Auburn Nov 19^th 1848
My dear Son,
Some how I have been fancying that I ought
to hear from you before I wrote again but I believe
this expectation was based upon the supposition
that you would write from Little Rock
when I saw it announced that a detachment
of the Army had arrived – I am quite
anxious to know of your progress – So I must
be content to wait a while longer before
I see you – Gen Taylor a week or ten
days ago replied to your fathers application
I like his letter so much that I will
copy it entire –
“Baton Rouge – Oct 24 –
“Dear Sir
Yours of the 10^th of October making the
request that your son Lt. A. H. Seward 5^th Inf. be
granted leave of absence to visit his friends, was duly
received, through the Hon Truman Smith.
I find on consulting the rolls of the 5^th Regt – that
Lt. Seward is left in command of his company
by the absence of the Capt – and 1^st Lt – and regret

[top Margin] I send this letter to
Ft Smith as you
directed –
We are all much pleased
with the prints – Aunt
Clara is coming up
to see them to night –

therefore that the good of the service compels me
at this time to deny your request.
Whenever either officers shall join, I will
gladly afford him the opportunity to visit his family,
but would suggest that he be advised to prof[ f ] er
his application in the usual form, passing
his request, at the proper time, through the
channel pointed out in the Regulations.
I am sir, with much respect &
regard
Your Obedt Servt
Z Taylor”
I doubt not that upon the whole it is all for the
best though the yearnings of a mothers heart
would make it otherwise – Before this letter
came I was disturbed by the fear that you
might in some way be embarrassed by your
fathers application – The Gen. understands
it all as a mutual personal friend explained
at the time the reasons for the request –
We are all much rejoiced that Gen Taylor
is elected President – Our State gives him
a large majority – The Telegraph enabled
us to get the returns so much sooner than we
used to do, that Willie had the house illuminated

four days after the election – I believe Gen Taylor to
be a good and honest man – His dispatches evince
great ability – he has seen so much hard service
that he will not be likely to sink under increased
responsibilities – Do when you write tell me just
how your time is occupied – what society you
have and whether you find time for reading –
Your Father met at Rochester a few weeks ago
a Capt. Hamilton who complimented you very
highly – He spoke in flattering terms of your high
moral character and your efficiency as an
officer – Now pray tell me when you will
come home or whether I must make a journey
to Arkansas to see you – Are you in the midst
of the Indians & what nation – In your intercourse
with them do not forget that they are an injured
race – degraded and made vicious by their
conquerers – that they were comparatively happy
and innocent when their country was first
invaded by the White Man – Yesterday
I received the engravings you sent by Lt. Hunt
I regretted extremely that he did not stop
He has had been exposed to much danger since
you parted – You have probably seen or heard
an account of their perils by sea – The spih Ship
in which they embarked after tossing about

in the Gulf for 10 days during which time Lt
Perry and 4 men died they were obliged to
return to New Orleans – The last accounts say
that they have reached Buffalo by railroad
from N. York – but I have not been able
to learn in what manner they came to that City
whether by sea or land. I wrote you last
Summer that Uncle Polydore had lost his wife –
Death has again visited the family – Uncle George’s
wife – Tempe – died the 15 of Oct – It is sad
to think I am the only female left in the family
years of age – Grandma, Aunt Cornelia,
Marcia, Lockey, Tempe and Julia all gone –
Grandpa Seward may survive us all – his health
is about as usual – Mary, Caroline, and Sarah
are three young girls all left with the care of
a family – I wish very much to go and see them
but shall not be able to do so this Fall – Our
new building has occupied me until this time
and now your father thinks I cannot go without
endangering my health which is for me very good –
Your Father was two weeks in Ohio making Taylor
and Filmore speeches – he has now gone to
Baltimore on professional business – I expect Fred
home next week – All at home are well
including Aunt Clara and all send love and
kind wishes – Willie is determined to have a pony
if it can be attained by perseverance – Catherine Miller
was married to Mr. Heuson last week – Aunty Worden
and Cousin Frances go to Flatbush next week to
consult Dr. Vanderveer – Aunty is alarmed by Frances

[right Margin] continued ill health – as I am also – Dieu vous garde
Your affectionate Mother –

hFort Smith Ar
26 of Dec 1848
AR
Lieutenant A. H. Seward
5^th Infantry U. S. Army
Fort Smith Towson
hArkansas
AUBURN N.Y.
NOV 20

h4 shirts
1 under
1 draw
1 towel
2 hand
2m stock
1 gloves
1