I do not see why the states do not have every man drilled and formed into companies so that they would be prepared for a sudden emergency. If I was a ruler, something would be done about it. Then, if the rebs wanted to take a trip north, we should be ready for them... I would give them a hearty reception!
Marcia is really coming into her own, here. She continues to manage the farm, gets a little bit sarcastic with the hired help, and even offers her military opinion for the defense of the States.
Springfield July 14, 1864
My Dear husband
I received a letter from you Wednesday.
You are still unwell. Someone asked me if you knew that red pepper was just the best of anything. Another says peragoric is excellent, but I have not much faith in that to remove disease.
My haying is to be done this week. When Mr Lovel told me, and asked what I should say, I told him I should be very thankful unto him.
He said that would not pay well.
Said I, "If I paid ever so well, I suppose you would want I should feel thankful?"
"No," he said. I was under no obligation, so all I have to do is to pay!
3 Loads were put in the barn today. They say it is good, and that I shall have enough to keep my cows through the winter.
It has been rather catching weather, but mine [the hay] did not get sprinkled on.
I have quite little cucumbers, some almost large enough to pickle.
I thought to send some to Abram, but I fear I shall never have a chance. Poor fellow. Uncle Davis got a letter from Mr Hatch, a man who said he would go and see Abram every day. The surgeon said he could not be moved, but as soon as he could be brought home, he should have a furlough, and come home.
Carrie Griswold is dead. Her body was expected yesterday, but it did not come.
Mrs G feels dreadfully. She says if she could only have seen her, and heard her speak! Mrs Richards said everything she could to comfort her. She said if she had been one of her own children, she could scarcely have felt worse.
She [Carrie] was so amiable that she was beloved by all. The teacher wrote a beautiful letter to her mother. She was one of the first scholars, came off with honors in the graduating class, and had the very best essay of anyone. She was sick a week, died Sunday night. Monday was the day set for her to start for home if she had not been sick.
15 Friday Morning
There has been a rumor that Washington was taken, but I saw by the paper yesterday that it had not been attacked. But there had been a good deal of excitement there.
I do not see why the states do not have every man drilled and formed into companies so that they would be prepared for a sudden emergency. If I was a ruler, something would be done about it. Then, if the rebs wanted to take a trip north, we should be ready for them - and they seem to fancy coming north every summer. I would give them a hearty reception!
I have mentioned the case of sending books to the contrabands. Some say they think perhaps they might find an old spelling book, but not one has offered to send them - that is, pay the postage - so that I have not done anything about it. I have only 3 or 4 and not very good ones.
The 5 dollars is received which you sent. It will help me to pay my highway tax, which has been called for, but I was afraid something might happen so I did not pay. He said it would make no difference if he only knew where to look for it.
I do not know but I had better buy another barrel of flour. Some say that speculators have got hold of it, and it will be up to 25 dollars per barrel. I got my bbl. for 10 and can get one now like it for 12. I was lucky - it came up the next day!
I shall feel that I did the best that I could to raise my own corn. I can not tell how much it will cost me, but corn is very high, and I do not think it will cost as much as it will be worth to me for food and fodder for my cows.
I like my little cow very much, and the other is just as handsome as a dollar. She is fat and round, and tame, but I do not like her as much as the other. She has found she has horns, but the cow will let me lead her about by her horns, or do anything I please. The young will let me pat her and rub her side, or even take hold of her teat, but I must not come near her head. She likes to smell of me, and you know I rather be excused from such familiarity.
A man told me he would give me thirty dollars for her yesterday, but if she will have a calf, I shall not sell her, for I think she will make a first rate cow. But if not, I shall sell her for beef next winter, and get more than that - as high as everything is now.
We are all well now. What a blessing it is to be well. I fear I am not grateful enough for the blessings bestowed upon me.
How I wish you were well. If I knew you had health and was doing good, it would pay to get along as best I could.
Sarah has gone out to see if she can get scholars for a select school during vacation. I told her I wanted she should get back so that I could report to you. I am willing she should try what she can do.
She has returned, has the promise of three, and three more partly. If she fails, perhaps I shall try, but there is no cause for a failure unless it is want of patience.
From your wife
M S Grennell
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.
You can click on the original letters to see a high resolution scan 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.
CLICK HERE to read more letters from Marcia Spencer Grinnell and her family during the civil war.
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