October 23, 1864

Hudson, St. Croix Co

Letter from Sarah E. Andrews to James A. Andrews, October 23, 1864
Hudson, St. Croix Co.

Oct. 23rd [1864]

11th letter.

Dear Brother Jimmie,

Ceal and I have seated ourselves this Sabbath afternoon to have another quiet chat with our bold Soldier boy.

How much I would like to get a pass into camp and make him a visit. I would give anything to look in upon him if but for a moment. I presume we would be very welcome. I imagine you pass some lonely hours. Do you find anything that is congenial to your tastes in such a life? I do wish that you were home again. We are so lonely without you. It hardly seems like home since you went away, but for one long year your chair will be vacant in the family circle. There will be one absent one. One gone from our number to try the fortunes of war. May Guardian Angels hover near you by day and night, may a kind God be your shield in the hour of danger, protect you and preserve your health. In the time of trial and temptation ever look to Him for guidance. You are no doubt surrounded by much that is evil. But Jimmie, ever stand by the right. Be firm, I do not fear that you will be led into temptation still I would have you watch and pray that you may resist the tempter in whatever form he may come.

We have all been to church today and heard a good sermon. There was somewhat larger congregation than usual although the house was not filled; Mary took the children. Little Charlie has not improved in his behavior at church. He generally is a pretty good boy in other places. But at church he is a perfect little witch. His Uncle Charlie thinks he would like to have him under his care a while, he would train him up in the way he should go.

We were very much disappointed yesterday not to receive any letters from you. We certainly thought we would get one. We were not the only ones that were disappointed, Permelia said she expected one from you yesterday which if she got she would come in and let us know as we did not get one. She did not call therefore I suppose she received no letter from you. We are waiting anxiously for the mail tomorrow. Mattie Young said she too was expecting a letter from Theo. I saw Fred yesterday, he said he had commenced a letter to you but was waiting to hear your address. I will let him know it when we hear from you again. I never saw him look so sad and sober. He probably feels his Father's death very much. I was interrupted a few moments ago by Mell Cowles going into Mary's. We all ran over there to see him. He looks more
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healthy than when he went away and more as Hale did. He said that he just missed of seeing you in Milwaukee. He was very sorry not to see you. Mell says in their Reg. they always had the real coffee. Perhaps you may get better now than you did in Madison. If you do not, do not drink such poor stuff as you had to while there. I am afraid it will make you sick. You must be very careful of yourself. If you are furnished with poor rations do not use them if you are where you can buy any better. I wish we could send you something from home.

I have made you a pin cushion which I will send when we hear from you. I got some coarse needles I will send at the same time. If you were going to remain in Nashville I would make you a larger needle book and send by mail. Whenever I write to you on Sunday I have to make an apology
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for not doing better, that I do not feel very well. I shall have to have the same excuse today.

This morning as I was drawing water from the cistern part of the handle came off, the crank hit my hand or the fore finger of my right hand; judging from the feeling I should think it came near breaking it. It has made me feel badly all day. I find it hard work to write but by keeping my finger straight I get along very well. Mother would have written to you today, but she is afraid you will not get these that are directed to Madison. She will write as soon as we hear from you. I hope you will get all our letters, I am going to number mine. I will put the number under the date. You may not find it convenient to do so. I do it so that you may know if any are lost. I hope they will not be as it would be a pity to have such valuable productions lost. I would advise you if you should ever receive them to destroy them after they have been read as they might fall into the hands of someone who would take a copy from them and present them to the world as their own composition when in reality the original writer is Sarah Andrews.

I gave Aggie one of your photographs. Maggie wanted one, too. I said that one was for both. It did not seem to satisfy her so I gave her one of the old ones which pleased her very much as she had one all to herself and half of Aggie's. Aggie thinks of having some taken, if she does she will send you one.

Frank Brown came in here the other night just to inquire if we had heard from Jimmie lately and how he was.

Ceal says that she will write to you again this week, she wrote last Thursday. Mother sends a great deal of love. She wants you to take good care of yourself.

Write about the draft if you get it or if you do not; and write about everything interesting. It is getting late and I am afraid this will be too late for the mail so I will leave, but will write again soon. Yours with ever so much love

Sarah Andrews

It would be a good idea for you to save the paper we put around your letters for if you should be where you could not get any it would do to write upon.