Hudson, Wis. Jan. 1st, 1865

Hudson, Wis. Jan. 1st, 1865

Letter from Sarah E. Andrews to James A. Andrews, January 1, 1865
Hudson, Wis. Jan. 1st, 1865

No. 35

Darling Brother,

A most Happy New Year to you. My own dear Jimmie, it hardly seems like "New Year's Day" to me it is so quiet. I have not been to church today, I was left alone this morning while the rest went.
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I intended to have gone this afternoon but there is to be no service, as Mr. Ke[e]ley is to preach the funeral sermon of Mrs. Duff, an aunt of Mrs. [H. S.] Clapp. They live down on the Kinnickinnic.

You have no idea what a delightful day it is. The sun is shining brightly. It does not thaw any, it is cold enough to be comfortable winter weather. Do you remember how piercing cold it was a year ago today? It makes me shiver to think of it. The weather has moderated some since then.

I suppose you are trying to enjoy wind and rain. Don't you think northern winters the pleasantest? It must be very hard for those that have to go on long marches. We or rather Ceal received a letter from you yesterday, it was written the 20th -- it was some time on the way.

Libbie and I called at Mrs. [Allan] Dawson's yesterday. The first thing she said after passing the compliment, was to inquire after you. She thinks some of going to Milwaukee with Mr. Dawson soon. I think she must be very lonely since Mrs. Thomson left. She does not go out but little and I think has but little company. She thought she and Mr. Dawson would go up to Uncle John's some evening this week.

I suppose you would be more interested in the young ladies of ours than in married ladies. I don't know anything about the girls. I meet them in the street occasionally. There was a party at the City Hotel last Wednesday evening. The Wilcox girls were there so I heard. Charlie Haman waited on one of them. I don't know who escorted the other. Will Coon invited Kitty, but she declined going. The Wilcox girls and Fred were up to Kitty's one evening last week. That is the extent of any knowledge in regards to the boys and girls. I seldom see Viola [Crowe]. I was in the book store the other day. Her father inquired about you. I told him you were for the present assisting the Dr. He said you would do first rate there. You see you can get a compliment from some of the family yet. Mrs. [W. H.] Crowe still holds forth there. I prefer if I have any purchases to make, to wait until her husband is there. I think he is certainly the better half in that case. I have just noticed that I have made a mistake in dating this letter.

Time flies so rapidly we hardly note its flight. We will soon get accustomed to write 1865, but hardly become used to it before we will have to add one more to it.

Mr. Coon and Bradford Jones have come home. They say they saw you, but that you have not improved in health as much as the others. Mr. Coon says that Ira is not contented. I thought he must be mistaken as you had never mentioned it. It is too bad if he is homesick as the time will seem so much longer. I presume any of you would prefer being at home though. I should think the rebels would be about discouraged we have had so many victories of late.

The news from [Gen. William] Sherman and [Gen. George H.] Thomas is glorious. This town is so destitute of news, and there
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does not anything happen in the family, and you know all the war news as well as I, and you have put a veto to our worrying about you (or at least saying anything about it) as this is the state of affairs, somehow I can't think of anything to write. Ceal has been reading this letter and making fun of it. Don't you. There is one consolation, if you do I shall not know it.

Miss [Charlotte] Mann has gone to St. Paul. She said Mrs. Dean was anxious for Ceal to come with her. Mark Fulton and wife start for Madison this week. He was elected to the Assembly this winter.

Remember me to the boys and wish them a happy "New Year" for me. What has become of Dwight? You have not said anything about him lately. How does Eleazer prosper? I don't believe Frank likes soldier's life. Does he? Ceal is writing to him today. I think I'll write a few lines if I get time. It is too bad he does not get more letters. Write as often as you can, the oftener the better.

Mother is writing yours.

With love,

Sarah E. Andrews