Cromwell Ct. Feb 7^th 1863                

 

My dear son Francis

                                    I have just written to George, & as I have a little time before Maggie goes for the mail I will write you a short letter, lest I should be so tired again that I could not write tomorrow night, & you should have to wait longer than usual before hearing from home. Nothing of special interest has occurred since I wrote I have been no farther from home than Mr Allison's this week. Tues, Wed, & Thurs. were the coldest days we have had this winter. Yesterday we had a warm rain, & today it is very pleasant. I have scarcely seen any body this week. I believe Mrs. Bailey & Miss Mary Savage are the only ladies that have called here. We have heard nothing from our case in court, suppose it was put over. We had letters from George & Loomis, at the same time with yours. George writes that he has the fever & ague pretty bad, says they have the small pox in Wards No. 4 & 10. He had been vaccinated & his arm was getting to be pretty sore. Loomis was well, spoke of their unsuccessful attempt to cross the Rappahannock, but said nothing of the hardships they endured in consequence 

 

The 20^th Conn. have been paid off in part, & George feels as though it was unfortunate for him that he was not with them, but I feel as tho' it was fortunate for him that he was sent back to Washington for I dont think he could have endured what the Regiment have gone through, without getting down sick, even if he had been as well as usual to begin with. They all speak of having a very hard time. We had a letter from Mr Beckwith Wed. evening. He wrote a part of his letter on a circular, issued the first of Sept. but said nothing of his school, & I presume he has none. said keeping boarding house, or boarding school was too hard for his wife, & he was seeking other business, did not say what. said he had been to Newark that day (Monday) called at Mr Sage's. Mr S. had had gone to L.I. probably to Deer Park. I thought I saw him (Mr S.) pass here yesterday, but dont know as it was him.

 

Your Father is better, has not been out any where yet I hope we shall be able to go to church with our own team tomorrow. Write as soon as you receive this I must close, or I fear I shall fail of sending. Love to all.                  

 

Your affectionate Mother

F. S. Palmer

                                                                                   

answered

11^th Feb 1863

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