HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI,
Madison, Wis.
Aug. 9th, 1867
[1867/08/09]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
On getting back from Chicago yesterday I was very much disappointed at not finding a letter from you but I received this morning yours of Wednesday. I did get the ticket and sooner than I expected. I got it on Monday evening to the clerk was as good as his word. They treated me very kindly at the Tremont. Mr. Drake was very attentive & the morning I left had an abundant and delightful lunch put up for me without any hint on my part.
I will get along this month with as little money as possible. I have not drawn any yet since you left as I used Charley's money in Chicago. I did not spend much - staid but one day. I saw Dr. Roler who was very polite & was with me nearly all the time. He is to be married in September. Colonel Taylor called & talked incessantly of you. Charley met some gentlemen there & one who had met you either at St. Paul or on your journey. Charley says the gentleman entertained quite a number of friends for half hour on the subject of Tommy's merits. Charley could not remember the name of the gentleman nor did he tell me what he said.
I will send with this a letter I received from Col. Bowman - on second thoughts I will not for you will not care to read it - but he proposes to have Minnie board at his house & go today school to Mrs. Hoffman. I want you to think the matter over well before you start and before I finally commit myself as I am anxious that you should be satisfied. If you still prefer one of the private schools of the East I will visit them and leave her at the one I think will best meet the wishes of us both. Col. Bowman is quite sure Mrs. Hoffman's school will give entire satisfaction. I know you would not like Minnie to board anywhere but at the school. Write to me frankly & truly just how you feel in the matter for I assure you it is my most earnest wish as it is my first duty to please you in all things possible & I am never happy when I think you are not pleased. - Why did you not stay at our house as all the up stairs rooms were in order & one or two of them are so comfortable commanding all the air that is stirring. I hope you are entirely well & that you will not be greatly exposed or harassed on this journey that is before you. You will certainly see us on your return from the North & before going to Arkansas. The children are perfectly well but dreadfully sun burned. The baby is sweeter if possible than ever. After several very warm days we are having a cool evening with a promise of rain. Do write to me often if you write only a few lines at a time. Ever dearest Cump your faithful and affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]
Madison Wis:
August 12, 1867. Monday evening.
[1867/08/12]
[WTS]
Your two letters of the 9th have reached me dearest Cump and I feel much better satisfied that you went to the house for I am sure your clothes are in better order than if you had started from the Hotel and the room you occupied at the house is as cool & pleasant a one as you could find in the City. I will endeavour to carry out your wishes as nearly as possible dear Cump and will therefore not decide exactly what to do with Minnie until you write me from Omaha in answer to my letter addressed to you at that place, a day or two ago. Your plan of returning to St. Louis with the children before going east is the best and I will follow it unless Cholera should break out there. If I can (and I think there will be nothing to prevent) I will leave here with all the family & baggage in two weeks from today - the 26th - and go to St. Mary's (Notre Dame) for a week. Then I will go to St. Louis and remain several days, then to Lancaster for two or three days & then to the East with Minnie. If I go to Washington I shall not forget your injunction to pay my respects to the President. Of course I will visit Mrs. Grant without ceremony. Should St. Louis be unhealthy I think I shall still leave here on the day named - the 26th - go to St. Mary's & thence to Lancaster where I will leave all but Tommy & from there take Minnie to her school. I feel really sad about your long absence but I trust and pray you may keep well and that you may be really better satisfied than you would be were you nearer the squabbling at Washington.
I had a conversation with Col. Reynolds about the horses & carriage. He says there is a man coming here on Wednesday who will see the horses, with a view to buying them and then he will take the carriage or thinks he will. As long as he thinks of taking it he does not wish me to pay anything more towards the board so I am not in want of much money. I received a letter today from John Scott enclosing receipt for Boxes which have been shipped from New York. The only charge on them is ($16.15) sixteen dollars fifteen cents. The bills (receipted) are with them & I will forward Anne Linton's with her express receipt. How am I to know whether the Doctor refunds? I have a letter from Mrs. Felt from some part of Minnesota I beleive. We had a very severe storm this afternoon and it is still raining. It had become exceedingly dusty so the rain is very acceptable. I may leave here a few days earlier than I have named, particularly if the man who buys the horses should be anxious to get them soon. It is possible I may not succeed in selling them at all. The Indians - or white men disguised as Indians have got to tearing up Rail Roads and causing such horrible disasters that I feel more than ever anxious about you. The poor children are so disappointed at losing you for the Summer when we had anticipated so much happiness. That God may continue His mercies to you & to us and reunite us all in peace in our own home is our constant prayer. It seems like the beginning of a breaking up to send Minnie away for her last year of school -- then society - then marriage - We have two little ones who will never change waiting for us on the eternal shore. God grant that we may reach them. Ever dearest Cump
Your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI,
Madison, Wis.
Aug. 17th, 1867. Saturday Morning 7 o'clock.
[1867/08/17]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
From the papers of last evening I learn that "the Peace Commissioners met Father De Smet at Leavenworth & invited him to join them". I trust he will do so. This letter will, I hope, meet you at Omaha on your return.
I am awaiting your letter from Leavenworth to decide certainly, what to do with Minnie, as I wish to follow your views as nearly as possible. I think with you that it is highly important she should be proficient in french and as I have reason to beleive that it is better taught at the Sacred Heart Convent New York than at Georgetown I think I shall take her to the former place. In that case it will not be necessary for me to go to Washington. I have a ticket to New York, or I think I have but I have not yet looked to see. I intend to go to Notre Dame for a few days thence to Lancaster where I will leave the children until my return from New York. If I should leave them in St. Louis I would feel to uneasy about cholera lest it might break out in my absence. In Lancaster there has never been any of it & Father is so determined that I shall take them to his house that I cannot well refuse him.
The Paris dresses are here and have been enthusiastically admired. They came free of duty. We are all well. Will leave here the 22nd inst. and get to Lancaster before the 1st of Sep. I expect to get to St. Louis by the 15th of Sep. I hope I shall see you before you go South. Minnie is writing to you today.
May God in His goodness protect & keep you is the earnest prayer of your ever faithful
Ellen
[EES]
P.S. I have plenty of money for all purposes and expect to sell the carriage & horses.
Notre Dame Ind.
Aug. 27th
[1800/08/27]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I came here on Saturday & will leave in the morning for Lancaster where I will leave the children whilst I take Minnie east. I was very much disappointed that you did not answer my letter which was perhaps directed to Leavenworth asking you to give me your exact views in regard to Minnie & to tell me whether you agreed to send her to Georgetown because she wished it or because you really felt satisfied. I have concluded that French will be highly essential to Minnie and as I think it is better taught at the Convent at Manhattanville N.Y. than at Georgetown I will take her there and satisfy myself. I wish you had written me again on the subject - In some things you take it for granted that I understand what you want when I do not. We are all well and enjoying our visit here very much. Elly & Rachel run out doors with the little girls all day. They want me to leave them here they are so happy. M. Angela is at the head of the school again & would like to have me leave Minnie here as she has engaged Professors for teaching but I know you would not be satisfied. From some one who came to Madison from St. Louis I learned that the latter place was quite sickly - some cholera & some small-pox so I thought it better not to leave the children there. I will get Lizzie & Tommy at their schools as soon as possible. It will take a very short time to make the journey to New York & back. Father says he cannot get to St. Louis this fall & he was therefore anxious that I should take all the children to see him. We got off nicely from Col. Reynolds. I sold the carriage paid my bill & have the money for my journey to Lancaster without drawing from St. Louis. I sent Jake home by Prairie de Chein & the river. He is such a faithful fellow I do not wish to lose him so I will pay him half wages for the two or three weeks I will be gone. Now that the house is cleaned Mrs. Lutz will reduce the servants and make expenses as light as possible there.
If I am invited to do so, I will stay with Rose Reese in New York but she does not yet know that I am coming there & I do not know Mr. Hoyt's address. Genl Hardie wrote that he had sent a copy of "End of Controversy" belonging to him to Genl Grant. Hardie gave me a pressing invitation to stay at their house but I shall not probably go to Washington. I hope you are well dear Cump & that we may soon meet after our irksome journeys. You must be sure to be in St. Louis at the great meeting of the Army of the Tennessee.
Ever your affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster Ohio.
Sep. 1st, 1867 Sunday morning
[1867/09/01]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
On my arrival here Thursday evening, I was glad to find a letter from you awaiting me. It was forwarded from Madison. I brought all the family here, the conductor's passing us, where we had to pay, for four tickets, which was quite a clever thing. They paid me very kind attention, on all the route, as the wife of Genl Sherman. On Thursday I will leave for New York, taking Tommy with me as an escort home. Looking to the fulfilment of your wishes in Minnie's regard I have determined to take her to a school where she will have the best opportunity of learning french. I have letters to Madam Boudenau of the Sacred Heart Convent, and she will designate some french school to me, in case I should not be satisfied with hers. From what I have learned of the S. H. Convent at Manhattanville I think I shall leave her there. Minnie has no extraordinary taste or talent for music and it is so very expensive that I doubt the propriety of having her take lessons. The time would be better devoted to drawing I think, particularly as Minnie has no voice.
On my return from N. York I will lose no time in in getting Lizzie & Tommy in their schools in St. Louis unless indeed, I should hear that you are really to be sent to Washington for the winter. I do not know whether I will go over to Washington or not. I would like to go on some accounts. Mr. Bowman writes that he will meet me at the Depot, that Mrs. B. is at home & anxiously expecting me so I will stop there.
When I got here, I found Willy Wolfley here visiting the Van Trumps. He intends establishing himself in Cincinnati, having just returned from a year's tour of Europe. One little piece of news he gave, somewhat surprised me. He says that Ward Nichols (of the march to the Sea) is to marry Miss Longworth a Grand daughter of the rich Longworth. Poor Susan Bartley has been suffering terribly from asthma. The rest of your friends are well. Mag Reber is in Zanesville visiting Mary Granger. The Judge is with her. To-morrow. I presume Col. Brown will deposit your pay for August. I have left over in the Bank just $600 which I will draw [illegible] for draw for my trip & Minnie's school bill. The carriage & horses have been paying our expenses thus far, since you left St. Louis.
Our baby is growing finely & continues in splendid health. He has three teeth and has several more nearly through but he has had no trouble with them except a certain amount of pain which has made him a little hard to please at times. He never cries but I suspect when the time comes for weaning him he will raise a terrible out cry.
Father was very well when we got here but he is not so well today. Philemon's children leave tomorrow for their schools at Notre Dame.
If I go to Washington I will remember your injunctions to call on the President & Genl Grant and give such hints as may seem apropos in regard to your remaining west. If the Radicals can accomplish it they will make Sheridan, General, when Grant is President & in that event you will be undisturbed but it would be flagrant injustice. It is more than probable that they will make Sheridan President instead of Grant.
Elly & Rachel are perfectly wild - live out doors play in the dirt and only come in to get their meals & to go to bed. Minnie had a horse-back ride yesterday which she enjoyed very much. I feel anxious about your dear Cump & hope you will let me hear from you often when you get within communication. I wrote to from Notre Dame & Minnie & I wrote from Madison. Tommy has just written to you. Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Lancaster O.
Sep. 4th, 1867.
[1867/09/04]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I start tomorrow morning for New York, and as soon as I determine what to do with Minnie I will write to you. I will not get back here, before the 15th, so if you should telegraph me, in the mean time, direct care of Col Bowman No. 19. West 26th Street. Rose Hoyt & the Scotts are still out of the City I hear. I have all at Father's but Minnie. They are all well and perfectly happy. The baby grows finely and is in excellent condition notwithstanding he has cut four teeth. - Company has called & I am engaged to spend the evening out so I must say good by - dearest Cump - Sincerely do I wish you could be with us. Ever your loving,
Ellen.
[EES]
Sept. 4, 1867
[1867/09/04]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
Since closing my letter & stamping it I have remembered that I omitted to speak of the taxes which will be soon due on my lots. On the 8th of September three of those Cin: notes of mine are due amounting to $331. and in November between two & three hundred are due me from Philemon being the interest on the $3000. he has of mine. Of course if you want that money & the gas stock for building you can have it but I would not build until there is water in that part of the City. It is late at night.
Ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis Mo.
Oct. 10, 1867.
[1867/10/10]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I enclose the wedding cards of Mr. L'Hommedieu's daughter so that you may make your arrangements to attend the wedding should you be coming out about that time. The family are exceedingly anxious to have you attend. Dayton brought out the cards and delivered the messages. I have not yet heard from you & do not know when to expect you home. I am delighted that the Radicals were defeated in Ohio. I think the elections will make them hesitate to resort to extreme measures against the President. Give my love to Tom & Charley & best regards to Genl Grant & family.
Truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
All well.
St. Louis
Dec. 6th, 1867.
[1867/12/06]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump; On Tuesday and Wednesday it rained all the day, & was so very muddy & stormy that I did not attempt to make the calls you requested me to make. Yesterday the weather was good & I called with Clara & saw Genl & Mrs. Marcy & their daughter. They were in full dress in the parlour entertaining Mr. Miltenberger when we went in & just as we were leaving Genl & Mrs. Nichols called. We then went to the Planter's to see Mrs. Fletcher but she had left the day before. I sent my card to old Mr. Elliot & he came immediately into the parlor seemed very much gratified by my call, chatted pleasantly for some time & then handed us to the carriage with all the grace & dignity of a man in his prime - yet he is in his seventy seventh year. We then called on Mrs. Cook - the wine merchant's wife but did not find her in and from them I went to Mrs. Perry's where I saw Mrs. P. & her two daughters who talked of our old neighbor Mrs. Wilson of Harrison St. San Francisco. The old lady is Aunt to Mrs. Perry's daughters. Mrs. P. said she would tell Mrs. Fletcher that I called as she would soon see her either here or elsewhere. Mrs. Felt called yesterday morning & invited us to attend private Theatricals at Mrs. Kellog's, so I took Clara Lizzie & Tommy there last night where we were most agreeably entertained. I am going this morning to the Convent to invite Sallie Shannon to spend the Christmas holidays with us. I have invited Appy Arrington and young Saltonstall to come down at the same time. The children are well except Rachel who has a miserable cold & cough. The baby had a picture in his hands this morning attempting to tear it, when he suddenly discovered the figure of a little dog in one corner. He stopped his violence immediately & pointing to it said "dog, dog". We could not induce him to shew off, to Mrs. Felt, of whose baby we are fearfully jealous, inasmuch as it has four saw teeth & is already weaned. Give my love to all at John's and at Tom's and tell dear Father I will write him tomorrow. Can you not remind the President of my petition for Dr. Bigelow?
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis.
Dec. 9, 1867. Monday evening.
[1867/12/09]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Since writing to you the dear baby has been quite sick. He is still indisposed and the Doctor is attending him daily. He coughs has fever and is quite delerious at night & seems to have pain in his head but during the day he is sometimes playful although he is fretful too. I think his brain is a good deal excited - he talks to us all the time and seems so very smart. I will write you tomorrow how he is. Should he pass a comfortable night to-night I shall feel very greatly encouraged about him. The Doctor says his lips are too blue & his eyes too bright. On account of having lost little Charley I feel uneasy about this one. He seems to be growing too fond of us - he hugs & kisses & pats the children and manifests the greatest fondness for us all. I hope he is not going to live that at least he will not suffer long. Do not feel uneasy from my fears, they may be groundless. Should the Doctor call him dangerous at any time I will write you. The rest are well & miss you sadly. I wrote yesterday to Father & to Charley, I rejoice at the failure of the Impeachment Bill. Ask Mr. Johnson to give Dr. Bigelow the appointment of Surgeon to the Marine Hospital at Detroit. Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis.
Dec. 10th, 1867.
[1867/12/10]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
The baby had quite a restless night & coughed a good deal and seems this morning about the same as he did yesterday, with a little better appetite. I dread this cold hanging as it does, reminding me of little Charley. Rachel has sore throat and gathering in each ear. I thought yesterday was her worst day & that her cold was passing off & I need not mention it, but last night she suffered very much & this morning I find both ears discharging. blood & matter. Her throat & face are quite swollen & she cannot, or does not feel inclined to eat anything this morning. The Doctor will soon be here. I think she is now over the worst.
The young people are anticipating a pleasant time at Christmas. Sallie Shannon is coming to visit us, Mollie Andrews is to visit the Hanenkamps and the two young gentlemen from Chicago are to be here. Even Elly & Rachel participate in the anticipations of pleasure. I hope you are well & enjoying your visit. Give my regard to all friends - respects to Genl Grant and the President & to Genl Rawlins if he remembers me also to Mr. & Mrs. Stanbery. The weather is cloudy but on the whole very pleasant today. It if time I had a letter from you.
Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis,
Dec. 11th, 1867. Wednesday evening.
[1867/12/11]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
The baby is so much better this evening that I intend to fulfill a promise I made & ride into the neighbourhood of Florrissant tomorrow to see Miss O'Connor. It is Tommy's recreation day & the ride will be pleasant for him. I have engaged a light carriage & pair of horses of Arnot & whilst we are gone, Strife will come out & take my horses to the Government Stables to be shod. Patrick took the carriage to the Shop this afternoon where they are to make what little repairs are necessary. I was very glad to get your interesting letter today, giving so pleasant an account of your visits en route to Washington. Minnie had written to us but she said she was so excited she could scarcely write. She enjoyed your visit intensely. I knew you would take her to W. if you staid there.
Tomorrow I will not be able to attend to the Bonds but I will take the number & date & send them to you, by Friday's mail registering the letter. I hope they will reach you safely. If you do not get them in due time from Friday you can come to the conclusion that something is wrong for I shall be sure to send them in Friday's mail. I hope to find another letter from you when I get home tomorrow evening. Poor Rachel is getting over her trouble: she is always better when the discharge commences from the ear. We have in market now the greatest abundance of venison quails grouse & rabbits at very low prices. Genl Nichols bought a whole deer for five dollars & beef is 20 cents a pound. Potatoes are 1.85 a bushel. I went into the stores today where they keep game & celery and I find that all the celery sold in that way is brought from Cincinnati & Chicago - the Cin: celery selling at 1.25 a doz., and the other at 1.00. Cards have been sent here for Miss Whittaker's wedding. I do not think Minnie's school will close by the time of Mary Sherman's wedding. Does Minnie wish to attend it? Give my love to all and beleive me ever faithfully yours,
Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]
St. Louis.
Dec. 13, 1867.
[1867/12/13]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
I wrote you on the evening of the 11th, that I would send the Bonds this morning. I have them numbered or rather, I have taken the number & date & will have Genl Nichols send them by this day's mail. The baby is very much better and with good care will now recover Rachel is better too. I went into the country yesterday & took Tommy. It was quite cold but we enjoyed it. All send love. Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis,
Dec. 14th, 1867. Saturday night.
[1867/12/14]
[WTS]
In a heavy snow storm, dearest Cump, I went down town yesterday to get off the Bonds according to my promise to you. I took them to Genl Nichols & we concluded it was best to send them by Express. He took them into another room, to mail them or to get them ready for the mail but after awhile he came back to me & said it was very unsafe to send them in that way & that I had better send them by Express. I agreed with him & he went in the carriage with me to the U. S. Express Office. There I left him at his suggestion & he said he would get receipt &c. I have had no receipt yet but I presume he has it all safe. In consequence of the snow under foot & overhead I took cold and have been suffering from neuralgia & cold today and have not been downtown. Tommy has been confined to the house also with sore throat which is prevelant. He is better tonight. The baby is wonderfully improved and is as smart and as sweet as baby can be. He says a good many words - calls Elly & even attempts Rachel: calls "Tierney" and says many little words without difficulty. Last night was the first good night's sleep he has had. I told the Doctor today that I thought we might safely dismiss him. I wish you would take Minnie to W. on the 23rd you must remember that on Christmas she has to go to Church in the morning & she may feel cold & tired after the nights ride. She is very happy at the prospect of going. Lizzie & Elly were at dancing school all day. Mrs. Marcy & her daughter called notwithstanding the severe weather. I saw them altho' my head ached severely. I enclose a letter received from Gov. Fenton's Secretary about that woman. They do not appear to understand that what we want to know is, whether the man Herron was really one of the 13th Regulars. We are getting along as nicely as possible. Emily & Patrick never did as well & seem to feel their responsibility. I feel quite safe now of nights and we get sewing & everything else well done. I am glad Mrs. Lutz left for her wages were too enormously high. Give my love to all & beleive me ever faithfully yours
Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]
I presume you went to Baltimore today. I hope you will enjoy it.
St. Louis.
Dec. 16, 1867.
[1867/12/16]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump; The baby is still quite well. His recovery has been as rapid as his severe illness was sudden. He seems very happy to be well again & is extremely playful and really very charming. He is remarkably smart. We all doat on him too fondly & I fear he will be taken from us, because we make an idol of him. When he gets older I promise to spank him is he does wrong but I know you never will. Tommy has been suffering from severe sore throat since Friday & the Doctor wd not let him go out. By tomorrow I think he will be able to go to school. I have a severe cold, taken Friday when I went down in the snow to send your Bonds. I hope you will get them in due time. Love to all.
Ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
St. Louis,
Dec. 17, 1867. Tuesday evening.
[1867/12/17]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Your letter of the 13th was received this afternoon. I am sorry I caused you to feel so uneasy about the baby but really I thought him in very great danger & feared that I might have news to write & so ought to prepare you in time. Now he is entirely convalescent but not well, being too delicate & still having some cough. The long confinement is telling on him too; but he is very bright & smart and is not fretful as children usually are when recovering from sickness. The rest of the family are quite well this evening. Tommy is much better & will I hope be able to attend school tomorrow. All send love to dear Papa & Minnie.
Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis.
Dec. 19, 1867.
[1867/12/19]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump; We are getting along tolerably well considering the changes of weather. My cold still afflicts my head greatly but I am obliged to be out hunting up candies a little toys &c for Christmas. The baby is entirely over his trouble but he cannot yet bear exposure & has to be confined to my room and the nursery. Tommy will be able to go to school tomorrow. He might have gone today perhaps, but it is their usual recreation day. Mr. & Mrs. Felt & Mr. Hubbell were out here last evening when we had a game of eucre & some recitations. Yesterday & night before the last were bitter cold but today it is moderating some. We have had considerable snow. I am sorry to see (as I do by the papers) that Genl Grant's Aid made such a terrible scene by failing to appear at the time appointed for his wedding. The poor girl must be terribly mortified. What was the cause of his non-appearance? I enclose a letter from a lady in Virginia who was formerly Ellen Mallory, whose Father occupied the Reese home, at one time. I have written to her that I have sent the letter to you. Albert King was here last evening for me to give him a note to the pay Master as there is no one here to identify him. He says he wrote to you some time ago directing his letter to Washington. Give my love to dear Minnie & to all of both families & beleive me ever dearest Cump, your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis,
Dec. 30th, 1867.
[1867/12/30]
Dearest Cump:
[WTS]
Since receiving your letter yesterday, in which you tell me that you were sick on Christmas night and the day following I feel really anxious about you. But I hope to have another letter to-day giving me the assurance of your perfect recovery. I fear you attempted too much in your visit to New York and that after partaking of rich food you were exposed to the cold. I am glad to hear that dear Minnie is enjoying herself. I will not write to her again at Washington but will write tonight or tomorrow directing to New York. I would like to have a good photo' of Minnie. Will you have time to attend to it? What was the matter with Tom on Christmas day? I hope he is not going to be really ill. John & Cecelia were very polite to go with Minnie to Church. I was not able to go to Church on Christmas day but yesterday I got out. I will make all suitable arrangements for receiving New Years and avoid fresh cold until that day is over at least. Sally Shannon & Clara are enjoying themselves greatly. & Lizzie says the only drawback is that the holidays are not long enough. Sallie's eldest brother "Wilson" is in the City & is attentive to them.
Cumpy Jr. is improving every day in every respect. He is very smart. Santa Claus filled his stockings, which gave more pleasure to Elly & Rachel than all that they found in theirs. He eat up the (candy) dog (calling it "bow-wow" during the process) tore the book, broke the other playthings & scattered the nuts and then his Christmas was over. I enclose a note which was sent to you from M. Angela I presume as it is from St. Mary's. One also to Minnie. The card I enclose was sent here a few days since. The children all send love to you and Minnie. We are very anxious for you to come home. When may we expect you. You ought to write to me oftener. Ever your truly affectionate,
Ellen.
[EES]