Mother adds note about the surrender of Lee to Grant and then the death of Lincoln
Author
Recipient
Date Written
April 23, 1865
Member of Series
Eliza Davis Penly was 45 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Joseph Albert Penly, was 24 when it was received.
Eliza Davis Penly died 42 years, 1 month, 13 days after writing this.
It was written 157 years, 11 months, 6 days ago.
It was a Sunday.
Milton
April the 23 1865
Dear Brother Alfred,
Thinking it about time to write you will try and say a few words. I came home one week ago tomorrow, found them all well. In the woods there is no snow here to speak of and they have commenced to do the spring’s work. Jim is agoing to sew and plant here next week. II don’t know of any news to tell you for I have not been eny where or seen eny one but Gransir. He was over yesterday. It is so lonesome I don’t know what to do with myself. It seems so odd to not see Father around the house. Mother had a letter from him last night. He is in Savannah says he likes there well, expected t stay there all summer. I think he is some homesick.
[From Mother]
Milton
April 25
Well Alfred a few words to you this afternoon. I hope you won’t forget us when you get discharged for I have got about tired of taking care of the barn. Folk’s hair just begun spring work, some have got there sowing done this spring is a month earlier than common. I suppose it being on account of no frost on the ground.
The Nation was overjoyed at the close of the war. But there joy was soon turned to mourning. I don’t think the troops will be discharged so quick as they would if the President had lived. I see by the last papers that Lee’s soldiers were all sent home and Lee asked Grant what should be done with the horses and Grant said deliver them up to the United States, but I hope you will get home in time to plant some potatoes. But I hardly think you will before haying. Clare wants you to write whether you have seen any thing of Den or not, as he has been quite sick at Park’s Station and is quite slim. She isn’t fit to work. I don’t think of any thing more that would be interesting to you. You write soon I guess you forgot about that picture.
Scans of Letter
