South Groton April 24/61
Friend Cook
If agreable to you I should like to open a corespondence with you during your absence and in return for your keeping me posted in regard to the glorious sixth who did pass thro Baltimore in spite of the threats of the Rowdies and secessionests, I will try and give you a sketch of matters and things which transpire in this vilage
First that trator Sam Reed has returned on Saturday night I think it was. On Friday morning an effigy was found on the Replican Pole labelled Sam with military coat and pants. after haning there part of the forenoon it was cut down and burned by the boys.
The miserable trator is treated with such contemp by all that he does not show himself. I have not seen him for three or four days. We abound in flags and all of the good old union the Stars & Stripes.
There is one between the Depot and / Brooms Printing office another on a line from the Caloric Shop to the Wood Shed the flag hangs right at the end of the shop over the water, then the two across the road from Democratic and Replican poles besides any quantity of small ones in and on evry house in the village. last night a flag was raised on the shop of N Mason & Co on a flag staff erected on this end of their shop from the roof, with appropriate cerimones, sining of National airs by the Quoirs of the village among whom I notice a Mrs Hayes Gilpatrics, Garfield and others whom you all know. Speches were made by B. F. Taft N.P. Ross, Mr Whiting Rev G. B. Gore Bancroft, Frye & Goulding all in favor of the union and death to the tratiors in fact there is but one sentiment here! Alusion was made by the speakers to those who went from this place to defend our liberty and theirs which were greeted with cheers at the conclusion three cheers were given for Glorious Sixth Regiment. The papers of today say Conl. Jones is quarted in the Capitol and he occupies the vice Presidents chair.
There have been no letters received from any person who left this place with the sixth since they left ny city. /
It is stated that Salmon Whitney was killed at Baltimore. the papers first stated it was a Private Whitney of one of the Lowell Companies that was killed, and now say it is believed to be Solomon Whitney a lawyer of Groton Junction. It is not generally believed to be him here.
At the last meeting of the Division it was voted to remit the dues of those members of the Division who were absent serving their country during their absence! the vote passed unanimously
L G King is forming a new Comp any how he has between 30 and forty names among whom are Dr Hinds Jem Snow Fairbanks Stone of the Billiard saloon and others. dont consider them near as good as the first Company rather a rough looking set on the whole
Mrs Tenney presented her husband with a new recruit sunday night I think. he wont probably leave at present as he has some Breastworks to take charge of at home. Mr Harlow has been in the office since I commenced and wants I should ask you to tell Bacon to write home. want to hear from him
I send this letter to Washington as I see that is where the sixth is said to be. As an Irishman would say, please inform me if you dont get this
Please write me at your erliest convenient opportunity
From Your Friend
C. E. Morrison