St. Louis,
Feb 2nd, 1869
[1869/02/02]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump; I called on Obear yesterday & he said he was still on the look out for a note as you desired & he advised me to wait a few days. I sincerely hope you are better & will enjoy your trip. It is fearfully lonely & sad without yo & Minnie. I do not beleive that Washington is coming to anything. I presume it was the bragging of some parties to Grant who expected a quid quo. I have given it up & hope you will not be greatly disappointed. All well and will be happy to see you home. Ever affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis,
Feb. 4th, 1869.
[1869/02/04]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Your letter & Minnie's of the 1st inst. were received this morning & the very thing I was most anxious to hear you both omitted to mention & that is your own condition of health. From the fact that you did not say a word about your health I infer that you are better but I still feel some uneasiness as when you wrote from Cairo you were suffering from head ache. I am sorry to hear that your trip has been so slow and therefore in a measure uninteresting. You will not have much time in New Orleans I fear. Genl Nichols sent me a dispatch which came to you from Mr. Parrot & which the Genl gave you in substance in a letter he wrote the same day. Mr. Parrot says that he will not deliver deed until he hears again that the property with good title is worth 7,000. in gold & that the title cannot pass by the deed we sent. He adds that he will write. I hear nothing more about the house of Grant's in Washington & presume it was not intended to be a real offer to him unless an equivalent could be obtained. I rather think we will never hear of it again, but I have no doubt we shall get along very nicely. Obear has not yet reported himself and I think it better to wait awhile as he seems to be really looking out for such a note as you want to be collected without trouble and the whole amount at one time. It has been intolerably lonely since you left but we are now growing somewhat accustomed to the change. Lizzie is home today with sore throat but she will probably be well tomorrow. The rest are well & send love to you & Minnie. I will write Minnie in the morning. Hoping to see you home in good health I am as ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
I will be sure to save the $2,000. and one hundred more for another tax bill which has been sent in & stands till the 26th inst.
St. Louis,
Feb. 8th, 1869.
[1869/02/08]
Dearest Cump;
[WTS]
Mary is hideous with Erispiplas and Bridget is sick and I fear is getting it. Ellen was sick & went home a week ago & so we are in quite a state of confusion made more by the apprehension that the disease may run through the family. Fortunately I am very well. This is your birthday & I would love to write you a long letter did not time press me so. I have to wait on the sick myself as I cannot expose Cumpy by letting Effie go in nor send one of the children to the room. Mary is very weak but is getting along very much as you did. I was on my feet all day yesterday & last night dreamed that Tommy & Cumpy & Elly & Rachel were drowned & waked up with pain at my heart & my limbs all cramped. Genl Grant has written me a beautiful letter & says he "hopes & beleives" the house arrangements will be carried out. I replied promptly - All send love to you & dear Minnie. Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis,
April 6th, 1869. Tuesday morning.
[1869/04/06]
[WTS]
This, dearest Cump, is the anniversary of the battle of Shiloh; the battle of Sunday when you had the opportunity to vindicate your name, & prove the slanders of your enemies, to be false - and gloriously you did it. From that day forth, I had not a doubt of your continued success & good fortune, and all that you have since acquired of fame & position was realised to my heart & mind with the news of that day's triumph to you. Willy is more keenly associated in my mind with this day, than with any other of the war. His death took the fullness of joy from ever later victory. I have just received your letter of the 3rd. I have ordered linens from New York & presume they will be at the house by the time I reach there. But they will not be ready for use for some time requiring to be hemmed marked & washed. I will send on the balance of the sheeting &c. from here in time for our arrival. I am surprised that you do not send me money. I want considerable, but if I do not receive in time I can borrow of Maj. Turner. I shall not get away from here before the 16th or 17th & shall send Minnie & Lizzie on to Lancaster & spend Sunday in Cincinnati at the Broadway Hotel.
After thinking & talking the matter over often & with many parties I have concluded to follow Maj. Turner's plan - I want you to telegraph me when you get this whether you are or are not willing for it. I shall not act without hearing from you. I propose to let Cumpy go with Effie to Cincinnati in advance of me where E. wants to make a visit. I have promised to let M. & Lizzie go to Mag Reber's tomorrow. I shall remain here with Elly Rachel & Tommy until next Thursday or Friday, the 15th & 16th, be packed by morning & have my trunks sent to the Planters & let the house & furniture be sold at Auction that day. Maj. Turner will see that it does not go for less than its value. Some say that it depreciates property to put it up at Auction & then bid it in but Maj. Turner thinks it the best plan. It will cost us something to have it taken care of if we neither sell nor rent. If we do not, what do you think of letting Emily & Patrick live in it until it is sold? I think that would do, as he is working now near this place & is sober. Telegraph me what you think had best be done. It would be easier for me to have Emily & Pat. come in and take care of things. I could then leave the inventory as you direct & get off quietly from home. My great desire to sell house & furniture before I leave arises from the fear I have of depredations - both wanton & malicious and my strong conviction that the house will be burned down. The painters are to commence to-day. I will send on the carpets & be there in time to put everything in its place. If boxes arrive before I do, please do not open. We are delighted with the prospect of a garden & want you to have some chickens in the stable yard. I do not know that we shall want to leave there this Summer. All are well & anxious to get to the new home. Ever your affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Washington, D.C.
Nov. 30th, 1871.
[1871/11/30]
[WTS]
It will be two weeks tomorrow, dearest Cump, since you sailed - since we three in the tug boat, saw your splendid ship float magnificently out of sight. By this time we think you must have reached Madeira and we love to think you are enjoying new scenes. I am sure you even enjoyed the time aboard ship because you are never sea sick and you feel the exilarating effect of the Ocean and moreover you have congenial company and are free from encumbrance and care. Imagining where you are today, let me give you a picture of ourselves. It is now four o'clock in the afternoon: I have moved my Secretary into my room between the head of the bed and the window. The usual Statue is over it and over the door opposite I have a very good picture of you, which I have had framed since you left. Minnie is out on horse back with one of the colored men as groom. The weather is clear and cold. Lizzie has gone out to walk. She said when she started, she would call to see her Aunt Cecelia, whom she has already visited. Tom is playing billiards with Lucas Turner, who came over this morning it being Thanks-giving day and a full holiday. Elly & Rachel are reading & working - one reads while the other works. They are engaged on a pair of slippers for Tommy Steele. Cumpy is having a romp just now in the hall with Tommy & Mittie Steele. All the children have had a good out door romp since lunch, which by the bye, was rather a grand affair on account of Lucas. Dinner is also to be something extra for College boys are supposed to have a keen relish for the good things of the table, and the boy who entertains is sensitive about his guest. Sis has been here a week or more with the children and we are all enjoying her visit very much & hope she will make it a long one. Colonel Tourtellotte left on Sunday last for Minnesota to be absent a month. He had been very polite and attentive and we miss him. Minnie has no escort now but McCarter or one of the colored men. Col. McCoy was here evening before last looking perfectly well. Genl & Mrs. Smith were also here the same evening and now they are again absent from home. They will be gone the greater part of the time. Dr. Norris came out last Saturday & vaccinated all the family all the guests and all the servants. Minnie's is the only one which has taken. I have heard no reports of Small pox here but it is very bad in Philadelphia. After leaving you and seeing you out of sight, we were taken to the Navy Yard and walked up to Capt. Chandler's where we spent half an hour & then returning to our tug we were taken to some landing, politely escorted to an Omnibus and driven to the Astor House. Mrs. Audenried left at 3 p.m. for Philadelphia direct. Tom and I came home that night. The Stetsons were exceedingly kind and polite. I paid a carriage bill & telegraph bill, in all, $10. but they would not let me pay for the meals we took. I sent Fred's flowers to his Mother, with a note telling her how Fred ran down the side of the Vessel to hand them to me for her. She and the President came down the same evening & had a long talk about where Fred was to sleep &c. &c. She was also in some concern about Fred's shirts but the President told her that when they wore a shirt awhile they threw it overboard. She was releived, for she feared he might leave his clothes lying about in some disorder, which would not be according to ship discipline - but the President had not finished his sentence, and when he added - (after throwing the shirt overboard) "with a string to it to wash it" - she was disgusted and changed the subject, but I joined him in his laugh - Some one in St. Louis has written to me that I owe $111.90 taxes for curbing, guttering & macadamising side walks on Dickson St. in front of lots 28 & 29, Blk. 1028. I sent the letter to Judge Reber and he says it is all right but he prefers me to pay it as he is a little cramped having paid his rent up to Oct. last & now being obliged to advance between $700 & $800 for taxes on our property. He will probably be glad when I sell a part which I am anxious to do but for which I have as yet had no offer - So many interruptions confuse me - Sis sends best love to you - All the children are writing. Remember me cordially to the Admiral & Col Audenried also to Fred. Ever your loving wife
Ellen Ewing Sherman.
[EES]
Washington, D.C.
March 7th, 1872.
[1872/03/07]
Dearest Cump.
[WTS]
We all continue to write to you, although you will probably be out of reach of a mail for a long time to come. The children are all remarkably well, except Minnie, who seemed to improve in health until she took a severe cold some time ago, from the effects of which she is still suffering. We have had an exceedingly severe winter and within the past week the weather has been colder than during any winter for many years. Several persons froze to death in New York. Tommy said he thought his hands were frozen yesterday going to school. The family who have bought the house west of us where Charley lived are very pleasant indeed. The family consists of the gentleman & wife, Dr. & Mrs. Eursfield - the lady, a neice of Judge Bradley's wife. We like them very much. I have been three times to the President's lately. Once I met there Mrs. Scamman of Chicago & the last time Mrs. Genl Rucker of Chicago. They give doleful accounts of the fire & subsequent desolation out there. At the urgent invitation of the President I attended the reception of the Japanese & found it a most interesting occasion. There were very few ladies present and no gentlemen came into Mrs. Grant's reception room but the Japs and the Cabinet & a few others. Genl Myers has the care of entertaining them. I wrote to Col. Audenried yesterday & enclosed some account of them. I saw John & Cecelia a day or two ago - Susan is quite uneasy about the Small pox since there are some very bad cases & have been two deaths of it on I street near 6th. A man named Shaffer died of it yesterday at that place and the yellow flag is out in two other places near us. The health officer reports 20 new cases, but that is nothing to the prevalence of the disease in Philadelphia & New York. General Howard is going out to Arizona - to see what he can do or may recommend for the Indians there. I saw him yesterday. I have replied to your letter about the sale of property and on the subject of removal from here &c. &c. I am entirely satisfied and think that we can so arrange affairs by next winter that you can be satisfied without our being too much worn down or distracted I think the ladies will gradually drift to lighter duties. Mrs. Delano & her daughter are worn out & Mrs. Cresswell looks pale & greatly fatigued. Mrs. Grant says she gets very tired some times. All send love to you & want to see you home badly but still hope you may enjoy your visit.
As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.
Washington, D.C.
March 18th, 1872.
[1872/03/18]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump. We have had a succession of most charming letters from you, the last being one to Elly from Naples, describing your visit to the ruins of Pompeii. We also have in the papers (the Capitol and N.Y. Evening Post) letters from Florence describing the Ball given by Mr. Grahame - Of course we are all charmed and grateful to hear of the munificence of our good friend Mr. Field in presenting you with $5,000. and I am happy that you found such pleasant ways of spending it; particularly that you have consented to get me the Marble Bust and that you have been of service to good Mr. Healy. You always do what is noblest and best. If you were half as good in words as you are in deeds! You fulfil more than you allow us to hope. Now I suppose you are in Egypt. I cannot form a conjecture of the length of your stay abroad, since the President has written to you to prolong it. I am sure General Stone will be delighted to see you. The Sculptor who modelled your Bust, made the Statues of Green and Williams, which are placed in the Capitol, opposite those of Sherman and Trumbull and are greatly superior to them in execution. I am delighted that you have ordered them. Your letters are eagerly watched for and read with deep interest and sent first to this friend & then to that for all are anxious to see them. The wine was sent also from Fort Monroe and returned there because the duty was not paid. I have had notice since that there is due on it $60 - and upwards. General Marcy is attending to it, for me, and I shall settle with him when all expenses are paid. Mrs. Marcy & her Daughter are here now, but both are very delicate having been ill lately. Judge Frazier & his Daughter (who was married lately) expect to meet you in the East. I saw Mrs. Swayne a day or two since. This is a lovely day, the first fine day we have had for a long time. Minnie is out on horseback, and the rest are out walking except Tom who is at School and Cumpy who has had a bad ear-ache from cold and must stay in a day or two as the wind is rather sharp notwithstanding the bright sun.
When you come into the regions of Shops and fashion I want you to get some braids of hair for us - long and thick. I will send you three samples and wish a braid the color of each. I also want two dozen pairs of gloves for myself 6½ two button black kid stitched in black. I also want two dozen pairs, gentlemans kid gloves, no. 8¼: one doz. for evening & one doz. quiet colors for street. These are to present to Col. Tourtellotte in return for favors received from him which I mentioned in a former letter. To fulfil a promise I must give you the regards of Mr. & Mrs. Stanbery, Mr. Henry Slade and Dr. Duncan, all of whom are here just now - in the City I mean. Many others send messages but I do not recall them all. All your friends are well I believe. Your Brother John was here yesterday. He entertains the Ohio Delegation this evening & invited us but we cannot go to a party now. Remember me to the Col & to Fred. All the family write to you constantly. I am as ever yours
Ellen.
[EES]
Washington, D.C.
April 5th, 1872.
[1872/04/05]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump, Our last letter from you is from Malta of the 9th of March - a letter addressed to Tommy. We have telegraphic news of your arrival at Alexandria or Cairo and I hope we shall soon receive your letters from that point. I have written to you quite constantly until now and the letters we write now will not be likely to reach you before the middle of May so I feel a little careless as to the exact time of writing. I went yesterday to see Mrs. Judge Miller who is going over in May to remain a year or perhaps longer, for her health. She is very anxious to meet you & says "She & you are affinities". Mrs. Peck the wife of the gentleman who gave me the fine Beaver Robe, is also going I think. I saw Nelly Grant the day she started. I presume she will see you in Europe. I saw Nelly Grant the day she started. I presume she will see you in Europe. Admiral & Mrs. Porter and a great many of your friends have been to see me and all send so many messages that really I find I cannot enumerate them - the Marcys - the Clymers & a host of others. The President gave George Hunter the appointment at West Point on the grounds that his Father was in the war suffered in health from imprisonment at Libby & that the family are all Republicans & that Henry Hunter had been appointed Lt. Col. of an Ohio Regt by Governor Dennison. Philemon & Dayton write me they have heard from you - There is nothing new here except the sad & sudden death of General Oliver. Mr. Huntingdon of the Bank died after a brief illness. John Sherman Jr. has gone West for a short visit. All your friends are well. Genl Dyer is in very bad health & was expected to die but is better but I think not permanently so. Cumpy continues to grow strong. He knows his letters & draws them sometimes, but he will work & study only when the notion takes him. We are now having the first few days of warm weather but a little fire is still comfortable mornings & evenings. Give my love to Col. Audenried & remember me to Fred. I see Mrs. Grant and the President often & tell them all about your letters. Col. Tourtellotte is very kind to us all.
Ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
Astor House, N.Y.
April 15th, 1872.
[1872/04/15]
Dearest Cump.
[WTS]
I came over here with Minnie on Wednesday last and expect to return home on the noon train tomorrow. I wrote to Mr. Stetson that we were coming and he had the corner parlor and bed room ready for us, the table set and dinner served as soon as we were ready for it. They have been exceedingly kind to us and we have had a very pleasant visit. I saw your Aunt Susan & Mrs. Scott today but Sue was out. Mrs. Scott has been to see us several times & invited us to dinner on Saturday but we were going to the Matinee and found we could not well go out to dinner & to spend the evening. I intended to go home today, but concluded to remain one day longer. I never enjoyed anything more in my life than I did the Opera on Saturday at the Matinee when Nillson played in Faust. She is the grandest actress I have ever seen. I was charmed. Mr. & Mrs. Field have been kind and attentive as usual and they too invited us to dinner today, but we declined that also, as we have not a dress to wear but the ones we had made in November and have worn ever since. Genl & Mrs. McDowell called on Thursday & invited us to dine with them on Friday and as they are in deep mourning also, & promised to have no one there who would be in full dress we accepted. We enjoyed the dinner and the company exceedingly well. Mr. Bower, who is at the Fifth Avenue, was there, also Dr. Moore and a Dr. Cuyler whom I do not remember to have met before & who is a very agreeable gentleman and in some distress now on account of his wife's insanity since the death of a son - Dr. Moore is as pleasant as ever - (his card has this moment been sent up and he is coming in.) and Genl & Mrs. McDowell were very entertaining. We called there today & saw them again. Capt. Clift of the 13th called to see me today. He is spending a few days in the City. You no doubt remember that he is the officer who gave Willy the gun at Vicksburg. Dr. Moore tells me that Clift has been married since the war & has lost his wife. The Dr. knew her, and he says she was a very nice person and belonged to a good family. She left an only child, a boy five years old, who died shortly after she did. The 13th has been on the plains ever since the War and I think it a pity they could not be ordered in. Perhaps Sheridan will do it soon.
We went with the Fields to see the pictures of poor Mr. Lockwood. They are to be sold at public Auction tomorrow - Some of them are beautiful. Mrs. Lockwood is in the City with her son but she expects to spend the Summer at her home at Norwalk.
James Hoyt was here on Saturday & dined with us. His son Buck called this morning on his way to his work. He is a fine looking young fellow. All your friends desire to be remembered. I have seen all the Stetsons from the old gentleman & lady down to the youngest but one of the grand children. The old gentleman looks as young as his sons and is handsomer than any of them.
I left the children all well but I shall be very glad to get back to them. The President says you are going to remain away until October. You have not said so to me & I think you will not. but still I do not wish to hurry you home. It seems a long time since you left. Capt. & Mrs. Chandler wish to be remembered to you - I enclose the address of Arch Bishop Manning & wish you would call to see him. I ask this particularly. I hope you will also meet Dr. Vaughan who has been in Washington. Mr. Greene whom you know very well is also there - Good night - As ever your,
Ellen E. S.
[EES]
Washington, D.C.
April 25, 1872.
[1872/04/25]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We have your letter of 31st ult: from Alexandria and hope to hear soon from you at Constantinople where you were long since reported. Now we hear of you at the Crimea. The President walked out here with Jesse Sunday evening to see me. I had just gone over to bid good bye to Hugh, who was to have left for Gettysburgh Springs the next morning. I had not been out for several days before not having been well. On Monday & Tuesday I was again too unwell to leave the house but yesterday I went up to see Mrs. Grant & tell her all about your letters. Unfortunately she was out, but I saw the President and afterwards I had a chat with Mrs. Grant's Father. I am going up again very soon if I get better which seems doubtful. Mr. Scott told me, when I saw him in New York that you had written to him that you would not probably be home before August & the President says you have written to him that you will not come before September. You have not told me of any change in your arrangements. For the first this Season, the day is very warm. We have the yard in good order, flowers planted, the garden spaded and raked and the trees bushes & vines trimmed & in fine condition. Hugh was home with his gout on Monday morning & did not leave but he goes tonight. Giles Smith has gone and has sub let the house to his Successor in the Post Office Mr. Routt. They seem to be a very nice family - the children are small and very good - I hear a baby there and would like to get it in here but as yet I have not seen it. Poor old Mr. Flenner who lived next to the Mackeys died a few days ago - Col. Tourtellotte is visiting his Parents in Connecticut and we miss him ever so much. Col. McCoy seems in fine health & his family are now all well. So many persons send love & messages of various sorts to you that I cannot name them. The McClellans have been at the Arlington but Mrs. McClellan has been sick all the time & I have not been able to get to see her - Now that two Seasons have passed since you left the time seems long - With kindest regards to Col. A. ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
I have written to you for braids of hair and for gloves and that I wish you to see Arch Bishop Manning & visit some of the Colleges in England.
Washington, D,C,
May 14th, 1872.
[1872/05/14]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
On Thursday evening last the President and Mrs. Grant called and invited "the young ladies" and myself to dine with them on Saturday and as there were no other guests invited Lizzie and I went up. We had a very pleasant time - the dinner was at 5 o'clock and after dinner we went out on the Balcony to hear the Marine Band. The grounds were quite filled with persons in gay attire and the evening being hazy & neither too cool nor too warm, all had a charming time. Before going onto the Balcony Judge Drake, introduced to the President & party his neice - formerly Miss Nelly Blow - and her Husband Baron Von Lincknoff? a Russian who is Charge at Munich. Miss Blow is the daughter of Henry T. Blow and is very pretty indeed. She was only married on Monday before and is to sail tomorrow from New York. She hopes to see you in Europe and I trust she will as she is homesick already & the sight of you will do her good. I like her husband very much.
Elly & Rachel were up on the grounds and they too came onto the balcony and were duly presented all around & seemed to enjoy the evening greatly. The children are all well. It is difficult to tell whether Cumpy sleeps or plays hardest - He is growing tall and strong and healthy. I am sure you will be pleased when you see him.
Minnie and Tommy have received letters from you from Constantinople since the first letter you wrote Lizzie immediately on your arrival there. John Sherman told me that he also had a letter from you. You speak of having written to me but I have not received a letter from you for a long time, not since you first arrived at Alexandria. Maj. Turner was here & made me a call which I enjoyed very much. He staid only a day in the City. Lucas had been sick a long time & I believe he had also been struck by a base ball & the Major and Mrs. Turner were anxious about him - Lucas called with him & looked pretty well & he left him at the College, but not to pursue his studies very closely. The Major said he was going back via Detroit where Mrs. T. wd meet him to visit a place which you had recommended in Canada as a summer resort. Buchanan Read died at the Astor House last week - I think of going to Islip for the Summer but I have not yet made arrangements for going, farther than to write to Mr. Stetson for information which is very favourable. It is as you no doubt know, on Long Island and is only one hour and a half from N. York. We can go to N. York to meet you and you can join us with as little delay as possible.
It has now been quite a long time since I have seen any cable dispatch concerning your movements. I hope to hear from you soon at St. Petersburgh - Give my best regard to Colonel Audenried-
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
Fifth Avenue Hotel, N.Y.
May 28th, 1872.
[1872/05/28]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump, I came over again to New York with Minnie to see the Dr. about her, as she still suffers from her head & neck & loss of sleep & of appetite. Before I left hom (yesterday morning) I had directed several letters to you. The children all write to you constantly. Rachel is very much distressed that you have not received any of her letters and Elly is wonderfully proud of your compliment to her. The children are all perfectly well and have a glorious season for out door exercise. Except two or three days, we have had no uncomfortably warm weather yet & our yard & garden are in fine order. The trees are lovely and the birds are bright as ever. Congress has just appropriated a sum for the purchase and cultivation of sparrows of which I am very glad. The Parks & Squares here in N.Y. really are charming, from the fact that there little birds hop about, so full of peace & confidence. I feel less afraid here since I find them so thick. I am staying at the 5th Ave. House, and expect to go home on Friday - the 31st. I went in a Stage to the Astor House this morning & saw Charley Stetson. He has made arrangements for us at Islip at $90 a week - a suite of rooms with bath room for our exclusive use - We will come over to New York to meet you when you return. Of course we are very anxious to have you home but I want you to take plenty of time to satisfy yourself in England as well as elsewhere. I want you to see Arch Bishop Manning in London and Dr. Vaughan a charming English gentlemen whom I have seen several times and who is very much with the Arch Bishop. You will find there too, our old acquaintance & friend Mr. Green. The days of Congress are drawing to a close in W- and political elements are working - I hope we may have a change but I do not want to see the old Democratic party - especially the Copperhead element dominant. General & Mrs. Graham are going abroad & I had a strong notion to let Minnie go over with them to return with you but I have now determined not to do so - I wrote to Col. Audenried in reply to a very interesting letter from him. Remember me to him & believe me as ever yours,
Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]
Lancaster O.
April 23, 1873. Wednesday noon.
[1873/04/23]
Dearest Cump.
[WTS]
I have this day drawn a check on Fants? Bank for $100. so I hope you have put my money there by this time.
We have had bad weather nearly all the time I have been here and last night & this morning it has rained sleeted snowed & hailed all the time. There are now faint hopes or signs of clearing. Fanny & I go to Cleaveland tomorrow.
Has Father Sorin of Notre Dame or Sister Angela written to you regarding Sr. Angela' trip to Europe? Do not give them any letter or information that may involve yourself or Minnie. Minnie was very loath to be with Sr. Angela in Europe or to go over with her. You may remember that she wished to arrange to go over with Minnie. She would embarrass and annoy Minnie in many ways. Now she talks of taking Mary Ewing with her & I am not willing to have Minnie harrassed by their presence for Sr. A. is unreasonable in her demands upon others and she is moreover totally ignorant of the duties of those not in her own sphere. Please do not intimate that I have written in this way. I think I shall spend next Saturday night at the Neil House in Columbus & make my way home as soon thereafter as possible. I am anxious to get home to see you all. Love to all & a kiss to Cumpy.
Ever your affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Burnet House Cin:
April 15th, 1874.
[1874/04/15]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump. At Grafton I received your dispatch just as we were stepping out to the train & I did not delay to answer you. Genl Tom Ewing met us here on our arrival last night and he has been with Mr. Fitch a good deal. He has invited him to meet him at the Constitutional Convention at 12 o'clock and from thence he will go with him & introduce him to some of the leading iron men here - I have forgotten the names. We have just breakfasted & Cumpy has a fine appetite for beef steak hominy & milk. He is much better than when he left home. We go to Reading this afternoon to remain there until Saturday or Monday - I hope your cold is better. When the dispatch was handed me at Grafton I was so alarmed for fear you were ill that I could scarcely get it open or read it. Cumpy sends love -
Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Sunday afternoon
[1800/00/00]
Dearest Cump.
[WTS]
I took the liberty of looking over your letters and found some that interested me very much - especially that from poor Mr. Arnold who lost his son.
Friday evening passed off pleasantly - the widows being out in full force & Capt. Church & Dr. Duncan very agreeable. We all went to the Arsenal on Saturday & enjoyed it greatly Cumpy was wonderfully excited when he pulled out a fish - he caught several - We all miss you -
Ever your affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]