Letter from Augusta Bruen, Dayton, OH to Luther Bruen, 1863-07-26
Dayton O. July 26th 1863 Dear Luther, Little Mary seems to consider it her right to be consulted about everything. She is about to make a protest against my writing and leaving her in the crib, although she has only been there five minutes. Mrs. *Fish* was sent for the very morning her four weeks had ended, so that I was fortunate this time. Since that I have done little but nurse, for Mary is still very nervous and suffers with pain in her bowels. Mother has insisted upon my lying down a short time in the afternoon while she worries with the child, and she would often take it if I would let her; but she is herself too feeble to worry with so restless a baby. Today I can see a decided improvement, for she has slept in her crib an hour and has concluded to sleep again; considering I did not have her down once on Friday and only once yesterday, this is certainly better. At night she is a great deal better which is certainly a comfort. Frank has a famous bag, which is almost his inseparable companion, and holds the oddest mixture of things imaginable; I was quite delighted at its advent, as his pockets were thereby relieved of loads of hurtful trash. Poor Rob has no pockets yet, and I shall be sorry when he has. He goes round singing "I've got a Foder (Father) in de Promise *proudest Mary says he says* Land." No letter came yesterday from you. I hope you are not sick, but as this delay has occurred several times I shall not be uneasy unless it does not come tomorrow. Tell me all about the Fort-matters. How does the General take his retirement? Did he ask for it? -- Do you see anything of the *Vanderpool's*? I cannot get time just now to write to Mary. Evening -- I have just laid little Mary in her crib after a hard cry from her, which I hope is stilled for some time. Father took us a long ride this afternoon during which she slept sweetly, but she cannot escape several hard times through the day. -- While we were riding Robby said "there is some "po-bacco" pointing to a field; "no" said Frank "that's slaw". You understand that he meant cabbage I suppose. Yesterday was the time appointed for the Democratic county nominations. *T. Thresher* was nominated for legislature, and *Gillispie* for Clerk in *Byer's* place! I don't know the other nominations, but will try to send you a list when I can get one. I fear dear One, you will begin to complain of my letters, for I can hardly collect my senses enough to write a few lines only. I dress myself and do almost every thing in great haste and almost breathlessly for fear Baby will wake before I'm through. This is a great disappointment to me for I tried to live so that my baby might for once be good from the first and if any thing she is more restless than the others. You must forgive all poor letters and write as often as you can; your letters always help me for a time at least, and no telling how much good they may do poor Baby in the end, so write dearest, and so help me nurse although so far away. You do not say whether your sprained foot is the same you hurt Winter before last. Don't try it too soon; I know from experience, how easy it is to over exercise at first in the delight at having got out of bed once more. Little hands are flying out of cover and little grunts are warning me to close -- so goodbye dear Luther. Thine Augusta
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July 26, 1863
Bruen, Augusta Forrer
Dayton, OH
4 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.6.72
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/72
