Downieville, July 6^th 1865

 

Dear Brother George:

                        Your last letter was received about two weeks since. It found me preparing to deliver an oration for a Fourth of July Celebration at Sierra Valley, about 34 miles distant from this place. I deferred answering it until after my mind should be freed from the strain of oratorical composition. This speech was the longest that I have ever composed,—consuming nearly an hour in delivery. I wrote the particulars of the occasion in a letter to mother yesterday,—which you will probably see, as I hope that you are now at home.

 

            Mother's last letter, dated May 25^th says that your Corps was at that time in Washington, and that you were expected home soon. From this I suppose that you are before this time once again in the enjoyment of home life and home pursuits. We are very thankful to the kind Providence which has spared you through all the dangers and privations which you have had to encounter, and permitted you to return in safety to your friends. We should be very glad if we could ourselves meet you again, together with the other dear ones at home. But that time is still some distance in the future, though we trust and believe it will not be more than three years hence.

 

            I suppose you intend to finish your Collegiate course. / I think it will be altogether for the best that you should do so, and I hope you will maintain the determination. I will do all in my power to see you through. Although, as I have told mother, we have had very hard times here for raising money, so that I have been unable to send as much home for the past six months as I wished and intended,—yet I am sure that brighter times are ahead and that I shall be able next year to make up the deficiency. Deo volente, I will see to it that the family wants are all provided for. I suppose that by this time, you have a small sum ahead, from your pay as a soldier,—which will help you in completing your education.

 

            I wonder what profession in life you intend to follow. I don't know that I have ever heard you express a preference. Do you not think that you could be the most useful in the world as a minister of the gospel? I have been thinking that such is perhaps your duty. I have myself thought seriously of becoming a minister, if Providence should open the way. I do not really know whether it is for the best that I should do so or not, but I am willing to await and to follow any indications that my Heavenly Father may give me in regard to my duty. I shall probably decide the question when I return home, if I am spared to do so. If I could only be always zealous in the service of my Saviour, and be the means of winning souls to Christ, and building up his church, I should be a thousand times repaid for the sacrifice of worldly prospects and ambition which I would have to make in order to become a minister. But I find / myself very prone to think more of earthly things than I should. I pray God that he may strengthen me in his service, and enlighten me in regard to my duty.

 

            It is decided that we are to move this fall to Quincy, in the county adjoining this, called Plumas. I suppose it will be for the best pecuniarily that we should go there,—though we shall be deprived of the religious privileges which we now enjoy. I do not think there is any church in Quincy.

 

            I have an important item of news to tell you. We expect a wedding to take place here this fall. Belle is to be married to a young man named David Cowden, who has been waiting upon her for a long time. He is a man of fine qualities, and will make Belle a good husband, if he will only control himself in respect to his social habits. Since his engagement to Belle, however, he has manifested a disposition to break off entirely from bad indulgences to which he has been accustomed. He has won Belle's love, and is certainly deeply attached to her. She will of course use all her influence to keep him from dissipation. I hope and pray that she may succeed, and that he may become a Christian. I was informed of the engagement last evening.

 

            I am keeping bachelor's hall now, as I left Neallie and the baby at Sierra Valley. They will remain there for a while. I have already commenced to feel lonely without them. I don't know how long I can stand it.

 

            Our next term of Court is at hand, and we are busy preparing for it. It will probably not last very long, as the cases to be / tried are comparatively few.

 

            I enclosed a small sum of money—$18 in greenbacks in the letter which I sent to mother yesterday. I hope she will receive it.

 

            You must write more frequently now than you have done heretofore. I shall hope to hear from you much oftener.

                                                                                               

Your affectionate brother

Hiram.

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