Letter from Augusta Bruen, Dayton, OH to Luther Bruen, 1863-05-10
Dayton O. May 10th.
1863
Dear Luther,
I arrived safely yesterday morning at four o'clock. - Father did not get down quite in time but I had no trouble in getting home.
It was the least fatiguing journey I have yet taken; partly owing to the kindness of a married gentleman who began by taking poor Rob in his arms to quiet, after he had knocked his nose. We were all standing in the aisle waiting for our beds to be made up and owing to the short and frequent curves in the road, it was almost impossible to keep on our feet; it was owing to this that the little fellow got hurt.
This Mr. Hodge was very kind to him and as I had heard him speaking to a friend of his wife as a good husband would, I was not afraid to allow him to be polite. The next morning I heard him talking such good Union talk to some other friends who were rather 'secish', that I felt entirely trustful in regard to him and very willingly accepted all the aid he proffered. Of course Rob received great attention, and I was relieved of him at each change of cars. Then at Cleveland Mr. H. sent off my dispatch and went ahead in time to secure me a good berth. At *Custhine* he left us but there were no more changes to be made so I was helped through the journey as much as was needed.
Frank had been very sick with something like croup and still looks badly; Sella and Mary alone, had been sick with severe colds. Mary Brady has had something like Whooping cough, I think the same kind of cold that prevailed in Ft. Hamilton a few months ago. - Tommy Corwin is quite sick with some disease of the Larynx and they are very uneasy about him.
Mr. Brady brought the sisters down and I delivered the photographs and little pictures which seemed to give pleasure and satisfaction. Sister does not know what Luther is doing and asked me if I did Mary (B.) says she wishes you had asked him, and said her Mother was extremely anxious about him; being fearful that he was engaged in business with C. Green. Young G. is said to have made and be making a great deal of money; and that he has helped his Father; what the business is, I am unable to learn.
The Doctor has just been here to see Frank; his last visit undoubtedly, as the children is out again. - He says that Tommy is quite bright today, but that his recovery seemed doubtful for two or three days this week.
Mother says that she is sure that Aunt Ann thinks your picture was acknowledged. She was sick when it came and Uncle John only showed it to the family, without telling her that it was sent to her; this she discovered accidentally some days afterwards; and told Mother of it, seemingly very much pleased, and said she was very much obliged. She remarked to me that you must be looking well judging from your picture. Will is very thin yet, and to me looks badly but they say is much improved, indeed his life was despaired of for several days.
The riot was much more serious than we thought for; and caused great anxiety. Some Copperhead, told Ed. Davis, the Lowe's Craighead, and a few others, that he did not wish to see them hurt, and therefore warned them of an intention to burn their houses; some sent their families away, and watched with a few friends, and had guards stationed around their premises; others kept their families together and watched anxiously all night. Robert Steele was also an obnoxious person on account of the "school badge" disturbance. Powell's house was seriously threatened, because the axe with which Vallandigham's doors were battered down, was procured from him. Mrs. Powell was dangerously ill and had to be removed to the Parker's.
Tom Lowe's wife has just been confined and she had to be removed from the vicinity of the fire. Young Mrs. Winters said she supposed it was wicked, but she was not sorry to see the wind in that direction as she thought Tom ought to feel rather hot. - Waymire's shop has been fired repeatedly. There are but two or three loyal butchers, and their stalls are crowded with loyal purchasers; but occasionally begrimed with filth by enemies.
The arrest was quietly made with the exception of the noise made by the family. Mrs V's screams aroused the neighborhood, and many gentlemen rushed to see what was to pay; they were stopt at the corners by the pickets and reason given, whereupon they agreed that it was right and went quietly home. - The riot occurred the next evening about dark. The Mayor disappeared at a convenient time to keep himself out of trouble, and had the impudence to go to the arresting officer afterwards and ask to have the leader given into his hands, saying that he would have them punished and oblige them to keep the peace. This was of course refused, and he told that he could be held responsible for future outbreaks. - Mrs. John Lowe was standing at his door one evening, when a furious looking man shook a stick or knife at her and told her that 'their time would come next."
There was trying scenes and ludicrous ones too - I was amused at Ally Housman's trials with five women: he took his sisters; *Lide* and Emmy, and I believe Aunt Ann to see the fire; and in their walk, (which by the way was rather a dangerous venture) they came upon the soldiers sent up from Cincinnati, who had just arrived The women thought they were going to fire and all took hold of Ally at once, begging him to take them home; he lectured them soundly and wouldn't do it till he got ready.
Lidy was just in and said that a riot at Cincinnati is reported; I asked her to tell Uncle to tell me all about it for your benefit.
Uncle and Wilbur *Connors* have been talking with me at the fence; they know nothing certainly about Cincinnati or the Richmond report, but Uncle says he will let us know the news this evening, so I believe I will not close this till tomorrow morning. - Mother says give her love to you and say that she is very glad to have us with her and wishes you too were here. _ Mary is looking very badly, and the Doctor told her that she would soon rest finally if she worked so hard. - We had a long letter from Howard last night dated May 3rd. He was in fine spirits and at Corinth to which place he had just returned after a week excursion. They had been destroying bridges and taking in contrabands at a grand rate.
Morning - Father says there was no riot in Cincinnati; a crowd gathered, and a riot feared only; a cannon was taken out and order preserved. It was the Vallandigham case that gathered the crowd.
The children are in bed; Frank has been following Bessie Peirce's example and is digging a hole in the yard to go through to China. Sophie Lowry was quite distressed because Bess was going to China!
Mother is waiting to go up to the office with her letter and mine - so Goodbye dearest One.
Augusta
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May 10, 1863
Bruen, Augusta Forrer
Dayton, OH
8 pages
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Bruen, Augusta Forrer -- Correspondence
Catharine Mitchill '31 Collection of Family Letters, Wellesley College Library, Special Collections
MSS.6.49
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/49
