensively circulated & I will send you copies of the paper. I wrote to Mr Prentice some time ago & told him of your gratification at the reception the Kentucky troops gave you when they saw you on the memorable 7th. He sent me half dozen copies of the paper containing his flattering article Father wrote the article signed "E" & I sent it to Mr Prentice & ordered a great many copies which Father & I distributed extensively. Lest you did not receive the one I sent you I now enclose a copy. Please shew it to Gen. Halleck if you get a chance as Father wants him to see it. Halleck is a grand pet of Father's - and I must say of mine too, although I cannot forgive him his cruelty to Charley. We telegraphed Charley yesterday & he has no hope of getting away from there. Why in earth is it that he is treated so! It is really shameful. I am glad to hear Gen: Hamilton is better. Where is Prime? Hammond has been nominated Major - May God in his infinite mercy protect you my dearest.

Ever yours.

Ellen
[EES]

I send an insolent editorial from the Cincinnati Gazette on Gen Halleck shew it to him.

Lancaster O.,
June 1st, 1862 Sunday afternoon
[1862/06/01]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I return your letter to Stanton which Father took into his own hands & desires you to reconsider & write with greater care as he says it is not only for the present time but for future history. He says Stanton will writhe under it & that being a smart man with ill natured disposition he will do all he can against you in justification of himself. Father wants you to put it out of his power to find any point of attack in your letter. Father enjoys the letter & so do I. I am impatient to see it in print that all may know you have flung defiance in the teeth of the base libeller. Father had felt very indignant with Stanton & he is now more gratified than I can tell you by your bold defiant assertions of the truth & he is happy to have you have this opportunity of giving to the public the truth of history and your own evidence of that morning's attack. Father says you must be particularly careful not to intimate in the most indirect way that any amount of ill usage would induce you or any other officer to abandon the cause. Even as a threat where not meant it will be used greatly to your disadvantage & the malicious will exult over any such chance to abuse and again falsely accuse you. The part in which you hold yourself personally responsible savors too much of the duello & might lead to future sorrow. When this war is over we want peace and quiet & not affairs of this kind with whose who have been base enough to slander you whilst you are risking everything in their defense. Do get the letter back as quick as can for I am impatient to have Stanton see it and to have him know that it is in print. I have circulated widely the Louisville Journey Articles on you. I sent them with John's letter & your report of the battle to Capt. Welsh & Mr Moss also to Casserly Borric[?] & other friend of ours. I have had a letter from Capt. Welsh acknowledging the receipt of $160 which I sent him for street repairs to Lizzie's lot. Mrs Welsh is in the States & as soon as I hear from her I will write to her to come & see me. Rose & Mary Reese are here. Strawberries are plenty now & I will give them an entertainment one evening this week. What do you think of my buying a piano? We have so many daughters I think we might as well get one now. Minnie ought to be taking lessons now as any time. I can get a good new one for $225 - If I have a piano now the children can dance of evenings & they will not be so stiff & awkward when they grow up. Willy is on the top of the trees after cherries already. How well I remember seeing you climb the cherry trees when not much larger than he - Little did I think when I looked at you then - timid shrinking & wondering at your boldness that in later years my courage would be called up to enable you to bear the bitter trials of life. But so it has been & I thank God that in our day of trouble my heart did homage to your peerless virtues & more than ever before held you as the first best dearest one on earth to me. You have nobly weathered the storm & you are thrice dear to me on account of the troubles you have had & the danger you have braved.

Tom Ewing wrote to Father in answer to earnest enquiries that an order had been issued the first of May transferring the headquarters of 13th to Elmira N. Y. & that A. Gen. Thomas had written to Gen'l Halleck asking him to releive Col. Burbank. For pity's sake get Halleck to do this as we are all heart sick at seeing the Regiment kept at that ignominious post so long & that will likely be Charley's only chance of service. Why he has not been sent to you none of us can even imagine - He is in despair. Do enquire & use the telegraph to different quarters until you get him away It is an outrage to keep the poor young fellow there & I cannot forgive Hamilton for his ugliness or Halleck for indulging him in it. Do stir them up & see where the hitch is. There is some mysterious halting place for everything which is ordered for your advantage or that of your friends. Do stop this cruelty to Charley & make them put some broken down volunteer Regiment at Alton. The Militia lately called out could do that duty. Gen'l Halleck told Col. Burbank that he "would bear in mind the disagreeable nature of the duty and releive him as soon as possible". It is now four months since they went there Father & Mother are very sensitive on the subject & feel that Charley has not been treated right. Hamilton will yet be punished for his unkindness to them. I am anxious to know your opinion of the evacuation. Father is well pleased. I want the serpents head crushed. - All the children are doing as well as heart cd desire. I am not well,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
June 3, 1862
[1862/06/03]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I write in some haste this morning. I was sick last night & got up very late. Father has written to you & Gen. Halleck this morning about Charley & the head quarters of the 13th. It is an outrage the way Halleck has kept them there deceiving them with false promises & false hopes. We all feel incensed with him & very much hurt with you at the bad treatment Charley has received. We are heart sick about it & think & talk of it all the time If you can get the head quarters of the Regiment removed do it & if you cannot please let us know as we have been insulted long enough with Halleck's insincere promises. If Charley is to be a jailor for wretched Secessionists I will get him to resign. If he takes the small pox there I am determined to go out & nurse him because I shall feel that you could have saved him from his pitiable degraded position if you would. Halleck owes it to you to act honorably & justly in this matter & I hope you will demand it. He gave his word to me that within four months the Battalion should see service He told Col. Burbank he would releive him as soon as he could. Do for our sakes dearest Cump take this earnestly in hand & give Charley a position of honor.

All well

Ellen
[EES]

I got the Commission - it does not date from the 6th of April. I am anxious to know what you think of the evacuation Telegraph Father when you know whether you can do anything or not Hamilton has had power to do them a good deal of injury you ought to be able to do them some good. It is necessary to have Halleck releive Burbank that head quarters may be removed ere the regiment dies out - Hamilton is no friend of yours - he treated me rudely & without warrant

Lancaster O.,
June 5, 1862
[1862/06/05]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I enclose a letter which Mrs. Daugherty has written & which I hope you will kindly give some attention to. There is no doubt but that young man will suffer & die if not carefully attended for months to come. I have written to Gen'l Buell about him and I beg that you will interest yourself in him sufficiently to get his discharge.

I enclose a slip wh. will shew you the horrors of poor Charley's inglorious position.

I hope you have recd the letter to Stanton which Father had sent back to you with suggestions &c. I am anxious to see it in print to see defiance cast on the teeth of the Demagogue. I am so glad you have exposed him. I told that Mr Prentice & I were now the very best of friends.

Mother is very sick & I fear she will never be any better. Our children are every one in splendid health. I am not so well & as often before I fear my lungs. I am taking burdock Iodine & wine & I intend to ride out often. Father is in excellent health. Willy is counting the days until he receives an answer to his letter to you about going bare footed

As ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
June 9, 1862
[1862/06/09]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

This is Monday morning & I write in time for the mail at eleven A. M. On Saturday I received your report with the few lines added from Corinth as also were two short letters from Capt. Hammond. I am sorry to hear that Mr. Dayton is sick.

Hammond has been nominated for Major. Garasche' told John Sherman that his name would be sent in that day - at least ten days ago. If you write it will go through promptly. I was delighted with yr. address to your troops. Father was exceedingly well pleased with it. He is now writing a sketch of your life for the American biogriphies or some standard work which I forget the title. Mr Chas. A. Dana wrote to John Sherman for it & John sent the letter to me for Father to write it which he takes great pleasure in doing. He is very proud of you & can hear nothing laudatory of you without emotion.

And now Cump about poor Charley. He must come from that vile pestilential prison & you must get him away quickly. Father & Mother are very much pained & troubled about him & the treatment he had received & of course you know that I am on nettles about it & have been ever since I went to St. Louis & that I am indignant at Halleck & profoundly disgusted with Hamilton who is weak as a woman & vents spleen like a child but holds malice longer. After what Father has written to you & Halleck the latter must release Charley at once or shew his hand. If he refuse to do anything for the Battalion & Regiment I want you to have Charley assigned as yr Aid. If necessary for him to resign he will but it is not. A letter from you to Stanton or Gen'l Hitchcock will do it. Tom writes to this effect from Washington & Father & Mother expect it of you without fail. Lose not a moment. Secure yr. Regiment if you can or yr Battalion at least but if that be impossible get Charley with you

I fear my lungs. I am not well, I am going to ride now - You directed John Sherman's letter to Lancaster. I read it & sent it on to him. I will copy the report & send him.

As ever yr devoted

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
June 10, 1862
[1862/06/10]

[WTS]

Please write or telegraph me where & how & on what date Genl Halleck sent the last order for Battalion 13th Infantry We have made most anxious & diligent enquiry & no such order as the first one he sent has ever been heard from in Washington or at Alton. On the contrary they have been waiting for that order nearly two months in Washington to assign the elsewhere having placed them under Gen'l Hitchcock.

They say you will not pay for my dispatch. Did you get it? Your,

Ellen
[EES]

As many of my letters seem to have gone astray I had better say to you again dearest Cump that I received your letter requesting me to send the receipt to Quarter Master Gen'l Meigs that I found the receipt & dispatched it by first mail but it did not exactly correspond with the requisition sent from the War Dep't. There was one horse less in your receipt than in the requisition or whatever you call it. Among those receipts however there were two separate papers about horses. - One that was killed & one was given to someone in the service & never heard from afterwards. These are signed by different persons I beleive. I received the hundred dollars sent me by someone from Louisville. I told you that Mr Prentice & I are first rate friends now.

See to Charley without a moments delay. I am not very well. The children are in splendid health for we are all in a state of nervous anxiety about him.

As ever -Ellen

Please tell Capt. Hammond I will write him by tomorrow's mail. I hope Mr Dayton is better.

Lancaster O.,
June 12, 1862
[1862/06/12]

[WTS]

This day last year my dearest Cump Charley & I were packing up in St. Louis starting the following day home. How much has happened since that time! and how much we have to be grateful for when we reflect what might have befallen us & what misfortunes & sorrow might have been ours. We have trials & troubles cares anxieties and annoyances but we have in a great measure overcome them all & as I said must offer a thankful heart to our merciful God for His protection. How I long to see you and have you with me I may not tell - I trust that when you settle down at some post for the Summer you will let me take Willy and go to you. You may be so situated that I can take one or two of the older children and stay sometime without a servant. I can safely leave the little ones as they are so well and so comfortable in every respect & have such faithful nurses. The baby is the loveliest child you ever saw and very smart. She is our idol. She is too sweet to live here long & I pray from my heart that God may take her to Heaven in her loveliness & purity that her eternity may be secure & that we may have one at least of out little flock constantly interceding for us before the throne & in the presence of the Lamb that was slain for our redemption. Elly is a most interesting little creature a great talker but full of spirit & vim. She can fight her way through this world. Lizzie is improving & can climb to the top of the highest cherry trees, as well as Willy. Tommy stays below & gobbles up the cherries raising an alarming yell when not allowed the lion's share. Minnie is taller than Aunt Sissy and looks very well indeed. She is constant at school. I am surprised she does not write to you; she probably thinks you too much a public man now. They are all crazy to see you home. I am anxiously expecting your letter to Stanton (Lieut. Gov.) I hope it will come soon. I want to see you fling them all a defiance.

But I am forgetting my subject Gen'l Halleck has releived Col. Burbank but ordered him to "turn the command of the post over to the next in Rank", which still leaves the battalion at Alton. Do see to this & please get Charley's company away. Can't you send some sick worn out decinated regiment from your division to releive them. Gen'l Halleck surely can find such a one to send up there & even if he cannot they have been there long enough & some others ought to serve there a turn. Send some lager beer dutch fellows up there who will be glad to draw pay drink beer & smoke a pipe. In haste for the mail but expecting a kindly & prompt action from you -

As ever yr devoted

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
June 14, 1862
[1862/06/14]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

This day last year I reached home from St. Louis, with the children & truly was I worn out and sick of the journey in my then helpless condition. I am thankful now that I am not in the same situation. Three weeks later Rachel was born & now she is the finest largest smartest prettiest sweetest baby you ever saw. We seemed to live well enough before she came but now, the house would be desolate without her. We seem to have enough to sew & to care for, to bathe to dress to comb to watch & to waiton, but if she were to wing her flight to heaven we would have nothing to do, so much does she occupy our thoughts and our time. I never took as much pride in dressing any of them before & none of them so well repaid by sweet smiles & looks the trouble they cost. Yet I do not keep her much with me because I am not able to attend to her at night, if she were to become restless. She takes a feed at bed time & none again until she gets up in the morning She is like Willy used to be she will not stay in the house long at a time. Fortunately we have a delightful yard with fine shade all the day long. You never saw such a time as the children have over the cherries. They have appropiated and divided all the cherry peach pear plumb & apple trees all the rose bushes & flower beds so there is little left for me but the grape vines & the children themselves. We are very happy - only one thing wanting and that to me a sad vacancy - your presence. Children are too light hearted & too much absorbed in passing scenes to miss the absent long at a time but to me a consciousness of the void is ever present It is now seven months since I saw you last. When shall I have that happiness again? I have much to tell you that I cannot write.

Minnie yesterday received the beautiful bouquet gathered by Major Sanger & sent by dear Papa. I have taken care of it & will keep for Minnie until she is grown Who is Major Sanger & where is he from? I hope poor Dayton is better

Your "report" found me so very weak & sick that (I am ashamed to confess) I have not yet copied it. I will do so tomorrow & send to John by Monday's mail. As you prefer to have it kept back until the Official publication I thought there was no haste. I have had too to copy Father's sketch of your life for the American Encyclopedia & that with a great many letters has exhausted my strength for writing. Your congratulatory order was in the Commercial of Thursday. It is much admired & of course in my opinion it is splendid Boyle wants to get with you. He is in Cox's division in Fremonts department. Their division is out of the way & has not participated in recent affairs there. Boyle writes Father that he is with Scammon who being an old Army Officer & his senior in rank he has no chance of a brigade. He would like to have his regiment ordered to you. I hope Charley will be with you soon.

Beleive me ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

We all have unbounded admiration of Halleck It amuses me to see him abused in the papers I never can have any confidence in McClellan Ord has gone down there I see. Rosecrans too. Bishop Rosecran's the Generals brother is quite a Secessionist, as are the most of the Catholic clergy of Cin: particularly those at the Cathedral & now the Arch Bishop is in Rome they have full play. I hope vengeance will fall on them yet for being false to their country

Lancaster O.,
June 17, 1862
[1862/06/17]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Yesterday I received your letter of the 6th directing me to write to New York ordering clothes for you. I have written the letter & it will go out today. I will have the trunk with the other articles ready for you when they arrive & will forward all according to directions. I got the draft for $300. but by the time all these bills come in you must send me more money as I have house rent to pay & will get a piano. You have not sent me more money than I have been obliged to spend. Remember we have a large family to clothe feed &c. &c. & I have all the bills pay, Doctors & all. I was glad to get the money yesterday although I still had twenty dollars on hand. You know I have learned from you to pay as I go so I am not in debt but I seldom have much money. I still have some gold which I do not wish to use

Little Harry Van Trump died last evening. Poor little fellow he suffered very much. They are greatly distressed. Col Moore is home on a short visit. He has much to say of you. The children are all well. Won't you let me take the trunk to Memphis & stay there whilst you remain

I will write tomorrow to Major Turner & pay for those things as soon as he answers. I hope poor Dayton is better. Give him my kind regards & tell him we all regret his sickness. Tell him Mag Reese is to be married soon to Judge Reber. Elizabeth wrote to you.

In haste ever yours

Ellen.
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
June 20, 1862
[1862/06/20]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

This is the day you thought you would reach Memphis. I feel some anxiety about you on account of your health as you were suffering with so severe a headache the night you wrote last - the 10th. I fear it was the commencement of an attack of fever We received your Stanton letter and I assure you I was mighty glad to get it & send it off to the papers. Father was very much pleased with it. He did not want any time lost in sending it off. The evening we got it I made three copies & the next morning - yesterday - dispatch one to the Cin: Commercial one to the Ohio State Journal & one to the Statesman. Philemon wrote with each one & sent by same mail the original to Stanton He will feel anything but comfortable when he gets it & will no doubt wish in his heart he had never gone to Pittsburgh Landing. Philemon ordered one hundred copies of the Commercial to be sent to me & when it comes Father says I must send it to the Editors in every direction. I intend to write to the Editors at Bellefontain & request the publication in their papers. I will send it North South East & West - to Des Moines - Fort Dodge St. Louis Louisville - Indianopolis Mansfield all the Eastern Cities & to all my particular friends - also to California & even to the Editors in the most obscure villages in the State. I am so glad to see you bid them defiance. But you ought to be a little circumspect in your denunciations & not be too sweeping & too general. Many of the Editors & their correspondents are true friends of yours and admire you and you ought not in common politeness to repulse them without distinction The correspondent at Shiloh of the St. Louis Republican wrote of all the Officers there but of you in particular in the most noble manner denouncing the general abuse & its authors. The same of the Louisville Journal. I believe however that the correspondant of that paper held out the idea of a Surprise whilst praising you to the skies.

Who do you think I have quarreled with about you? Very Rev. E. Purcell, the Arch Bishop's brother! Bishop Young has written to me since expressing great regret that their secession proclivities lead them to treat me badly & saying that my "work was well done".

You will see Sister Angela & John McCracken in Memphis and if you stay there long enough you will see me there too. What do you think of that? I wrote to New York for those clothes You have plenty of white pants & vests here but no shirts. Can you buy them there or shall I order them from Cincinnati. Shall I wait for the New York goods or send these on before Won't you let me take them to you? Do write to me that I can come down & stay with you whilst you are there. Poor little Harry Van Trump died on Monday. He was conscious & bright & when dying called for Willy & Tommy & we had to send in for them - They have gone there today to play with poor Tommy who must be lonely now. Mrs. Van Trump is greatly distressed. Write to me that I can come to see you All well.

As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
June 26th, 1862
[1862/06/26]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I send you Stanton's reply to which of course you will publish a careful full explicit answer. Take plenty of time, do it cooly & let it be such as will sustain you in history a thousand years after his carcase is laid to moulder in the tomb. Never mind the babble of the present hour - an under current flows & will carry your vindication further down into time. Your friends- & they are more numerous than you imagine - are delighted with your letter & await your further notice. Do not trust your fellow officers too implicity - Buell & his Generals - except Rousseau wish it to be considered a surprise to make their glory greater. Don't put all the blame on the politicans for Buell's Army all talk that way with the exception named.

Send your answer here for me to copy. All well.

In haste

Ellen
[EES]

I have distributed two hundred copies of yr. letter

Lancaster O.,
July 3rd, 1862. Thursday night
[1862/07/03]

[WTS]

I am so uneasy about you, dearest Cump, that I can scarce take any rest or comfort to myself. For a long time your letter dated June 10th was the last & since I have had the one of the 22nd in which you tell me you have been very sick. I have telegraphed or attempted to telegraph you and Gen'l Grant but they refuse all messages to Memphis except on Business at some of the offices through which our dispatches have to go. If I do not hear from you before Sunday I will not wait for Monday's mail but will start for Memphis myself & persuade you home if possible. You have now been hard at work harassed & worn out in body & mind for more than a year & it is too hard that you cannot take a rest. Indeed I am quite determined that you shall & I will persevere in persecuting every body who has any authority in the matter until I get you an indefinite leave of absence to recruit your strength. You have been too hard at work to keep it up so long. When you wrote me that night with a head ache I knew you would be more or less sick. I assure you I feel heart sick & anxious about you. Your clothes have come from New York but since I find that you are not to be in Memphis I doubt whether you wish me to send them. They are very fine. The bill came in the box with them & is $141 - I will keep the clothes until I hear from you. If you will not come home & wish me to send the clothes write or telegraph me the exact directions. But let me entreat you most earnestly to come home & rest awhile for in addition to the fact of our being so anxious to see you it must be absolutely necessary for you to take a rest. Father don't want you to answer Stanton's letter. He is going to review it & "use the Gov. up". It is pronounced by all the papers & people not partisans, as a pettifogging demagouging letter. The insolence can be excused after the stinging rebuke & mortification of your letter to him.

Mag Reese & Judge Reber are to be married on the 16th of this month. Do you wish me to make Mag a present? If you do say so & to what extent. I enclose a letter recd from Mr. Casserly which I hope you will answer Do dearest Cump come home & I will see that you are not worried by a single invitation out if you do not wish to go. It would do you good to see our dear children now. They never have been as interesting as they are now everyone of them & the older ones are so anxious to see you. Poor Lizzie eyes fill with tears & emotions chokes her when she speaks of your coming. Minnie is very tall. She is so large & seems so much of a young lady that we have been plagueing her about Major Sanger since he sent her the bouquet. Who is the Major & where is he from? I look forward with great pleasure to an acquaintance some day with your present friends & co-labourers. I hope Hammond will get to make us a visit some day. If Dayton is not well suppose you let him come home with you. I had my heart set on seeing you so soon that I felt truly aggreived when I found you were not going to Memphis. I think Wallace has played his game to get there himself & keep you out. If he has I hope you will not allow him to be successful long. I observe he has gone home on a visit. To return to Stanton's letter I wish, if you do not come home, you would write to Father & make some suggestions on the subject. He will not write his article for some time as he is now so very busy at Chauncey & is moreover waiting for all the official reports of the battle to come out. He has written for them.

Philemon is at Notre Dame & will remain there a month or two. Charley is still at Alton with no ray of hope that I can discern. Col. Burbank is at Newport. I enclose a letter from Mr Casserly. I sent John Sherman's letter your report of the battle & other articles to Capt Welsh & desired him to have them in the papers there. I also sent your letter to Stanton there as everywhere. Tom Ewing says that Gens. Boyle & Rousseau were loud & extravagant in yr. praises in Washington at Willards & elsewhere. They claim you for Kentucky. Prentice published your Stanton letter. I think McCook & Buell are willing that impressions unfavourable to you should be entertained - to you & to Grant's Army. I wish Grant & Hurlbut would come down on Stanton. Does Hurlbut drink?

We have never had a more bountiful season of fruit & I have put up a great deal already. Two little boys have fallen from our cherry trees & broken their arms - Willy being one. He bears is manfully.

It is time to close for the mail. If you do not come home I will go to you in spite of every remonstrance. I am to uneasy about you.

As ever faithfully yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Please return Mr C's letter to me.

Lancaster O.,
July 7, 1862
[1862/07/07]

[WTS]

Your letter of the 27th ult. written at Moscow reached me on Saturday my beloved husband & I felt truly releived to know that you were better. Except that however there was nothing cheering in the news and I still feel down hearted and uneasy. Affairs are in a most confused state everywhere: things look dark & gloomy whenever presented to view now. Before Richmond there has been nothing but disaster & there never will be anything else as long as McClellan remains in command. I absolutely loathe his name he seems to me so imbecile & insolent. The idea of his having left you as he did in Kentucky & then called on you to report to him - (incompetent upstart) daily how you were managing your department. It riles me to think of it & to reflect too that he has still been allowed the power to do us so much mischief by his incompetency or his disloyalty. His plans of personal aggrandizement are deep laid & he may be able to carry them out at the expense of the nation - But enough of him I can't bear the thought of him. Troops are being sent to the east - I am told that Nelson's & McCook's Brigades have gone. They will strip the west & then allow the army to lie idle before Richmond until a sufficient force is sent out to sweep off all our detached bodies in the south & west. McCl. is a tool of Jeff Davis.

I have not heard anything through the papers of Breckenridge & his body at Holly Springs. I feel exceedingly anxious about it. It is too far south to fight at this season and I wonder that Halleck would order it. I feel the deepest anxiety about your health & hope you will come home & take a rest after your thirteen months of hard labor anxiety & toil & exposure. You will ruin your health entirely if you do not take some care of yourself after so long a season of labor & so severe an attack of sickness. Bring Dayton & come make us a visit: it will do you more good than you can imagine. The country looks beautiful everything is abundant we have a nice home and the children are all so well and happy. Father is very anxious to have you come home, he wants to see you & talk with you over past events. He did not even get to see you in the winter except for a moment at the cars the day we arrived from St. Louis & he was starting to Washington. Boyle is in the same old region in Western Va. Charley has no hope of getting away from Alton unless you get him away. I do not know what to do about your clothes. If you do not go to Memphis you will not want the five suits from New York. You are so cut off too from all communication that I scarcely know whether a box will reach you. There are plenty of summer vests coats & pants here but no shirts. John McCracken is in Memphis & by writing to him you could have shirts sent to you. He would cheerfully attend to it for you. I do not know your size or I would have ordered or I would have had some made had I not been afraid they would not suit you. On reflection, I will send by express directed to you care of Gen. Grant at Memphis a box containing the aforesaid summer pants coats & vests & socks with some pocket handkerchiefs. If you come home you can bring them back with you & if you come too you will find yr. uniform here. If you wish me to send it write or telegraph. I have got a piano & will wait for more money to pay the N. Y. tailor $141. All send best love to dear Papa -

As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
July 9th, 1862
[1862/07/09]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I write to say that I have this day forwarded by Express to Memphis a box for you addressed "To Gen U. S. Grant Memphis Tenn For Gen. W. T. Sherman". I wrote by yesterday's mail to Genl Grant asking him to forward the box to you. It contains two summer coats four prs. summer pants six summer vests one doz cotten socks pocket handkerchiefs a box of segars a can of Jelly & some lemons & newspapers. If they go safely I hope to send you a good supply of Jellies &c. Your fine' suits from New York are here shall I forward them. The papers announce you in Washington. Can it be true. If still in the region of Memphis look out for me. Sister Angela is in Memphis -

As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
July 12th, 1862.
[1862/07/12]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I hope you have received my letters. I have written very frequently but owing to your constant changes I have feared that my letters would not reach you. I am glad to hear from a letter from Capt. Hammond that you have so far recovered your health. Have you seen Stanton's answer to your letter. Mr. Anderson writes of him. "O Ben Squirt Stanton &c." Boyle says he really feels sorry for him although he richly deserved the "skinning alive" which you gave him. Father does not want you to notice him any further. He intends to write a review of the matter "using the Gov. up". He is waiting for a copy of the official reports of the battle to be sent to him from Washington. They are late in having them published I would be glad to have you get the Genls whom Stanton names to address the Commercial denying or rather stating their opinion of the affair. They cannot in public & over their own signatures assert what some of them are willing enough should be beleived but which they know to be untrue. Father does not seem to care about anything further as he thinks Stanton is killed as it stands Is Hewitts' Battery in your Division? Mrs. Reed (Mrs Hunter's Sister) is very anxious about her son who is in that Company & if they are with you I wish you would ask about him & let me know.

I think I will go next week to St. Louis to see Charley & if he can get off we will run down to see you. Eliza Gillespie is at Memphis - John McCrackken is there. I hope you got the box I sent & will write me about sending more - Rachel has had the asthma badly but is better.

Yours ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
July 17, 1862
[1862/07/17]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I never have the happiness of a letter from you nowadays but I do not complain for I hope that you take the time to rest which would be devoted to me did you write Gen'l. Grant write me (in answer to a letter from me) that he had asked you to take a leave and you refused to do so. I am very much disappointed as I had hoped to see you home. I feel very uneasy too lest the over-exertion will break down your health entirely. You are not so strong as others who have not suffered like you with asthma Rachel has had one severe attack of asthma & I am dreading a return every time she takes a little cold.

Did you receive Mr. Casserly's letter, & have you answered it? I want you to send back his letter to me. Your dispatch to Father of the 14th. was sent to me yesterday. The article has not yet arrived by mail but will be with held from publication according to your orders. Father is not at home but he will be here tomorrow. He will be very much pleased that you do not answer as he said from the beginning you ought not to. He intends writing a review of the letters & as he says "using the Gov up" - I hope you have rec'd the box I sent with your clothes & that you will either write or telegraph me about your handsome New York suits. I have got a piano for $250. - & am waiting for the money to pay for it. We are so comfortable & happy I cannot help repining that you are not here. I am exceedingly anxious to see you on Monday next I will go to St. Louis to see Charley & from there I think I will go down to Memphis and make an effort to see you. If you will not let me come you must stop me by a telegram at St. Louis Tuesday or Wednesday.

Gen'l Halleck telegraphed to the Officer in command at Alton to know "why his order had not been obeyed & the Battalion 13th sent to Corinth. The officer replied that no such order had been rec'd but when it came wd be promptly obeyed". This was a week before Charley wrote & he says "the order has not come & never will come". Charley went to St. Louis before these last telegrams & the order had never been rec'd there.

Halleck is determined at any cost to keep Charley there to gratify Hamilton's spleen. We have all come to this conclusion & Father has written to Halleck a letter from which he can tell that we know just what he is doing in the matter. I must say it is small game for a great commander - it will come back again to him or his someday. As Charley can never be released from a jail which was considered too foul for convicts & as your Reg. will never be fit for anything whilst it is in Halleck's power to keep it down We want to get Charley a situation in a volunteer Regiment. Tom Ewing has written to you for a letter to Gov. Tod recommending Charley for Col. Father & Tom will both write to the Governor & I trust you will write as soon as possible recommending Charley is strong terms for as Tom says he is better than any other man Tod would put in that position - better than Dan McCook & so many hundreds of others who now command regiments.

Hoping that you will do something for Charley since your poor regiment must go to the dogs I am as ever

Yours devotedly,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
July 23, 1862
[1862/07/23]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

I write in haste it being late. Halleck has left Charley just where Hamilton put. Father feels insulted by Hallecks subterfuges & total unwillingness to comply with his oft repeated claims on Charley's behalf.

Now that Grant is in command is it in your power to get Charley out of that jail? I think you have been as shabbily treated in this as a man could be. If any order of Halleck's had been disobeyed as he pretends his orders in this case have been do you suppose he would suffer the offender to escape punishment & continue the offense? Halleck has treated Father shamefully in this. Can you do anything for Charley? All well. Shall I send yr clothes?

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
July 25, 1862
[1862/07/25]

[WTS]

I feel almost discouraged about writing to you, dearest Cump, for I cannot hear from you. I had hoped ere this to have heard of your arrival in Memphis but no a word by mail or telegraph or even in the papers. I sent a box of summer clothing to you, a fortnight since directing it to Gen'l Grant's care to be forwarded. I sent it by express & wonder you did not get it. As soon as I hear you are in Memphis I will forward your handsome suits which were sent out from New York some time ago. I did not like to send them down to you after hearing how they captured everything on that road. When you send more more money I will pay the bill which came with the clothes. It is $141 - for what you got last fall & for these.

Has Captain - I beg his pardon - Major Hammond received my letter announcing his confirmation & the fact that he draws pay & takes rank from April 6th? I have just had a letter from John Sherman giving me a most kind invitation in his own & Cecelia's name, to make them a visit with the children. During the fall I will take Minnie & Willy and go up there. Willy is most anxious to go & was to have gone with his Aunt Susan (who came down to attend Mag's wedding) but I then hoped I might be able to get to Memphis to see you and I wanted to take him with me - Mother is at a water cure establishment near Columbus & I intend to go there in the carriage with the children this afternoon to see her. I will return tomorrow. Philemon has got home from Notre Dame & we have got your letter to Stanton which your friends regret cannot be published although Stanton is dead already. I am satisfied now you have bid him defiance & with him, the herd of vile men who have so long been abusing you. Boyle is perfectly charmed with your letter - says you brought the blood at every lick - He calls him poor Stanton ever since. Wm. M. Anderson too is delighted - He writes O! Ben Squirt Stanton &c. We will see that your friends get it. Poor Walker - of Kansas farm noteriety - is dead - had consumption. I have had to send poor Sarah some money. they were so reduced & Father is no longer flush - I will write you a good long letter when I have the happiness of hearing from you again. Beleive me as ever dearest Cump your truly affectionate,

Ellen.
[EES]

P.S. I am fortunate in my regiment of light infantry - They are in fine order and are thriving & happy - but would like to see my commanding General

Lancaster O.,
August 1st, 1862
[1862/08/01]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I here inclose the key to my hat box which I send down by today's express with your suits which came out from New York some time ago but which I thought it unsafe to send, whilst you were down on the road subject to the attack of guerillas at all hours Mr Dayton tells me you have received the box of linen clothing. I sent that & thought if it went safe you would order the rest. I have been waiting ever since for word from you and not until last evening have I heard a word of it. I hope they will soon reach you. I would telegraph to you that I have sent them but they will not take a dispatch for Memphis, except on business. I fear you will have hot work down there before the Summer is over. Do you not intend to let me pay you a little visit? Willy has his heart set on going & is very impatient to start. I have promised to take him. His arm has got well. Poor Lizzie is still so drooping and delicate that I have left her at a Water cure establishment near Columbus. Mother & Mrs Hunter have gone there to remain some time. This day last week I took Lizzie up & I have been since to see her. She is willing to stay but she would like to have Minnie there with her: Mother has the little girl Rosy to wait on her & she takes care of Lizzie too.

Elizabeth & Mr Reese are going into Henry's house. I wish you would give me permission & I will buy John & Taylor's interest in the old house fix it up & move in when my year is out here or when I am turned out of this by a purchaser Henry Weekly talks of buying this & if he should I shall be turned adrift again with all the children & I assure you I could not find a decent house in the town to rent. Henry Reese is in receipt of a fine salary - his children are rich - he has a fine home of his own. Rose Mag & Mary are well married & I see no reason why their Father & Mother should be longer dependent on you who have a large family of little children to raise & educate whom your profession makes it likely that you should leave them orphans. It is time we had some little place we can call our own where I could securely shelter the children in case of your premature death. As you own half of this house we could get it at little comparatively little expense & I shall await your reply to this to write to Taylor & John about it. Philemon was with me at Columbus when he gave your letter to Stanton to the Governor to read. The Governor said he had advised Stanton to mind his own business & let the Generals alone - Father is not well. All the children are well but Lizzie. The Doctor says that nothing but the most judicious care has kept her from having St. Vitus' Dance - a horrible disease. He does not give very much encouragement about her. Write me that I can make you a visit. I shall expect an invitation. Get Grant to send Charley to you -

Ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
August 6th, Wednesday morning 1862
[1862/08/06]

[WTS]

We have had exceedingly warm weather dearest Cump & every hour I have thought of you & the many discomforts to which you must be subjected in your warm climate living in tents. Last night we had a good shower & today it looks promising to rain more. Willy & Tommy have gone over to play with Tommy Boerstler. Minnie is at Grand Ma's reading one of Goldsmith's little poems. Elly is stepping up & down the hall from my room to the nursery & back again nursing her doll to sleep & singing "John Brown's body lays mouldering in the grave &c. - giving the chorus with great spirit. She sings God save the Voluntees - "God save that noble band fighting for Fatherland" &c. and she sings it well. There is scarcely a song she does not attempt to sing - even your old song "Landlord fill the flowing bowl" but her grand favorite & rallying song is "Our flag is there". Rachel is just the size of Elly except that she cannot stand as erect & is not therefore quite as tall. She is so-fleshy that she cannot walk alone yet although she was thirteen months old yesterday. She is very intelligent bright & sociable & every body that sees her loves her, because she has a sweet smile & pleasant word, out of her very limited vocabulary, for every one she meets no matter who or where-She is now taking her morning nap although it is just nine o'clock. She gets up at daylight. Poor little Lizzie is at a Water Cure establishment with Mother where I hope the treatment change of air & exercise may invigorate her. The Doctor gives but little encouragement about her - says that nothing but the most judicious care had kept her from the most serious indisposition. He attributes her debility to the fright rec'd on our way to California (of which I told him) & says it also debililated the brain. The establishment is near Columbus & I have been there three times. She and Mother are coming down to stay two or three days & will then return. They have been there about three weeks. I feel very much discouraged about Lizzie for I fear she will never be able to study much as every effort to increase her physical strength fails beyond a certain point. She is full of love & warm unselfish affection for us all. She cannot talk of you or the hope of seeing you without tears of emotion. Dearest Cump you should not dishearten me by such letters as your last one - if you will not take a leave & I am not suffered to visit you & you do not expect to survive the war how am I to look upon myself but as doomed to see henceforth only the dark side of life- to bear the burden of future cares & sorrows unsupported by the dearest of human sympathies. But I will not beleive with you that your life is to be a sacrafice in this fearful struggle for right. My hope & trust in God is strong & I will continue to pray with unabated fervor that your life may be preserved to your little children yet many long years & that they may mourn for you (when you are taken from them) not alone as one of earth hero's but as an humble & devout beleiver in the divinity of our Savior. God help me, if you should be taken away without faith or an earnest hope for salvation through the merits of our Savior - I have kept up a stout heart & can while you live Cump but you must remember ere you risk your life unnecessarily how mine depends on it - The children have vacation now and are enjoying the Summer with its superabundance of fruits & berries. Willy is climbing trees & walking roofs again. He & Tommy are both growing fast & Minnie is taller than Sis & within half an inch of my heighth. Lizzie is skin & bone as usual. Elly is plump as a little partridge & Rachel you know is perfection in my eyes. She is so heavy I seldom take her in my arms. I fear dear Cump you will be disappointed about the shirts but I hope you will be able to find them there. I hope the box with the New York suits have reached you by this time. Mrs. McCracken came over last evening to tell me that John had dined with you &c. &c. We all like John very much & I hope you will see him again - he has shewn the kindest interest in you & been very attentive to me. Father is wrapt up in you and your success now. He was charmed with Halleck's dispatch. I will preserve it carefully. We know well enough how much reliance to place on Stanton's assertions & only regret that you cannot through the papers proclaim him a coward & liar - I will write more of this tomorrow - Did I tell you that I have bought a piano $250? - It is very good one. Do dear Cump write to me often if only a few cheering kind words - you never can know how my heart longs for you always now how entirely you are my life & hope -

As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
August 6th, 1862
[1862/08/06]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

This letter will introduce to your kind notice Rev. Fr. Lilly a Dominican Priest from Somerset. Whether he wishes to go beyond Memphis I do not know. I met him last evening when he told me he was on his way to Memphis. He afterwards requested Philemon to get a letter for him from me to you. I write to you by to-day's mail. Sincerely do I wish I could see you. I must do so before the winter Campaign sets in. Can't you meet me in Cin: or Louisville some time?

As ever -

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
August 7th, 1862
[1862/08/07]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I wrote you yesterday but I did not say one half of what I had to tell & ask & write about.

Since then however Mr. Hunter has called & requested me to mention a matter which must be named at once. About the 20th ult. Tom Hunter ran off again from home. After a long search by telegraph and messengers he was at last found in Louisville Kentucky where John Rudolph found him, as he was induced to beleive a sworn member of a company then raising for a Tenn: Regiment. He said he had been promised a Lieutenancy & that they were going to Nashville. Mr. Hunter heard yesterday that he was in Memphis but whether as a soldier he does not know. He wishes you if you can hear of him or see him without too much trouble to ascertain just how he came there & what he is doing. Both Mr & Mrs Hunter (they both called to see me) would much rather have him enlist than anything else & they would prefer to see him in the ranks than with a commission of any kind. If he is there in a regiment they will be rejoiced to know it from you - if he is loafing and dissipating & you can get him into the ranks they will be heartily rejoiced but they are in deep distress & harassed with most harrowing fears & cares concerning him & I therefore hope you will be able without too much trouble to yourself to find out the truth about him & let Mr. Hunter know. As anything you may learn about him will most likely be the reverse of flattery I would prefer to have you write directly to Mr. Hunter. Mr. H intimated as plainly as he could that he did not wish you to let Tom have any money. He has drawn on his poor Father in the most shameful way everytime he has gone off on these sprees & Mr. Hunter has been strongly advised to stop paying his drafts. He told me that he wanted Tom to see hard times but I know that he fears he may commit some crime if left too much alone so he hardly knows how to treat him exactly. If he asks you for money I hope you will force him into the ranks or make him work for 40 cts a day - His Father would be pleased at that.

Another matter of outside interest. Dr. Boerstler sent an old lady to me yesterday to ask me to write to you about a leave for her son. who has been sick some time & who has erisipalas which is extending to all parts of his body & has so swollen his legs that he cannot be on duty for a long time. His name is Widener of Henry Giesy's company of Tom Worthington's regiment. If he is really in a bad way when he makes application to you I hope you will let him come home as his Mother is a widow & rather old. I am sorry to trouble you in this way & I will tell Dr. Boerstler not to send any body else to me in such matters as I know you do not like to be worried. I gave a letter to you - to a Dominican Priest yesterday. I heard afterwards that he was on his way to see his Uncle who is under sentence of death. If so I sincerely hope he may be hung or shot when the time comes after having had grace to repent his treachery to his Government & to receive absolution from his nephew who has gone probably in hopes of giving him the sacraments. The Dominicans have no more loyalty than the law allows. I am disgusted with the Catholic Clergy generally - I have turned my heart against them. Their disloyalty will be long remembered & laid up against Catholics generally & may even cause difficulties to arise which will make martyrs of our children. I can imagine nothing more glorious or more happy that to die for country or religion & I am perfectly willing to give my children & my own life, but I can none the less detest the treachery of those who should stand aloft & pure as beacon lights guide all who look to them through all difficulties & dangers but who in the present hour of darkness & trouble have become faithless & fickle as will o wisp which lures the confiding on to destruction.

Dear Cump if you will not come to see me & will not let me go to see you I will feel hurt & think you unkind if you will not at least gratify me by having your picture taken for me in full uniform. I want a carte de visite likeness. I want some of them for myself & the children & I have promised more than twenty of them. John Sherman has sent me many letters of applications for them too which I have been obliged to return to him without the picture. I will write to Hammond to manage to matter and I want you to submit with the best grace you can - Remember there never was a hero that was not under cow of his wife. Father says Napoleon would have died successful & prosperous had he not exempt himself from this great natural law - So as misery loves company you can console yourself with reflections on the Earl of Malbarough & other great heroes whose wives would tease & torment & give them trouble continuously. So reconcile yourself the the picture for I must have it. I do not think I have yet told you of the marriage of Mag Reese to Judge Reber. After due consideration I thought I would be doing you pleasure in making the bride a present, so I sent to Cincinnati & bought a set of Carbuncle jewelry for twenty five dollars which I presented the day before the wedding - Henry Reese is very anxious to have his Mother go over to his house. The girls are all well married but Julia & Henry is in receipt of a fine salary - his children's family are* well off & I see no reason why they should lean on you any longer. I have no home for my children. I cannot take as much of my money as would be required to buy the house I now occupy but as you own the half of the of the old house Father says I should propose to buy out Taylor & John's interest in it & go into it at once - This house is for sale by the creditors & Henry Weekly thinks of buying it which would turn me out again unprovided. I want you to give me your interest in the old home & I will buy out the others fit it up & there have a resting place for the future where I can leave my furniture or any part of my family when I can have the happiness of going to you. The full price of a house is too much for us to expend when it is so uncertain where we may be two years hence but I can afford to pay as much as the half of the price of that house for the sake of a permanent place when I do come or stay here. Father bid me write you on this subject & say that we would expect you to accommodate me with your interest in it. I do not wish you to deed it to me - You can deed it to Lizzie or Willy or any of the children & I will pay half the price - that is Taylor's & John's interest.

I have accepted a very kind invitation from John & Cecelia & will go up with Minnie & Willy before very long. I feel great anxiety for Lizzie. I fear she never can study. I fear dearest Cump you were displeased about the shirts. I wrote you several letters about them & the New York Suits but I suppose you did not get them. I hope you will get them to suit you there. I have been quite unwell for a few days past. I must own to the deepest anxiety for you now - Father was in fine spirits in consequence of your letter & its enclosures. We all felt badly at not hearing from you for so long. You would feel gratified could you realize the place you fill in Father's heart. How kind Halleck is. I am glad your fortunes fell with him. In some letter when you have an opportunity convey to him my best regards &c - All the dear children send fond love to Papa - You are as much in their hearts as you cd be were you with them. Even Tommy kneels twice as long to pray for you as for the rest of his prayers. The boys are at Mr. Van Trump's today -

Beleive me ever your,

Ellen
[EES]

*insert *rich & the house is the children's - Mr. Reese's own brothers & family are

Lancaster O.,
August 9, 1862
[1862/08/09]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

As I feel very anxious about the New York clothes I wish you would let me know as soon as you receive them. If you have not got them when you receive this please have some enquiries made for the box at the Express Office. The linen clothes I first sent you I put in the New York box & when I came to send these I put them in my hat box, had it marked bound with a rope & took an express receipt. The cloth coat is beautiful & I think very reasonable price $26 - In sending me money why do you not send a pay account? You did send one & it was easier getting the money that way than any other. If you think I spent much money can't you save some by allowing me one of the servants allowed you by Goverment - or more? I think other officers arrange in that way.

I hope you rec'd my letter about Tom Hunter. Do not forget the picture of yourself in full uniform for me. Mother & Lizzie are coming home today to make a short visit. Mrs. Hunter is down from there on a visit & she says Lizzie seems stronger. We sent the carriage up yesterday for Mother & Lizzie & Willy went in it & seemed very proud to be taking a ride without woman or girl along - Both the boys had the pleasure of seeing the wheat thrashed at Mr. Van Trump's a day or two ago. They staid two days & had a delightful visit - Henry Giesy of Tom Worthington's regiment writes most glowing accounts of you to his friends. Mitchell has got into trouble - good enough for him - I think he is guilty. I fully agree with you in your estimate of Halleck & I like him well - but I never can forgive McClellan his insolence to you, in Kentucky & I heartily rejoice at every disgrace that befalls him - I cannot think him competent even to Command a company. His vanity is overweening. The time has come to hang rebels or let them murder us. I hope you will shew them no quarter. It is mercy to exterminate them. Until severest measures are used they will murder & steal & harass the land. We have excessively hot weather & great want of rain - a good deal of sickness in town but none in our family. Do write to me often if only a little at a time - Remember how cruelly you have disappointed me about my visit to you -

As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
August 13th, 1862
[1862/08/13]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I feel very badly at hearing from you so seldom. Do not shut out those rebel women, who come to you for runaway slaves & devote a few moments everyday too to me. The dangers - & the troubles you have passed through have made you if possible dearer than ever to me and I live in your success. I am either looking forward to the pleasure of receiving a letter or reading over again & again the one last received from you - The newspapers give some news of you but no one can rely on them & they serve only to make me uneasy by inducing the fear that you are over worked and often worried beyond endurance. From my heart of hearts do I wish that I could be with you but if your honor is involved & you would feel disgraced by my coming I would die first. Tom Ewing is raising a Regiment in Kansas - Charley stands no chance here. Stanton & his cowards are the men (apparantly) for Gov Tod. I had John Connell's letter published without comment & marked a paper & sent to Stanton - Mother & Lizzie are making us a visit but will return to the Water Cure soon. Rachel has had the Asthma again - All the rest well. Do write -

As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
August 17, 1862
[1862/08/17]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

It was with extreme pleasure I assure you that I saw your dear hand once more and rec'd your letter of the 6th inst. If you knew how miserable I feel when you do not write you would dash off a few lines very often - you would indeed. You do not mean to forbid me seeing you during the entire time of your stay in Memphis - and then start out on the fearful winter campaign without one look: Can't you someway, that will not seem to you dishonorable, let me have the happiness of seeing you if for ever so short a time? I do not wish to sway you from what you think right but I want you to indulge me if you can. The last time we parted was when you were in great depression - Should it be God's will that we never meet again my recollections will be gloomy in the extreme. But my hope is strong that you will be spared to return to your family in whose hearts you will live forever.

The dear children are all well. Lizzie leaves with Grand Ma on Tuesday for the "Water Cure" again. She wrote you a long letter a day or two since & will count the days until she receives a reply. Do not forget her but direct the letter to me & I will forward to her By the bye poor Willy felt hurt when Minnie rec'd a letter from you a day or two ago. He wrote to you since Minnie did and you have not written to him. Write however to Lizzie first. I think I will send Minnie & Willy up to Notre Dame. They must have religious instruction now or they will not have strong faith May God keep & defend them!

I received dearest Cump the draft for (600) six hundred dollars. I have paid - or have drawn a draft for your New York bill $141 - I have paid $233.00 for the piano & if I take the children to school I will need all the rest for that I pay a good deal for poor Lizzie.

I am going tomorrow to Columbus to make one last effort to get poor Charley into the Vol. Service. I tell you Cump - I can never feel satisfied whilst he is kept at that ignominious post. It is a humiliation too deep to be borne by a young fellow as full of ardor & ambition as he was - I feel very unhappy about it - It seems too hard. Please tell Major Hammond that I will look with great interest for the promised Photograph. We want many "carte-de-visite" pictures of you alone & the girls want one of the Major - one a piece - John McCrackken is very kind in sending me papers. See Eliza whenever you can & ask her to pray for your dear Soul -ever faithfully

Yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
August 21, 1862
[1862/08/21]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I was delighted yesterday to receive your letter of the 10th & to know that you had at last received the uniform. I had begun to fear that it was lost it was so long on the way. I am glad they suited you. I feel uneasy about your knee, you must be very careful or it will yet give you trouble. Your account of the Sisters' visit amused us all very much but I would feel happier could you have told them that you do pray. I still trust in the intercession of the blessed Virgin for you. Unfortunately I do not pray much now or may be you would be more devout too. Mr. Dayton wrote me a very pretty a highly pleasing account of the little presentation scene that evening - He says "he loves his General". Dayton writes me very good letters & I am always glad to get them. Hammond writes me that you think I am dreadfully extravagant - He says you sent me $700 it was $600 - I suppose there was no mistake made. You must remember that $142 of that goes to your New York tailor $233 for the piano & it takes a good deal to clothe your daughters and sons who are growing so large and wear out so much. Minnie takes as many yards for a dress as I did when we were married. I intend to take Minnie & Willy to the School at Notre Dame You must remember to tell me about the Servants. Cannot one or more of mine be charged in your account? You know them Gertrude (Joe's Sister) Emily & Frances - I pay Frances wages now - Please make some arrangement for this.

Do not forget to write me about the house - I want it badly as I am liable to be turned out of this at any time & Elizabeth has Henry's at her disposal. She expects to move into Henry's next week - & I would like to repair the old place & get it ready for our little family. It is time you had some home for us we can call our own & from which no one can remove us but you. Please give yourself time to think of this & by taking some care of us you will enable me to spend less money. I pay two hundred a year for this and have constantly to repair something or other. I am tired moving my children & furniture about & would like a permanant resting place. Sister Angela wrote me a very kind letter praising you - Father was quite touched by it - His heart is with you he is very proud of you as we all must be - to the end of time your children's children will love & revere your name. May we all meet in Heaven after all this love and labor upon earth. Lizzie has gone back to the Water Cure having left me a strict injunction to forward your answer to her letter when it came -. You can return my hat box with a new dress in it for me, of some grave color -

As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
August 24th, 1862
[1862/08/24]

Dearest Cump
[WTS]

We are suffering from the greatest drougth we have had perhaps for many years. The dust is thick & when the Sun shines hot it seems uncomfortable in the extreme. Yet we all make frequent little trips and every body is stirring about the times are so exciting. Enlistments, forming regiments political organizations &c. &c. with the anticipation of a 'draft' keep the world all agog. We have been making every effort in our power to get Charley into the Volunteer Service and we still have hopes of doing so. We will know the last of this week for certain. Gov. Tod expresses his desire to give him a commission for Father's sake & Father thinks the Governor will do so if he can. Charley is now in Springfield Illinois on duty as Mustering Officer. He was heartily rejoiced to get away from Alton on any terms although he will still be distressed should the campaign pass without his having had an opportunity of serving in the field. - Major - now Col. Garesche' writes me that he is told there, that Gen'l Halleck was the obstacle to the Battalion being ordered into the field. Can't you press the promotion of Col Swords? It is too bad to have him passed by when so many with much less devotion to the cause are being highly promoted. Van Vliet is not truly & thoroughly loyal, yet he had a Brigadier's commission & lived at his ease all last winter in Washington & very soon after McClellan was forced into the field Van retired from the field on sick leave! I dont beleive he was sick in any other way than sick of the war. He did not talk like a loyal man when I saw him in Washington. I think if you write to one or two persons in Washington & suggest Swords promotion if will be effected. Would you ask Halleck? Sec. Stanton thinks a great deal of you & would comply with any request of yours if in his power.

I am sorry to hear that Sister Angela is likly to be removed from Memphis. She will probably take charge of the Academy at Notre Dame this winter. They have completed a fine new building and have it well supplied with baths & every modern comfort. I am preparing Minnie & Willy to go there. Philemon will go up about the 15th of September for Mary & the little children & I will send Minnie & Willy with him & then go up in the winter and pay them a visit. Minnie is very anxious to go but Willy does not care much about it. He is however willing to go. Out of the money you sent me I paid (as I have told you $233. for the piano $142 for your clothes & have $225 left which I will have to reserve for the children's School bills which must be half paid in advance About $75 each I will have to pay besides their traveling expenses. Minnie is so large she has to pay full price in traveling. I will leave the remainder of the money for current expenses & leave my bills at Rehers & at Hunters unpaid until I get more - The piano, school & tailor bill all at once is a heavy draft on me. I pay rent again in October too. After that with the family reduced in size my current expenses will not be so great. I hope Lizzie will not be obliged to stay later than November at the Water Cure. There is such an improvement in her already that I shall feel loath to take her away as long as Mother stays. It is a pity she cannot be here now as the peach orchard, at the farm is in full blast. It is bearing abundantly the very choisest fruit. John & George gather & bring in town to sell and make from five to twelve dollars a day. The children often get out during the picking and often the girls have to go to help. Father was much amused at Tommy on Saturday. Quite a number from the two houses went out to pick & he & Willy were much disappointed that they could not go. But Tom informed himself of the probable time of their return to town & determined to make at attack upon the wagon before it got down street. He stationed himself at the upper gate at Father's & informed me, when I found him there, that he could there watch both roads, & see them as soon as they came in sight. Father was greatly amused at Tom's seizing the "Strategic point" & said he displayed generalship. Although he watched faithfully and was prepared for their coming he was nevertheless "surprised" when they did come but as Sis said it was "not at their coming but the manner of their coming" that he was surprised. Instead of the pony jogging in with the express wagon they brought in a two horse wagon load. Tom was soon on the seat with the driver when he felt repaid for all his watching. Father went to Chauncey this morning. He told me to say to you that he wished to write but had not time he has been going about so much. He is very much pleased with your orderes enclosed to him - Why dont you answer me about the house? Elizabeth has gone to Henry's - I am liable to be turned out here & would like to fit that up in time to go in it. I will pay Taylor & John their interest when my February note is paid. I want a permanant home & I want you to give me your interest in that house now, before I am forced to move again. Tell me what I shall do with the surplus of my Feb. note. Please pay attention to these questions & answer me - I gave you a hint, in my last about sending back the hat box - with a new dress for me &c. &c - Boyle is on the move - we feel uneasy about him. His regiment is in splendid order. I would rather have him killed than taken prisoner for they have sworn "vengance upon Pope's officers. I cannot write to Major Turner Cump unless you insist upon it I have no regard or respect for traitors & he is one for he will do nothing for the Goverment & his two sons are helping to bring all these horrors on us just "because they hate us" - All well and send much love to dear dear Papa Beleive me ever yours

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
August 29, 1862
[1862/08/29]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

John writes me that he will go down to Memphis to see you - it seems hard indeed that I cannot go with him, particularly as many other ladies have gone down & among them the wife of your favorite Staff Officer. After what you said to me however you need have no fear of seeing me. If my coming will cover you with disgrace you need never expect me as I would die rather than disgrace any of my friends much less you -

I have been for some time intending to ask you if you will not give letters to some Merchants or others, in St. Louis who could enable Willy McComb to find a clerkship there. When you see John you can get an account of Willy's character &c (which I beleive to be the best) and then I hope you will send letters to him which will put him in the way of getting something remunerative. If he is not drafted he will find many openings in St Louis as many must have left or will have left when he gets there. He is now in the store of Ewing & John Miller in Columbus but on such a miserly salary that he will not remain.

I want you to tell me if you think Philemon can get a position as Paymaster & how we must set about obtaining it. Can you do anything towards securing it? Please remember this & answer it.

All well & very busy getting Minnie & Willy ready for School - As ever - but now in haste

Ellen.
[EES]

P. S.

No one now pays any attention to Cincinnati papers. You are well understood & no man or power of man can injure you. Rodney Mason's Father said after the battle of Shiloh that "no man could say to him that his son was cowardly - he must bite the dust if he did"; I wonder what he says now.- I hope you like Mrs. Sanger -

Lancaster O.,
August 30, 1862
[1862/08/30]

Dearest Cump:
[WTS]

We have the most harassing rumors this morning. It is said that Cox's Division has been cut up by the Rebels and forced to retire. Boyle & Col Scammon were of that Division. I trust in God they are safe but think of the poor fellows who went on but ten days ago full of hope & ardor to offer their lives for their country being slaughtered by base & diabolocal rebels. I hope this may be not only a war of emancipation but of extermination & that all under the influence of the foul fiend may be driven like the Swine into the Sea. May we carry fire & sword into their states till not one habitation is left standing. My boys shall go when strong enough to carry a musket - Would they were all boys to offer their lives in exterminating & punishing foul treason.

Mr. Hunter will write you today about Tom. He wants you to get him to enlist in Charley's company 13th Infantry & then treat him sternly when inclined to drink

We are all anxiety to know that you have sent the Regiment to releive that long persecuted battalion at Alton. May God in mercy keep you whilst battling for law order and His justice. In great anxiety

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
September 3, 1862.
[1862/09/03]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

We can hear very few particulars of the severe contest near Washington. Boyle is there but whether living or dead wounded or unharmed we cannot learn. Very few names of wounded & dead have been given. We feel very anxious but we know that if Boyle is gone his life was offered a most willing sacrifice. No better death could man meet. No greater glory than to fill a patriot's grave. Poor Henrietta has been within sound of the firing - I pity her in her sad anxiety.

Dearest Cump if you could only know how heart sick I feel about you & how in my inmost soul I long to see you I beleive you would not refuse to let me come for a short time. Remember my great disappointment last winter when I got to St. Louis the day after you had left. John Sherman is going down to see you & I could easily go with him. I could not endure to lose you now until we have met once more & strong as my hope is I cannot help fearing all the time. Do let me see you some where dear Cump if possible if for ever so short a time. Times look gloomy now & it may be that none of us will long survive the present struggle. I would rather live through unheard of misery than leave our children so young. I am not very well these few months past - but the dear children are all in excellent spirits & with small exceptions in fine health. Lizzie is home again very much improved already. Elly is the sweetest little coqutte you ever saw - A perfect Hoyt - Rachel has more sense than most women & every body loves her she is so sweet & affectionate. Minnie is growing prettier but she is very tall & large. Tom is boy to the core - growing very stout. Yesterday a Capt Brant of Logan mustered a company through town. When opposite here they faced the housed closed in and gave three cheers for Gen'l Sherman: The children were charmed - Good bye my best beloved. May God keep you in His holy keeping & may our Mother in heaven pray for you & protect you by her powerful aid in all dangers of every sort. Do recommend your own soul to the Mercy of God - & ask the blessed Virgin to pray for you. Think how our lives are bound up in you & remember in case of disaster to you our comfort must be the hope of being with you hereafter & of communing with you until we be reunited in heaven. All the children send love & poor Lizzie is looking for your letter.

As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
September 10, 1862
[1862/09/10]

[WTS]

I cannot tell you how happy I am my dearest Cump since the receipt of your letter of the 4th which reached me yesterday & in which you give me permission to visit you. Father is very anxious for me to go. I telegraphed John as soon as I read your dear letter. He replied that he was not going to Memphis but wd be at the Burnet House on Thursday, at Columbus today. Charley will be at Columbus today & Father is going to send up for him. I will go up in the Buggy & see John and get him if possible to go with me to Memphis. Lee is in Maryland & Bragg is marching in Kentucky but I do not want to lose my chance of seeing you if for even so short a time. Unless I find it utterly impossible to go down I will have the great happiness of seeing you before this letter reaches you. If I cannot go I shall be truly disappointed - even as much so as I was when I got to St Louis & found you gone - for my heart is set on seeing you - I will take Willy with me.

Ever yours

Ellen.
[EES]

P. S Charley is Major of the 97th Ohio. I hear that the Battalion 13th is in Cincinnati cannot tell certainly. Can you write to Halleck about Philemon? He would be delighted with such a position. Can't he go with you?

I have bothered you with questions very often but it is necessary to repeat them to secure attention amid so many important cares. Elizabeth has given the house to the Episcopal preacher free of rent!

Cincinnati O.,
September 15, 1862
[1862/09/15]

[WTS]

Not until today, dearest Cump, did I lose all hope of getting to Memphis. On Saturday I came down with Willy prepared to go on to Memphis if John thought it prudent to do so. I saw John at once but he then thought we could not go - yesterday the same - but I still hoped that by today he might look more favorable upon the trip. Today however the news are worse instead of better - it is said & beleived that our troops have been overwhelmed at Munfordsville & obliged to surrender the place - If that be true it looks very badly for our cause - I cannot tell you how sadly disappointed I am. I could start & go alone in spite of all dangers but I fear you would not be pleased. John returns to Mansfield in the morning & Willy is going with him. Minnie was to have left home this morning, with Philemon, for Notre Dame. I will go up to Mansfield on Saturday or on Monday & take Willy from there to Notre Dame. I cannot go now without first going home. Dear little Rachel had the Asthma very badly when I left home & I feel very anxious to see how she is. Lizzie is at home & as busy as a bee.

Charley got leave from the War Dep't. to report to Gov. Tod to command a regiment of volunteers & came on last week to Columbus where he found a Major's commission awaiting him. He would not accept that & the Governor told him he admired his good sense. The Gov. said that a court would sit soon to try the merits of the newly appointed Colonels & that when some of them had their heads cut off he would give Charley a Colonelcy. In the meantime he gave him a letter to Gen'l Wright requesting him to assign him to duty here until he has a regiment for him. John took him to call on Wright & Charley expects to be set to work tomorrow. The 13th is over the river about three miles back of Covington. Nobody seems to know what the rebels are doing or what their designs. Lew Wallace was anxious to advance on Friday but Wright thought it unsafe with raw recruits - I go home day after tomorrow. I hope to find a letter from you dearest Cump as my disappointment makes me feel anew our seperation.

As ever;

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
September 19th, 1862
[1862/09/19]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I returned from Cincinnati day before yesterday & found dear little Rachel suffering severly from Asthma. She had had a very severe attack with high fever & hard cough. She is now better but is not yet well. She has fallen away & looks very thin & pale & weak. Elly was very sick all night last night with high fever sore throat & oppressed lungs. She is however better this morning that I could have hoped her to be. Gov. Tod gave Charley a letter to Gen'l Wright asking the latter to assign him to some duty until he could give him a regiment Gen'l. Grainger was there and asked Genl Wright for Charley. to act as inspector to his division so Charley is, for the present on his Staff. The Battalion 13th is over the river & if Gov. Tod do not give Charley command of a Regiment he will return to his company. He would gladly have accepted the position of Major had the Battalion been still at Alton but as it is now in the field he would infinitely prefer his company to any position under that of Colonel. From Gov. Tod's promise to Charley & his letter to Gen'l Wright we think he will certainly give Charley a regiment after awhile & it is only that he may not have to trouble the War Dept. again for leave to Gov. Tod that he has now got him to assign him to the present duty. Luke is in Charley's company Charley says he has seen nothing to compare with 13th. John Sherman was in Cin: and left there the morning before I did, Willy went with him. I will go up next week & take Willy from Mansfield to the School at South Bend. Willy is good as ever, very sensible - knows more about the progress of the War it's true history &c than half the men. Minnie left on Monday with her Uncle Philemon.

Instead of writing to Elizabeth Reese I wish you would write to them sometimes & to me oftener. Sis has the chills. Father is uneasy about Boyle - the battles are raging in the east now.

Larz Anderson came to see me twice. I gave him your letter to Stanton & he was much pleased with it - He desired his best regards to you &c. &c. I was disturbed all night with the children & now write in haste for the mail -

I told Elizabeth that I wanted that house - that I was likely to be turned out of this by its being sold - but she has given it to the Episcopal preacher & he is preparing to move in. She boasts so loudly of her wealthy sons in law & treats me and encourages her daughters to treat me so impertinently that it goes against the grain to see her giving away your house before I have one even the humblest to take my children into -

As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
September 23, 1862
[1862/09/23]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I enclose a slip taken from the Cincinnati Commercial. I had heard before of the Sword; but as they wished to surprise you with the present I said nothing to you about it. It will be a precious heir loom in the family. I suppose you will send it home for safe keeping. Do not tell Willy that he may have it - Wait some years before you give it to any of them & then give it to the one you think most deserving. You will have to be careful about making such a distinction between Willy & Tommy. It will have a bad effect on Tommy. He notices it now and loses ambition when he thinks of it. Willy prides himself upon your preference for him. When in Cincinnati John saw Holstead of the Commercial & he spoke most flattering of you - said he beleived that slander when he published it but that he had greatly changed his opinion He said "he wished you were there then" Minnie is fully established at her school. Willy is in Mansfield and I suppose very happy. I want to start up tomorrow or next day for him to take him on to the school. Should his leg be very sore I will not leave him but otherwise I will hope that the hearty exercise he will take with the boys will do him good. Rachel has had a seige with the asthma & has not yet fully recovered. Elly has been suffering from cold & fever & during all the time has given up her patriotic songs and sung only the one song "Shed not a tear oe'r a friend's early bier & when I am gone" &c. I do not know that I have told you what a bright little thing she is, nor how well she sings a variety of songs - among others, 'Our flag is there' The red white & blue God save the volunteers & Landlord fill the flowing bowl -

Mr Dayton wrote a very pretty letter to Minnie & Lizzie with which Lizzie is delighted. I will send it to Minnie by tomorrow's mail with one of the pictures. These are not as good as the first small ones you sent - Your head is not as handsomely given. I like the coat thrown back too - We have rumors of war in every part - but I am still determined to see you at Memphis. I would like to be there when the rebels attack it to see you shell them -

In haste

Ellen
[EES]

Mansfield O.,
September 28, 1862
[1862/09/28]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Here I am at John's with Willy & Lizzie; Minnie is at Notre Dame & Tommy Elly & Rachel in Lancaster & you away off in Memphis. Truly we are scattered. I found Willy so happy here that he wants to stay altogether & be his Uncle John's boy. John & Cecelia have been very kind to him & he feels quite at home with them already. Lizzie & I have had a pleasant visit of a few days & we would gladly remain longer were I not anxious to get back to the little ones. Elly had not been well when I left but she was recovering. John is at home & very kind. He has a carriage & horses & has taken us so many pleasant rides. Taylor is Military Commandant of the post here & has his hands full but he seems to get along nicely & quite relishes his duties

Charlotte Parker is living in her Father's old house & it is really delightful - By the bye - the Episcopal preacher is living in your Mother's old house in Lancaster. Elizabeth presented it to him. I dont want you to write to Elizabeth again. I shall feel truly hurt if you do.

Mr. McComb seems very lonely. He wants to sell his house. They all live very comfortably here but you know just how they are situated. It reminds me of your Mother to be here. How I wish she could have lived longer. Lizzie is only tolerably well she cannot go to school. It is so late I have not time to write you a long letter - even if you cared about receiving one. I took tea at Eliza's this evening. What do you say to my visit to Memphis next month? Boyle now commands a Brigade & Scammon a division - They were in Cox's division in the thick of the fight.

Beleive me ever

Your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

St. Mary's, near South Bend Indiana
October 1st, 1862 - Tuesday
[1862/10/01]

[WTS]

Willy Lizzie & I arrived here last evening, dearest Cump, & found Aunt Mary at the Depot waiting for us; with her carriage. After a pleasant ride of two miles we reached the Academy where we foud Minnie Agnes & Elly rejoiced to see us & very anxious to have Lizzie remain with them. Lizzie however will not hear of it as nothing would induce her to live apart from me - I think she has a sly hope that she & I may yet get to Memphis. If I go there however I think I will not take Lizzie but only Tommy. I think I wrote you that I found Willy so happy at Mansfield & so much one of his Uncle John's family that he could hardly bear to leave them. He begged me to let him stay there & be his Uncle John's boy. Cecelia was very kind to Willy & I think she must have liked him she was so gentle with him. They were both exceedingly kind to me & made my visit very pleasant. Poor Mr. McComb is very lonely. His son Willy - who is a good young man - is anxious now for a commission as Lieut or a good clerkship in a store where he would get a respectable salary. Taylor & Eliza Chat & Susan were all kind & pleasant as usual. Mary Sherman & indeed all of Taylor's daughters are handsome.

Henry is Sargant Major of the 122nd which leaves the Camp at Mansfield tomorrow for the field I think in Kentucky. Fanny Moulten is in Gallipolis with her husband who is stationed there. She has three beautiful little daughters Cecelia tells me.

How horrible the death of Gen'l Nelson? When I heard in Cincinnati what his manner was to his officers I felt afraid he would be shot. Poor man! his soul was or I fear it was' ill prepared to appear before the great Judge & Lord of all men. What do you think of Buell? There is a strong feeling growing with the great mass of the people - rising as high as your brother Taylor & I might almost say your own wife - against the old fogy notions of the West Point men arising out of the horrible delays of McClellan & Buell. My theory is that scarcely any of them - except you - is or has been actuated by pure and disinterested motives - of course the political Generals are not all pure patriots but they are some of them at least disposed to push on & strike a blow occasionally. We have heard from Boyle - He was in the fight on Sunday 14th & in the terrible day the 17th under Burnside. He escaped unhurt & now commands a Brigade. Scammon commands Cox's division & Cox commands Reno's division.

Charley is now with his company in Kentucky. I do wish they could go to you - Wright ought to be made to send them for he never will move or do anything. Charley has been so long anxious to get to you that I feel annoyed & truly sorry he has been at last disappointed. The children are well & happy - Willy has recovered entirely & wants to stay. Tommy Ewing has had Willy on horseback already Willy feels important to be at College - Mike Garaghty & Charley Stambaugh are also here - Give my regards to Hammond & Dayton. Beleive me ever dearest Cump your

truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
October 10, 1862
[1862/10/10]

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 to morrow 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]

Head Quarters Memphis
November 27, 1862 Noon Thursday
[1862/11/27]

[WTS]

I this moment received a note from Maj Hammond & I assure you it made my heart bound to hear from you my dearest love - I cannot tell you how desolate I have felt - Never before have I had such very sad & gloomy an impression as I have now - I trust in God it is no presentiment of evil to befall you - It may be because I am alone & so far from the children. I am very anxious to get off - The Gun boat has not yet reported but the light packet Marmora that I came down on is here & I think I will go up on her - The Captain is so careful & has such good Pilots. Gen'l Hurlbut is very kind & so are the gentlemen of his Staff. I went down last evening to see Mr McComb but he had gone on the "Von Phul" - Mrs Gen'l Harney of Wisconsin was in the parlor this morning & Gen'l Hurlbut sent for me. She said she overheard Secess say at the Gayoso that you would be in the worst fight & be worse whipped than any people had ever been yet. Mrs Hurlbut has been here again says "she hovers over both armies" - She surely "has a mission". Please hand the little package to Hill - It contains a pair of heavy socks, some toilet soap & some yarn & a darning needle which I wish him to take care of. Give my love & good wishes to all. I send you the Argus & Commercial - The Tribune to Maj Taylor - I am sorry I have not the Gazette for Capt. McCoy- I shall be exceedingly anxious to hear from you - God knows my heart is with you ever - Take care of yourself for our sake - Do sometimes say a prayer asking God's mercy & protection.

Ever faithfully yours

Ellen E S.
[EES]

Steamboat Forest Queen Cairo
November 30, 1862 Sunday
[1862/11/30]

[WTS]

On Friday evening, dearest Cump the General got me off from Head Quarters a second time and to my great joy I found this Boat almost ready to leave. A few moments after I came aboard Col. Anthony came stepping up the cabin & was amazed to find me aboard having supposed that I had gone the day before. He had been sick all day or he would have gone to Head Quarters to be certain but as I had got a pass & left word at his office the day before that I had gone & as he failed to get Capt Selfridge's message he could not have been expected to think any more of me. He has been very kind & attentive to me & Tommy - Indeed Tommy hangs on him all the time. We got here just five minutes too late to take the cars, & will therefore have to wait until half past three in the morning. We will remain on the boat, as the Captain insists upon it, and as the hotel is not good. I was very much disappointed that I did not hear from again before leaving Memphis. Gen'l Hurlbut promised to send to me at Lancaster any dispatches that he would receive from you. I hope he will do so, I feel the most painful anxiety on your account & shall await news of the coming contest with painful interest. I hope you will not rashly expose yourself in battle. And on the march do, for my sake let Hill learn to take care of you Let me caution you again not to smoke too many cigars. I put up three boxes & they ought to last a good while. I hope Hill may prove faithful and smart. I have promised to be a good friend to him if he serves you faithfully.

How is it about Charley? Is he really on Gen'l Denver's Staff? I do hope he can get a Regiment either in Ohio or Indiana. We have very heavy fog here today. I have watched the weather with great anxiety as the success of your march depends in a measure upon the roads. I trust it has been clear up to this time, with you.

Give my best love to dear Charley & tell him I will write as soon as I get home. Tell Capt Dayton I will also write to him. Give my best regards & good wishes to Major & Capt. Taylor Capt McCoy & Majors Hammond & Sanger - also to Capt Smith & Drs. McMillen & Hartshorn. I shall think of them & read of them with more interest now I know them. Do not fail to present my kindest regards to Cols. Smith & McDowell as well as to all my friends. You know who I like best. I saw Col Cockrell of the Gayoso House & thanked him for the lunch &c Beleive me ever your devoted,

Ellen -
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
December 12, 1862.
[1862/12/12]

[WTS]

Just as I was sitting down to write to you this morning, my dearest, the boy came in with your dispatch directing me to address you at Memphis How happy it makes me to have this direct news from you! How thankful I am that you have been preserved thus far from sickness or accident. I hope you have written me, more fully about your movement its object the extent of your command &c. &c. I am truly glad that you have taken the regulars with you. I hope Charley will go with you & indeed I am sure he will be unwilling to be left behind when you move. I fear you have received none of my letters. I have written twice since my return home less than a week since. I have also written to Charley, I found the children not only well but so fat that I scarcely recognised them, especially Rachel. She looks just like Willy did when I got back to San Francisco. At first she did not recognise me but immediately the recollection dawned upon her & she shewed by her expression that she was gradually recalling me, then she felt my face & my curls and finally hugged me most affectionately & refused to leave me, even whilst I took my dinner. She is a bold fearless self-reliant but very affectionate child - self willed of course as all my children, if not all of Eve's, must be. Elly is the dearest sweetest most attractive little creature I ever saw. I was playing for them this morning & they had been dancing when she came to me & asked me to play "Anne". I asked her if she meant "Anne o' the banks of Dee" Oh no! she said "don't you know Anne? I'll sing it for you" & then in the most mosdest sweet little tones & looking very bashfull all the time she sang with perfect correctness "O! Anne we have parted, Our happy dream is o'er I leave thee broken hearted, Perchance to meet no more". I am having Mr. Geary's song of the Regulars printed The children all sing it. Sis sings it well & I assure you we all think it touching & pretty. I told you about it - "We are coming Gen'l Sherman &c." The chorus is "Then ho! clear the way, for the regulars to day, And we will not dishonor you, when comes the mortal fray". Mother is still at the Water Cure & Father is in Washington & I assure you I miss them I feel more desolate & blue than ever before in leaving you & less pleasure in getting home & seeing the children. May God, in mercy, keep you & restore you to us soon! - Tommy goes to school faithfully & likes it so well that he will not avail himself of my permission to him to come home at recess. He beats all the boys in school at arithmetic but he does not read yet - Col Anthony was much pleased with him. On the boat one day he asked the Colonel how many miles the boat ran an hour - When told ten he multiplied it by twenty four & gave the result without a moments' hesitation. The Colonel told me of it as something very smart. Lizzie is also going to school & improving a good deal. She seems very bright & well but poor little thing how she laments that she did not see you - She is never so happy as when I am telling her something about you & your Staff - Speaking of devotion reminds me of Ellen Cox & Tom. Sis says Ellen is exceedingly fond of you & proud of you. Ellen described to Sis their distress last winter when that cruel report about you reached them & before they heard it contradicted. Tom gave himself up to grief & could not be comforted - he said if he had heard that we were all dead he could not have suffered such anguish as death would be a slight sorrow compared to that as described in that miserable article. Well! that poor wretch has gone a Suicide to his judgement & "vengeance is the Lord's". And every individual who willingly suffered that slander to appear knowing it to be false, & who connived against you for their own personal ends, has gone down & been brought to trouble, McClellan & Mrs Buell included. Mrs Buell aided Mitchell in his machinations against you, as I learned in Washington last winter. I had a bow from Gen'l Buell & Nannie Mason in the breakfast room at the Burnet House but as I went to Mrs. Slevin's to stay I did not see them nearer. I got into Cin: after midnight & found Ord in the parlor with Maj & Mrs. Kilburn - they were attending a hop - It was fortunate for me as I could not get a room. Ord gave me his room & went in with some one else. I told you Gov. Morton was very polite. Ord & all your friends sent best regards. Boyle is promoted. He has taken Henrietta to Western Virginia. I have a thousand things to say to you my dearest love but it is now time for the mail. I will write again to morrow but send this at once according to your request, I will write a few lines to Charley hoping he is with you. Please that Dayton & Hammond for letters & give my kindest regards to every member of your Staff, particularly to Maj & Capt Taylor. Mr. Gibson of Cin: sent you down a small demijohn of superior whisky & I brought it home with me but have not opened it. I hope you received the Shirt collars I sent you from Cincinnati - they are a mere trifle large but they will shrink that when washed. Shall I move to Cin: or what - This house is sold - The preacher is in your house Two of Henry's children are will his Parents in his house. Mary Granger has been with her husband but has returned to Mansfield. Henry was very kind in Cin: gave me a check for the pay account called on me &c. The Sword is here perfectly splendid Father was moved to tears when it was opened before him. I have written to Wm. Scott of its safe arrival &c

Ever dearest your affectionate.

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
December 13, 1862.
[1862/12/13]

[WTS]

I wrote you yesterday, dearest Cump as soon as I received your dispatch from Oxford sending my letter by express. Sis wrote to Charley & I added a few lines to him enclosing the letter to you & directing all to the care of Gen'l Hurlbut By the bye the General has been very kind. He has written to me twice all that he knew about you or the progress of the Army. He now has about 12000 infantry. I presume you will be ordered to take the greater part of them with you down the river. What of McClearnand? I hear no more of him. We met on the cars & in Indianopolis Mrs. Maj Keyen route to Washington under the care of Mr. Voorhes. At the table Col. Anthony & Mr. Voorhes discussed affairs generally when the latter gentleman announced that within a fortnight, Gen'l McClearnand would go down the river with Supreme power - command of Grant &c directing things to the right left & front - I then had to smile and put in my own opinion which was that Gen'l Halleck knew the men engaged down there too well & knew McC.* & said he had never fancied him personally - Gov. Morton I found to be favourable to the McClearnand scheme - of course I was too prudent to express my opinion to him. We agreed on so many points & he was so polite to me & so complimentary to you that there was no necessity for raising a question on McClearnands merits. I told you in a former letter of Mrs. Morton's invitation to me to visit them &c. &c. By the bye I promised to tell you of the very great attention paid me by a Captain Applegate who had been in the Provost Marshall employment in Memphis. He placed a fine carriage & horses & driver at my disposal & made me use it seeing me even to the Depot in it in the evening. Of course Col. Anthony saw me off, as he left a few hours after I did. I owe Col. Anthony a couple of dollars or something near it but he would not let me pay him. so I told him that you & he must settle it. Henry Cranmer went to Memphis at last reaching there the day after I left. He reported at Head Quarters with my trunk. Gen'l Hurlbut was very kind to him when he found he came with letters &c to us. General H. is a true friend to you I think. He seems a very clear headed smart man but he is chafing under his present embarrassments - He thinks it something of a disgrace to be where he is now that the Army has moved out. I take it for granted that Charley has returned with you as I am sure he would be reluctant to stay behind. How do the regulars get along? I hope Hill is a good Servant & that you will keep him near you for my sake, if he is, as I feel much better satisfied to know that you have a cleanly sober honest soldier near you all the time. I will reward him well if he serves you faithfully throughout. I saw Mrs. Kilby Smith in Cin: and the Colonels Mother also but I did not see the children. I expected to remain - but one day there but late the evening before I left Mr. Daugherty came up to Mrs. Slevin's & told me that Boyle & Henrietta would be there next day so I had to wait to see them. They are taking the three little children to Western Virginia. Boyle is on the list of nominations for Brigadier & will of course be confirmed. I gave him the fine shoulder Straps which Charley had bought for you. He wants to be ordered to you, & he may be by Spring as Father would like to have him with you. Ord requested me to give you all sorts of cordial & affectionate messages, from him & say how much he desired to have a talk with you. He looked miserably & was just able to go without his crutches. When Buell was in Indianopolis awaiting further orders - he & his wife received very little attention as Gov. Morton & his friends refused even to speak to him. Col. Noble told me that me the Governor has been almost insulted by Buell during his term in Kentucky. He & Mrs Buell are terribly cut down & she talks of nothing else - they tell me - I guess she wishes now she had not conspired against better men - Maj Kilburn also desired his warmest regards to you - Col. Swords spent the evening with me; his wife is in New York. Henry Reese attended very promptly & kindly to the pay account for me - He does not look very well. Your elegant sword is at the Bank & people are flocking there, to see it. Many of the old people, who knew your Father take as much pride in you as if you were their son. Boyle looks admirably tell Charley how well he has evidently been doing.

Beleive me ever devotedly yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

*as compared with them too well to sanction such an arrangement and that I believed it would never be - he seemed glad to have Col. Anthony's opinion of McC

Best regards to all the Staff. I am anxious to know what regiments you have

Lancaster O.,
December 15, 1862
[1862/12/15]

[WTS]

I have written to you three days in succession, dearest Cump, but as I am anxious that you should hear from me whilst you are at Memphis I am resolved to take the chances of several mails, so in case one should miss the other may not. We have heard of Father's safe arrival in Washington where he is now boarding at Mrs. Carter's on the Hill. Henrietta's sister, Mary Young is very ill, quite dangerously so. I hope for her parents sake she will not die. I was sorry to leave Memphis without seeing Mrs. Shover again & without calling at Dr White's & Bishop Okey's. but I felt too badly & had too much head ache to make any visits. I got Willy's gun & Tommy's Sword & the Shiloh Sword all home safely. Your splendid Sword from New York has been exhibited, by the gentlemen at the Bank, in the window & crowds has been to see it. They will not have it there any more however for fear it may be handled & tarnished. When a company of ladies or gentlemen go in they will have it shewn to them any time. Please tell Charley that both Sis & I wrote to him the other day & that I will write to him in a day or two & that Sis is writing again today. If you have time to think of the matter please tell me if you are willing for me to take a house in Cincinnati, if Father is willing If you are not what shall I do. I will have to leave here in March & perhaps sooner & I do not wish to go to Father's again because he is always so strongly opposed to my leaving & I cannot keep house there for both families & Sis's visitors & all. Mother & Father require & like hours which do not suit the children & the two sets of servants get to Squabbling & are hard to manage - In Cincinnati I could give the children the education I wish without sending them from me & I would be able to get to you easier than from here. Father & Mother wd enjoy visiting there & would gradually get to spending most of their time with me (particularly should Sis marry) & Father could get from there to the salt wells more easily than from here, My furniture could be moved down with little expense - In summer I could bring the children's to Father's to spend their vacations. What think you of it? I have written to Father but have not yet received his answer. Minnie & Willy are getting along well at school. Willy had three medals at the last monthly examination so he must be in good condition as well as in good spirits. Minnie is in high classes for her age & doing well in all her studies. Lizzie has never been better than she is now. I am going up to Columbus to see Mother in a few days. I will take Lizzie & Elly with me. Tommy is constant at Kate's school. He makes a great display in his corporals uniform & is much more proud of it here than he was in Memphis. He is much more manly & well behaved since his visit to you. I found a good many letters here, that you had written me after I left home. In one there was a likeness of Maj. Taylor which I am very much pleased to have. I would like to have one of Capt. Taylor. Give my best regards to all & love to dear Charley. I have just recovered from my fatigue &c. & feel better than I have for some time. Mr. Hunter called on me yesterday to enquire about you. May God preserve you

As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.,
December 23, 1862
[1862/12/23]

[WTS]

I went up to Columbus, or rather to the "Water Cure," on Friday spent Saturday with poor Mother & returned on Sunday. I cannot describe to you my pleasure dearest Cump at finding your cheerful letter from Memphis awaiting me. I am rejoiced that you have the post assigned you that you desired. I feel anxious about your equipment. They seem so engrossed in quarrels & changes at Washington that I fear you will be overlooked & neither boats nor men enough sent to you. I am happy indeed to hear that you have taken the Regulars as a guard & for Special duty. Since receiving your letter I feel light hearted & happy about Charley & my pet regiment I feel some uneasiness lest you may in future movement expose yourself unnecessarily. If there be any hard or dangerous duty - especial duty to be performed in the Seige of Vicksburgh I know you will give it to the Regulars & I know they will do it well. Please in some way communicate my good wishes to them all & let them know what honor I expect them to win for themselves & for you & us - At the same time I never wish to be suspected of slighting the Volunteers or holding them in light esteem. Every man that serves faithfully under you has a claim on my interest & feelings & I hope to treat them all, if opportunity offers, with consideration & kindness. By the bye Tommy has asked me several times to send his love to his friends Charley, Pete, Poney, Sawer Jerome &c. &c. - he is not here now to give the names. I hope my friend Hill is doing well & makes an agreeable man Friday for you. Tommy still sports his uniform to the distraction of all the little boys. He feels very manly & has improved greatly since his trip - goes to school & never cries or behaves badly at home. Lizzie says he beats all the other boys in arithmetic. Lizzie goes to school pretty well too & is improving some. She is better this winter than she has ever been in winter. I feel very much encourages about her. Rachel is to fat & strong & independent to be considered a baby. Elly is more sweet & attractive than ever She sings the song of the Regulars - "O! Clear the way for the Regulars to day, & we will not dishonor you when comes the mortal fray." I am glad to hear of so much loyalty in Memphis. I am like you were it not for being near Father & Mother I would not live in Ohio. Your attendance at Dr. White's Church was noticed in the paper. I suppose E. Reese is exulting that you go to Episcopal Church instead of the Catholic - I wish you would tell me if you answered her letter. I must still ask you for my sake not to write to her. After she has gone between you & me I cannot stand it to have you write to her on any subject. I saw Hoyt in Columbus. He is very well & very much interested in you. I told you in a former letter that I had written to Wm. Scott about the sword. I will write to him again about your movements views &c. Father writes that Secretary Stanton told him you were "by far the best General we have - Administrative & in the field" - So do not provoke me again by putting yourself below McClellan. Did you know that Burnside was a Catholic? He came into the Church & received the Sacraments just before starting on his expedition last winter. I told you how polite Gov & Mrs. Morton were to me. Did I tell you how Capt. Applegate lavished attentions upon me? I beleive the name is Applegate - he was in the Provost marshall's office in Memphis. He placed a splendid carriage &c at my disposal all day took me in it to the Depot &c - Where is Col. Anthony now? I enclose a letter for Col. Smith which encloses Sergeant Moore's commission as 1st. Lieutenant. I want you some time to send Dayton's name on for promotion. Give me a recommendation for him & I will get him a Capts commission Give Charley a chance (but I know you will) to win gilded spurs. Charley will come out all right if we do not have a revolutin & a general upsetting of things at home in which case you may all be overlooked. Please let Uncle read this letter as I have not time to day to write to him. Mother is very lonely in her banishment. Charley ought to write to her. Tell him he must send his money to Philemon. Boyle with his wife & three children saves three fourths of his Colonel's pay Philemon says Boyle has been doing first rate. I hope you have had time to visit the Hospital as the Sisters felt mortified that you left before without doing so. Did you see the Dominican Sisters? I suppose the people were frightened to see the 8th & the 6th Missouri back again. They are brave boys the rebels are afraid of them. Please give my regards to Col Stuart Gen'l Smith all your Staff & the Officers of 13th. They say that Sec. Chase & Mrs. Douglass are to be married! First rate match - They are both handsome ambitious &c - Love to dear Charley. Commending you both to God & his saints but more especially to the Queen of Saints

I am as ever dearest yours faithfully

Ellen
[EES]

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