Johnstown Pa. Aug 9^th 1864

                                                                                  Tuesday Eve

 

My Friend Frank.

                                    Again have I been the recipient of one of your welcome and interesting letters. While I can sit and gaze upon the beautiful flowers of mid-summer, and pluck them if I will—you are surrounded by all the appliances of war. But even in our quiet home, so far removed from the scene of action, we are not without our forebodings of danger. During the past month, reports have been current that the rebels have been coming in this direction, and scouts were sent/out in various directions to find out the truth or falsity of the report. They were said to have been at Bedford—only thirty miles from here. Three or four persons were seen going through the neighboring woods on Saturday, who were thought by some to be rebels, but scouts being sent out, they were nowhere to be found.

 

We—Templars—had a picnic on that day, and gave the scouts their dinner as they passed our way.

 

A company of the 54^th P.V. returned on Sabbath morning on their “veteran” furlough so that if we have a call from the enemy we will have soldiers here capapble of/taking the lead in defending our home. I do not think we would yield quite so tamely as the people of Chambersburg did, although we have quite a number of copper-crusted people here who would not lift a hand in our defense.

 

But if they only knew it, they will gain no favor from the rebels for their pretended friendship. They will treat them as they did at Gettysburg. I think with you, that people who will make no effort to defend their homes shoud not have them defended by the military. In reference to your time being up, and your anticipated visit to our “Musical City,”/I wish to say that the “arm-chair” is sitting with patient expectancy, and open arms, waiting to receive you and will be disappointed if October does not see you in its embrace. As to how you will will accomplish the feat of getting seated here without my knowledge, is more than I can tell. You will have to be guided by circumstances. Anna and the rest are in usual health. I have not been well for several days—have had an attack of cholera-morbus, but am almost well again. Hoping you will not tire of this letter before you finish it, I will close with kind regards. I have been alone all evening.

Mollie E. Bowen

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