South Groton May 6^th 1861

 

Friend Cook

             Seth Romney passed through here from Lowell to Clinton this morning and is to return to Lowell on the noon train and says he is going on to annapolis tomorrow and would carry any letters or papers which I might wish to send!!

                                   

I have not much news to give you this morning. the company which L King has been enlisting choose their officers Saturday Conl Dike, an uncle of Capt Dike of Stoneham who was wounded, presided. for Captain L. King 1^st Lit. Dr H H Hinds 2^nd Lit                          of Westford 3^rd Lit. Stuart J Park. all very good I think except Park who I consider is just nothing. between you and I King is not much pleased with him. the officers chosen have gone to Boston this morning to be examined!!

                                   

I saw Mrs Haynes and Mrs Cook yesterday they both appeared in good trim and proud the one to furnish a son & Brother / the other a son and grandson to defend our Liberties and our country from traitors & thieves, who would divide our glorious United States in petty states like Mexico or So America despized by each other and the nations of the world!! when I think of this, I feel like shouldering a musket myself and I do stand ready to do so whenever I am needed more than at home. of course it would not be prudent for me to leave now, when so many are ready and really anxious to go and in a better situation to leave, but when volunteers are short and men are needed then as a Western man would say I am thar!!

                                   

Has not old Massachusetts done nobly in this matter, the first to send troops and will be the last.

                                   

A. H. Bixby went to Boston this morning and is going as purser. I did not learn what ship he is to go with—

                                   

The excitement runs high here and we expect to hear of some fighting this week or some backing down, according to the papers the promp manner in which Goverment has acted has rather astonished the rebels. come to blockade their ports it will be a stunner to them!! They are puzzled / to see what a unanimous people we are of the North & West now are, so different from what they had been led to expect. They will soon find that they have got the tallest kind of a contract on hand

                                   

I see that some 4 or 5 men of the sixth Reg. refused to take the oath at Washington. I hope none of the Groton boys were of that number;

                                   

Every one says Give John my respects when you write, so you hereby accept respects of all your friends in Gro. Jun^c. Dana & myself included of course

            remember me to the other boys.

 

I see that Postage Stamps are not to be had in annapolis so I enclose you one in this letter. Hoping to hear from you at your earliest convenience

                                                                                   

I remain your Friend

C. E. Morrison

SOURCES