Ordnance Office                                

Richmond Va April 20^th 6/5

 

My Dear Mary

                        My heart is sad this morning for I have lost a great good friend. The soldiers friend is dead. President Lincoln has been murdered! We are all sad today and could you see our hearts and know grieved they are your kind heart would melt in tears.

 

                        I am not ashamed to weep for the loss of one so good and true as President Lincoln. I cannot write much today for feelings of pity sorrow and indignation are striving each for the mastery. The heavy guns from the fleet are plainly heard as they are fired and the deep heavy boom sounds to me like the groans from the great heart of the nation at the loss of its great head.

 

                        Every office in the city is dressed in deep mourning. scarcely any business is done and all but the worst secesh and most virulent Copperheads express great sorrow for this great national calamity. One heartless scoundrel said he was glad the President was killed and before the whole sentence was complete his guilty damned / soul was sent to another world.

 

                        An officer made a similar expression and was instantly throttled by the indignant soldiers. I have made up my mind to shoot the first man be he federal officer Private or secesh who makes any such remark What shall I say of the murderer the assassain who could steal in and take the life of the President, he in whom was bound up the welfare of the nation, he who had planed and labored and toiled and led his people through four years of sorrow and blood and just as the sunshine of peace was breaking through the murky clouds of civil war stricken down in a moment unconscious of the presence of danger and his blood poured out on the alter of our country. The blood of the soldiers friend mingles with the blood of the war worn vetrans and both cry aloud to heaven for its vengence on the heads of those who instituted the cursed rebellion. Had I the omnipitance of the great Jehovah and the language of heavens Chief Speaker I would write the sentance of this most heinous murderer in words that would burn to cinders the hearts of every traitor and murderer from "Carie" to "Booth".

 

                        Dear Mary your kind letter of Apr 13^th and my heart is made glad for it comes as a ray of light through the gloom of grief and sorrow that surrounds us /

 

                        My child did you go to the Gully Schoolhous on foot or did you ride Be very carefull, darling of your or rather our health for by and by we may see the impropriety of exposure. I think perhaps I am to sanguine in my expectations but I do think I shall be at home before fall

 

                        Do you want any money do you need any money if so I can get some for you. Get good clothes you must have a hat this summer for I think yours will be out of fashion. What about that photograph I believe you was to get one for me.

 

                        Have not herd from Laura or Asenath for too weeks or thereabout.

 

                        I do not go in any more fights I have all I can attend to in the Depot. probably shall stay here until peace is concluded upon and then away for home.

 

                        Who is Mrs Jennings I do not remember any person by that name

 

                        Well Darling I must close for I have been long time writing "thes few lines"

 

                        Give my love to our friends

 

I remain your affectionate husband

M J Hadley /

 

Mrs Mary Anna Hadley                                  

 

                        Jennison has been exchanged and is at home Poor boy he was nearly starved to death and so sick he did not know his wife for nearly two weeks

                        Libby Prison is full of rebel soldiers and the stench from that pit of torment is terable.

 

                        Good for them I hope they may experiance some of the horrors of the hole our brave boys were cramed into

                                                           

M. J. Hadley

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