Winchester Va. No 30^th, 64

 

Beloved Parents

                        Your favors dated Nov 19 & 22^d respectfully were received about an hour ago. I can hardly calm myself to write but I know how anxious you will be to hear from me, so that I will try and write a few lines. My Dear Parents, how severe the stroke that has been visited upon us. The pride of the family again struck down by death. Keenly do I feel the loss of my idolized brother, for never brother loved more than I did him. I can hardly make up mind that this is possible. Francis gone, but I hope after the first sad shock shall have passed passed I can resign myself to the sad reality. My brother, my loved brother art thou gone, can I no more behold thy face. Why O why have I lived to be thus bereaved. Why was I not the one called. I wish I could have died for him. I know it is wrong to write thus, but dearest Parents you must be very lenient in your criticisms. I know not what to do. May God give me strength to bear this bereavement, but through such affliction / it is hard, very hard to say from the heart "Thy will O God be done". it may be for the best, for all our afflictions here are for our good. I pray God that it may be the means of bringing nearer to God, that I may enlist under the banner of Christ. Pray for me my dear Parents. It shall be my aim to do all that I can to support my aged & bereaved parents, do not let this sore affliction weigh too heavily upon your hearts, but let it help to bring us nearer together. Oh my dear parents for the sake of your sons bear up under this greatest of trials. May Our Heavenly Father in heaven give you that support which you need in your advanced age and may He give you long life, and you be yet spared many many long years to your remaining sons. Only two left to you, may these two be your comfort your support and may they become followers of Christ Jesus Our Lord.

 

I can hardly hold my pen, but hope to finish this. Would not an adopted daughter help to console my parents, would not she be a great help to you. I know you would love one, should you conclude to take one I shall be most happy, for I could love her as a brother should love. I suppose brother George is far far away as I see by the papers Sherman is working / his way fast through Georgia. I am anxious to hear from George as soon as he gets to the Atlantic coast. God grant him a safe journey, may He protect & guard him from the missiles of the enemy, and he be spared to join his parents & his brother.

 

What a poor thanksgiving you must have had, how lonely, but I know that you can look to a higher power to help you bear this trial than man. God in his mercy has yet spared to you two sons. May they be your comfort and pride in this your declining years.

 

I would like to write to Mr Stevens, and did intend to, to thank him for the interest he showed for the welfare of my parents, as you are now in C— you will please thank him for me.

 

I have written several times to Newark, N.J. have you rec^d the letters. I do not know how many. Father, do not give over to such sorrow I know how you must feel, keenly, but seek comfort from on high. I would wish you to clear off all your debts and if you have any thing remaining, to obtain a small quiet little house, not too large, and a few acres of land, and to settle down. I shall soon be in circumstances where I can remember my dear parents.

 

I do not know what to do about obtaining a furlough. will wait untill I hear again from you. I should think I could get one for ten or / fifteen days. My expenses will not be much as I would not visit as much as if I came home on a pleasure excursion. If I come I shall come to comfort you, and pap a few days of quiet with you, for no knowing what another year may bring round. God grant that we may all be permitted to meet around the family hearthstone, to give praise & thanks giving to God for his care over us.

 

My dear, dear brother. I cannot realize that he is dead. Do you intend to remove him to Stafford I should wait untill I had a place of residence picked out.

I rec^d a letter from Mary Andrews the other day. she said that Father look the same as when he left Newark, but that you looked much younger, is it so?

May the Lord be with you, protect & guard you & make lighter this sore bereavement to your is the prayer of your loving and Afft bereaved son

                                                                                   

Loomis T. Palmer

 

I will send with this an ambrotype I had taken at Martinsburgh about two weeks ago. as you see I had my riding boots & spurs on. do you think it is Loomis?

                                                                                                                       

love ever

Loo

 

also a "Carte" colored with my insignia of rank upon the arm.

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