Barre June 29^th 1863.

 

Dear sister Phi:—

                                    Being to tired to work this evening and also thinking of ‘home’ I thought I would write to you—I have been washing to-day and I believe it brock my back I feel so shiftless I cannot do anything. but I do not have all the work that I can do to the shop so I think I might as well do my washing as to tire mother with it. The band is playing splendidly this evening I wish you could here it—but it seems rather sad—

 

            Letters have been received to-day from the Barre Co in the 53^rd Regt from Port Hudson—Thomas Bleakely wrote that Banks was / defeated. he also wrote that there were six Barre boys killed & fifteen wounded all their names he did not learn as he was not in the battle he is Reg Post Master at New Orleans. A letter came to-day from Lyman Johnston. (I presume you know him he used to be in Woodes store.) it was dated the 16 & 17^th of June. he was in the Battle. two Hick’s boys brothers, Joseph Jackson, Joel Hages, & Martin Johnson were killed. Capt Midge had one of his ears shot off—others were badly wounded but I do not remember there names as they were none that I knew. Sis Kings folks have not heard from Charles or Daniel but they do not think they were harmed as the letters that have been received does not speak of them.— /

 

            I do not know how much longer I can have work here but I think I can until the first of August. We have work enough if the stichers would only get caught up with the makers but we are obliged to wait for our [?]ing for now we have it done on a machine. I like it very much and when we get used to it all around I think will be better I suppose this week we are to try machine crowns I dread them—You can not tell how still Barre is all the shop’s closed but Mr Gorham’s and more then half of his girls have gone—

 

            I send you a piece of Louisa Dennis wedding dress or rather Mrs Holland now—it was made just like my / dress but she got it in Boston—she boards at the Massoiet House I have had an invatation to call upon her I am going to as soon as I can—

 

            The children, the Sabbath schools of all three churches are going to have a celabration on the 4^th. I think it very foolish for I do not know of any thing to celabrate. I think the people better fast.—I have been invited to help but I do not think I shall as I feel to tired to do anything about it.

 

            I have not seen any of Sis Hanlands people for a long time. I guess she is not able to go to Church as I have not seen her out.—Give my love to all the folks—I guess mother is lonesome let her read this as she wished me to write often and I do not know when I shall write again—

 

                                                from your sister Lois

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