Nashua, Feb. 14, 1865.

 

Col. Parker,

                        Please accept our thanks for your kind note, received this morning, giving us particulars gained from an officer of my brother's regiment, a satisfaction to anxious hearts, preferable to suspense, sad as are the facts related

 

            My brother's servant wrote us on the same day Capt Farnsworth left the 32^d Regt., for which we were thankful, but we, of course, wished intelligence from an officer on whose statements we could more fully depend. We immediately wrote Col. Edmunds & Capt. Lauriat asking them questions to which replies cannot come sooner than eight days, a long period at such a time.

 

            We hope for the best and that my brother's wound is slight, but if it is / severe or fatal, & he beyond our power to reach him, our affliction must be intense. But all this may lead to what in my view is his duty, the resigning of his army service, three years being one man's full share of the burdens of this war. Others who merely talk at home should exchange places with him, and other self-denying men.

 

            We are very much obliged for your desire to aid us or him, and shall no doubt need your aid ere the suffering one can be returned to his home. I will now avail myself of your kind offer, by asking your opinion of the utility of sending money or underclothes or blankets to him. As our Army was in light marching order I fear he had nothing with him but what he wore there. As he had not been paid since June or July 30^th his funds in hand must be low. Neither do we know how to address a letter / to him. Does not the fact of his raising his hands, dropping his sword and falling on his face indicate that his wound was very severe? Or are such movements common with a slight wound? My brother was home when his regiment was last paid & did not receive his pay. The papers say the Army is soon to receive four months pay. Can my brother's be received for him at that time if he is then a prisoner? Or do you think money of no use to a prisoner during his confinement in rebeldom?

 

            My whole page of questions shows our appreciation of your offer of aid. We in New England are so ignorant of this war that we are happy of assistance from those who understand it.

 

            We would be most thankful for any further information of my brother's condition or the place where he is whenever you may obtain more knowledge of him. 

 

            My mother desires her respects given you & her thanks for your sympathy and kind note.

 

Most gratefully yours,

Anne E. Shepard.

 

[endorsement]

 

Anne E. Sheperd

Feb'y 14. 1865

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