The bell toled for Sarah Partridge this morning. She was taken sick yesterafternoon and died this morning at nine o'clock. She was at school Friday. It seems very sudden.
I hope it may lead the young to think.
This is a transcription of a letter that my great-great-great grandmother sent to her husband during his service in the American Civil War. It was written with minimal punctuation, so I have made regular edits for readability while keeping the content of the letter as close to the source as possible.
Where archaic and mis-spellings do not hinder understanding, I have transcribed them as written.
A scan of the original letters is interspersed with the text for comparison.
I have dozens of letters from Marcia Spencer Grinnell to her husband Abel from this period, and will continue to share them as time and interest permit. The letters make for fascinating reading, and provide an intimate look into domestic life at the time of this conflict.
This letter comes from early in Abel Grinnell's service, describing events at home in Vermont not long after his departure. It's fascinating to me how much death occurs in these letters, as they are written from the "safety" of the family farm! Almost every letter describes someone's passing, and often several. Death is taken as a matter of course, and a reason to get right with the lord. You'll see...
Springfield Jan 17, 1864
My Dear Husband
When you wished me to write you while in Brattleboro I thought I should have nothing to write, and I have nothing, but the desire to speak to you is so great that I will trouble you with one of my epistles.
If I could think I should see you in a few days, it would be different. Then again, when I think that if I had said so, you would have staid at home, I cannot help feeling that I am somewhat responsible for what may happen to you. But I thought if you inlisted and was accepted, it would be the Lord's will and I would trust Him to take care of you and me, and that we can come to the same Mercy Seat, should be a comfort, though many miles separate us.
How shall I train the children up for God and usefulness? That is the great question with me. I do not know what to do mornings. It is a great cross for me to lead in family devotions, but how can my children be brought up without acknowledging the giver of every good and perfect gift? I have thought perhaps I should try the plan of reciting verses Sunday night, and if you will write your verse to me it will help me keep on.
The children have just returned from concert, Mary Marion and George brought home cards for reciting verses.
The bell toled for Sarah Partridge this morning she was taken sick yesterafternoon and died this morning at nine o'clock. She was at school Friday. It seems very sudden. I hope it may lead the young to think.
They think the funeral of Agnes was very solemn. Many were there.
My pork came last night but it is not put down.
From your wife Marcia S Grennell
Springfield Jan 18, 1864
My Dear Husband
I received your letter saying you would not go before Thursday so that I shall get another letter from you. If you can get a chance to write me before go south when you are at New Haven or on board the boat, I hope you will let me hear as often as you can.
Dr W. sent a letter with the note and his thanks. I tore your name off and put it with your papers. Mr. How called here and I paid him four and one half dollars.
We received a letter from Abe Saturday. He sayd he did not suppose you would have been accepted. If he had known, he could have got his captain to have taken you. He wrote a very friendly letter to your "military widow" and some very good advise to Sarah.
The girls went to the funeral of Sarah Partridge today. They both seem uneasy. Some say she had the spotted fever. They are afraid they may have it, and have asked me a great many questions about it. I told them might die soon. At any rate, this was a warning to them to be prepared, for death would come, and the promise was to the young if they would seek the Lord. Do pray for them.
I never Sarah so thoughtful as she has been this afternoon. Towards night she asked about the Universalists, what their religion was, and told what some of the scholars say about it.
I am so much afraid she will try and find some easier way than the strait gate. What can I do?
Jan 19
Mr Bates has just been in and salted the pork.
Did you pay for the wringer? If not, shall I? Or carry it back?
I have not heard anything about the wood yet. It is thawing today. The roads are very wet.
We are all well. I have been trying to pick up and put things away, and get the side-ache as usual, but my neck is almost well. I do not mind it in the day time, but it hurts to lay it down on the pillow.
Since the snow has melted, so the shed where the calves are is full of water. There is no place for them to lay down out of water.
You see that I got in a strait and had to write Sunday. I guess you will say that I had better save my three cents than send so often. I was afraid I should not have another chance to get a letter to you.
Sarah wants to know if I have told you any thing about "Hard cash." Fullalove identified the pocketbook that Capt. Dad carried the money in, and the receipt was found in the fingers of the dead body of Skinner. Sarah is very anxious I should take the paper another year. What do you think about it?
I must have some paper.
I think of you almost all the time.
Good by from your wife,
M S Grennell
CLICK HERE to read more letters from Marcia Spencer Grinnell and her family during the civil war. I'll be sorting the links by date as I add them.
Or CLICK HERE for a complete catalog of my work on Steemit, so far.