George Van Vlack to brother DeWitt Clinton

George Van Vlack to brother DeWitt Clinton

ElmiraDec. 8th 1861

Dear Brother Clinton,

We received your kind letter and was glad to hear from you. We are quite well at present and so is all the boys here from Versailles (Versailles, Cattaraugus County, NY) with the exception of Sam HALL. He is at the hospital sick. He is some better today.

Lute (Lewis C. SHELDON) is tuff as an old buck sheep. He wrote to you some time since and Stephen, and thought you had got the letter but it appears from what you wrote that you did not get any answer.

You are gowing to school now are you? You must pay good attention to them for education is no disatvantage to man, let him bee placed where he will. Clinton you must not forsake the girls for that wont do at this presant time for the girls are thick as ever or thicker, and the boys are scarce. Pitch in Clinton for now is the time you have full swing. So give my love to Flory when you have the opertunity and don’t wate long.

Enough of this, I am glad to know that Frank horse is getting along with his leg. Take good care of the horses and bee careful with them. Lime is good for Johns coff, keep some in his manger. Write when you hear from us. Good bye, excuse mistakes in spelling & writing.

I ever remain your affectionate BrotherGeorge

Father, when some of the children, as you call them are writing the particulars other from your affairs you can tell me all about the affairs on the farm. I shall bee just as glad to hear from them as any other and more so probably. Write all the perticulars about how you sold your pork and beef and all others in the line of sales. We shal start for Washington Tuesday 5 P.M.

Good by to allG..W..V..V..