Cromwell Ct. Dec 28^th 1862

Sabbath eve.

 

My dear son Francis              

Your letter was received Wed evening & I have delayed writing hoping to be able to communicate something in relation to your brothers in the army: but as we do not get any intelligence, direct from them, I will delay no longer; as I know you will be glad to hear from home. If you have heard from either George or Loomis more recently than we have, I hope you will lose no time in letting us know George's last was written on the 8^th & Loomis on the 13^th inst. We have heard that Geo. was left sick in Alexandria but whether it is so or not we do not know. Mary Hubbard had a letter from Edwin last evening, written in Alexandria. he does not say any thing about George. Others of the 20^th have written / but say nothing about George. They (the 20^th) are now at Fairfax station about 20 miles I think from Alexandria. We are still very anxious in relation to Loomis, though we hope he was not one of the very few who fell in Newton's Division, but we think it strange that we do not hear from him. I have not written to either of the boys the last week, but think I shall in a day or two, whether I hear from them or not.

 

            Your Father has gone to the Bap. Church to hear a man who was taken prisoner by the rebels. I have attended church all day: went to Mr Topliff's at noon. Mr Pearson, a young man who is not settled, preached. he was here three weeks ago today. He is liked very much, & I should not be surprised if they should get him here when Mr Clark leaves. I have been up to Mrs Hubbard's this evening to try to learn something about George but could not / Hiram told me he should write to you soon. The Methodists are having quite exciting meetings here. hold meetings every evening, & noon prayer meetings down at the Factory Maggie Allison and a good many others profess to be converted. Our Society met at Dea Stevens Wed. There were more than usual present, both afternoon and evening. We quilted a comfortable for the soldiers and Thursday I went down to Mrs Wright's & she with Mrs Bailey & myself quilted another. Friday, Rev Mr Topliff, Rev Mr Clark, & Rev Mr Palmer, with their wives, were invited to Dea Stevens to dinner. We all went at two o'clock, had roast turkey, & other good things, about three. spent the afternoon very pleasantly indeed I think I have written to you that Mary Clark had opened a small school in the academy. She has given it up, had an opportunity to go into one of the public schools in Holyoke Mass, which she accepted. 

 

Your Father went to Hartford Wed. got away about noon, & home about 9 o'clock carried 1½ bushels of apples a ½ bush quinces 2¾ doz. eggs (25 cts per doz.) winter squashes, & paper rags. I think he will go up again soon if the weather is favorable We have Mr Hubbards corn sheller here, in the north room, have shelled 12½ bushels of corn, & carried to Mr Blynn, for which we expect to get 80 cts per bushel. We were owing him between two & three dollars, the rest we shall probably take in meat. We have not got any coal yet but I hope we shall before long. I think I have mentioned that the neighbors had sent us in fresh pork. since I last wrote Mrs Joseph Wilcox sent us a nice spare rib, & some sausages. Yesterday Mrs Horace Hubbard sent us a nice piece of pork. I think the neighbors seem very kind & friendly I must now draw to a close, as I have about filled my sheet, & my head is dreadful tired. love to all—I wish you a happy new year

                                                                                               

Your affectionate Mother

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