1863

Near Panora April 19^th

 

Dear and Much Respected Friend

We rec^d your letter dated after the death of your Bro. We were very very glad to hear from you, but extremely sorry to hear such sad news. we can sympathize with you deeply for we too know how hard it is to have friends die away in this awful army. Our brothers are all favorite when we have to give them up and see them start to the army Our County has suffered dreadfully on account of this war. we have sent only two full Co. and out of these / not more that 6 or 8 have been wounded so as to die. not one that I know of has been kiled but sickness has taken them off beyond all thought the first day of Oct. 110 left Guthrie Co. by the first of March they left Helena and only 35 or 40 of those men were able to go 12 or 14 being dead. our first Co. (where bro. Will is) has not fared much better. Hardly a family that has friends gone but what has had some one to die. it appears one or more will be called from evry family yet. It must be a punishment sent on us for something. Oh! that there will be victims enough ere long to satisfy the appetite of war for I dread to hear of any more deaths and we know not who will be the next

 

            Renewing our acquaintance by way of communication reverts my mind to my childhood days when we went to different schools together many days have I spent in the school room since both as teacher and scholar and many more days, if life is spared, do I expect to spend there it is the way I get my living it is my delight. I taught one term this winter afterwards I went to school a while. I expect to take up another term in a short time It has been almost 10 years since we have / seen each other. How time does pass away! I feel about as young as ever and they tell me I dont look very old although I am getting to be quite an old maid but one thing is sure there will be more old maids than me before this war is over. Oh! yes and poor widows too who are the most to be pitied what some of them are to do I don't know if there husbands dont come back. This war never will come to a close as long as the Copperheads are allowed to blow around as they do continually opposing Lincoln and his administration I speak freely supposing you are all as much of an Abolitionist as I am. It looks to hard to see our men sacrificed for to try and save our country and as many mean "dogs barking in the rear" as there are. The Lord knows who is right. I hope for a speedy but an honerable peace. The health of our family is good at present Mother's is not very well but as well as usual Martha's and Charley's families are well. The weather is good for this time of the year. We made garden some time ago but today is rather cool. I would like to see your flower garden once more you always had such nice ones /

 

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I must close I have several other letter to write to day as we have began I don't see why we can't hear from each other often what is better than a good letter from a friend.

 

Write soon

Mary J. Campbell

 

Excuse my poor writing my ink is so pale I can hardly see it after I get it wrote.

 

Kate's P.O. address is

            Coxtown or Fleetwood

                        Berks Co. Pa.

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