St. Louis
March 4th 1878. Monday Morning
[1878/03/04]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Your letter was received yesterday. My reason for being entirely opposed to Elly's giving a reception were 1st, that it could not be accomplished before Lent. You cannot but admit that she ought to observe the laws & regulations of the Church to which she belongs. You respect & obey Army regulations no matter whether other men belonging to the Army obey them or not - So should she obey the regulations of her church & be governed by the law & not by what others may do.
My 2nd reason is, that Mrs. Tynes & Mrs. Key both expressed reluctance to enter into it this season. Mrs. Tynes was at first anxious, but finding Mrs. Key reluctant, & moreover feeling worn out herself, & her husband suggesting that it was so late that nearly all were tired of parties, & it would not be much appreciated she told me she had decided to give it up - My 3rd reason is that we have not the money to spare - it seems inconsistent to feel that we may soon be too poor to hire our own cooking done & yet give a gay party to an over-whelming crowd of persons who have danced and partied to excess already. We are under no obligations to those whose parties Elly has attended - Not one was given for her - & as to general entertainment we have done as much of that in the past as they could return in 8 years - All except the dinners which you attend and I have never expressed the slightest objection to your giving a series of dinners. I think it would be a more just dignified & proper mode of returning civilities - In a reception - the boldest young girls take the floor & keep it & the persons, heads of families & otherwise to whom you are under obligations, are crowded into corners & door ways & treated with worse than no respect. I said all this to you Cump & I repeated to Elly because I thought she might be induced by Mrs. Williard & others to renew the subject. She will incur my deep displeasure if she gives a reception now & also if she goes out to receptions in Lent. As to the question of leaving the Army, I fully beleive the generally received opinion that "an old tree will not bear transplanting" - and it would be ruinous to you in every way to resign. If they put the pay down, give me then what you consider a just proportion & let me get along the best I can with the children who will visit you or stay with you by turns as you may wish to have us - Do not compell or attempt to compel me to live thus & so on so much but give me what you care to spare, & let me manage the best I can. I promise not to overstep the amount, nor to disturb you with repinings. Let us keep tranquil any how, & not let them rob us of peace now, and money hereafter. - Let us cheer one another if we can, and let us try to put away gloom & the dismal hours of the future, which will come to all, & which seem to rise before you whenever to you write to me.
Poor Mr. Crow lost his only son, who died in London a day or two ago - He was visiting his married Sister who resides not in London as I said but at Leamington -
All are perfectly well here - St. Louis is advertising at great rates about her direct railroad to St. Paul & her outlet from thence to the sea through the jetties - a little more money in circulation, & the ghost of resumption laid, & the great manufactories will soon throb with healthy regularity & the great body of the people be in sound & healthy condition - Tom & Cump have gone to their respective duties & Rachey is studying.
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
March 6th 1878. Wednesday Morning
[1878/03/06]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I suppose you remember Fr. Mesplie who has a chaplaincy in the Army. Should he resign or die or anything else happen to him I want you to get the place for Father Carrier, who was Willy's friend at Notre Dame - Rev. J. C. Carrier. Shall he make an application and have it filed? Perhaps he might get the place made vacant by some one else. He no longer belongs to the Order & consequently he cannot be under any obligations to leave at any time.
Please give me the name of the General Buford of whom I spoke to you, as living now in Chicago - He served during the war I beleive.
Our weather is like Spring indeed. All are well & send love - Give my love to all.
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
P.S.
Please tell Col. Audenried that I would like to get here for Head Quarters (with his approbation) the book of Mrs. Lecky published by Appleton - "England in the Eighteenth Century" - We would be glad to read it here & then send it on. Our knowledge of English history is vague, in regard to the period from the time the 1st George ascended the throne. I do not wish to impose on the Colonel & if he prefers not to take the book I hope he will say so - It is in two large volumes, not very expensively bound. E-
St. Louis
March 12th 1878 Tuesday afternoon.
[1878/03/12]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Rachey & I made a long call on Mrs. Turner this morning & then went to the book store and ordered the books as Col Audenried consented to my doing.
I shall take good care of them & see that they are duly sent on with the others I have here. I hope you had a pleasant trip to Cleaveland & that Elly did not forget that Elly Ewing is living there. Lizzie Sherman must have felt quite proud to have her affianced take her out in such handsome style. He is really the "Hereditary Grand Duke" of Penn: and far wealthier than the kings of the German principalities were in days gone by - I understand that Charles & Eliza are much pleased with the match and I am heartily glad for their sakes - for it is really a pleasant thing for them. Eliza will be especially suited with a family of Presbyterians - they would not suit me.
Do not forget to give me the name of the Genl Buford in Chicago - Also please remember that I asked you about Father Carrier. Tell Elly that Lizzie & Rachey will write tomorrow - & also that they have written to her several times since I came home ten days ago - We have perfect Spring - Cumpy is happy & well. All are looking forward to your visit with great pleasure -
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
St. Louis Mo.
Friday March 15th 1878.
[1878/03/15]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I received your letter with a number of enclosures yesterday & I am very much obliged for the instructions regarding Chaplaincy. I will write Father Carrier to-day.
Last Summer we found that although our home was pleasant and we were comfortable here, yet the streets were hot, & the air was filled with limestone dust, & we longed to go where we could see more green grass and be secluded from the vicinity of incessant traveling: consequently we went to Leavenworth.
Next summer Minnie is going to take her children to Lancaster. Congress will sit late into the season & you will remain late in W-n Ellen Cox has kindly offered me the use of their house in Lancaster free of rent, for ourselves & Minnie and as we would be nearer & not farther from you, as Tom Lizzie & Elly would doubtless love to visit their Uncle John & the Cleaveland friends & even perhaps to go to Put in bay, & as the drives & walks are so lovely about Lancaster, & the fruits are so abundant & so fine, I think Rachey Cumpy & I would be better off there than anywhere else, & the rest too when they can be there - One of them will want to be with you, all the time, & that is half the journey - so I have thankfully accepted Ellen's offer and I hope you will not feel averse to it - Minnie will go the 1st of June but I will not go quite so soon - Minnie will be confined again about the last of June & I shall be there by that time but I may have to leave Lizzie Tom &c. to follow - I will take my bed linen & table linen and thus wear out nothing of Ellen's & she has to go to the sea shore for the Summer and her house will be better occupied than vacant and should anything happen pray remember that you long ago promised to "hold our bonnets"-
All are well & the weather is beautiful, not too warm but bright & lovely - I feel so happy at the prospect of a few months in the old home at Lancaster.
Ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
ATTACHED CLIPPING
(Attached clipping)
Special to the St. Louis Times.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-The investigation of the Government printing office has been begun by the Committee on Printing. Mr. Finley, the chairman, has appointed his constituent, B. F. Nelson, of Ashland, O., as an expert.
GENERAL SHERMAN
publishes a letter here assailing Don Piatt for his recent attack on him, and defending his own record at Shiloh; also criticising Banning's army bill severely. He concludes it, however, with a statement that if Congress will reduce the salaries of all public servants equally, the army officers will not complain.
St. Louis
Sunday March 31st 1878.
[1878/03/31]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump, I want you to send me the letter referred to in the article above - I feel quite slighted that it has not already been sent to me, but perhaps it is on the way. I took the Washington Ave. car from Church this morning & stopped to see how Minnie & the children were getting along. Dear little Willy had a raging fever all night & was delerious & today his little cheeks were crimson & he looked suffering. Minnie says he has sore throat & I fear he has scarlet fever instead of measles. I shall go down again this evening. Minnie was up with him all night & she feels so wretchedly; the child could not sleep. She has a Doctor in attendance & I hope they will get along.
With best love to dear Elly Ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
Home.
April 3rd 1878 Wednesday noon
[1878/04/03]
Dearest Elly,
[]
I have just written a few lines to Papa and cannot resist a word to you - Poor Minnie is worn out & came here yesterday with Willy. Just now, Lizzie is holding him on her lap & he is taking a little sleep. Minnie is in her room trying to take a nap - Rachey is on my bed with a hot iron at her feet, a bag of hot salt at her stomach and after several doses of No. 6 & brandy she begins to breathe somewhat releived of a miserable cramp. Eleanor is asleep on Lizzie's bed & you can perceive that we are in a condition totally unable to see a caller - Word has just been brought to me that Mrs. Alexander called & left word she had just arrived from Washington. So far as I have heard the message she did not say where she is staying but I presume at the Lindell. We will see her soon.
I think myself dear Elly that you have been a long time from home and I am sure I am very anxious to see you back and we are all delighted to hear that Papa has decided to bring you home with him.
Tell Cozen Don - my nephew elect, or send a note through him to Lizzie (he will know just where she is) explaining that I must have sufficient notice of the kind of dress required for the Bridesmaids. If they put off this information until I should be hurried in the preperations I will not get it & you will not be bridesmaid. Remember we cannot command the services of a dress maker just when we please & moreover I cannot rush to the store at a moments warning & take anything at any price. Now do not fail to impress this upon them Elly & if they fail to respond you will make up your mind at once that that is to be abandoned. I never can hope to even begin to economise if I am compelled to rush matters in purchasing dresses & having them made. Should they be tardy it will be a saving to me of a hundred dollars & perhaps more for I shall not get the dress. Do not set your heart on going to the wedding for you may be disappointed.
I am glad your cousin Don has such a handsome "rig" -
Be very careful of the fur (fir?) which you ripped off the pretty cape. Shake the dust out of it and wrap it well in paper putting in a little piece of gum camphor.
Did you ask Mrs. Bacon if she got a $1. bottle of cologne & a soap box? I am glad you utilise the lace saque. I will have your black silk attended to when you come home. I hope you will have some more magnificent rides or rather drives with Cos. Don, before you leave. Where is Jule Davis? I have not heard for some time from her. My love to All at Aunt Ellens and Aunt Virginia's. Do you see them often.
All send best love and will be so happy to see you home -
Your loving Mother
Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]
Friday Morning April 4th 1878.
[1878/04/04]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Yesterday my head ached severely & after an errand down town in the cars (which I use altogether in good weather, my bills running too high if I take a carriage) and a call on Mrs. Alexander I felt unable to write. I am sorry I let the day go by without a report about Willy. Minnie has been here with him since noon on Tuesday. I found her looking so worn down and miserable from being up with the child of nights that I persuaded her to bring him here where she can have him in a bed to herself & not be obliged to sit up whenever he is too ill to leave - We gave her a room & bed for herself & Willy of nights & during the day we took care of the poor little fellow while she took a rest. She improved in twenty four hours and today the child is greatly improved & we really hope he is over the severity of the attack & will have no more fever.
Eleanor spends the days here but not the nights. She is in perfect health her attack having been breif and I think only indigestion & fever from it. The Doctor says Willy's has been a complication of troubles.
I enclose a notice of a terrible event - these poor Garasches were terribly prejudiced against the Government & later against the Army -
Lizzie is on the sick list today with sore throat & the Doctor is expected - Cump complained some but went to school being unwilling to miss - All send best of love to you & Elly & are anxious to see you home.
As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
St. Louis,
April 6th 1878
[1878/04/06]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump, This is the anniversary of the battle of Shiloh - the most important & the most interesting to me of the whole war for it was on this day that you had the opportunity to reassert yourself after the calumnies of your enemies had nearly ruined you. From that day, I laid aside all anxiety about you -
Minnie went home with dear little Willy this morning both very much improved. Lizzie is on the sick list but better & our cook is sick. The weather is lovely and we hope to be all "ourselves again" when you come.
Bring me a quantity of plain paper without lines and without heading - not such as I here enclose which is mean -
I am rejoiced that General Whipple is going away -
Love to dear Elly.
As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
Bring envelopes to match.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
St. Louis,
April 22nd 1878
[1878/04/22]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I enclose Willy's letter, he assumes great airs inviting you at the hand of a clerk.
A package of books that was sent to me from the Treasury Dept. & duly prepaid was opened there, the entire wrapping stamps and all taken off & laid aside and the books were then tied together loosely with new knots made in the cord which had been cut with a knife when they removed the wrapping - The books wabbled about & some were perhaps lost so loosely were they put up & there was nothing left about them to shew who they were for. I called at the office & the clerk was very independent & non commital and wanted to make me believe they came that way - I then went in to Mr. Filley' room & he had them produce the heavy paper wrap from which he saw (& I saw & commented upon) that the stamps had been cut out with knife or scissors - he gave no reproof & no redress made no apology & did not return the stamps.
Since then I have had no confidence in Mr Filley - All well & send love.
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
St. Louis,
April 24 1878
[1878/04/24]
Dearest Cump
[WTS]
I received your letter last evening & will tell Maj. Allen. Rachel met him in the street & he told her his "order" had been revoked & he seemed greatly disappointed. The Capitol hints at some scandal among the "aristocrats" of Washington & seems to expect some husband to shoot one of the parties. Whom does he mean?
Tom thinks he will certainly attend the wedding especially as Lizzie has invited him to be an usher - I think I shall not be able to go. I shall have a good deal to do to get things in order for Lancaster & I may have to take a trip there and return before we finally go for the Summer for Minnie may be confined before Cumpy's exhibition comes off & I shall wish to be with her to releive her mind of any anxiety regarding the children, for the first ten days or so - I shall have to pay $75 for Elly's dress for the occasion of the Cleaveland wedding and I feel that I really have not the money for the trip nor for a suitable present for Lizzie. Inasmuch as she is marrying a very wealthy man & as the presence of Tom & Elly will be an evidence of my interest & affection I shall not attempt to make a present - I hope they will not take it amiss.
Please send me the paper - or send it over to the Ebbitt & Pat will send it. I want a good quality of plain paper without rules or headquarter stamp or heading of any kind & envelopes to match. Tell him to get it of good quality - I enclose a sample which is mean. It may be as light as this & still be very good.
We have had almost a flood here but our home is all right - the weather continuing to be rainy & today it is cold.
We are all quite well again & all send love -
As ever, your,
Ellen.
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
St. Louis,
April 27, 1878
[1878/04/27]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Charley Hoyt has just called so I cannot write a letter. I think no one will go to the wedding but Tom. We will not be very important personages on the day and we could not stay over for I want to be at home. Lizzie could go but she thinks it not well to spend to money & you do not seem to care to have any one with you for awhile as it increases your expenses in traveling. All send love & wish you safely over your responsibility for Vinnie Ream -
As ever,
Ellen -
[EES]
P.S.
Genl Harney, Maj. Turner & ever so many of your friends have given the use of their names for the Sisters who have the large Hospital on Grand Ave: north of us. They are fearfully in debt because a claimant has appeared for some property given them by the Mullanphys with the sale of which they expected to pay for their Hospital. They intend to send to every house of their Order in the U.S. tickets for a raffle, the prizes being many things which have been given them. They wish the privelege of using your name & as the tickets will be only 50 ct. or $1.00 fifty cents or a dollar (they have not yet decided) and as Catholics are used to this kind of thing it cannot do any harm for you to give them your name & they feel that it will do them a great deal of good. Please write me - Ellen
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
St. Louis,
April 29th 1878
[1878/04/29]
Dearest Cump
[WTS]
This morning I have a letter from a firm in Shreveport La. John B. Durham, stating that they have shipped to me a sack of coffee the Central America Caracabilla said to be the best in the country, & sent to me by "Hon. Geo. Williamson U.S. Minister to Central America". The coffee has not come yet but I am sure it is very fine. Please tell me who Geo. Williamson is. Is it Genl Williamson who has lately been in the Land Office? Please remember to tell me that I may be posted to write to him when the coffee comes.
I commenced this letter yesterday but I felt so badly from my cold which still continues that I left it and did not feel able to resume.
I hope you will not give Elly too short a time in Cleaveland. She wants a day & two nights before the wedding. You had better get her there Tuesday & give her that evening & Wednesday evening. I hope her dress will not be late coming from New York. I telegraphed them Monday & they promised to have it there Wednesday. It may require alteration & she should insist upon having it early.
Two houses are already in progress of erection on the lots next to us. They are to be three stories stone front - deep with bay windows in the dining rooms - They do not run to our line but are about 3 feet from it; set back from the front on a line with our front step. The Architect shewed me the plan which is a very good one. They are to be finished in four months. They are putting the stone wall in the basement now. They have water already & their own hose so they have not troubled us. It has been some days since I heard from you but now I shall expect letters again. All send love -
As ever
Ellen
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
St. Louis,
May 1st 1878
[1878/05/01]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I received your Sunday letter yesterday afternoon. Tom is so busy at his examination that I have not got to speak to him about the escutcheon - I do not feel able to buy it - I think Cumpy would like to have it. He has $50 in the Bank but he will probably buy a horse with that in the fall.
The young Priest whose letter you endorsed has done me no harm more than to compell me to write a letter or treat him uncivilly in not answering his - Of course I will not be so quixotic as to attempt anything for the young girl but I think he has a right to seek influence for her - I will write to him as I have written to hundreds already that I am utterly without influence & that my endorsement and recommendation are of no value but rather an injury during this Administration - I am still suffering from my cold but the rest are well. Tom expects to reach Cleaveland Monday or Tuesday at the latest - Minnie goes to Lancaster the 15th inst. The children are very well -
As ever, your,
Ellen
[EES]
Love to dear Elly.
St. Louis,
May 2nd 1878
[1878/05/02]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I like this paper very much indeed and the other kind I also like. The supply is not so extravagent considering that I write every day to you or Elly and often to both of you, besides innumerable letters which are addressed to me as the wife of the General. I buy paper for family letters generally, or use what would be thrown aside and for my pet charities I also buy my paper & envelopes besides my stamps. I would like some envelopes for this paper.
Please have Pat send them to match.
I wish you would tell me the true account of the Catholic Church which was destroyed during the War at Dalton Georgia.
Some one writes me that it was occupied by our Army as a small pox hospital & then burned "as a sanitary measure". If that be the case do you think they can recover from Government? I would like to see them get it, for they need it & they are very poor.
Yesterday was the 28th anniversary of our marriage. I wish you would send me last Sunday's Capitol & the paper containing any allusion to Mrs. Sprague and Mr. Conkling. She is very imprudent & there needs no malice to induce me to beleive the worst of her on evidence, or to suspect her on what we all know -
Give my love to dear Elly. I am so glad Genl Whipple has gone - he is treacherous beyond a doubt. Time will shew him up.
Tom's examination is over & he feels releived of a burden & is well satisfied with his progress & success. He is down town today as usual.
Henry Sherman's wife wrote me a very cordial invitation for you & me to stop at their house. Charles & Eliza are there now. I wrote her that I could not go - I am very glad Lida Cameron is going & Mrs. McVeigh also.
Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen-
[EES]
Do not forget the Dalton Georgia question & the envelopes for this paper - & some fine white ones the size enclosed.
St. Louis.
May 13th 1878. Monday Morning
[1878/05/13]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I ordered the "Popular Scientific Monthly Supplement" and two additional numbers of same from Appleton & when the bill came they stated that they had charged it to your account. The annual subscription is $3. the extra nos: 50 cts. - the bill $3.50 -
Rachel's head is perfectly turned by your invitation to stay with you. She is so anxious to start she can scarcely wait. I think I shall telegraph you to-night (half rate) to send on the B.& O. pass for I may find a good opportunity for her within a few days. The change will be great service to her. I have not a doubt & especially the opportunity of being in the open air in the carriage daily. She has repeated & often & irregularly occurring attacks of excessive pain in one particular spot in the bowels & I feel rather apprehensive that it is owing to trouble at a point where the different parts of the intestines join by a small channel. Trouble there, is what caused the death of young Mayor Barrett here & of many others of whom I have heard - I do not tell her this but I am very anxious about her & shall be, as long as these attacks last. I would like her to keep up her English studies there and Tom says his school friend "Dennis" would make her a good teacher.
I do not wish her to take music there but she can practice. Tom is down town & I shall ask him about the B. & O. pass before I telegraph you for it, as you may have given it to him. He & Elly arrived Saturday at 7 p.m. full of their enjoyment of the wedding. We have had elaborate accounts in all the papers, whole columns having been telegraphed. I have cut out ten or twelve accounts to send to Mary Miles. Charley Hoyt got here Saturday morning & left last evening. He too, was charmed with the wedding, the meeting of the friends &c. To-night we will attend the Commencement of Tom's law school. I hope the weather will change for now it is dismally cold rainy & muddy. All send love to dear Papa -
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Do not forget to post me regarding "Hon Geo. Williamson Mc R. Central America". I wish to acknowledge the Coffee & must know who he is & where he came from & if he was in the Army.
St. Louis
May 17th 1878
[1878/05/17]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Minnie got off with the dear children yesterday evening and Rachey with them. By this time 11. oc. a.m. they are drawing near Columbus, where I hope Col. Bacon will meet Rachel & where poor Minnie will have to wait a few hours before going down to Lancaster. Minnie had been suffering so very much from a felon on her finger that she looks thin & woe-begone. Rachey brightened up wonderfully when fully inspired with the beleif that she was really to have the happiness of being with you and the benefit of constant rides & drives into the Country. She requires fresh air constantly and I have told her she may attend early Mass on Sundays in order to be with you out doors as much as possible. Please see that she is at no disadvantage, wherever you may take her, in attending to the calls of nature &c- for her excessive pain is sometimes brought on by pressure of the intestines against the inflamed & sensitive part - so the Doctor told me the day she left, at the same time cautioning me to see that she was never allowed to neglect herslef in this way. If she will faithfully follow the last directions she received I think she will avoid those paroxisms of extreme pain. Should they come, however, she requires immediate relief - hot poultice and if that be not efficacious, a hyperdermic injection of morphine 6th of a grain the Dr. Says, I should say the 16th of grain; but Dr. Norris will know: yet he should be careful to consider the delicate temperament of persons of her complection & hair. The trouble having been decided to be of the left ovairy she must absolutely rest - during the few days of a particular period & before that time get of Dr. Norris & take a tonic of iron or muriatic acid - all this the Doctor says - not I - He thinks by observing these directions, & by quitting books & being in the open air as much as possible she will overcome the cause in five or six months & perhaps not be troubled by an excessive attack during that time.
You will find her very anxious to give you pleasure, and obediant to any hints or instructions you may find it proper to give her. She is young and of delicate temperament & a little overgrown for the amount of fresh air she had had, & you will I hope, pay some attention to her manners &c and give her the hints she may need. I consider her remarkably sensible & of good mind capable of high cultivation. She is very warm and tender hearted, frank sincere and without affectation.
I hope she may be most agreeable to you as she has been to me & a source of pure joy & comfort.
As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
St. Louis,
May 18th '78
[1878/05/18]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I sent you the programme of the Commencement of the Law school & Rachel has since told you all about it. I think Tom wrote you the next day & I know Mr. Hitchcock told him that he intended to write to you, so I hope you will not feel that we have been negligent.
I am sorry that I troubled you to send out for Rachel but it was unavoidable according to all the information I could get. We made every effort to hear of any one going but without success. It all turned out well. I was not surprised to hear that Col. Bacon was too late but as Rachey had the pass via Harrisburgh it was just as well.
After the late full instructions of the Doctor I felt better satisfied about her health & knowing the cause of the paroxisms feel that we can ward them off - I will write tomorrow or Monday, as ever your,
Ellen E. Sherman
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
St. Louis,
May 21 1878
[1878/05/21]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Cumpy has left his late effusion on my table to be forwarded. He seems to consider himself bound to get up a story for your entertainment.
The trees that were blown down were none of them in our yard. A large maple on the side walk in front of Mr. Sturgeon's house was blown down; broken off at about 8 feet from the ground. The storm was from the west & it fell partly on the car track & had to be removed very promptly. A small tree in Mr. Tansey's yard blew down and innumerable trees & branches in the western part of the City. Twigs & leaves were scattered about over our yard & leaves torn to shreds were plastered against the front windows. The flowers were bowed to the earth but they are bright and pretty again.
I have your letter of the 18th. I think Elly's only hope of getting to West Point in June is through Don Cameron. He has written to me to invite her to go there with him and Lizzie. Elly says he means that she is to be their guest but I will not take that for granted and have assured him that we will be under heavy expenses in different places this Summer & that neither you nor I can afford the additional expense, that but for expense I would be happy to accept his invitation for Elly. If he means to entertain her as his guest he will now say so; and if he do not Elly will remain with me. It will cost me a great deal to dress Elly again next winter & neither you nor I should be at that additional expense for her now. I am so happy about Rachey & her prospect of improvement & pleasure with you.
As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
St. Louis,
May 23rd 1878
[1878/05/23]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We have our first very warm day upon us today. It is Cump's holiday & he is at work in the carriage house in his shirt sleeves. - Elly & Tom are down town together & Lizzie and I are attending to household matters. I am very thankful that Rachey is having such a nice time & one so really beneficial to her health. Elly has her heart set upon the trip to West Point, as Cameron's guest and I think you might as well let her go. She is going this afternoon with the French Club to the country to the residence of a young lady of the Club. Miss Tansey escorts her in a carriage to the Depot and, there the Professor meets them and escorts them out and back. Minnie writes that she is very comfortable & the children are supremely happy, & each evening the Sherman tract is being surrounded by a group of other children. We are all very well and enjoy your letters and Rachey's - Congress seems in a bad way. I am thankful I am so far from them.
As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
St. Louis.
May 25th Saturday Morning.
[1800/05/25]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I have your letter of the 22nd about dear Tom. You are right in concluding that he has been uninfluenced by any one in coming to a decision & indeed in ever entertaining the thought of a religious life. I have not dared to meddle with anything so sacred as between his soul & his God. I have known nothing of it until his decision was made. He never gave me even a hint of it until Sunday the 12th inst. when he told me all. My chief thought and sympathy were for you & are so still but I feel no less keenly the trial of parting from him & having him no longer in the family circle. Even as to this however, I cannot help feeling that he will be less seperated from us in that position that he would be were he to marry. He would sooner or later, (should he remain) marry and then his care, his time, his heart & his affections would be given to others; he would "leave Father & Mother and cleave unto his wife". Another man's daughter would stand between him & your daughters, no matter how much, in a general way he might be friend them. Now he will be absent perhaps two years, and even perhaps longer closely devoted to study; but in a few years, when we are growing really aged & the world loses its value & brilliancy in our eyes, & when we feel real concern for the right direction & restraining care, and the manly comfort which the girls may need, he will be near to offer all that any of us may need, with not a rag of human affection to obstruct his pure & unwavering love for us & our children, & no human interests (except ours) to obscure his judgement or weaken his purpose. I know the terrible disappointment this must be to you but I also know that although you have not the faith which makes it to us a solemn & a holy duty to obey such a call you nevertheless have the stern principle which will eventually cause you to feel that he must act according to his convictions. No disgrace or "ruin" can befall you except by your own act and that I do not fear Millions of the human family hold the opinions and one blest with the faith which makes us look upon this not as a disgrace but as an honor - not as a defection but as a heroic response to a call from the Lord and Ruler of all men - from the crucified Redeemer of our race. I know dear Cump, you feel stunned & distracted in mind by reason of the sudden shock, but you will return to your normal condition of kindness & gentleness of heart and generosity & justice of sentiment. We would freely offer our son's life, in battle for his Country - In his beleif he is offering his life in a higher holier cause & for the country which has no bounds & that he and others may gain inheritance there and shall we thwart him or depreciate what he holds highest? I know you will not; you are too good a Father. Bear this with your natural heroism & with the glorious resignation with which you gave up your eldest son to God and He will bless you even more than you have hitherto been blest.
I do not know how to interpret one expression in your letter; namely "that you may be driven to extremes". You may have felt like using severe & harsh measures or expressions of unkindness towards him but you will think better of that I am sure. What are the "thousands connected by blood & association" to you or to me, compared with what we are & what we ought to be to one another & to our children - In a step which involves no crime - which by many connected with us may be considered a foolish one & by us is considered a grand one - none are entitled to the slightest consideration but ourselves - for you alone does he feel, putting the thousands to one side, in a question of duty & his own temporal & eternal happiness. The thousands can afford us no consolation if we allow ourselves to be embittered towards each other. They have their own ties in connexion with which their consideration for us is light in the balance, as it should be. Let us preserve ours tender & true and sacred from the glare & criticism of the thousands - There is not a waking hour now during which I do not think of you with the tenderest & most heart felt sympathy in your disappointment & sorrow, but I look beyond the dark cloud which hangs over your spirits to the glorious sun shine which God will shed upon you in recompense for this trial well borne.
As ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
St. Louis
May 28th Tuesday Morning
[1800/05/28]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We have had such sudden & excessive changes in the weather: one day insufferably warm the next damp cold & penetrating, that Cumpy has been a little out of sorts but he is well & at school again today having lost only yesterday.
The rest are all well & Lizzie & Elly are just now starting out to make some calls. There has been quite a change in the Patterson programme since you were here. Etta married young Reyburn who is in the Wire Works & who has had quite a nice sum left him by an Uncle. Mrs. Wallace (Coos) is obliged to leave the City for the Summer on account of her child & Etta is to keep house there so Marie has decided to remain with her. Ann left yesterday morning, as she had news that one of her children was ill of typhoid fever. Mr. Patterson has his brother with him in his house on Eugenia Street. I am glad Marie did not go.
Elly has her heart so set upon going to West Point & Mr. Cameron and Lizzie have written so kindly, as you will see, from the enclosed, that I cannot but consent to her going. I now have your dispatch and she will probably be there early next week. I cannot afford the expense, so I shall certainly accept the whole of Mr. Cameron's offer - which I feel to be perfectly proper, considering the expense to which we have already gone for the wedding. I have sent a check for $75.78 out of my $800- for the dress Elly got for the wedding - Cump appears to think his story very important & offers to spin it fine or spin it coarse like a roll of wool - Love to dear Rachel, - I will write her unless the postman comes too soon -
As ever your,
Ellen -
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
St. Louis,
June 7th 1878
[1878/06/07]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Until I received your letter of Tuesday, yesterday afternoon I was not aware of the manner in which you had decided to refer the case to Cardinal McClosky. Charley telegraphed me that you proposed that & Tom had agreed to it & Tom telegraphed me merely that he was going that night (Monday) to N. York. No one has written to me from Washington except yourself & Rachel.
I would like to see a copy of your letter to the Cardianl if you have a copy & I would like very much to see his reply to your letter. You speak of arrangements to be made & I suppose I shall hear from you today. We shall all want to be near you dear Cump for it has been a trial all along for us to be seperated from you. Yet you will wish to keep this home to come to at any time you might care to leave Washington & for the rest of the family in case of your death in future years, before they are scattered too much. A good plan would perhaps be to store this furniture or the heaviest part of it and rent there a furnished house. A small home would do us now & would preclude the necessity of so much company & expenditure in that way. Genl Vincent's home is in good order and is a cheerful home well situated: the location is more healthful than those nearer the river.
Whatever you may prefer we shall all be glad to conform to. I await your instructions before going to Lancaster. I should be grieved to leave dear Minnie & the darling children but with Lizzie in Washington as housekeeper I could be here a great deal, with Minnie. We have remarkably pleasant weather. Mr. Fitch took Cumpy to the races yesterday & he enjoyed it exceedingly. Today he is again at school. Yesterday was his holiday - Love to dear Rachey
Ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
St. Louis.
June 9th '78.
[1878/06/09]
Dearest Cump
[WTS]
Yesterday I sent by Express a linen coat of yours which I came across in one of my trunks. You perhaps remember the place in the dining room wall where a dampness has discolored the paper. It is where the wall projects into the room between the pantry door & the bay window. You noticed it some time ago when you were here & the last time also.
One day last week I stepped up to the landing on the stairs leading to the Attic to open the round window that is there. In looking out I observed that the gutters of the pipes were filled with water from the rain of the night before & that it would not run off through the pipes. I then went to that damp place in the dining room & looking from the window I saw that the outside wall was green & mouldy in that corner whereupon I sent to Bowman's for a tinner to examine the spouting. It was broken in many places (quite rotted away) & when he removed the worn out piece it was filled, crammed, from top to bottom with black dirt; filled so tight that nothing could have removed it. On the South side of the kitchen roof it was the same & I sent him to examine the entire spouting & replace or repair - When Cameron the contractor had the new roof put on I suppose they let the rotten shingles from the old roof lie there or fall into the gutters when removing in such quantities that the spouting was filled and that filling gradually hardened & so choked up all the spouts that the water found no channel there but falling, caused the walls to be damp & the foundation damp also - & I presume that is the dampness you smelled in the parlor.
Dr. Perin's daughter Mrs. Prout (whose husband has left the Kedieve's service) is here today, en route to her Father's at Fort Leavenworth, her husband remaining in New York. I enclose cards which came here yesterday. We will all be in Lancaster by the 27th or 28th of this month. By that time I hope to hear from the dear & precious son who is cushioned in my heart of hearts as the reverse of what you call him, who is & who has always been noble pure & holy - and whom may God forever bless -
Yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
St. Louis
June 24th 1878.
[1878/06/24]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I enclosed two bills of Rachey's which please pay & charge to my allowance. I hope my money will come in time for me to pay my bills & get away Thursday as I have arranged.
As soon as I was aware that Congress had cut down your pay I telegraphed you to reduce my allowance accordingly - If the reduction & cutting off reduces you three or four hundred a month send me that much less, or send me even less than that difference if you need the I can live within a given means & will make my style of living conform to my means. What I have hitherto felt has been that I could not live a given way except on such a sum as would cover the expenses of that way. Now allow to me what you can spare & we will conform to it - And more I will not take the $800 a month if at the same time it compells you to change your mode of living & puts you to annoyance & inconvenience.
Inasmuch as you are not now prepared & think it advisable not to take a home elsewhere at present (in which I agree with you) and as the keeping up of this would entail more expense & bind me down to St. Louis I have decided to keep my furniture here and rent the house so, to a careful tenant. I will thus be preserving a home & increasing my income & further enabling me to leave you the requisite sum.
Mag tells me that Mrs. Judge Dillon is very anxious to get a furnished house in this part of the City. They say she is a notable housekeeper and she has only two children, one a daughter grown. Mrs. Tansey tells me that a friend of theirs who lives in Alton, whose husband is in a good business here, who also has a small family & also is a good & careful housekeeper is anxious to hire a furnished house in this neighbourhood & was looking at one of the new ones. I have told them at Green & La Mote's - (where Commissioner Bryan & others have their business) to look out for a desirable tenant - I will releive you of all the care & burden of this house & I will limit my expenses to the sum you can spare me & the addition of the rent. I will attend to taxes of it and repairs & collecting rent &c &c until such time as you may care to have us settle down somewhere else. I shall also be more free to be with you in Washington a part of the time & I shall live here in such a way that the expenses of each member of the family when paid there will not be paid here & vice versa.
I go now, on the supposition that no one will care for the house before fall but I leave it in nice order & ready to be shewn to an applicant who would make a desirable tenant.
I am satisfied to have Elly and Rachey remain until the last of this week when I am anxious to have them with me. I hope you will keep Lizzie with you until you come out to the meeting at Newark Ohio on the 22nd June: as I infer you will. Lizzie will feel deeply pained if you do not ask her to remain as she knows that I intend to take no more of your salary than shall leave you with the same you have had. Cumpy & I are getting along quietly, the weather fortunately being pleasant. I think Elly must need a little repose of mind & body -
Your,
Ellen
[EES]
St. Louis Mo.
June 25th 1878 Tuesday
[1878/06/25]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Yesterday I received yours of 22nd with check enclosed for $800- After this you must send me only $500- for I will not take the $800. since your pay has been reduced.
I learn by telegram that dear Minnie is over her suffering & has a fine little boy. I am very anxious to get there and shall go Thursday night as previously arranged. I hope the girls will get there at the same time.
I have instructed Casey of Green & La Motte to notify Judge Dillon that I will rent the house furnished for a year at $1500. - A tenant offer whom the firm consider very desirable, for the house unfurnished, who would take excellent care of the property, be good pay but who would probably not give over $1000 or $1100 - They advise in his favor - He is coming this p.m. to look at the house.
I will keep you duly informed and of course when I decide upon a tenant will refer to you to close the arrangement. I can live so much cheaper at the flats & shall like to be with Minnie & the children there & can be free to visit you --- Love to dear Lizzie if still with you. My head aches today & I can scarcely write.
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
St. Louis,
June 26th 1878
[1878/06/26]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I suppose by the time this reaches you the girls will have left for Lancaster. Should Lizzie be there still (Rachel will certainly be gone) give her this to read as I shall not write to her until I learn that she is still there. I shall be all ready to leave Thursday night but shall defer my departure in order to see your letter to Judge Reber unless it come in time for me to leave as per appointment. Genl Simpson has sent me tickets for myself & Cumpy to go & return.
I shall probably telegraph you today regarding an offer for leasing the house. A Mr. George D. Capen a Boston man who has been in business here nineteen years has looked at the house, with his wife, & at the time expressed himself ready to make an offer the terms of which I shall hear from Green & La Motte today. Mr. Capen has hitherto lived in his own house on 12th & Olive but the neighbouring houses being used as boarding houses he feels constrained to go further out. He wishes a two story double house & he is well known as a business man of means & thrift & one who would keep a house in good condition. He does not feel disposed to take it for a year nor for less than two or three years perhaps not less than three years & he is able to buy it and would probably do so (should you still wish to sell) at the expiration of his lease. He is not now disposed to give a high rent but he would keep it painted & in repair at his own expense & he would paint & fit up every year. I think I could store a good deal of the furniture with Maj. Grimes & have it insured. I could furnish two rooms at the Flats with Minnie & only the price of the rooms would be to pay during my absence -
I do not now remember the amount of the two bills I sent you, but as my check had been sent before they got there if you will let me know the amount I will send it to you.
I forgot to say (what however you will hear by telegraph) that Mr. Capen would like possession of the house the 1st of August or earlier so if we let them have it I will come out after staying a week with Minnie & the baby) and get my furniture out. The large Mirrors he will allow to remain if we wish it and also the large pictures of Genl Post if you prefer - Warm weather is now coming on in earnest -
As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis
June 27th 1878.
[1878/06/27]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump, I have received a reply to my dispatch for which I had been quite anxious as I could not but feel worried by the delay. I feared you were perhaps ill. Judge Reber very kindly came up with his letter just now but it is so excessively warm that I had undressed and could not see him without keeping him waiting too long. I have read the letter and have just sent word to the Agent at Green & La Motte's that Mr. Capen can have the house.
Mr. Fitch returned this morning & he advises me to give possession at once & not undertake the trip to Lancaster & back. Mr. C. is anxious to get it as soon as possible, so I shall remain here and vacate next week. Perhaps you will come out, but at any rate you will instruct me what to do with your books papers &c. &c. I hardly know yet what to do, but I will consult Mr. Fitch this evening & see Maj. Grimes & then do the best I can - Some things I can leave in the Attic he says.
I am particularly anxious to rent to this man because he will probably buy the house at the expiration of the lease should we then care to sell. He intends to paper the Study & dining rooms at his own expense and to keep up all repairs after he takes possession. He is an insurance agent doing the largest business in the City & he has the reputation which makes him a most desirable tenant. I think I can take good care of this property & shall have it in good order, taxes & insurance paid and the rent in hand every month. Cumpy has gone to the fair grounds with Mag & the boys for the day. It is excessively warm - I hope your cold is better.
As ever your,
Ellen -
[EES]
St. Louis.
June 29th 1878 Saturday Morning.
[1878/06/29]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I enclose the contract which please send out as soon as possible. Please send the copy we are to keep, to me, as I would like to keep it, as I want to pay taxes and insurance, collect the rent &c. &c. The rent is to begin the 1st of August & yet I shall get out next week but the house will then be thoroughly cleaned & he intends to have the study & dining room papered and the kitchen & back building wood work painted so he will not get in before the 1st of August.
There are so many houses on the market & rents have gone down so that we are very fortunate to have this offer. Maj. Grimes was here yesterday & he says I have got a splendid Tenant, that there could not be a better one and seldom is as good a one in point of prompt payment & care of property -
Maj. Grimes says he can store my goods & should he be sent to the arsenal he could give them room there. The furniture is already insured with the house & I will notify the company that I have removed the furniture & make the necessary change in the policy. Have you the policy or did you send it to Judge Reber?
The man building next to us used the earth dug for the basement to raise his lot. It is now two feet higher than our lot (21 inches the Contractor says) and it presses against our fence in a manner that must destroy it & the earth washes into our yard. I spoke to him about it twice during the process & he pretended to me that it would be cleared away.
Now he comes to me and wants us to join him (Bruce the owner (in putting a coping of stone & an ornamental light iron or wire fence - As he has the ground, at present the coping would be entirely on our lot, which would be virtually giving them so many feet of ground & should we consent to join him in the fence we would at the least have to give the ground for half the width of the coping.
I told him that I felt no disposition to go to any expense for a fence of that kind as we had got along very well with the one we have. He says he will see you about it. I hope you will not agree to it - not even to let his coping come over our line - I will write you again about it. Some one will come from Maj. Grimes today to clean the guns & pack them. I will have everything of yours carefully put up so as to be easily accessible. I am anxious to have a window in my room looking south & Mr. Capen says he will do it at his expense & have it exactly match the front windows if you will consent. During the warm weather here this year & last Summer I have felt that it would be very desirable & I hope you will let me have it done as I shall consider it a great improvement whenever I come into the house again. Mr. Capen says he would willingly give more for the house & have us repaint &c. &c something each year but he prefers to make the repairs &c himself & he feels sure we will be satisfied.
You must be lonesome without the girls. I am very anxious to get to Lancaster & think I shall get there by the 5th or 6th of July. I hope you will soon be there.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Please tell me about the policy of Insurence.
St. Louis.
July 2nd 1878 Tuesday afternoon
[1878/07/02]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Maj. Grimes sent this morning & his men marked & hauled down the boxes of books & the furniture of the two parlors besides many other boxes.
I shall have everything packed by tomorrow evening except the odds & ends and the clothing which is to be put into trunks. I shall then remain to have the house cleaned & put in order before I hand it over.
Major Grimes says we have a no 1. Tenant. Mr. Fitch met Riley down town & telling him who was our Tenant he made the same remark. I am glad to be releived of the expense of this house because we can not live seperated from you and it costs too much to keep this up & pay expenses elsewhere.
A very good plan is to rent a furnished house for a winter or for 8 months & then be free of expense when we go away for the Summer unless you prefer to board. I would not like to buy or rent an unfurnished house now in Washington. I have put up my furniture for storing & not for transportation.
I fear you are very lonely dear Cump, without the girls. Come out to us as soon as you can. I am very anxious about you, but I keep distracted by the moving. Cump enjoys it & we have the best kind of weather.
Ever your truly affectionate
[EES]
St. Louis
July 5th 1878
[1878/07/05]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Judge Reber called & read from a letter he had from you to the effect that you wished him to take to his house & keep (take care of) certain military pictures of special value on account of association, & the guns & the Swords you wore in battle and your military books & papers.
The pictures were then packed - the boxes of papers have been placed in the vault at the Government warehouse and if you think they would be more secure in some other vault I will have them removed at your request. Should you have them removed the receipts if not held by yourself should be given to me in charge for our children. I protest against a stranger or one not of the immediate family having possession of them. I have declined to deliver anything to Judge Reber but shall keep the swords, as I have hitherto kept them, as I have kept your wedding suit & hat, the hat you wore at Shiloh and other relics innumerable - the watch chain you wore so long before you got this one and many many things of yours. For your children & mine & for our children's children -
Judge Reber is older than you are & he has no home in which to store anything - Mag told me last Sunday week that she had no place to put a trunk - If it be the mere custody Mr. Fitch is far more competent on every account.
You have always said you would never make a will & now you are making one to cut off Tom I suppose - It is a pity you injure yourself in this way because Tom, dear fellow, would give his share to his Sisters & he will never need it. He will be supplied with food & clothing & the recompense of his labors he will expect at the hands of the God he serves, in the everlasting kingdom which was purchased for us by Our Savior - You can only wound the heart of the son who loves you above everything on this earth. I hope you will feel more kindly for you will be unhappy until you do - It is not you but an evil spirit working in you & I hope you will drive him out -
Your guns your swords your hats your spurs your bridle bits and all your other relics of the past I will keep for your children & their children - I decline to surrender them. The law has not power to get them from me. The papers should be as sacredly held for them but you have the power over them, & all I can do in regard to them is to protest against anyone but the immediate family having custody of them - If they go into other hands than yours or mine I wish the reason distinctly stated to me in writing - We will not quietly see such an act done. I go from the house to night - but return to gather up odds & ends to-morrow - I will be in Lancaster Tuesday at the latest - As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
Lancaster O.
July 29th Monday morning
[1800/07/29]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I was worried to find, late on Saturday, that you had left quite a number of articles of clothing - your dress coat, a linen coat & pants & some underclothes. I sent them immediately to the Express office & I hope you will get them before you have had great need of them. I hope you had a pleasant journey and are feeling more comfortable as to weather than we are here for it is raining and the atmosphere is very heavy. Cumpy had the asthma quite badly last night and the night before, but he took a ride this morning. Rachel had a splendid ride Saturday. General Tom went to Columbus this morning & everything else here is as usual except that we miss you very much. The Doctors agree that poor Mary cannot last more than ten days & perhaps not half as long. Philemon realizes now & feels very badly.
I must urge you Cump not to give the Democrats so much political capital as you do. Up to this time you have had the respect and confidence of the people of the whole United States of all parties & in a marked degree. No man in the country held such a position or had such a hold upon them everywhere but if you continue to array yourself as a partisan you will be regarded as one & will descent from the exalted place you occupy - Your brother is enough to be in the slough of politics do not let your regard for him drag you there. If you remain quiet now, no matter what power the Democrats may have they will not disturb you because of the confidence they & all the people of the country have in you - but if you become a partisan & continue to inveigh against them of course they will drop you as a Republican as quickly as you would drop one of them as a Democrat. The Republicans are glad to make use of you - John Sherman as well as the rest of them. I say this all as a warning not because I care to say it, but because I think it would be unkind in me to omit to say it and I should reproach myself afterwards for not having said it - I do not care for an answer to it. I am not arraigning you nor reproaching you - I am outside of all politics, nor do I hope to influence you but I must pay you the respect & the kindness to warn you here. Your are electing Banning now, or aiding his election & you will array one half the country against you & among them thousands of your old officers. You once were above party - would that you were now you would be happier. I hope to hear soon of your safe arrival - As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Please send me your stamped envelopes. Ellen
I have had no conversation with any one of my brothers regarding the subject I have written upon -
Lancaster O.
July 31st Wednesday Morning.
[1800/07/31]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We have a hot sun upon us to-day again but we have had good rains & the earth is refreshed. Your letter yesterday was very welcome but I shall still be glad to hear that you have received the package of clothing which I fear you needed when you arrived there.
Cumpy is a great deal better and is very happy & has has recovered his appetite. His taking meat on Fridays depends on the the order of a Physician & not a Priest. If a Physician says we are in a state requiring meat every day the law of abstinence does not apply to us - I will see that Cumpy is well nourished - He took cold wading in the creek & the least attack of asthma effects his appetite as it used to effect yours, so that he will not take meat & you remember that you never would eat it when you had the asthma. He is all right now and stores away the breakfast bacon & beef steak & green corn & honey. Mary Ewing is travelling rapidly to the shore - Even Dr. Effinger can scarcely "circumlocute" to the extent of giving any possibility of hope - yet the family do not realise her condition - All send best of love - Elly & Rachey are gay as birds - Willy Fitch took a bird's eye view of the situation this morning at breakfast & finding only one chicken on a dish beside a larger supply of beefsteak he announced to us that he did not eat meat now but eats chicken legs" - whereupon he got the chicken legs upper & lower joints - I hope your rooms are comfortable.
As ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster O.
Aug. 6th 1878 Tuesday Noon.
[1878/08/06]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
My nerves are quite shaken & I do not know that I can write very well. Yesterday in hunting a girl & ordered a buggy & when going down town the horse frightened & shied at a covered wagon & then at some jars before a store & then at an umbrella. The first place I stopped I told the driver to take the horse back to the stable and put in a safer one which he did & I also told him never again to put in that horse for me. It was not either of the horses which you took to Newark. This morning Minnie had an errand in East Lancaster & ordered a carriage & she & Lizzie with the nurse all went, taking the children. Luke Clarke took the reins & De Merth told him to "hold the horse in he stumbled". This was a warning that the horse was wild. As soon as they started they began to run and they ran a mile, passing safely a buggy a little bridge & a wagon & when coming to a turn in the road, which was obstructed by a wagon, which did not have time to get out of the way, they had to pass where there is an embankment of slight size. The carriage turned over the horses fell, Luke fell between them & each & every one was dumped on the road. They are bruised & stunned & nervous all but Willy - Minnie says before she knew that any of them were alive & before she had got her feet free from the carriage she heard Willy sing out "where's my hat". Lizzie says she thought at first that she was the only one alive & when she raised her head & saw poor Luke pale as a corpse lying between the horses she thought he was stone dead. There were several wagons near & the men ran from them & instantly took charge of the horses & lifted out the women & children. Luke recovered his feet & also assisted but he certainly looks badly & I know is so hurt. Minnie's slippers were in the carriage & their hats & braids were scattered about promiscuously. Little Eleanor got a bad bump on her forehead & a great scare & shock to her nerves. Minnie is anxious about her but I am not at all so. Minnie has a bruise on her wrist & Lizzie's nose & lip are badly bruised & her arm also. The nurse has a bruise on her face & her ankle - They were all taken into a house & a messenger sent in for a carriage. Genl Tom drove out & came in with them. He says De Muth ought to be fined or flogged for giving such a horse for a family to drive behind.
Cump has had a long horseback ride & when he came to my room (long before the accident) to tell me he had returned I saw marks on his face which induced the question "how he enjoyed the black berries?" when he said he had hitched the horse and had had a good time. Dear Cump I am surprised and touched to think that you supposed Rachel could have even thought of going to France without your fullest kindest most cordial approbation. She said to me several times before your visit "Mama where do you intend to send me next year?" I told her I did not know yet, & every time she said won't you send me to a school in France. I told her I thought her Papa would not let her go, but she said her Papa's nieces Lida & Anna Sherman & Mary Reese had gone abroad to school & so many young ladies were going every year that she thought he would like to have her go. I then told her to ask you when you were here but she did not but said she would write to you. I paid no attention to it knowing that you would not like it but even if you had been willing I certainly would not have been but I thought it unnecessary to have all the refusals come from me. There never was a serious thought in my mind about it nor an undutiful one in hers - She is too young to be able to curb her ambition or properly direct it & therefore she has her heart set on going abroad. She often has a cry that she "cannot take trips with Papa" - I tell her her turn will come. All send best of love -
As ever your truly affectionate
Ellen -
[EES]
Lancaster O.
August 8th 1878
[1878/08/08]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Elly has just received your letter explaining that she cannot go to New Mexico with you. It is all well but both she & I would have been gratified to have had her with you. I am anxious to see you before you go and if you will let me know at what time I can meet your train at Athens I shall go down there & go to Cincinnati with you. I would like to go to C. for one day to see something about an arrangement I have in contemplation for Rachel & which I wish to speak to you about & of which I do not wish to speak to her yet. Minnie & Lizzie think it an excellent thing if I can effect it - Rachel is not well enough to be put at any school. She will be obliged to be very careful at certain times for several months or this trouble will become chronic & fearful. I would not be satisfied to have her at Georgetown nor in New York and at the Ebbitt House I could not control her or her company. I will lay my plan before you & I hope you will leave me to take care of her (paying all her expenses) for the next year or until the time for the promised California trip. She slightly sprained her foot last evening in dancing & is on the sofa & hopping about. The bruised & wounded from the carriage accident are all well but stiff yet. Poor Mary Ewing is worse & they now begin to realise her situation - The baby "Tommy" is a splendid boy. I have just seen him in the bath tub - All send best love. Cumpy is out at Hugh's today for the day - Please tell me what Tiffany valued the diamonds at - rough guess -
Your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Will you engage the rooms at the Ebbitt or shall I?
Lancaster O.
Aug. 24th 1878
[1878/08/24]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We have your letters to Elly & Rachel, the last from Denver, & also your dispatch to me from same place. The girls have all written you within a day or two. My last letters to you at St. Louis you evidently did not receive. I mentioned in them what I thought I had fully explained, when I saw you, that I have no intention of putting Rachel at a Convent. I think she needs the care & & comforts & the retirement of a quiet home & you expressly agreed that I should seek such a place for her to board in the vicinity of Washington & employ Professors or Tutors for her - My going on will depend on the non appearance of yellow fever. She is anxious to begin her studies in view of the fact that she hopes to go to California in the Spring with Mrs. Hayes party. We are all pretty well, & the weather is now more moderate & locomotion more agreeable. I have written to Mr. Willard about the rooms. Your Suite will be reserved to you at $3.50 a day & I will make a good bargain for the rest of us & state it to you when we meet. I hope you will have a safe & pleasant trip. Give my love to John Sherman. The Arch Bishop of Sante Fe called on me in St. Louis last Spring - If you see him give him my best respects.
Mary Ewing is enjoying a long respite from pain & the family consider her recovering but the Doctors do not. Minnie thinks she will get away from here Sepr 16th but as Fitch is coming here first & then going to New York I think it will be near the 16th of Oct. before she leaves - You did not write me how he happened to fail to keep his appointment with you on Friday. Did you see him at all and what was the matter? All the little children are growing nicely, & are very happy & well off here. Minnie has been rather laid up from the jar of the carriage accident but she is about again. Best regards to Genl McCook - Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster O.
Aug. 27, 1878
[1878/08/27]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
The day is lovely & the children are in a state of extreme felicity for the circus is coming in & after seeing the procession this morning they are all to go to the performance this afternoon. I have my hands full, having promised to take Willy Fitch & Cumpy & Georgie Ewing, but as the girls are all going I shall have assistance.
The change from extremely warm weather is most grateful to us all but I think particularly so to me for I feel the heat greatly on account of my flesh.
Mary Ewing is now comparatively free from suffering but the Doctors do not consider her recovery as probable, hardly possible. Tom has got home. He is delighted with Panama & would like to have some appointment there but having no friends at Court a Ewing of course can get nothing, even when as in Tom's case he has been a Republican ever since he had a vote. General Whipple found it easy to get a commission in the United States Army for his rascally clerk (who soon deserted) on your influence alone - You must not be surprised if I feel these things considering the immense patronage & power you & your brother have & have had, but I did not intend to introduce this when I began my letter. Still I find as I draw near the end of life's journey that the reflection of the times when I have candidly spoken my thoughts & feelings brings me no regret but the reverse. Do not fear to be troubled by applications from me - I shall never again make any, of any one, or for any one. Of the Republicans - a washer woman would receive the same consideration that I do. Of the Democrats any one bearing the name of Sherman could not in justice ask anything. Of John Sherman I would get nothing if I were starving, but if it were possible for any combination of circumstances to make it appear to him to his interest to offer me anything, I would not have it - I would go to a hospital or poor house before I would accept anything of John Sherman - Now you know how I feel - I intend to say nothing more to you & nothing to any one else - I intend to keep my heart & mind quiet & turned from all these things. I will live my own life in Washington & Elly can represent the family always with due subjection to my authority. As you are making a will & perhpas have not signed it let me beg of you not to put your affairs in John Sherman's hands. We are better apart & with perfect non-communication. Of course he cares no more for this than the table I write on but I can never divest myself of the feeling & opinion I now entertain. Should I be a widow I should not be left under his control or power in any way - nor compelled to exchange letters or views with him.
I hope you do not suffer ill effects of the cool mornings & evenings. It seems to me quite an exposure for you to go out there now. I am making a good bargain with Mr. Willard & a fine arrangements of rooms. He insists upon leaving you your suite at the old price $3.50 a day & for the rest will make much cheaper terms. We will all be ready when you come in to join you. Elizabeth Reese has returned & reports Lizzie (Sherman) Cameron as very much out of health from chills &c and travelling with her Brother on the lakes. Minnie's children are very well & Cumpy is also doing splendidly & has no cough nor other trouble save the sting of a bee, one day & cholera morbus one night from excessive use of fruit & vegetables. They all enjoy the horse back rides and give the horse plenty of exercise. All have written you except Cump & he lives out doors. I have written you at Santa Fe before - All join me in best love.
Ever your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
112. St. Paul St. Baltimore
Oct. 11. 78 Friday noon.
[1878/10/11]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I went out this morning with Rachel & in that way lost the opportunity of writing you by the first mail. We are very comfortably settled here and hope you will come over sometimes & spend an hour or two with us in the middle of the day. Rachel has arranged her lessons for four o'clock in the afternoons, so she can be free if we know when you are coming & she can get her lessons early in the mornings.
Rachel is under the impression that you set a day for her to go over to W. to see the diamonds. Tell me when she had better go. I will not let her go over often. She is interested here, proud of her room & ambitious to study & looking forward to the California trip in the Spring. When I returned just now I found Mrs. & Miss Barry's cards - I met the wife of the Commissary but I had forgotten his name & called her Taylor. I now think it is the officer you call "Ruddy Clarke" -
We all feel satisfied here and think we shall be quiet & read to amuse ourselves with accounts of the lively events of Washington when the season begins.
Love to the girls & best regards to all the members of the Staff & their wives & to Dr. Norriss. Cump & Rachel send love.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
112. St. Paul St. Baltimore
Oct. 21 1878
[1878/10/21]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I enclose the B. & O. pass, supposing you will use it Thursday coming over. Be sure to return it to me in time for Monday 28th. I shall go over to Washington Monday morning, & start with you in the evening. I took cold from wearing a lighter dress than usual on Saturday & was very sick yesterday but am better today. Rachel & Cumpy are very well and very devoted to their studies. It is really a comfort & a pleasure - something I enjoy myself to see them enjoy their studies so.
Cump knows the map quite thoroughly. He was much interested in a little sketch of the Montenegrians which I read to him yesterday a little book of the Half Hour Series I believe. He wishes you to tell him how they fared during & since their last war.
Your truly affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
112. St. Paul St.
Nov. 22nd Friday Morning
[1800/11/22]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We are house bound this wet day & I have a very severe head ache, from cold. The cars are overheated & one takes cold on coming out. I hope you will come over one day next week & in the evening take the party to the Academy of Music where "Diplomacy" will be played. I am told that it is worth seeing & their Academy of Music is their finest house of public amusement.
Wednesday would be a good day for Cumpy can go out in the evening & will have no lessons to get & no school the next day. His school is from 8 to 2 - so he can be with you of afternoons also.
Cump I want you to give me that hundred & fifty dollars John is to give you for the horse. I want to get Elly a seal skin saque & muff with it for a Christmas gift & do not want her to know anything about it beforehand. Lizzie's cost $135 and I wish Elly's to be trimmed (as they are wearing them now) which makes them a little more expensive. I got Lizzie's at Stewart's & will get this one there also, having it sent, from description on approbation. Please be good and send me that extra. You don't want it. A seal skin saque lasts so many years & is considered such a desirable article of ladies wardrobe & Elly has said she wished she had one - After awhile she will marry & leave us, I suppose, & I would like to get her this now. Please send it to me. I want that particular $150 because I know you will need all you have for the bills when they come in.
I would like to have my allowance in $100 notes on N. Y. Treasury - when you are ready to send it.
With love to dear Lizzie as ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
You can give me the extra $150. in John's or your check which I would send to Stewart's directly -
Baltimore
Dec. 3, '78 Tuesday Morning
[1878/12/03]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
At six o'clock dinner yesterday Cumpy seemed tired & had no appetite. He excused himself & left the table after soup & when I came up I found him cold with severe head ache & pain in his limbs. I gave him a hot foot bath and put him to bed. He complained of being chilly & I am sure he had a chill, for by the time I retired he had a high fever which lasted all night & is not entirely gone yet. I think proper doses of quinine will releive him now & prevent a recurrence and I have sent for Dr. Chatard to have the right prescription. I thought it best to let you know at once. Should it be anything more than mere chills I shall let you know by telegraph. In any event I shall write in the morning tomorrow & next day - Indeed I shall write you this evening. Rachel yesterday went with Laura Boise & Mr. Warfield as escort, to see the vessel in which the Princess and the Marquis of Lorne came over. Whilst out they called at Fort McHenry which was wonderfully exciting & very charming event to poor little Miss Laura. With love to the girls, ever truly yours
Ellen
[EES]
P.S. I open my letter to enclose Easter's bill for the seal saque & muff - I have it here & will send it over or take it over soon & before the weather gets very cold. I also enclose Lizzie's & Elly's bill at the Dress Maker's in New York. Lizzie generally pays this dress maker herself so you can do as you please about handing it to Lizzie. She can find use for her money & good use, without paying this bill. She needs a little money all the time and when she does not have any she will go without anything rather than worry you for it. Five dollars will not pay car fare very long and the gloves ribbons & innumerable small things women must have are constantly wanting. Lizzie had better keep her money for her own use in small ways for she cannot bear to trouble you for money & to my certain knowledge she denies herself what she ought to have. Unless you have paid a bill from Cincinnati, you will have a very large one from there to meet soon - You will begin to realize how I spend money - after you have paid the bills awhile for two - I will write Lizzie tonight about Cumpy. Ellen
Dec. 21, 1878 Saturday
[1878/12/21]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I fully intended and desired to spend Christmas with you & the girls in Washington although you did not signify the slightest wish to have us come. I returned here Monday night very unwell & much fatigued from constant unrest and walking about in W. & I have not yet got to the point in health where I was before. My cold is very bad in my head & throat & I am a good deal out of health. I concluded it to be almost necessary to the maintance of my true position in the eyes of the world (which for the peace of mind of my daughters I must somewhat regard) that I should use the occasion of New Year's day to receive guests where you are living. I knew that I could not spend the week preceeding N. Year's day in the glare & excitement & unquiet of the Ebbitt & be physically fit for the hard hours of standing on N.Y'.s day. The going back & forth fatigues me also, so I felt compelled to arrange to spend the day here. Of course I want my children with me (if possible) at Church on that great festival. I had no intention of giving orders "over your head" - to speak in military phrase they are under my "immediate command" & to follow still further the military metaphor you gave Elly orders (& she acted on them) over my head, & when I came over here Monday night expecting to see her & give her the pass for next morning I found she had gone whizzing past me somewhere in the dark, without caring whether I expected to see her or not because "Papa had told her to come Monday night & pay her way" - I did not expect her & Lizzie to come over to me without speaking to you in time about it. Indeed, I wrote to you the same day (it seems to me) that I wrote to them. Of course if there were any reason why you could not be without them I would not ask them to come; but you do not care anything particularly for Christmas and as to being alone in your room, I would be glad if ever I could see you alone in your room or be sure that a stranger were not in the seat at your elbow at the table & waited upon to the exclusion & total oblivion of myself as is likely to be the case - You cannot be alone in your room a day according to your own shewing in the letter you write for you immediately recount how many engagements you have lasting even until three in the morning & then you have near relatives in the City who are able & glad to entertain you & who meet your wims & satisfy your mind & heart - I cannot understand on what it is you "ask my advice & opinion" - whether it is, that you shall "hide yourself in the Shidy Place" - or what. If you will please make your meaning plain & would care for my opinion I will give it to you of course. As for me, nature has given her "advice & opinion" with age & infirmities and I can only do my best according to my own understanding of my duties as each year brings them on. If you have anything to propose let it be put definitely & plainly - and do not make any arrangements for house or home here there or anywhere that will be lasting without first seeing what I shall be able to do & how far I could meet your requirements & exactions. On reference to your letter I find it closes with this sentence "we have no more right to avoid the incidents of public office than to complain of the weather" - therefore I say again do not bind yourself to any continuous arrangements such as building a house, without seeing beforehand how far you can rely upon keeping it up & keeping it open - I am growing old and weak & disheartened - I can do very little in the future - It is true you feel as you have often told me that I always did very little and in one sence & from your point of observation I did very little & did that little very poorly, but I have done my best and I might almost say my last. No duties of public office devolve upon me; I am a poor plain old woman; I have sought to do my duty in the past (amid a thousand faults & errors, as the rest of mankind) and I shall work to do it still & unto the end but I owe the public nothing & I am nothing to the public. My good name is in my own keeping and I have kept it well & no man or number of men can take it from me; my position I shall make a laudable effort to assert & maintain but I shall not sacrifice health or peace of mind for it. It is of small consequence, after all, whether people think I am honored or despised. My children must know me, & obey me as far as my authority extends, and I can find my happiness in them and in the beleif that you are happiest where you are. I could not imagine how you could make life endurable (with your views tastes & ambitions) should you hide in the Shidy place" - but it is nonsense to be talking in this way. Should the heretofore unheard of incident occur of your being alone in your room & the prospect seem agreeable to you we would of course be happy to have you dine with us on Christmas day, the feast of Our Lord's Nativity. We will be at Church until one o'clock and dinner is to be at 4 o'clock. The girls will go over Thursday morning and on the next Monday I shall have to go over & remain until Thursday of that week. Cumpy is enjoying the fine snow and so is Rachel - I have written to Lizzie.
As ever your
Ellen
[EES]