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CSHR 9/47

St. Louis,
March 3rd 1877.
[1877/03/03]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

We were twenty four hours waiting for a reply to my telegram & consequently had no time left for reconsideration as to my starting. Tom had gone down at my urgent request & engaged a section for me for Sunday evening ordered the Omnibus &c and all my other preperations were made so I shall leave then & arrive in W. Tuesday morning I suppose. I go by the Vandalia line to Columbus.

After due consideration & full discussion, we have decided to accept your proposition to all remain in the home - looking on it as an arrangement for a year; or at least feeling that it is not necessarily binding for four years. You said in your letter you could be here two or three months of the year: Lizzie can visit you some & Elly & I can visit you - taking everything into consideration we would probably not leave you alone a great while & we can take a year to discuss a better plan in case you should not like this & property here would rent or sell to better advantage than now & we will not have done anything abruptly or without due reflection.

Mr. Fitch will pay here what he would have paid at the boarding house & they will not draw from you. I shall want abundant means to keep up a large family, dress myself & three daughters & Cumpy and pay school bills and incidental expenses & if by combined effort (with great desire) we can save anything I feel that I am entitled to it for contingencies in the future. If I get $800 for self & four children & household expenses it leaves you 325 of your salary $250 - commutation of quarters & $50 commutation of fuel - making for you & your allowance to Tom $625 - Thus $800 for me & four children $625 for you & one son I shall not expect the carriage but must be at some expense for ways of getting to Church inasmuch as the house is far from any church. I write in great haste for the mail & supposing you may be anxious to hear.

I am sorry for Mrs. Dahlgren. She raised the poor boy for the glory of this world & she now realises that the world is nothing to him & affords no consolation to her - I hope my dear Cumpy is well & dear Lizzie. I hope my dear Brother is able to bear the agony of all that he has realized lately - As ever

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis,
April 18th, 1877. Wednesday evening
[1877/04/18]

Dearest Cump
[WTS]

You are now drawing near Washington & will soon arrive without more cold or any fatigue. It seemed very lonely without you - Everything seemed to conspire to disturb the last hour of your stay. I had to hunt Mrs. Lutz & send her to wash the door step where that impudent woman had had her child for an hour.

Capt. Silas Bent called last evening & Maj. & Mrs. Allen & they desired me to say to you, that they had supposed you were going to make a longer visit.

Just this moment we are having a severe rain and we are having a severe rain and wind storm & Tom is no doubt on his way home as it is nearly six o'clock.

Dear little Willy spent the day with us alone & Mrs. Lutz got him home in time to escape the storm. Cumpy has been obliged to leave his garden beds but hopes to see the seeds sprouting in the morning.

Try & see Elly & Rachey soon.

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis,
April 25, 1877. Wednesday afternoon
[1877/04/25]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Yours of Monday is here. Do not send my money until I send on the bills for Pat to pay, so that you can deduct that amount: I wish you would let me know what they say about the English note in Cincinnati.

Elly & Rachey write me that they enjoyed the visit to you so much, especially the theatre, I am thankful to escape the wails of the women turned out of Office. They are very slow making their appointments & poor Mrs. Kilpatrick is long in suspense.

Tom took Cumpy, Pope Sturgeon & Max & Reese Reber to the Circus this afternoon and although it was not a very good one they considered it a great treat. Minnie & Mr. Fitch took Willy yesterday & Minnie says his brain has been "whirlagig" ever since. They are going to Kirkwood very soon, or at least very early in the Season. I think you had better let Col. Audenried have the pony for awhile & it can be turned out when Florence leaves. It will not be lame if they have some other blacksmith shoe it. We are busy all the time & see a good many friends. Cumpy recites to Tom & when not at his lessons is in the yard or at the Shidy Place - Give my regards to Col. Audenried Tourtelotte & Bacon. As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.,
May 1st, 1877
[1877/05/01]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Letters came from you yesterday to Tom & Lizzie & Tom hunted up the maps at once and has taken them down town with him this morning & will put them in the express. Cumpy walked down with Tom and will come home in the car as usual & then proceed to study a lesson. He makes slow progress, but perseverence will enable him to learn I trust.

I have written to Elly & Rachey that they must not run about so much. I feel very uneasy about their constant sorties & think they ought to remain very closely within walls unless you wish them to come out sometimes, or they can go to Emily's in a quiet way alone together to get strawberries. I have told Emily that I will settle her bill for strawberries if she will treat them when they come out, but only if they come alone, & not with a party. Elly's brain is too excitable & she needs now absolute rest except the exercise of mind her studies give her. The effect of her little schemes to get out and to arrange so many devious little ways, is not wholesome to her and I feel very uneasy about it. Please do not tell them I have written to you, but aid me in keeping them quiet & at their post.

Tom & Lizzie attended a party at Mrs. Gantt's last night but the hours here are too late for a Student and Tom thinks he will not accept many invitations. Charley Hoyt spent yesterday in the City and called to insist upon our going up there, so we have promised to go up about the 4th or 5th of June - all four of us - and spend a fortnight. The saddles will then be in demand. Have you engaged new quarters? We have had very cold weather which has not moderated much although the sun is now bright - All send love -

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis,
May 3rd, 1877 Thursday morning
[1877/05/03]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Yesterday I received the draft for the share of interest money due to me. I also received your check for $450.

I do not think I ought to be charged with money you give Elly & Rachey. If it is to be charged to me they will have to write to me for it & not get it until I write them to get it. Of course you can give them money when you please, but I do not think you ought to charge it to me unless I know beforehand what it is to be for & am willing to give for that purpose. What I have written for Emily to get will have to go on my next allowance & Elly & Rachey will have to quiet down. I wish you would ask the Staff to please let me know if someone going to California unless you know or hear of some one. I have a lady friend here who wishes to go within a fortnight but she could wait longer for an opportunity. Please let me know if you hear of any one. She can join them anywhere on the road & would be no burden, but pay her own way in everything & only wishes to have some one on the journey to know who she is & not to pay her even any attention.

We still have cold rain & Lizzie & I are both rather sick. Cumpy keeps well but the seeds don't have half a chance -

All send love - As ever your

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.,
May 5th, 1877
[1877/05/05]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

By the papers this morning we see that the extra Session will not be called before the 15th of Oct. This will enable you to take your trip to the Yellow Stone & to take Tom with you.

Hawley's note for $1000 with interest will be due me in July & I suppose we can use that until you can pay me after the Congress appropriates - or indeed I could lend it to you to pay Riggs if you will promise faithfully to pay me.

I sincerely hope you will go to the Yellow Stone as Tom needs a long trip with exercise & rest from Study.

We are still having rain but more glimpses of sunshine. Minnie was over a while this morning but could not bring Willy on account of the clouds. He is bad enough in the mud, picking out the puddles to splash in &c. but she cannot trust him in the rain, as nothing could keep him under an umbrella. He says "General Sherman is his Grand Father". He is very smart. Both the children were here yesterday as it was bright & pleasant but I could not enjoy them much as I was very ill. I never had as severe indeed I may say terrible a sickness in my life. Dr. Magruder was very attentive and skilful & today I am better but very sore and weak - It was not my old cramp but something infinitely worse, & for which none of my remedies were applicable - Cumpy is certainly in fine condition & very happy.

All send best love - Give my love to Mrs. McCook & the children. I am glad you will leave the pony with Col. Audenried.

As ever yours,

Ellen -
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.,
May 7th, 1877 Monday morning
[1877/05/07]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Since Tom left for the office I have received yours of the 4th & feel much disappointed that you will abandon your Yellow Stone trip. I was in hopes Tom would have the benefit of it.

I shall be very glad to have Elly & Rachey spend a Saturday at the White House - anytime you say, the earlier the better perhaps.

The enclosed bill for Cumpy' suit you can please pay & not charge to me. Let it stand against the bill at the Druggists which ought not to have been charged to me. The articles from which I have drawn a line were for you & Cumpy & one item of $2.50 I know nothing about. Please let Pat enquire & let me know,

We will get along at home if the Army is without pay & live as cheaply as possible. The most we want now is books. If you have Goldsmiths works at Head Quarters please have Pat wrap up his History of Rome & Animated Nature & Vicar of Wakefield and also Prescott's Ferdinand & Isabel and Conquest of Mexico and send them by Adams Express - He had better make two bundles & not put them in boxes - for they will be so heavy they will not bring them free. Please have him put a great deal of paper (newspaper first) with them as I am at a loss for newspaper now for lighting fires. I will get the Livery Stable firm before I close -

We have scarcely had a ray of sunshine since you left. It is still cloudy & rainy today - Cumpy has gone down with Tom to ride back. They walk down. Cumpy is perfectly well & very happy - Dr. Alexander has not yet gone. Dr. Magruder attended me the other day. I was desperately ill & have given the children directions what to do in case I die in one of those attacks.

Please write me where my papers are. Leffingwell says he has not got them.

With kind regards to all the Staff

ever your,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis,
May 11th, 1877
[1877/05/11]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Cumpy went out this morning (in the rain) to take an account of the vegetables & flowers that are springing up. I enclose the list he handed me. We have very little sunshine -

Minnie Moulton writes me that she is anxious to have Elly as one of her bride's maids when she is married the latter part of June. She says they will wait until the school is over & Elly is on her way home. I do not think we can manage it well but I promised to see what you would say.

We will not lose anything by spending three weeks at Fort Leavenworth as we will leave no family here - Mrs. Lutz has gone being too rheumatic to get around. I think we may not care to leave the City again but in any case we will make no arrangement to do so.

When you find it necessary to arrange for money had you not better borrow and not discount notes? I am not willing to spend my money, unless you will give me your note for it, which in this State I beleive would be good. I do not like to deprive myself of the little interest I have belonging to me personally. It might be of vital importance to me someday, when I am older & even more disagreeable than now.

We have had but one or two fair days when Cumpy could go to Captain Conway's. Prof. Tice says we are not to have sunshine this Summer - All send love & I presume all write to you often. Lizzie is looking for a letter from you - As ever yours,

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis,
June 5th, 1877
[1877/06/05]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I have just received the enclosed kind letter from Mrs. Matthews to which I replied as soon as read saying we would probably be there - that you would certainly.

We will go tomorrow to Fort Leavenworth if we learn at the office (whither Tom has now gone) that the roads are all right. Mr. Oliver Garrison sent me a pass - (to Genl Sherman & family) for the year. Charley Hoyt had spoken of it to someone, so I did not deliver your note to Mr. D. R. Garrison.

I hear that Mr. Isaac Garrison has advertised his house for rent. I do not know where they are going but perhaps to travel. He lost his only daughter in the winter & I hear with great regret that one of his sons is very dissipated.

I still feel anxious about Elly, for Rachey & Emily have written me that she is pale & nervous when alone & not excited and she complains all the time of back ache. She needs quiet - plenty of exercise but no rush - or excitement to mind or body -

If you will have the kindness to send me the B. & Ohio pass, I will go on and attend the exhibition and then do what is possible to get to the wedding in time. I will be less anxious that way than if I were away from the children during such a hurly baloo - I am anxious to attend the exhibition anyhow.

Ever your

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis,
June 21, 1877. Thursday Noon.
[1877/06/21]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

We got home, all in good condition, yesterday morning. Miss Bryant (daughter of the newly appointed Commissioner) came with us en route to their home near Chicago. She remained over one day with us and left this morning. She is a remarkably intelligent agreeable young lady of sweet atractive manners & very interesting in conversation. Tom played the agreeable & took her driving to see the City and the Parks yesterday.

I have decided to attend the wedding only & not to go to Washington. I shall go to Cin: early perhaps Monday & stay a day at the Hotel & visiting some friends whom I desire to see there. I will go to Mrs. Matthews on Wednesday. I am sure you will be at the wedding with Elly & Rachey. Elly must make up her mind to be a mere spectator & not one of the party. If you wish to go to Boston I will go on & bring the girls out. Minnie came up in the early train with Willy & has gone to the Depot to take the 12:30 train back as she cannot be long from the baby. Willy is very smart & a regular boy.

I fear the new Indian War may interfere with your trip to the Yellowstone in which case Tom would be seriously disappointed.

Charley Hoyt spared no pains or expense to entertain us & we enjoyed ourselves to the utmost. He had a splendid pony for Cumpy. If Col. Audenried would buy Satanta I could buy a pony here for Cumpy.

Tell Col. Audenried I will send the bill for the books in time. All send love.

As ever, yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.,
July 17th, 1877 Tuesday Morning.
[1877/07/17]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

The 20th is the date set for our letters but I like to anticipate a little so that I may not be hurried, when the time comes. It is delightfully cool today & on the 20th it may be correspondingly hot. We have been down twice since you left to see Minnie & Willy spent two days & a night with us last week when also the weather was fine. I was anxious to have him here in order that Dr. Magruder might see him & decide upon a dreadful cough he has. The cough has decided itself now, and is veritable hooping cough, which Eleanor has also taken. The nurse takes the baby of nights & Minnie keeps Willy in her room so they are getting on as well as could be under circumstances. I was down Sunday afternoon when they all looked well and were enjoying the yard. Saturday morning's paper contained a notice from the President & other officers of the Butcher & Drover's Bank that they would close their establishment but that Depositors & share holders would get dollar for dollar. Late Saturday evening I heard that there would be a run on all the Banks Monday so Sunday morning I sent for Maj. Turner & told him that I hoped he and the other officers of the Lucas Bank would excuse me, but I would draw my money on Monday, which I did yesterday. Dr. Hawley paid the $1060. and I had some money belonging to Pat & Emily there and altogether there was eighteen hundred dollars. I do not tell any one where I have put it for fear of burglars, who never could get it unless they could hear where I have it. I have this money of Pat & Emily's and will send them as they need it. If they get a sum in their own hands Pat will never put back what he does not need and as I shall never again be able to make him save his wages I had better keep as much of this as possible. I do not know how Dr. Hawley's note came to be only $1060: with two years interest it should have been more. Have you received a year's interest of him? He is still anxious to get the Deed of Trust (Mortgage) Judge Reber searched the Record for me & found the record of the deed & I shall go down & release it, on the margin, which I am told is sufficient. Should he be still anxious for the deed I can have a duplicate deed made for him, Maj. Turner says. ----- Major Turner is alone in his house the last of the family have gone a few day's since. Henry is in the country & Mrs. Hunt is spending the Summer at her own place. Charley Hoyt has written that it will be better for him, on every account, to have us there & that he will allow me to share expenses and urges us to come up. The air is fresher there and the nights cooler, the lawns so beautiful the shade refreshing and the music & military air so captivating to the young people that I have concluded to go up & shall probably go Sunday night. Our place looks very pretty except the beds in the side yard, there nothing has grown. The shade of the trees was too thick and shut off the air so I had John climb up & saw off some of the limbs. They kept the sun from the peach trees too much. We have more water now, (than we had) since the exodus of the down town families & we enjoy our bathroom to the fullest extent. Cumpy spends his mornings playing and after lunch he devotes three hours to his books, Rachel being the teacher & putting him well through his sums. We had a mess of corn from his garden yesterday. Lizzie's man paid his note and I drew that also yesterday. I beleive there was no run except on one or two banks; the Lucas bank not among them.

Mrs. Senator Dorsey has been visiting a lady in our neighborhood for a few days. We all called upon her & last evening took her to drive in the Park, there having been a good shower which settled the dust. Poor good Mr. Brush of Detroit is dead. Since he visited us he lost his married daughter & then one of the sons who was here with him, & now he is dead. There only remain his wife, one son and a little grand daughter. Give my love to dear Tom, to whom I also write to-day - also to Col. Bacon & Genl Poe I have had a letter from Mrs. Bacon & written to her also. The children all send love. I presume they will all write to you. I hope you will keep well. As ever yours,

Ellen E. Sherman.
[EES]

Fort Leavenworth Kan.
Aug. 12th 1877. Monday.
[1877/08/12]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Yesterday morning we received news of Gibbons' engagement with the Indians & of his discomfiture & loss; of the wounding of himself & several others; the killing of two Officers and half the command. I could not help feeling the keenest anxiety about you and Tom but your letter of the 3rd inst: received just now inspires hope. From this letter of the 3rd of August at Fort Ellis describing your proposed route I infer and devoutly hope that you have been far out of reach of danger. I shall be more satisfied however after hearing from you at a later date than the fight. I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying the trip so much & that dear Tom is improving in strength. It will be a great thing for his health & indeed for both of you but I fear you have not provided yourselves well against the Indians, but I trust in the mercy of God.

We came up here on the 2nd day of August - we left home the evening of the 1st. We were ready to come before but the excitement & danger during the strike or insurrection prevented. We are delightfully situated here and have every comfort & recreation possible & all of us enjoy everyday & think it only too short. Charley seems glad to have us and accomodates himself wonderfully well to a large family. Lizzie Elly & Rachey are all very fond of horseback riding and go out two at a time with Charley or with a groom in attendance. They ride morning & evening when the weather is fine. During the most of our stay the weather has been delicious & the green lawn, the waving branches with their music in motion, the birds & flowers contribute to make a picture varied & beautiful as possible. The day after we got here the remains of several of the officers, who fell with Custar, were buried here with military honors. The funeral was at five in the afternoon & by four o'clock Cumpy was on his pony dashing back & forth, happy & excited to witness the great preperations. Just as I was about to put on my bonnet & gloves I saw Cumpy coming towards the house & soon perceived that Maj. Dunn was leading his pony & a prisoner was holding him on the pony. In crossing the flagging, after turning the corner, at a rapid gate, the pony fell and although Cumpy sprang to clear himself the pony fell on his foot & broke one bone & quite bruised the whole foot. For several days he was carried from his bed to a seat on the porch &c. &c. but after the fourth day we got him a pair of crutches and he gets all over the premises and even goes over to the Garrison to see Guard mounting. It will be two weeks longer before he can put his foot to the ground. He bears it very patiently and enjoys himself in watching the guard & the prisoners, in watching the robins wood peckers & rabbits and in reading & playing cards. Minnie was having a great deal of trouble with little Eleanor who was cutting six teeth & was otherwise troubled by the heat so we offered to bring Willy with us. She was delighted, for the little fellow's own sake to let him come & we accordingly brought him with us. The trip has cured the hooping cough. He has not coughed once since we left St. Louis. You never saw a child more happy and more improved than he is by the freedom of this lovely place. He plays out, with little Ida (the housekeeper's little girl) all day long & can scarcely spare time to come in to his meals. Genl & Mrs. Pope have not called & the Orderly who takes care of his little girl is not allowed to come here on an errand for fear of carrying the contagion to the Pope baby!!! --- No one else seems to be afraid of it although there are a number of children here. Genl Davis came up from St. Louis with his command, on Friday. Since I left Minnie has had a serious time with Baby from teething and by the Doctor's advice she has gone with her & the nurse on a boat up to St. Paul. I sent her a hundred dollars & she started last Friday p.m. I can get along without borrowing money of Riggs - I think what I have will do, as I have something over the note of which I will explain when I see you - something on which I do not pay interest. Besides Mr. Riley offered me any money I might need without interest & said I would not be receiving but conferring a favor should I borrow, but I do not expect to be obliged to borrow. When there was a run on the Banks I drew all my money & carried it, but now it is in a Bank here, Charley assuming the responsibility - Rachel has the hooping cough (it being the second time) but she seems very well in spite of it. Give my kindest regards to General Poe and Col. Bacon. Best love to dear Tom & tell him I will write him to-morrow - however both letters will be received at once. All send best love and all will write within a day or two -

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis.
Sep. 7th, 1877.
[1877/09/07]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

We returned home on Sunday morning & found Minnie well & little Eleanor wonderfully improved. We went to the Depot on Friday but the train had just gone out. It was lucky for us that it was so, for Friday was a fearfully hot day & that night it stormed and we have a lovely day & our journey home was pleasant as possible. We brought Willy home to his Mother, in perfect health and quite grown & improved during the month's absence. Cumpy is very well but he still carries his crutches about and makes them carry him, by turns. He is timid about using his foot but I think he will be walking on it entirely by this time next week. He has the hooping cough quite badly & on that account he will not be able to attend school for two or three weeks yet but he is doing very well in his studies. He is quite far advanced in arithmetic under Rachey. He enjoys reading very much and has read 75 pages of history since we came home on the 2nd.

Most of persons are out of the City yet. I met Mrs. Hitchcock and Mr. H. is still in the East. The Colliers and Hitchcocks did not leave the City except the gentlemen of the family. The Turners are still absent. We look for Charley Hoyt here tomorrow. He said when we were leaving that it would be too lonely for him and he would go to Chicago Sunday night. I invited him to pay us a visit on his return & have a dispatch saying he will be here in the morning. He did everything a man could do to make our stay pleasant and he was perfectly successful. We all felt sorry to leave, especially, Elly and Rachel. He would not allow me to share the expenses of the month, any further than to pay the wages of the extra servants he had to hire - He had horses for all the girls & a pony for poor Cumpy which alas! he could not enjoy after the first day - A man was hired to take care of these & to accompany them on their rides when the beaux were not in attendance. The young officers were very attentive & closed with a "promenade concert in honor of Mrs. Sherman". Genl Davis sent the band to play in our grounds once a week - they played once a week in Pope's grounds - Willy enjoyed the parades &c. at the Garrison and every morning he demanded to be allowed to go to "guard mounting" - I cannot help feeling anxious about you and dear Tom, and shall be heartily rejoiced when the telegraph reports you safely through the Indian country. I think I shall get along with the extra money in hand of which I wrote you & by leaving my October bills until we get our money. We are to have a great Exposition in St. Louis preceeding the fair. The meeting of the Army of the Tennessee is over and very much the same officers elected - One of the Vice Presidents is Gov. Fletcher - I noted Tom Reynolds name among the officers. I beleive there is nothing new among the friends of either family & of local news I hear but little. We all went to see Raymond in Mulberry Sellers Elly's birth night 5th - Ben de Bar is dead & so is Dan Bell the merchant. All unite in best love and hopes of seeing you home soon - Best regards to Genl Poe and Col. Bacon.

As ever your,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis.
Sep. 17th 1877
[1877/09/17]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

At last we have a change of temperature and feel that we can make some exertion without suffering. Until today, it has been exceedingly warm ever since our return from Fort Leavenworth. They have at the fair grounds an Exposition which is to continue until the fair opens. Major Turner just called in his little open carriage and took Elly & Rachel out to drive about the grounds. Willy was with him, he being the only one at home. Henry & Delphine are at Georgetown and Nannie & Lattie are there making a visit. Constance came home with Willy leaving Mrs. Turner & Susie alone at Goderich & they are to be home on Thursday. You have not said distinctly, but I shall look for you & Tom by the 7th of October. If Genl Poe & Col. Bacon will stop with us I shall be delighted to have them. The Colonel can room with Tom & Genl Poe can have the spare room.

Minnie & Mr. Fitch have selected an agreeable boarding house on Locust Street just below Garrison Ave. & will be settled there by the 1st of October. There is not room for us all in this house unless we exclude all possibility of entertaining a friend over night & no woman could keep house for two families with the servants of St. Louis, unless she be obliged to do it for her living. We are enjoying their visit now and they are enjoying too. The baby is perfectly well and Willy is an outbreaking boy, giving us all plenty of occupation in looking after him and, at the same time affording great pleasure and amusement.

Lizzie received a letter today, from Alice Bartley announcing her marriage on the 3rd of October to a Mr. Barnard who is living in New York. She invited us all to be present & says the wedding will be a very quiet morning wedding.

Cumpy has so far recovered as to be able to wear his shoes and he started to school this morning. He has just got home and says he did very well at school & was much pleased.

Dick Garrison tells me that his Uncle Isaac has discovered gold and silver in Vermont in large quantitites - in New Hampshire, I beleive it is, in the White Mountains - Mr. Fitch has no faith in it - Charley & Maria Garaghty & two of their sons dined with us last Wednesday. They spent a day in the City en route to Waco - Texas where they are to end their days, I suppose. Charley has been there some time & came up to meet Maria & the boys. The rest of the family had gone down with Clara, who is living in Austin.

We are looking forward with great anxiety to your return. I fear you have had too hard a trip for a man bordering on 60 - Love to dear Tom. I write him today.

Ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis.
Nov. 5th '77. Monday morning
[1877/11/05]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

You had been gone only three days when I left for Lancaster. I staid one day in Cincinati & five days in Lancaster & one day in Columbus (or six hours) on my way home. Visits journeys & all consumed the time from Tuesday night the 23rd of Oct. to Wednesday morning the 31st eight days.

I sat down to write you several times & began a letter once in L. but I was so constantly interrupted & my visit was to be so short that I let the time go by without writing which I did not suppose you would even notice, as the children at home would write & Moulton would tell you he saw us - Had I supposed that you would care for letters then, I would not have neglected it, but I had written a line before leaving home & I knew you were very much absorbed there, & there was nothing special to say - You have told me you do not like sentiment - nor many other things to which I am prone, and taking all together as I had nothing special to say I do not see that I am so very remiss in letting eight days go by without writing myself, when you knew our precise whereabouts. I wrote the few lines the day before I left and I wrote the day I got home.

Your letter telling me to write a letter to be forwarded to West Point or New York only came yesterday & that was too late to comply. I telegraphed you last night (night's dispatch) care Mr. Scott that Lizzie is preparing to go on.

Lizzie says she did not intend to say that her going on depended upon me, but she would of course not go on without my knowledge, & as I was to be home so soon it would not be worth while to go before my return so she said she would wait until Wednesday morning (the time I was to be home) to make arrangements for leaving. When I got home she told me that she thought perhaps you wrote for her under the supposition that she was anxious to go & not satisfied here & in that case she would prefer not to go but that if you wrote for her because you wanted her there she would be happy to go at once. My only trouble in regard to her going was the rooms; but now you have got better rooms, she is preparing to go. Lizzie is subject to cramps & terrible pain when her courses come on, when she is otherwise at all indisposed & now she has a very bad cold & it is time for her courses and I therefore prefer to have her wait until that time be past lest she might suffer terribly on the road. She is getting her wardrobe ready & will go on as soon as possible. I think we will go on after New Years - follow you, a little - All send love - As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis
Nov. 9, '77 Friday Morning.
[1877/11/09]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

We have a cold snowy morning but Cump got off in good time to school & Tom to his office. Cump got two medals & a premium in his class, at the monthly accounts on Wednesday - the medals of course are returned at the end of the month and the premium is a ribbon. The medals were for arithmetic & spelling & the ribbon for good behavior "another little boy" getting the first premium or medal for conduct.

Tom & Mr. Fitch took all the girls to the grand oratorio the Creation last night & tonight they all go to the Theatre to see a popular piece in which Mr. Fitch's cousin a Mr. Collier appears - Kitty Phillips Leaman is to be here tonight to make us a visit of a week with baby & nurse. Their case will not be decided for a week or two I beleive. I was in hopes I would have your letter today but it has not come yet. It may come this afternoon.

Mary Lynch is at Mrs. Turner's & Elly is going down to dinner there today. Lizzie is not very well & Rachel is very busy with her studies. Tom has called. I forward a newspaper to you with an amusing account of a California adventure of yours in early days. All send love.

As ever yours,

Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]

St. Louis,
Nov. 23rd Friday Morning
[1800/11/23]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Please give Lizzie the Rothschild invitation as she likes to keep all those things. Also hand her the telephone programme as the one I sent yesterday was not complete I think.

It all passed off very nicely. All are well this morning except Tom, who begins to look pale & lose his appetite - but he keeps steadily to his work. Cumpy gets on remarkably well. Yesterday was his holiday and not Saturday as at most of the schools. He doubtless would have written another chapter of that story had it not been that he had some little boys in the yard all day, playing "flying dutchman" &c. &c. and the telephone engrossed the evening.

Rachel has gone out for her walk & Elly who has taken Lizzie's place is attending to some household matters. All send best love -

Ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis,
Nov. 25, '77 Sunday noon.
[1877/11/25]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I forgot to tell you that I wrote to Genl Carlin disclaiming any share in Mrs. Hughes actions & explaining that I know her very slightly and am not responsible & very much regret her impudence & impertinence.

I did not say to Genl Carlin that her husband ought to be removed on her account but I think so and I hope it will be done.

Abbott Martin to whom you gave permission to visit Sitting Bull in June last has now gone out to be with the Sioux, Red Cloud Spotted Tail &c on their winter reservation.

I wish you would write to Col. Luzenbeil (who is in command in that vicinity) to help him as much as he can, or at least to be kind to him.

Cumpy learns a piece every week & recites Saturdays. He is very fond of it and gets on wonderfully. He says "some of the boys don't like to speak but I do". Last week he had Horatio at the Bridge, and yesterday, Barbara Freitchie. Hohenlinden the week before, so you perceive his spirit is martial & loyal. All are well & send best love to you & Lizzie. As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis
Nov. 29th '77. Thursday Morning.
[1877/11/29]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Your letter of Monday, with enclosed check came only this morning. Lizzie's letter of the 25th came at the same time. Lizzie's letter of 25th contained a message from you about the money which would have set my mind at rest & which I am sorry I did not receive in time. It is postmarked 25th and from that to the 29th is rather long for a letter from W-n. You had spoken in so many letters of the Army Bill before it passed & after it passed there was such an ominous silence (not one word on the subject since Monday the 19th) which seemed very singular and made me nervous beyond expression, the more so as I had given out checks for bills under the impression that the money would be sent with your usual promptness. I see now how it was & if Lizzie's letter of 25th had come in time it would have prevented all anxiety.

I will pay all bills now, taxes included but as I have had to fit Elly out handsomely & pay high for Rachel's tuition I shall have to draw on my $1060 - and shall be glad to get something towards the carriage hire.

Do not worry over the inevitable but let the ex-rebels do their worst. No one can really hurt us unless we hurt ourselves. You & I are coming near the end now & must look from present annoyances & anxieties to the home where Willy is waiting for us - & my little Charley too.

Love to dear Lizzie. Poor little Elly was as happy as a bird set free to get to Fort Leavenworth. Mrs. Dunn is entertaining her most kindly.

Ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

Dec. 8th '77 Saturday afternoon
[1877/12/08]

[WTS]

I dislike above all things dear Cump to worry you but I find I shall have to ask you to hold on to what you have until you see me through my debts & bills. I may have to ask you to advance me three hundred dollars & keep it from the Jan: Feb: and March allowance. I shall certainly have to do so if I pay my bills. Everything gave way at once. I had to get new carpets - sheeting & table linen. That with Elly's outfit for Washington and Lizzie's and some new garments for myself and Rachey's tuition have left me. Five hundred of my own money I have taken out & invested - the other five hundred & sixty I am minus having made two or three presents I will have to let it go to that I suppose - A present to Alice Bartley, one to Minnie Bartley, a dress to May Ewing, and now a present to Mrs. Garrison's daughter which I think I must make and besides all Col. Audenried has the bill sent to me of the Globe Democrat $18. from 1st Jan. 76- to 1st July 77- I never subscribed for the paper & never had anything to do with it. I remember distinctly your telling me that the papers were on the Hd Quarter account - it was therefore their business to stop it - I did not know it was coming here. I shall remember Col. Audenried's politeness in this. The bill will be paid today if I have to borrow money of Riley afterwards - The enclosed note came with it to the house.

We are beginning to feel impatient for the time for your return & Lizzie's - I hope you will enjoy your visit. Genl. Simpson kindly gave me a pass, & I went over to Cincinnati where Philemon met me. He is not very well and looks old. I saw Fanny but Moulton was not at home. Charley Hoyt brought Elly home yesterday & then went into Illinois but will stop on his return. I enclose two of Cumpy's effusions. His sickness is over now - having been nothing more serious than stomach ache - Love to Lizzie, ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis,
Dec. 15, 1877.
[1877/12/15]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

It is to avoid the condition of the ladies you name who owe poor Mr. Boyle (or whoever the Confectioner may be) that I wish you to advance the money. Three hundred dollars will be little enough to pay the surplus bills, allowing me nothing for my $560 - You know we have been obliged to have bills & in order to get ready for winter I have ordered dresses for Elly & myself & the carpets & bed linen & table linen &c. &c. &c. You can "mix" me any time by going on with accounts ad infinitum, but the fact remains that out of the $5000- you drew I received 2,500 and you have hardly spent the other $2500 on yourself - Bring me enough to pay my bills please - even then we are not better, if as well, set up, as some to whom you perhaps give your money.

Charley Hoyt is very anxious for us all to come to Leavenworth but I knew, on reflection, that you & Lizzie could not get here in time - Love to Lizzie - All are well except Elly's sore throat & Cumpy's attack of asthma.

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]