Saco July 11^th /61                  

 

Dear Son,

                        Yours of the 5^th was receiv'd last night and read with much gratitude for I had felt very anxious indeed about you, not having a letter from you for so long a time. I did'nt know but you was lost in the fog, but judging from your letter, if the weather has been foggy, you and Charles have found your way thro' it, into a "feminine" land, which is a relaxation from military drill; hope you have both of you got your "eye peal'd" before making the acquaintance of those "Splendid Daughters". Are they Seceshers? "Spose" they are; well look out for them very sharp; "all is not gold that glitters". I can imagine you & Charly very polite and gentlemanly / toward them; I think if any body can appreciate ladies society 'tis  you and Charles. but how can you get time to go a mile, and then time to work the Piano? Or do the ladies play for you? I'm very glad there is something to give you so much pleasure during your camp life; tell Charly not to over "dow", this hot weather reading to the ladies. I ask'd you a number of questions in my last, but there was not one answered, so 'tis no use asking questions; I will ask one, are you coming home when your three months expire? Or shall you stay longer? I saw in the paper the loyal citizens of Baltimore presented to the Mass. 6^th on the 4^th a silk flag, and the remarks of Col. Jones were very appropriate on the occasion. why did'nt you name it? I suppose you was so delighted with the place where you was writing you did'nt / think of it; well, I'll excuse you, I'm glad you have had a note from Fred, hope you will hear from him again. how is Capt. Clark? does he anticipate staying away all summer? Are you all well? and have you been well? do you have good water to drink? I think so much of that, hoping you do; we have been having very hot weather since the 4^th, to day some cooler, a little rainy, hope it will rain hard, for we have but one rainy day for six weeks, and 'tis very much desir'd. havn't heard from Verta since I last wrote you. there is nothing that is worth writing about, nothing that would interest you in this place for 'tis duller than anything I can describe. I want you and C. to be good boys. My compliments to those "Splendid Daughters" for their kindness to you and Charles— /

 

Mother wishes me to add a line but really I hardly know what to say. All people talk about is war and their neighbors, all we know about the war is what we read in the papers, and I doubt very much our understanding what we read. we cannot realize anything about it living in this quiet region, ought we not to be thankful that we are thus situated. We are indeed a favored people, but I have a great desire to see something of the war if nothing but a few regiments of soldiers. Mother and Eddie are dancing polka. I hoped to have had a picture of him to send you ere this, but everything has not been favorable to have one taken. You have not told us whether you should serve longer than your three months. I suppose you feel anxious to see the end, which I hope will speedily come. Excuse this and expect a longer letter some other time

 

Love to Charlie and others,    Roxie.

 

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You see Anna has fill the last page and now I will close by saying, trust in God at all times, and may God speed the right is my unceasing prayer. Love to all

                                                                                                           

from Mother—

 

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I inclose a postage stamp for your next—

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