In the Country near

Zanesville sabbath morn

     Oct 11^th/63

 

My Dear Sister                                                                                           

                                                I received your letter containing one with an account of Brothers Death. we have expected for months but we did not want to believe it untill we have to poor boys their stay on earth was short they have seen but little of this worlds trouble. God has called them for some wise purpose all though we think it is hard it is for the best. he says all things work togeather for good to them that love and serve God I all most gave up when I received this word but I went to God in prayer I prayed for him to give me strength to bear up under all my affliction I felt that he comforted me. I think that all we can do is to live better and do all the good we can and prepare to meet them where there will / be no more battles fought. I often think of that day when the toils of earth will be over and if we only live right we will die right Julia let us strive to be found walking in the narrow path. here on earth we have sorrows and afflictions and disappointments and every thing to try our faith but they that endure to the end shall have everlasting life. Tommy was a good boy every one that knew him said that of him when at home he allways read his bible he never used bad language he never spent his evenings from home any thing Mother wanted he was all ways ready to get it. he had a great many friends and to day without the least shadow of a doubt he is far better off than you or I. I wish he could have only got home but he did not. Father says it is useless for him to go to hunt him he says he might bring someone that he never saw he would not know him from any body else besides it would be of great expence and we would not want to see him looking as / he would he says if he can hear sure where he is buried at he will go there and put up tombs stone but Julia dont you know that he is just as well off there as if he was here of course we would all like to have them togeather but times are hard Father has no one to do anything but himself and he is not as young as he used to be all these things are to be taken into consideration. but it matters not where the body lies in the morning of the resurrection he will be there and we will be there one and all. God help us to be ready with the wedding garment on I have but two Brothers out of four left I feel that those that are spared are dearer to me. I can appreciate the worth of a brother now who next will be called away. we know not but the present but our Country is in an awfull condition men think no more of one anothers lives than a dog. there is a day coming all these things will end. Politics are the chief subjects / now with men and women. one week ago to day I wrote to you. Julia dont you think you can get to come out we all want you to come and pay us a visit if uncle and aunt can spare you. if you cant come I will try and come to Baltimore but we would rather have you come and see us tell aunt Ellen to answer my letter as soon as she can Father and Mother join me in sending their best love to you and all your family I wish I could keep that letter but I have several pieces of poetry that he gave me write to me as soon as you get this

 

I remain your loving

sister untill

Death

Mattie Criswell

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