MS 755 - Brigham Family Papers Transcripts (March - April 1865)

March 1, 1865

St Nichols Hotel
New York
March 1st /65

Dear Eddie

I have not been away from the house since I wrote you. But I am nearly well. It is very provoking to be kept in doors when there is so much to see I was down at Barnums last week. Saw many ominous animals & things was at the Broadway theater Thursday night & at Winter Garden Friday night at the fist saw The Toodles & Forty winks, Comedys, both good at the last saw Edwin Booth play Hamlet. And was well pleased with his acting Since that time I have not been away from the hotel in the evening. I wish you could be here with me this is a grand hotel. The Burnst & Niel house sink to insignificance when compared with it the rooms are elegant and the bill of fare includes everything that one can possible wish for, I knot you would enjoy yourself here, but I do not. I only wish that I had staid at home until the last of this week. I am as much alone here as I would be in the Wilderness. And it provokes me very much to think that I am here where I might just as well have been at home with you but an officer must make an effort to comply with orders although he knows that it is impossible to accomplish what he undertakes I hope Sherman will turn up somewhere soon so that I can reach my Command. I shall look for a letter from you Saturday or Sunday. If I am here which is uncertain as I shall get away as soon as possible Please remember me to all And believe me

Yours Affectionatly

Henry(?)

March 14, 1865

Hilton Head S.C.
March 14th/65
Dear Eddie

I shall probably be at Blairs landing Several days. And I am very anxious to receive a letter from you. If you write immediately up on the receipt of this perhaps I may get it. I have not time to write a letter as the (-----) leave shortly and this will have to be mailed immediately Give my respects to all. And accept the love of

Henry

P.S. direct two or three letters as follows

Lt Col JH Brigham
Hilton Head
S.C.

Keep writing to this point until you hear of Shermans arrival at some point on the coast and then direct to eth Regt Please send me a Photograph as soon as you (---) some taken

Henry

April 18, 1865

Avens Ford N.C.
April 18th/65

Dear Eddie

I wrote you a note from Hilton Head, April 5th I started the next morning for Wilmington Arrived at that place April 7th. Staid there until the 9th saw Gen Hayes there. I did not write as I wished to get the letters at the regt first. On the 9th I started for Goldsboro to join the Regt. We made slow progress as the rebels had torn up some of the track. And we ran our and exploded one torpedo which did no damage except to scare some recruits we had upon the train. We arrived at Goldsboro early on the morning of the 10th. I reached the Regt about twenty minutes before it started upon our present campaign I found several letters for me there and I assure you I was glad to get them as we did not keep up a line of communication I have had no opportunity to write until now The army has been highly elated by the news of Lees surrender It is reported that Johnson is negotiating for the surrender of his army and our present inactivity seems to corroborate the rumor. If the rebels do not violate their paroles the war will soon terminate We have just received the news of president Lincolns assassination and are naturally very much exasperated. Should the war continue terrible vengeance will be wreaked upon the enemy for that deed of blood: I do not know how it will effect the war, but I sometimes think that we will be obliged to exterminate the villains before we can have a permanent peace The (----)(----) has not been put into my Regt yet on account of my absence - but it will be as soon as we half for several days I think there will be men enough to muster me as Col and presume I shall remain in the service. I think in the present unsettled state of affairs I had better do so. I presume I shall be able to resign if I should ever desire to do so. We will probably soon be mustered out, or be stationed at some post. In the former case I shall have done what I have always desired to do or remain in the service until the war is over. In the latter case I can live almost as well as at home. And shall have a dear little woman in north western O report to me in person at the earliest possible moment. Of one thing be assured - I do not intend to be separated from you for any considerable time. If I do not come to you I intend that you shall come to me and I will have a nice horse & saddle for you so that you can ride as much as you please There is only one thing that I think of which will interfere with there arrangements - that you have hinted at in several of your letters I hope that you are mistaken but if your fears should prove too true do not distress yourself about it but make up your mind to make the best of it, and remember in all your troubles that you have the love and sympathy of one who will gladly take all your sufferings upon himself if it were possible. I thank you very much for remembering what my wishes were. I have never entertained the slightest doubt of your fidelity to me but I have enemies who would gladly touch me in a tender place. And nothing could outrage my feelings so much as to have one breath of suspicion blown in the direction of one so dear to me. And remember Eddie that I have asked not so much from you as I observe myself I have made the acquaintance of but two ladies in the south since our marriage and they were the wife & daughter of a Brigham at Savannah of whom I have told you

I do not know as I owe Pauch anything I believe he keeps a hardware store and I believe father got a saw or something from him when I was home last fall perhaps father has got something else there Ask him about it and if I have not paid him once you can pay the debt. If you are in any doubt about it write me the particulars and I will tell you what to do. I am willing to pay whatever your folks think it is worth to (-----) you If you cannot stay at home this summer, where would you like to stay? That is providing you are not with me, It is getting so dark that I cannot see to write. You asked how many drinks I had taken up to a certain time "Nary" but I used some liquor for sea sickness coming down; have not taken in all five drinks since I left home I should drink more if you did not feel as you do about it. I will not disregard your wishes in this matter Although my army acquaintances may think I must have a very tyrannical little wife; but then they do not know what we do. Give my love to all

Yours affe.ly

Henry

April 21, 1865

Red Jr 69th Ohio Vol Infty
Marthas Vineyard N.C.
April 21st /65

Dear Eddie

The mail will leave in a few moments but I will try to send you a few lines I have written you once from this place. Have re'd no letters from you of a later date than march 27th I re'd one from father yesterday datelined April 4th We said that father Alman was going to move to Centerville. And I wish to know if you are going with them. If you can have a good room with them. I think you had better go especially if what you wrote me should prove (-----). If not, and you prefer to remain in (---) - do so, but please remember that there are a good many places there that I would not wish you to choose for a guarding(?) place. I think that I shall certainly be at home before July or else send for you to join me. I shall probably know in a few days. It will depend upon the result of the peace negotiations now going forward sure Give my regards to all and accept the love of

Your husband
Henry