Letter from Augusta Bruen, Dayton, OH to Luther Bruen, 1864-05-17
May 17th 1864 Not received Dayton O. May 17th. 1864 Dear Luther, Your dispatch of today has removed a mountain; and has shortened my face about an inch, *fair* told. Every body but Father expected me to go to you; he thought I would only be in the way, and insisted that I should wait till he could get an answer to his dispatch. As it seems a difficult matter to get there off quickly and prompted answers, I was almost afraid to wait, and Lib's last charge this morning was, "don't be persuaded out of going" She came in to insist upon taking the Baby as she had good fresh cows, and thought too that Mother was not well enough. - *Lisle* had Baby in charge most of the day, - *Ginny* and Aunt Ann were sewing for me; so was Lib, and Aunt Mary would take a little washing to do for me; I have tried in vain to get a washerwoman. - I didn't know how many kind friends we both had till I was in trouble. - Fern came to offer funds Quincy was going with me providing his Father did not; he was away, but they telegraphed him; he answered today, asking particulars, and whether you would like him to come to you. Of course Mary, Mother Father and Betty were doing all they could. When Aunt Ann finished her work for me she*began to plan the fixing up of some delicacies for you. I had already got lemons as we thought such things might be hard to get in Washington at present. My trunk was out and ready to pack although I had partly made up my mind to wait till tomorrow morning, when Father came in laughing, saying now he could crow over us all, for he had got a dispatch and I was not to go. Of course we were quite willing to let him crow under the circumstances. - We soon spread the news through the family, and took it also to Judge Hill's and Dr *Lewett's*, whose families have both shown great interest in us. - Uncle John was the last to hear it, but you should have seen him wave his hat and huzzah for the Major! As you see, my dearest, you have created quite a sensation; and you must take the best of care of yourself. Dr Davis questioned Mary about your wound, and said you must be very careful not to take cold in it, or it might prove seriously sore. *Barant Vanderpoel's* wound was only a flesh wound, so do take care. Mary sends her love, to you, and laughs because she says Father has got a new pair of pantaloons by all this, as he hurried up the taylor, saying he would go with me, that Eliza and all of us decided against him, as he may be needed by Howard any moment. Poor Boy! he too has been in (offset writing: A to L. May 17th 1864) great danger, and will probably be in greater before the campaign is ended. Father tried to get a dispatch through to him this morning but it could not go. He however would dispatch to *us*, and I think he has some friends who would do it for him if necessary. I hope you are able to write full particulars and that you can soon come to us. I am very sleepy and will try to get a little more rest tonight than I had last night. Be sure and tell all you know of Will Lowe, Walter Pease and Capt Anderson as their friends were expecting a report from me. Good night Dearest. Morning - Those last lines look decidedly sleepy - I have only time to say that we are all well, and looking forward to your visit with great joy. Poor Howard I wish that we could hear from him too! Take care of yourself I repeat; and write as soon as you can. If you are moved be sure to let me know how to direct. Good bye Best one
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May 17, 1864
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.6.124
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/122
