Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Frances Miller Seward, January 5, 1865
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Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Frances Miller Seward, January 5, 1865
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:lxw
student editorTranscriber:spp:ekk
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1865-01-05
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Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Frances Miller Seward, January 5, 1865
action: sent
sender: William Seward
Birth: 1839-06-18
Death: 1920-04-29
location: Martinsburg, WV
receiver: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: UnknownUnknown
transcription: lxw
revision: crb 2016-09-08
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Page
1
Headquarters United States Forces
Martinsburg, VA.
Jan 5 1865
My dear Mother
I recd your
letter of the 3rd last night
and am highly pleased at the
success of Col Tafts
I could not help feeling that
if I was wounded & promoted it
would hardly be understood why
my Lt Col should be mustered
out for the same reason.
I am sorry to hear you say
that you & father
to Martinsburg. So far as safety
is concerned. I consider the R R
more safe than it has been at any
time before this summer, the departure
of troops being such as to prevent
Page
2
any danger of surprise.
In regard to Jennys
down here I thought that the
change would be beneficial to
her she writes me that the
numerous unusual events & excitement
of the part two months have made
her very nervous & that she does not
gain strength, to add to other
annoyances (although Jenny does not
complain in the least) I think Eliza
has made herself as disagreeable as
possible all through Jennys troubles
looking the matter all over I thought
a change of scene for two or three
weeks might be well for her although
I do not think it would be best
for her to bring both of the children
with her. I have not heard from
her on the subject and do not
Page
3
feel at all certain that she
will leave Nelly. My intention
to resign in Feby or March is
unchanged and I hope to be home
early in the spring. Jenny writes
that Aunty
quite contented
I am very sorry to hear that
Fanny
really hope she will not have
another attack of the quinsy.
A letter recd from Mac
says that he has made application
to be releived of the comd of his
Brigade as he cannot afford to
support the position any longer on
a Colonels pay. He is very anxious
to go home at the same time I do
and says he shall resign before
spring, Love to all. I hope
Page
4
you and Father will think
better of your visit to Martinsburg
You cannot imagine how
much I am gratified at Col
Tafts success
Your affectionate son
Will
I sent my Mules to Auburn
last week & wrote Patrick Judge
to put them to work
I have succeeded at last in getting
a very good Colored man (without
Northern airs) I shall take him
home with me if I continue to like
him as well as I do now.
If anything should occur that you should
change your mind about coming up here, let me
know a day before hand & I will telegraph you if
there is the least danger
Headquarters United States Forces
Martinsburg, VA.
Jan 5 1865
My dear Mother
I recd your
letter of the 3rd last night
and am highly pleased at the
success of Col Tafts
Birth: 1832-09-10 Death: 1867-01-20
application.I could not help feeling that
if I was wounded & promoted it
would hardly be understood why
my Lt Col should be mustered
out for the same reason.
I am sorry to hear you say
that you & father
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
have given up comingto Martinsburg. So far as safety
is concerned. I consider the R R
more safe than it has been at any
time before this summer, the departure
of troops being such as to prevent
any danger of surprise.
In regard to Jennys
Birth: 1839-11-18 Death: 1913-11-09
coming down here I thought that the
change would be beneficial to
her she writes me that the
numerous unusual events & excitement
of the part two months have made
her very nervous & that she does not
gain strength, to add to other
annoyances (although Jenny does not
complain in the least) I think Eliza
Unknown
has made herself as disagreeable as
possible all through Jennys troubles
looking the matter all over I thought
a change of scene for two or three
weeks might be well for her although
I do not think it would be best
for her to bring both of the children
Birth: 1864-11-10
Death:
Birth: 1862-09-11
Death: 1921-10-05
with her. I have not heard from
her on the subject and do not
feel at all certain that she
will leave Nelly. My intention
to resign in Feby or March is
unchanged and I hope to be home
early in the spring. Jenny writes
that Aunty
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
seems very well and quite contented
I am very sorry to hear that
Fanny
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
is not entirely well yet Ireally hope she will not have
another attack of the quinsy.
A letter recd from Mac
Birth: 1839-09-14 Death: 1914-05-24
yesterdaysays that he has made application
to be releived of the comd of his
Brigade as he cannot afford to
support the position any longer on
a Colonels pay. He is very anxious
to go home at the same time I do
and says he shall resign before
spring, Love to all. I hope
you and Father will think
better of your visit to Martinsburg
You cannot imagine how
much I am gratified at Col
Tafts success
Your affectionate son
Will
I sent my Mules to Auburn
last week & wrote Patrick Judge
Birth: 1832 Death: 1870-02
to put them to work
I have succeeded at last in getting
a very good Colored man (without
Northern airs) I shall take him
home with me if I continue to like
him as well as I do now.
If anything should occur that you should
change your mind about coming up here, let me
know a day before hand & I will telegraph you if
there is the least danger