Auburn Aug 11^th 1851
My dear Child,
Your letter from Washita
came last week– I was not then able to
answer it – I am exceedingly sorry that
you have been ordered so much further
from us to a situation where I fear you
will not be very comfortable – I feel
that there is much cause for thankfulness
that you have escaped the Cholera
the reports of Cholera at Ft Smith had
made us uneasy – May you continue
to be blessed with health. Fred came
home Saturday night having been in New
York up to this time – he looks well
and has been well most of the time
he will remain at home a week or
two – He says Capt Thomas or Mr Thomas
as he now is, is an industrious lawyer
increasing his estate, which I believe
he obtained by marriage – They had
all gone out of the city before Fred
came home –

Caroline has gone to New Jersey where
she is receiving very particular attention
from Mr Adamson the young gentleman
whose miniature she had two or three
years ago. She will be here in time
for me to arrange her wardrobe previous
to her return to school – Willie is much
engaged and very much interested in
reading Headley’s 'Washington & His Generals’ –
it has all the interest of a romance
to me though I am reading it for the
second time – Willie has not yet
determined whether he will go with
us to Washington or attend the select
school at the lake. I prefer to have
him with me though he has no fancy
for Washington. Gen Scott said in
his letter that you should have the
preference in the next appointment on
the Coast Survey – I shall see that
he does not forget it –
Your Father is still in Detroit
the cause in which he is engaged has

been very tedious but he feels that
he has been useful in saving some
innocent men from unjust punishment
The final result is I still uncertain –
I hope they will conclude this week –
Aunty & Evelina Schooley are still
here – Henry Chesebro was her[ e ] Friday
said he left Frances well – Fanny
often wishes you were with us – she
has procured a puppy which is to be
introduced into our family, by the name
of Trip, in about two weeks – an accession
which I presume will be very troublesome
to the senior members of the family –
Aunt Clara is well and spent last
evening (Sunday) with us. Grandpa
is in usual health – he and Fred
are driving Bob it this time on some
plank road or another – Clarence
& Caroline were not in Church yesterday
we think they went to Geneva –
I hope you will write me all about
you[ r ] present situation and how you
are occupied – I make an extract from a

Review of an article entitled the “Duty of
British officers” which I suppose may
be equally applicable to American Officers –
“Every officer in the Army no matter what his rank, no
matter where he is posted, can do much to increase the
happiness & elevate the character of the men under his
command. Soldiers rarely learn to respect themselves until
they have learned to respect their officers – The first
duty of an officer is to set a good example to his men –
Not merely before the enemy, not merely on parade, but
in the face of the world & in all the paths of daily life
Very little happens in the officers quarters that is not
well known to the men in the barracks occupied by the
men. What weight can there be in an officers admonition
when the soldier feels that he who admonishes him, is
habitually guilty of the same vices? What the value
of precept when example lies in an opposite direction? –
Soldiers are like children, they require the aid of
people more wise & powerful to supply them with
occupation & to evince an interest in their amusements –
They require direction to the right or they will inev-
itably go wrong – If an officer can do nothing else he
can set them a good example, give them good advice
give them books to read when they have leisure or direct
them in their work when employed – He who interests
himself most warmly in all that concerns his men,
who enters most into their feelings, contributes most to
their comfort, most promotes their innocent amusements,
most encourages their confidence, in a word he
who lives most for his men, is the best Officer” —
May God direct and bless you my child –
Your Mother –