Letter from Augusta Bruen, Dayton, OH to Luther Bruen, 1861-07-14
Dayton O. July 14th. 1861
Dear Luther,
I wrote you a long letter last week and put it in the Office Saturday afternoon, so I suppose from what you told me in the letter I got shortly afterwards, that it will not go till tomorrow morning, for which I am sorry, as I always like to feel that there is one on its way to you._ I was very glad to get your letter, but could not help feeling blue about the Rum and Whiskey. It does seem to me a vulgar sort of hospitality; and, from what you had said about the temperate habits of the Officers, I had hoped that such things as whiskey and Rum were quite out of date with you.
Why do not you substitue native wines? They cannot hurt and certainly are more gentill! I cannot see why men must estimate each other by the quantity and quality of their liquors. One thing is certain, women don't take any such nonsense into account when chosing a husband, and they don't fancy that any one should base their friendship for their husbands on any such slippery grounds. Stand on your own merits, dearest, they are sufficient I am very sure.
There is my lecture, Good Man, and you deserve every word of it, both good and bad.
Poor Aunt Lib is sinking rapidly they think over there; although she did not seem worse to me today than last Sunday. Mary says her *tragois* ran rapidly all morning, but she was quiet when I saw her.
Eliza still lies on the bed most of the time; I saw her a few minutes this afternoon, sister Brady too._ Mr. Brady leaves for Kansas next Thursday to take Robert's place. So there is another widow.
Mrs. DeGraft asked me to night how I liked your absence, of course I told her not at all. Her husband assured me I would get accustomed to it, but she declared I wouldn't. All agreed that it was not the right way to bring up a family. Mrs. DeGraft expressed her willingness to live on potatoes (washed I believe) if that would secure her husband to her. I agreed to this also, where upon the gentleman threatened to have an interview with you, concerning the best amount you could support us on. Don't be set up too much now, and name too low a figure.
I got a queer letter from Caleb Smith today for you, and will enclose it to you. It was directed to Col. Bruen!
I am very impatient to have you position settled; I see by todays extra that there is a chance for your being cut out of your commission in six months after the war is ended. At present however I am concerned about your probable quarters, and the least amount of baggage that will render wife and children respectable in case we stay with you. Till I do know I shall busy myself with what I already have in the house; but it will take me some time to get ready and I shall require help to do it. Aunt Lib's illness prevents Aunt Mary, and even Mother from helping us much. I wish this expense could be avoided, but I cannot see how it can.
After all I am more disturbed about the behavior of the children. It seems impossible to make them modest and well behaved I am nearly discouraged.
Robby has not been well the last day or two but I have attended to his diet, and watched the pears and apples as closely that he seems better tonight.
I'll go to bed now and close in the morning. Good night Beloved Husband.
Monday morning_ Howard will put this in the Office in time for the mail so I will close immediately. All well as usual. Goodbye my Dearest.
Augusta
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July 14, 1861
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.6.19
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/19
