Cromwell Ct. May 29^th 1864

           

My dear son Loomis

                                    Yours of the 21^st inst. was received the evening of the 26^th. I was quite surprised to hear from you at Richmond: I supposed the famous "sixth" would be prominent in the grand review, and have looked the papers over and over again, to see what part they bore, how they were received &c., and could not account for their being omitted in the narration.

 

            Why was it that you did not participate in that / imposing spectacle?

 

            I suppose you are now near the National Capital and I wish you might arrive there in season to meet your only brother, before he doffs his soldiers apparel, which you & he have so long and so nobly worn, in defence of our beloved country, for the maintainance of the best government in the world.

 

            If you are not permitted to meet in Washington, I hope the time is not far distant, when you will meet in the "Home Circle". small indeed it will be, and sad will be the reflection of the sore bereavement, since we all / met. but let us hope that it will lead us all to a more faithful discharge of duty; paternal, filial & fraternal. Yes, my dear son, we will try to live as we should live and as we shall wish we had done, when our circle is again invaded by the "fell destroyer".

 

            We had a letter from George last week, dated near Alexandria May 20^th. He was in very good spirits in view of our successes & the prospect of coming home. I think I mentioned that your Father was going to Newark: he left two weeks ago to-day, and did not return till last evening. I had heard nothing from him since the first / week; then he thought he might possibly stay over the Sabbath. I had expected him every day for a week and not hearing from him, my anxiety had become intense. It seemed for five or six days as tho' my suspense & anxiety would quite overcome me. He was asleep, when the boat went up the river yesterday morning, went on to Hartford, and walked home last evening in the rain, getting here about half past ten o'clock. He had been well, but very busy, had expected to come home sooner, and neglected to write, not realizing what distress and anguish I was suffering on account of not hearing from him 

 

Two weeks from tomorrow, June 13^th your Uncle Augustus and wife, celebrate their marriage by a golden wedding.

 

            Their children & grand children are expected to be present, but more distant relatives are not invited much. We are invited, & I think Brother George.

 

            I hope we shall be able to go for I want to see W^m Sumner more than almost any other person in the world. I hope I shall be able to visit the graves of our loved ones while we are in that part of the State.

 

Yesterday was the anniversary of the death of our first born—ten years last evening since our beloved Wm closed his eyes / on earthly scenes, to awake to eternal realities. I well recollect how sensibly Francis talked on that occasion, how mature his reflections and remarks were for a boy of ten years. And is he, too, gone? it seems sometimes, as though my heart would burst, when I think of it: but I must not feel so. Rather let me gird up myself for the duties of life, willing to do & suffer all that our Heavenly Father sees best: and strive to improve all his Providences, whether merciful or afflictive, in such a manner as to fortify Him, & to be more like Him. write soon,

                                                                                   

Your loving Mother

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