Poe Archive

March the 28th 1864
Greentown, Howard Co. Ind.

Dear Son,

This is to inform you that we are all well. Sincerely hoping that these few lines may find you as they leave me and also that your letter to Rosseter and us came to hand on the 25th, which was a great consolation to hear that you enjoy good health. It is getting quite sickly here, especially among children. Mr. Brownfield is so he can walk about. Rachel has been almost bed fast for more than a week; Ellen is with her. They expect to move to town tomorrow, they have rented the house they used to own. There is going to be quite a tear up shortly. Old Mr. Willets has sold out and is going to Illinois. Mr. Fry has sold and talks of going to Indianapolis. Sam Lamb has sold his farm and gone to Indianapolis. Father has got the Mofever [desire to move to Missouri] and says if he could sell, [he] would not stay a week; he is digging up his little apple trees to day and going to grafting. The peach trees are all killed and people think the apple trees are so injured that there will be no apples.

We got a better letter from Joseph about ten days ago. He was well and at Otterville [Mo.] said they had fine times, plenty to eat, and nothing to do except drill once a day and sometimes twice a week. We also got a letter from Adam. He said he was well and had got back to his Co. He had been home on sick furlough. He said he left them all well but great excitement there. All the Rebels in Rodaway Co. were leaving for the gold diggers. I suspect they dread old Rosy. [General William Rosecrans] Adam did not say what was done with the pawpaw soldiers.1 Joseph said Emily sent him a letter some time ago praising the pawpaws. He said he gave her as good as she sent so he gets no more. Adam requested me to tell you to write to him. The last letter I sent to Knoxville. I enclosed on in which L. Jane had written to you. I am afraid you will never get it. She told what she knew concerning the reb boys we have had no news from Jeb lately. [?] nor Father has been to Kokomo since that soldier brought your letter and papers they come safe likewise. The package you sent from Mt. Sterling I have laid away and if you are so fortunate as to get home you can read over the hardships and privations you have undergone.

There was 2 men in town last week from east Tenn. trying to get houses and employment they said they had been taken prisoners by the rebs and released on conditions that they would not take up arms against them anymore, but I think if they were the right grit they would shoulder their muskets and kill or be killed. Oh, that this horrid war was over so you could come home for good. I want to see you every march but to come home for a few days and then return to the field; it is a heart rending thought. The boys that come home on furlough that have any regard for their country don’t feel satisfied, they are like fish out of water and want back.

Fry’s son left last week. He belongs to the Potomac Army as U. S. Grant has gone there to command. I expect there will be something done. Well Doctor keep your spirits up as best you can. The expectation of the people is that the rebels will make a desperate struggle to carry their points this spring and if they fail it is their last hope so be courageous and do your duty. Put your trust in God and he will bring you of conqueror then you can return with your laurels and live in peace under the stars and stripes, so if you can come home, we will be extremely happy to see you. Uncle John’s are well. Will stayed all night with us last week. They were well. Write as often as you can. Your Mother as ever,

Lydia Ware

1 The Paw Paw militia was composed of men who had enrolled as disloyal but were armed and paid by the state to keep the peace in Clay, Platte and other counties. They had effectively ended raids by Kansas jayhawking bands and kept an uneasy peace. Accusations of disloyalty had been made against them repeatedly.