Letter from Sarah Forrer, Dayton, OH to Augusta Bruen, 1861-10-23
Dayton Oct 23rd 1861
My dear Augusta Mr Foster called a week ago, to pay $6.00 towards the rent and to say that he could get no water from his well, He did not know whether it is dry or whether the pump is out of order, I went to Boon, the pump worker, who says the water is out, & that for a sum not exceeding $4.00 he will sink it and put it in order. People speak well of him, and say he is one of the best, if not the very best. I felt tempted to have it done, knowing how hard it is to have to bring water from a neighbor, but I had no authority from Luther, I want you to answer me immediately as to what I shall do, for Mrs. Foster will be home this week, and it will be a great disappointment to her not to find water.
I am very much engaged this fall weather in putting away flowers and getting ready for winter, I am living or rather we are living at the old home yet, not having made sale of it, I have got all ready at your house to go in at a minutes warning, and I think the cold weather will drive Father into it. Thy flowers are doing well, I have potted all the tender plants and taken them in and out of fine days, And shall put them in the cellar after a time, I hope to save them for thee to bed out in the spring, The cistern and well are both in good condition and I pump them out every day with a hope of keepping them sweet, I was surprised at hearing of many wells being dry at this time, but it seems to be the case, There are a few little jobs about the house where Foster is that ought to be done, such as a board wanting here and there, which I think Husband can do in a week or two, He is now north and expects to be gone some time and hopes to make it a last trip for the fall, He is in usual health and is he can get a reappointment next year, and Howard can find some good *nursery* I do hope we will begin to look up again.
Love to Lutehr and the children as well as thyself dear child. Excuse this badly written letter I had just returned from Fosters and am in great haste
I looked for a letter today but none came,
Write often to thy Mother
Augusta F. Bruen
Care of Major Bruen Ft. Hamilton N.Y. Harbor
PS. Some of these days I intend to write to Sella and Frank too I suppose Rob will not care for one yet, Be sure you bring the fish home with you, and any other curious and interesting thing I wish thee would advise Mary as to her winter outfit,
She generally gets her things too early, and is not satisfied with them after the season is somewhat advanced.
They are all well at Uncle's and Jerrie's I believe, though I did not see them yesterday, William is very anxious to get into the regular Army.
Write soon
Mother
I find the Legislature will abolish the office of secretary of the B. P. W. but Father wrote of Gran are his own account, There does not seem to be anything for Howard at Columbus at present Silvester Medberry is Chief Engineer of the road in Kansas, which he says will be built, And that he will give H. a place there, They will not begin before spring, And what he will give him I do not know Howard says he would like it better than anything thought of yet, excepting the army. If he could get such a place as he would like he would prefer the Army, Father prefers Kansas for him, In the meantime, he is qualifying himself for either place as best he can. I believe I told you we have had Charley Anderson here, He was telegraphed by Gen. McLellan and has gone to Washington City, Perhaps he too may rank I*eanck* !! We will be glad to receive your Photographs, and hope you will send them us soon as you get them Mary is very careful of hers, She keeps them in an envelope, waiting for better times
I want, And we all want to see you all and particularly the children I am glad to hear Sella is improving, and hope she will show me some nice work when she returns, Frank and Robbie are learning to skate, and a great many other things, I am glad they have no deep water to skate on, Eliza Davies was skating last saturday with quite a party, on the river, She and Eugene Parrott were skating together when they broke in quite a deep place Eliza went under twice, and it was with great difficulty they drew her out, by throwing a scarf to her and making a chain by lying down on the ice, Two little boys were drowned in the Scrioto at Columbus, And was Laregh's son, both parents were absent at H Louis, Rather a dangerous amusement, Betty has been trying to write a letter to Sella. I have encouraged her to try thinking it will stimulate her to improve in her writing, She will not be very troublesome I think for she has been two weeks and has not yet produced a fair enough copy to send, I require that it shall be her writing and composition both, Poor Mrs Pease is very lame, I do not think she can recover, I suppose Bill wrote home that Walter was at your house Christmas, She was full of gratitude to you for your kindness to him, Your papers have all seemed earning excepting the Germantown Independents, What shall I do about it? Dear love to all from all and particularly
from Mother
Augusta L. Bruen
Fort Hamilton N.Y. Harbor N.Y
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October 23, 1861
Forrer, Sarah Hastings Howard
Dayton, OH
6 pages
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Forrer, Sarah Hastings Howard -- Correspondence
Catharine Mitchill '31 Collection of Family Letters, Wellesley College Library, Special Collections
MSS.6.339
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/339
