MS 744 - Francis Stewart Papers Transcripts (1862-1863)
January 1, 1862
January 1st A. D./62
Good Morning Frank,
I wish you a happy New year & all The blessings one can wish on another this coming year. Good health & a safe return to your home & friends. This is quite a pleasant morning but the roads is so bad that I will have to stay at home today. I had t[w]o Invitations out today but it is all for the best of course[.] Our old friend Mrs. Keefer was buried Tuesday after a long & severe Illness. One of shoes Children was buried on Monday[.] Their is so many deaths around mostly children, but few weddings[.] Lieut. Will Bonnell has resigned[.] He took dinner with us yesterday. He has very poor health. How is your health & how do you enjoy yourself this winter[?] We have not had any sleying [sleighing] yet & of course mud is anything pleasant but the horse is the better of it. I am agoing down to Mr. Divers just as soon as the roads get good to visit Maggie. She told Dock to tell me she would come to see me if I would go down so of course I promised him to go[.] He is back to Fostoria again, Dr[.] Chamberlain of Tiffin is quite ill. Albert, Everett does not get any better[.] He is so blue[.] By the way was it Claton Everett dead? His death was in the newspaper of Co. H.M.P.[?] Regt. Will Bonnell was telling me he read it down south.
Mr. Pettit paid us a short visit this week. His son Charles is Teaching--Callie Cellars and Joe Enos starts to school Monday in Fostoria. Jim has gone down to visit the red School today. This reminds me of a visit that was made some four years ago at the same school No. 10 is dead, she was married to George Clark, if you remember. She died with Consumption. You asked if Jim had growed any. He is almost as big as Don was when I last saw him & is as mischievious as ever although he has throwed aside his baby actions. He has been buying poultry for a man in Findlay by the name of Osborne.
Well Frank since writing the above I had Company and had to quit to get supper. Jim has gone to Millgrove to a Festival. How I should like to go to. I have found a new pen[;] please excuse the first one I used. We have a discharged Soldier living with us. He is as green as grass, but the poor fellow is an orphan & of course we can look over his actions. He was in the battle of the Shiloh, one of The 57th. John May and Rob Cellars has gone to Vicksburgh. The[y] anticipate a great battle there. Adda is at home but will go to John if wounded. She is waiting a dispatch. have you seen Dick since he went back? I will write to him tonight, Rob McMeen has a Lady corispondent in our neighborhood Opshaw. It is to bad to have to write when I would rather talk to you but since we cannot I will try to tell you everything I can think of. Hall, Spooner is in the Army he went in of the Ill. Regt. I had almost forgotten their was such a person until Will Bonnell told me he saw him. I wish you could read some of Horace Greey's Letters on the War. If Pappa was not so choice of his Independants I would send them to you. Greely is one of the corispondents. He thinks the war will be over soon, he says the Rebles cannot hold out much longer. Our Frank has just bro't in a bucket full of Aples. Will you have one[?] I do not often eat fruit so I will talk on. Perhaps you would like to have me tell you how I am getting along. I am better, Thank you I have had very poor health for about four weeks but Dr. came back just in time to save me. He says he hopes that my Lungs are not affected much only sympathetic. I am afraid their is more affectation than affection about me. I certainly would not let all my organs sympathise with my disobedient Stomach. Thank my stars my heart has quit & will not be led by this disease any longer but will go forth in search of something better. I have just received the first number of Pettersons Magazine for 62. It is splendid. I was glad to see you read mMgazines. Perhaps you will not find as much fault with Rose and me as you used to. I had the reading of them last year & we will take them this year. How do you get Waverly Magazine? How is Capt. Hayes? Is his health as good as ever? How doesn't come that his company saluted him all but 2 men when he went back after sending him the Letter the sent[.] He writes to his friends at home that his men were all glad to see him return and received him with Cheers except 2. I would like to know what kind of a reception you gave him. Has he and Miss Robinson made up yet? He had better come back to his black eyed Darling, redheads are to fiery for him. Well you will realy think I have lost my senses but I have only lost part & that part is better. I can hear better. I did I think I will get over this deafness after while. If I live long enough & I guess I will have to get a little soberd down before I die. I have thought of Dying so long I will have to give it up & wait my time. I wish you was not so old bachelorfied & come up & take me out Sleighing or is it stingeness that keeps you fellows down South. Their, did that make you mad[?]If so don't be offended at a child's talk & I will not apologize. Frank steal something from the Rebles and send it to me as a New Year's gift. Bring back a little darkie for a servant. Adda has a nice one but she does not treat her as a servant--she sends her to school and pets her just the same as she does any of her Neices or Mays rather. She dressed her just as she would a white child. A great deal better then I dress but it makes some of the relations down west mad[.] she is coming out to spend a vacatrion with us next summer. Well this is filled with nonsense & it is time to talk with brother Dick. Good bye.
Yours truly, Till
P.S. I have not been at the office this week but I expect to get 2 letters from Stewart Saturday and one from Dick. Write oftener. Till
I am ashamed of this scrawl burn it as soon as you read it my best Love & regards to Frank. Well wishes also.
January 20, 1862
Jan 20th /62
Friend Frank,
I had come to the conclusion that I would not write again till I receive a Letter from you, as I have not had one for nearly six weeks from you. Hearing through brother George that you were sick I readily excused you for not writing. I have wrote twice without having and answer from you. This reminds me of last winter does it you[?] My health is good with the Exception of a bad headache today. I visited Laura Diver Friday with Ad Cora Mary, & Nellie & Jim. We had quite a pleasant Time. We took supper at Mr. Stones. Laura's brother was there to. Sleighing is splendid now. Jim and Nell and Sallie Keefer have gone to Eagleville to meeting today. Grandma May is here on a visit & our beloved & adored John Stearns is married. Poor Racheal lost him at last. Also Orin, Cora we were teasing Laura about letting Cora get married but his learning the state of single blessedness did not trouble her any. She has been looking for a letter from you for some time but has not received any. Maggie Diver has been sick for some time. She was not any better Friday. What an awful thing it is to be sick. I hope ere this reaches you, you will be well again. If not why can't you get a furlough & come home untill you are fit for service providing you are able to come it would be more pleasant for all of us to have you here while you are sick. Brother George writes that his health is good and that he has Mustaches. He says he knows that will please Till, as she always wanted him to wear Them. He is contented with his Camp Life. Well I need not tell you as you have seen him since I have. Holydayes is one & where & how did you spend your Time. I stayed home Christmas. Spent News Years at Lomans with Pruda [?] Sally Keefer & I went down horse back we had quite a pleasant visit & ride.
Dick Lomans gave a democrat Party New years. Nathan Hatfield gave one on Christmas. Mr. Lumas never enjoyed himself as well in his life as he did at Those Parties. He was head man. I heard he gave them a speach but could say whether it is true or not, the 54th Regt has not left Findlay yet. I heard they had marching orders and were going to leave next August. How hard it will be to be hurried off so soon with so short notice. John Bosler has enlisted in that Regt. He gets fifty dollars for taking a boyes place in I think Foulhavers Company. Frank Disingers little boy is dead, He died with Dyptheria. This is quarterly meeting day at Vickers church.
How does Camp Life agree with Mr. Turner[?] Is his health any better? Who is your Chaplain? You spoke of receiving a can of fruit. Donor's name not known look at the writing see if it does look natural. I think you will find friends at Union as well as in Fostoria. I am glad you are so well off for gloves, so many are in want of them. Times are hard here but the people take it quite easy, only hoping for the war to end and peace to he restored again. Do you think England will turn in with the South[?] There is a great talk of it now I presume they think they can do as the please since America has given up Mason & Slidel. Frank it provokes me to think the United States would humble itself so to any other nation. I am no friend to Foreigners if I am Irish. If those men had not been given up I do not think we would have any more reason to fear England than we have now. They demanded them they will demand more but I do hope men will have more sence then to knuckle again.
Well Frank for fear I will weary your patience I will say no more at present. None will I write until I receive a letter from you. If you are tired of coresponding with me, you will oblige me in say so or if your sickness has prevented you from writing. I will readily excuse you.
As ever your friend Till
Will you think of your friend When she is absent from you Will you think of the moment When she bade you adieu Till
Frank R. Stewart
February 5, 1862
Febuary fifth, 1862
Cherished Friend,
Almost 2 weeks has elapsed since I last wrote you. I would have wrote sooner but we had so much company this last week, I could not be alone long enough to write. My health is unusually good. How encouraging. the most of my time I spend in reading. my medicine is Lobelia and Capseum with a Vapor bath twice a week. You have no idea how much this simple treatment improves my health. I am not nerved up as I used to be but how much better for a person to know how much they can stand without over tasking their bodies. How is your health this evening[?] Will your wound trouble you in marching[?] What a shameful slaughter this war makes among our men. Rose was telling me this week that Rob McMeen is Dead poor fellow. He went to fight for his country feeling it to be his duty not knowing that it would deprive him so soon of all earthly pleasure. Your mother told me he was engaged to a young Lady in Tiffin, one worthy of him. Well Frank I presume I can tell you something that will please you. Your mother and I are on better terms than we have been since you left. She came down last Tuesday to settle up our difficulties. We have spoke about it several times never doing either of us any good untill this time. Perhaps we will understand each other better now and appreciate each other more. I felt she looked down on me because I was poor but I do not now. You know that would wound my feelings & my proud, haughty spirit will bow to wealth but now it is over & I do trust & hope we will never get in another fuss. Rose & Jim came down with her[.] we had quite a pleasant time. Rose has a sweet little boy she calls him Frank. I know you would love him he is so much prettier than Anna Hyter. Rose looks 2 years younger than she did when you went away. It is snowing and has been for a day & night. I hope we will be sleighing. Have you sleighing in Nashville? We are expecting Add & her family out everyday. The Fostorians have been giving Concerts this week. Nellie & Jim were up. Nellie says it was a grand performance & well got up last week. The Scholars of the Union school passed an examination. Callie Cellars was 2nd best, one of James Hayes's sons was ahead of her. You will have to excuse me for making so many mistakes for Nellie is reading a good story & I have to stop to listen once & awhile. Elijah McCrill raport says he has gone for Elisa' Hales body. Did I tell you that Elisha Moses had deserted. He was at home awhile and passed for a paroled prisoner. Have you heard from Albert Frankfather since you last wrote me? We dare not tell Granma anything about him. You will confer a favor by keeping me informed about his health and whereabouts. Is it true that John Burnard has become a profligate. That is the report here. He sent some very insulting Letters to some of the girls. They quit corisponding with him on that account. Please do not mention it though. I thought perhaps you could have some influence over him & if you had a chance of conversing with him you could draw in him from his Evil companions & point him to Jesus. His life is precious in the sight of the Lord. If you ever intend to be a minister, Frank (as you have often expressed that desire to me) I think you are in the right place to begin. All need the love of the savior on the battlefield. Do you think Rob McMeen was prepared to die? What an awful death it is to die unprepared to meet God. That is all my trouble in the world. I do not wish to settle down with the thought that I am ready to meet him & then fear his presence at last. I trust if I live right he will give me grace in a dying hour. I heard a few days ago that if Orin Hayes did not come home soon he would not be long in the world he is looking so bad. Is he and Miss Robinson Enemies yet? I think it is so strange that they quarrel so often perhaps they believe in the old maxim absence conquers love. What do you think of that. For my part I think it all a hoax. Well you will think I am writing a big Letter & on big paper. I know it & I did it a purpose, thinking you would be lonely. I bought this sheet on purpose to write to you and I have a little song to write on the other side. Will Bonnell larned it to me it is so nice I thought I would send it to you. By the way Will starts to Michigan next week to buy land with the money he earned in the service. He is so poor and do not believe he will live to enjoy it but if he does he will have a home. He was here Tuesday night. Our Dutchman has gone over to Keefer's asparking as he calls it. He is a sensible as John Keefer & no better. He is after Ell, this is the 2nd trip for him. I wish you could see him get ready. It pleases him so much that he laughs all the time. Terrie Loman talks of going back to the army. His health is a great deal better. O yes I have a new Cousin. Maggie Cole is married to a widower. You have read some of her Letters to me. Cousin Moses Calhoun was out to Van Wert to see his Land but did not come over to see us. How disappointed I was when I heard it. I thought so much of him. He was so kind to me when he was here. His brothers are all at home. I do not think any of my Calhoun cousins are in the army now. One was killed at Pittsburgh Landing but a host of my Cole cousins are one was drafted & a cousin by marriage was drafted in Trumble County this State. So much for Loyal blood. Well well I wish it was over. I told Rose the war did not trouble me any because I did not think the boys had any business to go as there was no call for them. She thought me a democrat. I told her I was but it was just to keep them ffrom teasing me & they believed it.
I will close hoping to hear from you soon. I do not know where to direct as you spoke of laving the hospital in 2 weeks but will direct their any way for fear you are not as well as you expected to be. My best regards and Love to you.
Affectionate yours Tillie
The Cottage and Time
1). Farewell to the scenes of my childhood Farewell to my cottage and time I go to the land of the stranger Where pleasure alone shall be mine
2). When lifes fleeting journey is over And Earth again mingles with Earth I can Die in the Land of the Stranger As well as in the land of my birth
3). Yes these were my feelings at parting But absence soon altered their tone The cold hand of sickness came over me And I wept o'er my sorrows alone
No friend came near me to cheer me No parent to soften my grief No Brother nor Sister came near me And stranger could give no relief
Tis true that it matters but little Though living the thought makes me fine What ever befalls poor relic When the spirit has flown from its shrine
When Life's fleeting journey is over And Earth again mingles with Earth Lamented or not still my wish is To die in the land of my birth
Good Night
This has been my hearts desire that I could be burried among my own native hills.
June 2, 1862
Kings Corners June 2d /62
Friend Frank,
Feeling rather lonesome this evening I thought I would spend a few moments conversing with an absent but ever remembered friend. I will have more time to write to you since George has returned. I alwayes wrote him once a week. He came to Findlay last Friday. He will be Home this week. I do not know whether he has resigned or not but rather think he has. His health is so poor & he has a very sore Limb. I will give you the full particulars the next time I write. We have rain every day. Everything looks like a flood. Well the Grand Prairie came off last Saturday. It rained in the morning cleared up untill evening & then rained again. I did not go to the Prairie but I took a ride in the evening & was caught in the storm & had to stay all night. Well I know you would liked to of been with me. A more showy appearnace has not been made in Wood County than I made with my fancy riding rig. Well I must tell you how I look'd as I went out for sport & had enough before I came back. I think you will Laugh. Well first my riding habit was a red dress a big apron that almost covered me up & a sunbonnet. My horse was a Dunn color, my bridal was a blindbridel & my saddle was the horse's back. In that way, I left home & had to stop at Abe Keefers & stay all night, come home Sunday morning to be laughed at for my ride but I am determined to learn to ride & just learning to ride on a saddle is not agoing to learn to stick on a horse. Well enough of this. My health is prety good. I saw your sister Rose sabbath week. She looks healthy & acts just like she used to. How much she reminded me of her oldest Brother more so than ever. She is coming up to see me some of these times. Your friend Mary, Cora & I have got to be very intimate. We see each other nearly every two weeks. I often think of the evening you spent with her and wonder what she would think if she only knew you told me all about it. I believe she used to think of it for she was very shy of me at first & would talk a perfect streek to Nellie, but she has got over it now. Well it was too bad as you was first beau. Well Frank, old Mrs. Keefer is getting worse. Everybody knows of her being crazy. She is so bad that she will strike at them & she tried to choke Mabral[?]. She is at Crises & will not go home. They are agoing to try to take her home this week. it is not safe to have her with Chrises children. She whiped Little Robbie the other day. Eliza has gone home to help take care of her. It is awful. How thankful I that God in his mercy saw fit to afflict me as he did and not deprive me of my reason. My hearing is still better although this damp weather is hard on me. I had almost forgotten to tell you that my cousin William Calhoun, was killed Battle of Pittsburgh Landing. He was the only full cousin I had I had in the army that I know of. He was a brother of Mag Calhoun, now Fife. He was about Capt. Hayeses age & left a wife & one or 2 children. I felt bad when I heard that Call Bowersox was killed but did not know that one nearer to me than him was lying on the field but it is all for the best. I do not know how Uncle will feel about him for he is a Democrat.
Page Fourth [upside down on top of page] I sent you 2 or 3 letters directed to Pittsburgh in place of Pittsburgh Landing. Will you get them. You did not say Landing in your address.
Ell has just come in from the garden with some ripe Strawberries, how Delicious. This time last year I was in Findlay & you were in Old Wood. What a Change one year will make[.] where will be this time next year. Time will tell. Well I have not forgotten your words I think you sayed you would visit Wood County in a year if the war would not be over in that time. The year is nearly up & not any signs of the war being at an end. And will you keep your promise. N[?], Ports has gone this last call. The last one I should have thought of. Brother John would of gone to, but they would not receive him. Have you seen John May. If you do see him before I do just kiss him for me. (More than you could do if you want to. He hates kissing so bad.) Well you do not know how bad I want to see George he has been so sick so long among strangers & now to think we can have the pleasure of doing our Part as sisters should is a comfort to me. I would gladly went to the South to of cared for him when sick if my health would of permitted me to do so but it will be more pleasant to have him at home.
We had quite a time Sabbath week down at Anderson's Creek. Bigs Baptised about sixteen diped & Hannah Stearns was one of the latter. I never thought she would go with Silas but she did at last. Some thought Silas would join the Baptist with her but he conquered at last. Well it was a solemn sight to see so many immersed at once but some of our youngsters made quite a frolic of it. They dressed up in their riding suits & went down full gallop Jerry and Ann with the rest just as they turned the corner at Cellars' Jerry says left wheel & off they went. I have no faith in such a religion that alows folks to do as they please on the Sabbath Day. Ann & Rachael Roberts was riding around last Sabbath. The passed our house. I am perfectly disgusted and do not wonder that you stayed the greater part of your time in town before you left. It appears to me that the people are a great deal more vain than they used to be or I am getting more sober one on the other. I do wish you could come home on a visit, can't you. Well this is the seckond time I have asked this question but you will have to excuse me for it. Jim has been trying to find out who I was writing to & he bothered me the I can't half think he has left me now because I told him if he did not I would burn his kindling wood in the Kitchen & you know how he does not like to have that burnt, he only wanted to know if I was writing to you or to Findlay he has so much trouble about certain Epistles that he cannot find the authors name. Please back your letters all as you did the last. I like it best & then I send up to the office for most all of my letters & do not want everybody to know who is writing me. I hardly ever get your letters out myself & the last one has fooled some. They think it a new corispondent. When the letter was handed to me the person sayed it is from no person that I know. A letter from the Army is of so much account nowadayes that all most the first salute is have you had a letter lately from any of the boys & how are they & what are the doing. Well done, I have this sheet full too. Susan McConnell was at home last week she is the same Ann yet. Frank is away building a place for the reble prisoners at Sandusky. She went to him Friday.
Receive my love & best wishes for your welfare & believe me your most devoted friend, Till Foreman
[at margins] I expect a letter from you this week. I get one every 2 weeks from you. And good night & a pleasant sleep with sweet dreams of the home you left behind.
June 22, 1862
Home. June 22nd /62
Friend Frank,
I will once more try to Pen a few lines for your benefit, not knowing what to write that will interest you, as their nothing going on in our Neighborhood. I will have to write just as I talk when I do not know what to say when I am trying to entertain any person, hoping you will not go to sleep reading as you would most assuredly do if you were listening to my jabbering. Brother George has been at Home. He was very sick when he came to Findlay so bad that week that they thought he would not live but he got better he came out home on visit with bringing his Medicine along with him. His trip here and back to Findlay was to much for him he took sick again and was almost as bad as ever, but is some better. He has the worst looking Limb I ever saw (The whole left Limb is one complete sore) he has the Eresypilous [erysipelas--an acute skin infection] and his blue Pants poisons him. he was not Discharged, but does not Think he will go back for a while. he intended to start last Tuesday but was not able to go. one of his friends in Nashville think that he will be discharged. he thought he saw his papers made out. if that is so he will not have to go farther than Columbus, he is not able to go farther than Columbus. he is not able for duty nor will not be this Summer. He looks bad. He lives chiefly on bread and milk. He has dispepsia very bad. I am so glad he is at home & I do hope he will stay. John May well the last time he wrote and intended marching soon. He bought himself a horse. My health is prety good at present & I feel just as though I could enjoy myself if this horrowble war was over & our friends around us once more. But alas, how many has fallen since last we met, some near & dear to us by the ties of nature. My daily prayer is that we may be priveleged to meet once more on Earth before we depart for another world. I once thought we would not but my health is improving so fast that I have good hopes of seeing the 2 year boys again. I do wish it was up now, I long for the next Presidential Election when I do trust and pray God to give us one honest President. If Lincoln is to be our next President, I would like the privelege of seeing him burned alive. I do not want to live in the U.S.A if I have to live under such a man. Well Frank I has rained all day & every is as wet as it can be, I am expecting a Lady from Findlay to visit me this week she is on the south ridge her name is Miss Bettie Baldwin a daughter of Dr. Baldwins. She cannot come if it rains this way all week. Callie Bronson has one of the worst Catarrhs on her hand that ever I saw. It is worse than both my hands were & you know they were bad enough. She will lose her first finger on her right hand. It is coming off now and the sore was in the hand. Granma May is getting well. Mrs. Keefer is sinking fast. I must tell you I had strawberry Pie for my Dinner yesterday & O you had better believe I had a beau today. His name was Peter Mcquity. Jim's girl sent him her Likeness from Pennsylvania last week. She has grown to be a young Lady. She looks to be about my size. Jim has been corsponding with her for some time. He fell in love with her when they were babies. He sent her his Likeness this summer. She is so pretty I think, her eyes are gray and her hair was light when I saw her but of course it would change in 8 years. She has it shingled. So has Orins Cora wife. There was preaching sabbath week at Eaglevill by the celebrated George R. Brown & a Quakeress. Orin & Lady were down. The universalist organized a Church there that day. I will try to give you the names of those that united, Sherman, Bronson, Sarah Eckels (his daughter), Mrs. French, Mrs. Bonell, Sarah Bronson, Mrs. Dunn. Russell Chilcoat at has been paying very strict attention to Sara Bronson for some time. I do hope he will not be caught in that snare.
You will please excuse me for not writing sooner as circumstances are as they have been. I could not write we were so uneasy about George all the time but I hope our fears are over now & I will try to do better. Write soon. My love & compliments.
As ever yours Till
P.S. Thank you very much for writing on that sheet of captured paper. I had come to the conclusion that you & George had forgot to send any secesh back before I got that.
August 20, 1862
Sweet Home, August 20th /62
Mr. Stewart
Kind Friend,
Once more with the Permission of kind providence, I will spend a few brief moments in conversation with you. It is Sabbath day a Lovely but very cold day. It rained quite hard Friday and Saturday. Last night we had quite a frost although it was a hard frost it did not do much harm. My health is slowly improving. I am enjoying myself well. I spent last Thursday in Fostoria at Mrs. Searles. I went up with Les Lavers and Jim came after me in the evening Mollie S. invited some Ladies in for Tea. We had a pleasant time. Miss Mattie Gear [?] called but would not spend the day as she was going to Tiffin with Locke [?] I received a Letter from you on the 25th and dated 15th. I was sorry to hear you speak so disdainfully of Bronson as he appears to be a fast friend of yours. He says he does not know much about a Soldiers life as he was not in the field but was kept in Nashville. I have met him several times. I received a letter from brother John lasat week. He is well & likes his place well. Tho't I tell you he is a Lieutenant he sent for your address saying he wanted to write to you. I will give you his so if you want to write to him you can. 1st O.V.H.A. Covington Ky in care of Capt J. S. Preble. George started back to his his old Regt but could not get a pass so had to come back. You asked me some time ago what ailed Asa Loman. It was Consumption. He has had it for years although people called him lazy. Mag have been home visiting. She went back Thursday. She is in very poor health. She looks bad. You spoke of Emma Bernard's marriage by all accounts it is the best thing she could of done. she has a good husband & if she had of stayed five years with her brother she would not of learned to be a good housekeeper. John thinks Chris is a good fellow. They want to school together in Findlay. Rob Cellars is coming home in October on fulough. His Sister & family are out here on a visit.
Now. Callie's School was out yesterday. O, I forgot to tell you Dick & his Lady love has had a fall out & dissolved. I can't find out why they did. Is it not to bad I was in hopes he would get married & settle down but he will to have to hunt up another girl. Old Johnny Dunn that lived at Squires is agoing to marry Lyda Ann Beard. Bill Richards' brother Frank married July Weaver (old Peters daughter) Everybody is agetting married nowadays. I had an offer a few weeks ago from Mr Corey, a grand son of Mrs. Eliza Coreys & son of the Reverand Able C. I thought I had better except for fear it is would be my last chance. He is young & handsome, just 7 yrs. old. It is quite time to quit flirting now. I called on Mrs. Noble formerly Miss Warner. She quite happy now. Nan is with her yet. This is the last Day our Preachers will be here until after Conference. Their is to be a Union Mass meeting in Fostoria on the 12th of next month. They expect a grand time. I would like to you but I think I will not for fear it would be too exciting. I heard from S. W. this week he is all right. if my health still improves, I am agoing to Fostoria to spend a week this Fall. I wish you could be there too. I have got a [illegible] with a sweet girl there and she wants me to come ever so bad. I am glad you talk of coming home this fall if you can get a furlough. Orin has not been home for a long time. I do not know why he does not come. The boys and girls in general are all well. Receive my love & best wishes & believe me a ever your friend.
Respectfully Yours, Till
P.S. Are you promoted yet I long to hear it say yes in your next so I can put Lieut to your name. Good Bye Frank
October 23, 1863
Mr. Mrs Cellars
Oct. 23rd 1863
Friend Frank,
I am staying all night with Callie. We thought we would spend the evening writing to you & Rob. Jennie is at the Table with us the children are in bed & the old folks are away so we will expect quite a pleasant Evening. We are in good health & good spirits; Ann is quite sick she is bedfast. I am certainly better than I have been for six months. Since I had last wrote you I have visited Don[?]. We had a party at your fathers, Miss Rachel McMeen [?] was out--I think she has improved so much in looks & manners since I last saw her & so has Don. He is truly a Gentleman[.] He gave me his photograph[.] I am so proud of it. I do hope our boys may all do as he has done it will be so much better for society, than to have them come back rough outcasts. Rob. Cellars, is sick in the Draine[?] Hospital New Orleans, Mollie Bossler, has is in Philadelphia, City with her Aunt Enos[.] She has been gone about a week. Elhi Becker has commenced house keeping[.] They live in Don's[?] old Stone House. Sallie lives with them. I called on them last Monday[.] They keep everything nice[.] John, Drake is Dead[.] he died in the Hospital[.] Mrs. Hays & I were out visiting in their new carriage[;] we had quite a pleasant time[.] by the way I walked down to visit her last week the farthest I walked this summer[.] it did not tire me very much[.] we are very busy making Apple butter & drying fruit. It spoils my hands so for writing & sewing I can scarcely use my pen at all. My hands were so tender the fruit tufend them up a little more than I liked. I received a Letter from Johny this week he is well. Dick is out on a Wedding[?] Tour this week with a friend of his. That reminds me of the times we used to have when we were young ..the young folks are all getting married as fast as they can. Huldah Drake was married yesterday. Sam Bronson & Abba Hiller was married about 2 weeks ago. Sam is Eighteen & his wife 24 or 5. Don't that beet all things[.] Just look at such a Childish trick. Saw George Bronson last week he is well, Hays is better Dr. Hare is his Physician. he was a Surgeon in the Army[.] I saw Dr. Cake while he was at home & I was in the same room with him but did know him. I was ashamed of it but could not help it. I think he looks so much better than he used to. I am sorry you have such poor Luck[,] but it is all for the best. You may get your Commission yet. If not, do not get discourged only think how short a time you have to stay just Ten Months. You spoke in your last about the time being so short. I feel so to[o] except last spring when I was so weak I thought every hour a day & every day a week, how often I went to the door to look for an absent one that came not but God order[ed] it otherwise. I had to submit to his will & now the time flies along so swiftly I can scarcely keep up with it. The weather is cold rainy & disagreeable today. I hope it wont last long so Mrs. Hays & I talk of going out to gather Hickory Nuts. Won't it be nice work just the knid I like. Jim Bronson, has sold out & talks of going to Michigan. Grandma will live with Johns this winter. I do not know how much longer Jim Bronson belongs to the Independent Co & perhaps will have to go to the Army. If so they will not go west. They are ordered to be ready for a moments warning I heard yesterday. The President has called for more men. I do hope this will be the Last year of war but I am not going to spend my opinion about it to our Neighbors, neither do I feel for some of them as I should. For this reason I cant say Gentleman but a sneaking fellow told a Lady in Company that the Foreman family are not a Loyal family just for uglyness or jealousy. You know better than that yourself we done all we were able to do for our Country & more accordingly than they did for fear Jim would excell him he branded the family with such a disgraceful name Vengence is mine & I will repay sayeth the Lord. If he don't I will, God being my helper. I did intend to write a good long letter but my hand hurts so I will have to close. Expecting to hear from you soon.
I will Close Callies Compliments with mine as ever your friend Till