Civil War Letter "I supposed you had seceded and gone to live in Dixie"
Civil War Letter "I supposed you had seceded and gone to live in Dixie"
Northampton Sunday Eve
Feb 22 1862
My dear Cousin
The arrival of your letter last Wednesday led me to the conclusion that you had emerged from some secluded place which you had been settled in for the last few months.
I always claimed the relationship of a cousin to you, but not having heard from you this long long time I supposed you had seceded and gone to live in Dixie as I had heard something to the effect that you were in danger of being carried away by some Southerner.
You probably never received the letter I wrote you some two years ago this time, which very likely accounts for this long silence, but we will begin now anew and try to establish a more
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permanent correspondence.
I am very sorry to hear your health is so poor. I hope it may not prove anything serious but as the spring approaches, it may find you increasing in strength.
I think the mountain air would be beneficial to you, but I fancy I should not like rusticating at Prescott Hills as well perhaps as at home. I will make a plan for you to come to Northampton and make us a visit and in the meantime while you remain with us we can take a drive over there. Why can you not come! You will not need to stand away any great amounts of “etiquette or fashion” in the preparations.
It took one but a very short time to guess how you saw my picture. I knew John visited Mansfield last summer.
It was a most miserable looking thing a little worse than the original.
Seton Ria’s death was very sudden to all of us. He was sick only two days, yet it was
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very severe. She suffered dreadfully all of the time. Her mind was clear only at times, and continued so until the last when she appeared more irrational. She died in the most agonizing pain. We feel her loss very much.
You are of course very much interested in war matters, for it seems to be the only theme now a days. Lester I suppose you know is with the Burnside Expedition. He went as Lieut Col of the 5th Mass Reg. They have been having a terrible time. He writes at Hatteras inlet, but now they are moving on safely, and with the hope of success the boys you ask me about are not the boys they were but are changed as all others do. Henry Wheeler is in Hartford. I had a call from him this last summer. Leonard Field is now in Springfield, but at the time the rebellion broke out he was in Charleston S. C. I shall expect to hear from you soon again. Hoping you will receive this I remain as ever your cousin A. M. H.
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My Dear Niece
As I suppose Anna has written all that would interest you I will only assure you that you are not forgotten by us but have often been spoken of and we often wondered why you did not visit us last summer last winter and she thought you would visit them this coming summer.
We are sorry to learn of your poor health. I think a change might restore it. We shall look for you when the weather is settled in the spring if we hear nothing to the contrary.
We feel truly to sympathise with you in again having your home broken up. But we shall none of us need an earthly home long & that we may all be prepared to meet in our heavenly & happy home not made with hands.
With love to all who enquire
I remain yours Affectionately
Mrs J Hunting