Low Moor May 24 1863

 

My own dearest George,

                                                It has been some time since I have written you a deacent letter. I have worked so hard for the last few weeks that when I have written it was because I felt I must. I have not had quite as hard a time this week & shall not have again for the present. I find Elisa helps me though she dose not understand house work, being a field hand she never has been learned. she dose all my chores out doors. I only see that they are done & I shall have her take all of the care of my garden she can do it so much easier than I. she is a good washer, so that is taken of of my hands.

 

I have been very busy this week & have accomplished something. Tuesday I worked in my flowers fixed & set out the long beds with moss. / Wednesday went to town with Rich I had no money but bounty. when I put up my wheat to take to mill found I could spare a couple of bushel. got .95 for it. Your shirts were the main thing I wanted to get. I could find only one pece in Clinton that I wanted. I did not want to get both alike so went to Lyons. there they would not allow me only 85cts on the dol. for bounty, so I had Nugent trust me for 2.50 he was perfectly willing. I got one at Cops & the socks paid with bounty at 90cts on the dol. I got only two pair. shall try to send three pair, and only 1 box of powders. I went to Tolls to see about your boots. they are to be made the first of this week he trusts me till I can pay it 7 dol. I have got the best of every thing & made them as well as I know how. I hope they will be all right. I went to see McLeash. he told / me Vanantwerp was going back the next day. I was sorry I could not send any thing by him but I was not ready. I shall send all by Henry G. if I can get them ready. if not all, part. Thursday & friday made your pants. yesterday went to Henry G. visiting & made one of your shirts. Mrs Wagner makes one. I shall go to work on your vest to morrow. tell me how they please & fit you. I have just fixed a can of my butter which I hope will be nice & box of peper

 

McLeash says it cost him 24.00 to get the woman here. I told him I could not pay him now but would as soon as possible. I dont know when that will be, this fall I guess, though

 

I heard in Clinton that Mr C was in N.Y. with his wife I suppose. Billy started for his Reg^t Tuesday.

 

You ought to have seen Elisa to day when she got ready for Church dressed / in black silk dress & cape, white apron & Mrs Wagners best bonnet. (she has sold it to her) she looked nice. she is very pious. says she had a "mighty nice" time. Becky the girl is with Cynthia they like her much, are going to send her to school. Mrs Chandler has taken her children out of school on account of it. The Republicans are all holding private meetings called the Union League it was held at the station last night, some of the secesh near Dewitt have threatened to break up the meetings & they say if a negro is brought in to that neighborhood they will shoot them. I dont know whether it will amount to anything or not. it may though I think they will get taken care of as soon as they can get sufficient proof.

 

Wendell is improving. he looks as harty & stout as can be. has got so he can stand alone. Ralph is the same, has not changed at all since you left. I do not think he grows much though he is very well. Some of my flowers are blossomed. the grapes are going to blossom full. I will put in a little piece of your shirts. I am very anxious to know whether you was in the last fight at Edwards Fery or not. I hope not I will not finish / this to night. I got some sweet potatoes to set out & early cabbage & tomatoes.

 

I hope I will get a letter to morrow it is nearly two weeks since I have heard from you

 

Emelia

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