Letter from Sarah E. Andrews to James A. Andrews, June 4, 1865
Hudson, Wis. June 4, 1865
No. 85
Dear Brother,
Again am I seated to pen a few lines to my soldier brother. I hope soon you will be at home again, and this dull monotonous (to you) style of conversation will give place to good old fashioned talks. When the title of soldier will be among the things of the past, and the army blue is cast aside for the more becoming dress of the citizen, and you are no longer one of Uncle Sam's boys but one of the home boys. I was in hopes by this time he would have given up his claims upon you, but he seems inclined to keep you a while longer.
We had a fine shower this morning which has made everything
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beautiful. I wish you were here to enjoy our garden. The roses are just beginning to "ope their petals."
Mary [Andrews Chambers] is thinking of going out to Eau Claire the last of this week. I think she will leave one of the children at home.
We received two letters from you yesterday. So you wanted to go to teaching the contrabands. I
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thought you were the boy that never wanted and never was going to teach again. Perhaps the Col. had heard of your dislike for teaching. I should think you would much prefer staying where you are than to teach those young ideas the first rudiments of shooting.
Do you suppose Mr. Kenessy of St. Josephs has written to the Chaplain how much you were liked as a teacher? Maggie Hosford engaged that school for the summer; when she went up there she found they wanted her for six months instead of three so she would not stay. They told her if they could get you to take the school they would give you fifty dollars a month more than they did give you.
Susie and Harry Isman have just come in to read to our little blind boy.
I have got a new bonnet. Straw trimmed with green ribbon, pink flowers, and black lace, with pink string. I think it is very pretty. It is a change from my blue trimmings. With love.
Sarah
We have not had a letter from Charlie since Thursday. I am glad he is not as far south this warm weather as St. Louis.