Letter from Augusta Bruen, Dayton, OH to Luther Bruen, 1864-05-15
Never received Dayton Ohio May 15th 1864 Dear Luther Last Sunday found me full of anxiety for you and Howard. Another Sunday I was sure would not pass without tidings, but here it is and yet there is nothing. Neither can I expect anything for some time; we none of us thought of such fighting. Wonderful in its fierceness and long duration! I trust the end, the glorious end is near, and that you and Howard will rejoice with us at that blessed moment else, our rejoicings will be swallowed up in bitter grief. You are both engaged in the most eventful of all the campaigns, if you survive it, you will always feel proud of it, and so will I; but now the glory sinks into insignificance while you are so surrounded with danger. I started to Mr. Brady's to see whether they had had a late letter from Mark, and met Robert coming to see if I had any news. He had nothing for me, but I concluded to go on down. Both of your sisters are very anxious about you, and they are all kind and attentive to me; I did feel rather neglected at one time, but suppose they could not very well help it. Robert and Eliza concluded not to go away last week on account of the battle. Robert goes to Columbus tomorrow. There are a great many kind of inquiries made both for you and me, by different persons. Father said Doctor Thomas asked him whether you had been heard from. *Iva* Crane has just gone back, Lib said Sella was grieving over their separation, but said that when she thought of me she felt that she ought not to say one word. Joe's arm is crooked and never entirely free from pain; although he has the use of it. I've asked Mary to go out home with him on Friday, she thought she ought not to go because she had "done nothing this week". He said neither had he and didn't expect to till this contest was decided. It is as all over town and no wonder, for the issue is of momentous interest to all; to those who have dear ones in it, Oh how terribly interesting! Our account spoke of our troops having their evening meal cooked and eaten and then sleeping sweetly, it was I think the evening before Hancock made his brilliant assault on the rear of the enemy; were you there resting sweetly dearest? Or were you too weary and worn? Worse than that I will not believe, though the fear sometimes falls darkly and drearily upon me. But the letter will not cheer you much, neither do I know of anything very interesting to send you. The papers are full of the war news, as I have sent none lately. Will Howard was day before yesterday admitted to the bar. I brought home with me, that miniature of you taken when you were about 21 and mean to tell Mrs. Brady that she must never give it to any one but me, but if I mistake not, Frank will resemble it closely! The General Assembly meets here this week very much to the disgust of many of Mr. Spees's church members. Several who have large houses will entertain none of the preachers, the husbands won't have them. I had a letter from Mary Van Dupock this week; she had heard from some officer that you were a Brigadier General, and sent her congratulations to you; said she had told you to reach that notch before your return and was glad you had taken her advice! I suppose she would say "that is just like Mrs. Bruen" if #I express my willingness to have you return as a Major. The return being all important. Yet I am not indifferent to your advancement, for I know promotion is always welcome to a soldier. I wish you could see our sweet Baby as she lies sleeping before me! She is the life of the house wherever she goes. Uncle John has a fresh cow and I shall soon begin to feed Mary some, but will not wean her unless you should need me. Should that happen, please let me know how we will be situated so that I can tell what to do with the children. They will take care of them all here, but I hardly think Mother is able, and perhaps one ought to go with me. I hope you will mind no *moving* however, only wish to be prepared for any emergency.# #Goodbye Best One,A.# Monday morning 7 OClock Augusta left her letter unsealed - I called at her room found her *defed* and *deepius* the children all well and all of us anxious to learn your fate - You have seem to have been in many terrible conflicts - God grant to you may return us safely - Wife is quite unwell but up and busy as usual. *J.Q.*
Please fill out
this form to alert us to any suspected errors in our transcriptions. We value your input.
May 15, 1864
Bruen, Augusta Forrer
Dayton, OH
4 pages; + note (dated "Monday morning")
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Bruen, Augusta Forrer -- Correspondence
Catharine Mitchill '31 Collection of Family Letters, Wellesley College Library, Special Collections
MSS.6.123
This image is provided for educational purposes only, and may be protected by copyright. The permission of the copyright holder is required for the reuse of this image.
http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/121
