Letter from Sarah E. Andrews to James A. Andrews, October 22, 1864
[From Hudson to Camp Randall]
Saturday morn.
Oct. 22nd [1864]
10th letter
Darling brother Jimmie.
I intended according to my promise to have written to you yesterday, but the Institute and our company took up so much of my time that I could not find a spare moment to write to you until after the mail went out yesterday. Now I must hasten to get this letter to the office before the mail leaves.
Ceal [Andrews] intended to have kept her promise to write every week and would have done so if it had not been for the examination, which commenced yesterday afternoon and continues through today. She had to go to the school house at eight o'clock this morning. She will have a fine chance to get pretty well tired out before night as Mr. Welds[?] intends keeping them all day. She said that she would write tomorrow and again during the week.
[p. 18]
Perhaps it will be just as well that she does not write this week for if she should it would have to be directed to Madison. I am almost afraid that you will not get any of the letters that are sent there.
We are looking for a letter from you today which if we should get we would know your address. I wish that you could come in and see us this morning even if but for a short time. We are all so very lonely without you. We miss you everywhere.
Cousin Libbie often says "I do wish Cousin Jimmie was here; how I do want to see him." When I see any of the girls they always inquire when we hear from Jimmie. I do wish that you were home again.
It seems as if you had been gone such a long long time. Does not the time seem long to you? The box of things you sent to Mr. [A. D.] Richardson has come. We will take good care of your clothes. I am afraid you will need the blanket. You ought to have kept it. Was the freight paid before it was sent. Mr. Richardson thought that it was. We expected to have paid it.
How do you get along about money? Did you receive any of your pay or bounty money before leaving the state? I am sorry that you could not have got that draft before you left. I fear if you should get it now you could not use it. Write about it.
Charlie went up to see Father this week and walked back yesterday. Father is not coming home for two weeks; he has been gone a long time. He left the next morning after you did. Charlie bought a pair of buckskin gloves at [New] Richmond for two sixty. Rather cheaper than they can be got here. I wish you had a pair.
Are you well supplied with everything to make you comfortable? Did you get any boots before you left Madison? Do not neglect yourself. You will be just as liable to take cold in a warmer climate as you would here.
Mell Cowles has not come yet. His mother received a letter from him yesterday, he was still in Milwaukee waiting to be discharged. The papers were made out once, were wrong, so he will have to wait two weeks longer. It seems to take a longer time to get out of the army than to get in. I wish that you too were coming home.
I heard last evening that Mr. Green[e] had received a letter from Garry. The report that he was dead was false. He was getting better and wrote to his Father for money.
Mrs. Smith of Richmond (Ceba's sister) has lost one of her little girls. She was burnt to death. I did not hear how.
Mother has just been making some fried cakes; she says she wishes you had some. I suppose you have to dispense with cake entirely. Do you get good food and plenty of it? We think of you when we sit down to the table.
We all went over to the Institute yesterday. Mary [Andrews Chambers] left the children to take care of themselves; after doing all the mischief they could over home and here they went into Mr. Clay's garden to play. Mrs. Hosford after a while heard Charlie
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[Chambers] calling to Nellie [Chambers] that he could get down in the well. He was then hanging inside of the curb. Probably would have gone to the bottom if she had not heard him.
Lib and I went up to Mr. Seymour's a little while yesterday afternoon; they are all well. All send love to Jimmie, and are very impatient to hear from you. I presume you will write as often as you can to your Sister Sarah and all the rest.
Remember me to all your friends.