#25

                                                                                                Hollidaysburgh

                                                                                                            Aprile 18^th/61

 

Dear Mother.

                        I should have written soner but we have been in such a state of excitement for the last few days as to preclude the possibility the town has ben full of people several large companies went to day and more are going this week Steel had a dispach in the beginning of the week from Secretary of War to have company formed and leave immediately there has been a great many noble young men enlisted six interesting young men dined with us to day. /

 

The houses were all thrown open and Flags were seen streaming from every house it has been the most interesting and exciting day that has ever passed here Firing of cannon has been kept up since 12 o clock last night we were all down at the cars this morning at 6 o clock to see the first companies off there were hundreds there men women and children women wringing their hands children screaming for their fathers. Steel made a few remarks as they moved off amid the cheers & screams & waving of flags and of handkechiefs. another company left this evening they could scarcely make their way through the crowd I suppose there were three / of four thousand people at the depot Mr McMurtrie made a short speech but the crowd was so great it was impossible to hear him Maggie is laid up with nervous headache you never saw a child so excited she looks pale Rob has not yet returned from Pittsburg I have had two letters from him and he had expected to get home last night but in the evening I got a letter saying that buissness would detane him till Sat they are about putting up a fine building I expect to go out to Pittsburg with him in two or three weeks it would be pleasant iff you could come at the same time Martha Burg is staying with me till Rob comes /

 

[torn corner] Steel are all well little Sallie was down to day she was like a littl bird out of a cage write soon I must close for I dont think I ever felt so [?] it was rumored to day that Lincoln was poisoned but I guess there is no truth in it. report say that (Mr Mcdowel formally of this place but now liveing in Harrisburgh) has favored the Seccionists and he was hung yesterday untill he was black and nothing but the entreaties of his wife saved his live—as I was returning hom the depo this morning I asked Susan McMullin as I passed if she had been down to cheer the Soldiers? No. she said the north had brought this on themselves and now they might bear the consequences I was real mad that I didnt say to her that she ought to be careful how she spoke in times like these or she might be treated as Mcdowel was            write soon

to your affectionate

                                    Eliza

 

excuse this scraul

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