Helena Ark Dec 19^th 62

 

My dearest Wife,

                                    When I last wrote you I expected to leave yesterday but we have been delayed from some cause, but expect to leave every hour. I wish you would send the $5.00 to Boston as soon as possible and write to Aunt and tell her that father told me not to send it and I thought he wished to give it to you. I want you and Mr. C. to write me what is thought about peace in Iowa for some reason the soldiers think the war will end soon. I dont think it will and as well as I love you and the children and our little home and as bad as I hate war (And I hate it worse and worse every day) I hope it will last till what you and I and all true men and women have prayed and worked for is accomplished. I do not wonder that we are all suffering (Though as Mr C. says we are suffering more than our share) and you would not if you could see life on the plantations. You know how I felt before I left home about the monster that has caused all our trouble but you dont know how I hate it now, and I will fight it till every man woman and child is free. I will embrace you my dear Wife and say good night, kiss the children and be thankfull that they are white. I will write more if I can Ever your true George 

 

Dec 20^th Good morning my dear Wife. it is a fine morning the birds are singing but no one here can enjoy the singing of birds for every thing is noise and confusion and people think of nothing but self and all are prepareing for wicked war and a man like me that likes peace and home cannot be very happy here. I am not sorry that I came but you my dear Emelia do not know how wicked war is but I will tell you all if I can see you Dick is going with me. Maj. Johnson says he will see that he goes. his mother is here in Helena and about 40 others that came from the same plantation. he did not know that she was here till yesterday she came to see him he is her youngest and she wished to go with him very much but it is impossible I told her she would never see him again / if he went with me but she thought he had better go. big tears came to her eyes and she bade Dick good by forever. I hope the mail will come today for I expect a letter from you. if you have sent a box please write me how it was sent and how directed. you wrote me that they thought old Kates colt would die I suppose you ment the one I sold Gulick please write me about the stock Give my regards to all friends I shall not be able to write again at presant. write as often you can. Tell Mr C I wrote him in your last. God bless you all. My dear Wife be of good cheer and hope for the best Tell Ralph to remember his papa. Ever your true husband

George           

 

We have just received a large mail but not a line from you Dorrity got a letter but nothing for me I felt bad for I shall not be likeley to hear from you soon. I sent a slaves hand cuff to you by a man Mr Burlingame he lives near Clinton. All women that are with the armey have been ordered home Mrs. Smith has gone. Dr Foster is discharged for ill health

 

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Dorrity is well and all the rest

 

Mr Burlingame the man I send the hand cuff by will leave it at some place in Clinton where you will get it

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