Phenix Hotel

Concord Jany 27, 1864

 

Dear Charlie—

                        Being up here on business for a few days, I accidentally met Capt. Patten who informs me that he leaves tomorrow morning to join his Regiment, and who kindly offered to carry any package I might want to send you. I accordingly embrace the opportunity to write a few lines, though I suppose the family at home keep you posted on all matters & things as they come up. I believe Hattie wrote you Monday and I sent some papers by mail.

 

I came up here Monday evening leaving our folks at home all well. Julia had not returned from Rhode Island, but we hear from her every few days. We had a letter from Edward Monday. he is well but wants to get out of the hospital. Mary / wrote us last week that Edwin had left the store and was going to travel as an agent for a Grocery firm in Chicago—I suppose to get orders for goods—for which he was to have a better salary than he gets at Niles. I have written her today that if Edwin is away she had better come home and make us a good long visit, which I hope she will be able to do.

 

Uncle Richard Melvin has been very sick, and we had great fears that he would not get up again. He was rather better Monday, but I consider it extremely doubtful if he gets it over. It will be a heavy loss to our society, and indeed to all of us if he should be taken away. The neighbors generally are well and all inquire for Charlie. The new shoe firm have slackened up a little but are still doing a pretty large business, all Army shoes. The son of the principal of the firm, Mr W. W. Silvester is a young man some twenty five years of age and boards at Mr Priests. He reads Shakespeare in public and has had several calls to read at levees and sociables. He read at Chester at the Baptist levee and at the Methodist's in Derry. tomorrow evening he reads at the upper village at the gathering of the Soldiers Aid Society. I have not heard him yet, but I understand he reads very well. I was intending to go and hear him tomorrow but shall not probably be at home.

 

            We hear rumors in the papers that the 11^th New Hampshire is to be sent to Washington and Baltimore to recruit, and have / earnestly hoped that it might be true. We should then hope to see you once in a while at home on furlough, but the fact that Capt. Patten is going to join the regiment in Tennessee with a lot of recruits does not look like you being sent North.

 

            If I had been at home, or if our folks knew of the opportunity to send directly to you I have no doubt we should have picked up something to send you. As it is I have nothing here but the Continental Monthly which I brought up with me. I will send that and wish I had something else. Write to us often as you can, and keep us posted as to your movements.

                                                                       

Very affectionately your father—           D.C.

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