Civil War widow writes grandson as a soldier of WWI
Author
Recipient
Date Written
Oct. 22, 1917
Member of Series
Mary Adkinson Longwood Moore was 70 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Raymond E. Longwood, was 22 when it was received.
Mary Adkinson Longwood Moore died 4 years, 3 months, 14 days after writing this.
It was written 105 years, 5 months, 9 days ago.
It was a Monday.
Addressed to:
Mr. Raymond E. Longwood From: Mrs. Mary L. Moore; Westport, Indiana
19th Co., 5th Batalion
Depot Brigade
Camp Devens
Ayer, Mass.
Westport, Indiana
Oct 17, 1917
My Dear Raymond,
So glad to get your card. Hope we will be permitted to write many times and that I shall not be without knowledge of your address for long at a time. Glad you are not far from home yet. Your father wrote he could go see you often while you remain there as you say we know not how soon you may be moved, but Uncle Sam will take good care of you. Sure it must have been hard parting from home folks, but we will hope and pray it may not be for long. Hope you will write me and often as you can, and tell me of your army life.
Dear Raymond you have been my joy and pride always since you were born, as you were the first grandchild. May the dear Lord permit me to see you again. Your grandfather was a soldier of the Civil War. I now draw $25 per mo. as his widow. I love our country and would defend it if I could. Am so proud of you shall pray for your health and safe return every day & might. God can take care of you there as well as at home. Read your Testament through, read it prayerfully. Jesus will be very near you. If your turn your back upon all sin, he will receive you, make you happy in his love. It is just the same with us as usual. Rena is feeble. My health is good now. I’ll write your parents soon. Very truly, your loving Grandma.
October the 23rd A snow covers the ground this morning, is melting fast. I think of you Dear Raymond. You will be confused at first with the very different duties and surroundings instead of Mother’s kind words you hear a babble of strange voices. Instead of Mother’s good breakfast, you have army food. But let us thank God for it. If you are invited to sin, yield not. Live up to the highest ideas. The Y. M. C. A. will have good meetings I hope and you will find many like yourself who are lonely. You can encourage them and they you. Choose the best boys for your bosom friends & try to help others and may God bless you all.
Ma
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