Groton May 12 -61

Sunday eve    

 

My Dear John

                        I should like to look in upon you this pleasant evening & see what you are all doing. I try to imagine how you are situated, but presume I have no idea about it or at least any correct one. Mrs Haynes was at our church this morning the first time I have seen her since you left she says she is so lonely now your Mother has gone home she thinks of taking several / boarders has one already expects another tomorrow. she must miss you and Charley so much that is if she misses you half as much as I do. Mr Mann from the Junction preached for us today we liked him very much. I thought of you the first time he preached at the Junction you was there & assisted about the music.

 

before you receive this the boxes of clothing will have reached you sent from here. When you have the articles you must remember the friends who made them we are sewing now for you, sewed two days last week & expect to sew more this week preparing thin clothing for all your company

 

I sewed with Fannie Eaton yesterday / we spoke of you & wished we knew how you were situated & how you felt. Whether you ever regretted going. I hope you never have for all you must have suffered all sorts of trials want of food of proper kind, the loss of baggage & a thousand things that I cannot think of, then your being exposed to the rain so many hours without any covering. it is so hard for you all to hear bear. I do not see what keeps  you all from being sick, but I do not hear that you are. How I do wish the trouble might all be settled without any real fighting. War after all is the most to be dreaded, for we know no battle can take place without bringing to us the news of so many killed & wounded, if not our own dear / friends they are dear to somebody I presume I have done wrong to write this to you. I ought to look on the bright side. When I am speaking to you it is what I feel & so I spoke wrote without thinking how much you need to hear of pleasant & cheery things. I hope you will come back to us the same as when you left. I know you are exposed to many temptations but I hope you will be kept from them & be uninfluenced by the bad example you have about you. The Singing Club met at the Parks last Friday. I thought of the last time it met there in the winter when you came home with me. Charles Park was at home we had quite a pleasant time tho they did not sing much seemed to enjoy talking more than singing. Nathan expects Mr Frost will be here the last of this week & stop a week. he will drill the singers He wishes me to tell you all the particulars about the Club but but I have no more room, so he must write for himself

 

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I wrote a few lines to send by William he did not go as he expected. I did not get my letter until to night, have not opened it will send it as it is it was written in a hurry with people talking, so you must excuse all mistakes. Abby Boutineer is here sends love to you. Nathan will write soon. ever your friend E. Thayer

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