Letter from Sarah Forrer, Dayton, OH to Augusta Bruen, 1861-11-19
Dayton Nov 19th 1861
Dear Augusta Here I am at my writing as I promised Sunday morning should find me We are all excitement with the news of the capture of Mson and Slidell. I hope it is true, Mr Grier is is delighted with *James'* part of it. Says "it is good but that does not express my feelings" We went last night to meet his son, I think we have gained a union man by this, John says Grier says this it the greatest Administration we have ever had!!
Howard says, Did you receive that bill of exchange, or whatever you call it, It was sent some weeks ago and as you have never mentioned it, he felt uneasy about it, Please tell me in thy next.
The Geraniums Howard brought did not live notwithstanding all my care. If thee sees anything new and pretty in that way or in any Shrub or flower or seed way do remember us at home, Away inland, In the back woods, Out of the way of any refining influence and take kindly on us.
Just now while I think of it; I think Mary Brady would be pleased with a letter from thee. Had thee not better writer to her, I was there a few days since, and also at Mr. C. before they left, They were all well and desired love to you I wish much thee could tell us more of your prospects, Here sometimes it is said, when Congress meets the new regiments will be consolidated and most of the officers dismissed, What does Luther think about it, If at any time, thee has anything to say which thee does not wish all the family to know, write it on a small slip and we will keep it to ourselves,
Father is north, I hope for the last time this winter, we expect him home next Wednesday, His health has been better than usual, this summer, and he shows noble, manly, fight yet, but he looks weary sometimes, and almost exhausted, And I fear he will go down some of these days under the heavy "weight he carries" he does not do all for his prospects that he might, seeming to think that worth will be seen and appreciated without any effort on the part of the worthy one, Now this is only a dream of *Arcadice* we all know, I have succeeded lately in induring him to do soemthing towards recurring or reappointment to the place he now holds, whether he will be able to secure it again we do not yet know, I have my fears,
Howard wrote to Luther a few days ago, I suppose he has received it before this, I am trying to make myself, what I suppose you have often thought me, a goose I wish to through them off that is these troubles as she does water, So much of a goose I am willing to be, and to be thought But whether I can make myself such as one remains to be seen And it is much btter for Me to have those hight asperations, than some others that might have possessed him I did think his "fort" was *ciheil* life, and hoped he would remain with us, or near us, but he differs from me. He will have to do as Robert Byng, in Winthrop's novel, Cecil Dreeme did burn in the fools school, I hope his tuition may not cost him to dearly,
I am much obliged for the card thee sent. It is universally pronounced excellent. Give my love to Luther, how does he feel? We were so hurried and excited when he was here, that I think, sometimes, on reviewing the incidents of that time, that he must have thought me could and careless, I was not very well, and was distressed with parting from you, and as I think of it now, I neither did nor said anything as I could have wished, I have loved him dearly ever since I have known him, And now, in view of his present position, I feel more love and sympathy than ever before, Dear child I need not say you are ever in our thoughts, The house and yard are haunted with the steps and voices of the dear children and their parents, Is there any thing Mary or I can do for Luther, or for any of you, I hope if there is thee will let us know,
Thee did not say if thee sends E. home, or if she comes at her own expense, or whether she stays in N. Y. I have not mentioned it to Koleda, for I did not know exactly what to say? What shall I say to her?
I have not made up anything for Mary yet. For I have been busy, and shall be yet for a week or two, I have put most of thy plants in the cellar, The daisy I divided and made six hats, E. told me they would not do any good in the cellar. So I have put them in the green house at home, Everything goes on safe and well at the house and in the yard. I keep the gate locked I found under the door, yesterday, a notice of a suit against Luther for $200. ** George Smith, I took it to John, who said he would attend to it. He told me the would write to Luther today.
I am glad you heard N.W.B. and that you were pleased I am sure I would find it a treat and a benefit also to hear him. And I do long for something of that kind for Mary and Howard as well as myself Love to all from thy Mother S. H . Forrer
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November 19, 1861
Forrer, Sarah Hastings Howard
Dayton, OH
4 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.6.341
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/341
