Longview, Enfield, Conn.,
July 14th, 1863.
My own dear Son:
I received your last letter on Saturday, and rejoice in your
health, and in your resolve to relinquish the use of tobacco. I have no doubt
your flesh will increase, and that you will be benefitted by the change.
The terrible riot in New-York is at present engrossing our
thoughts. The blacks seem to be peculiarly obnoxious to the excited mob; I
suppose you have seen that they have burned the Colored Orphan Asylum. The
draft commenced yesterday in Hartford. All was quiet through the day, but some
anxiety seems to be felt lest the example of New-York may produce an evil
efFect to-day. They have tried to obtain a few companies of Regulars to
preserve order (from New Haven) but they cannot be spared. Aunt Sarah, Nellie
and Tom were to return to New-York to-day, but they dare not until the
disturbance is quelled. The telegraph wires are all cut, and I fear we shall
have no papers. The Times and Tribune offices are torn to pieces.
We are all sad enough. God is merciful, may He speedily help us, and deliver us
from our troubles.
Cousin Henry is wishing for, and looking for, a Dictator,
the sooner the better. Capt. Nichols has gone to Vicksburg with Col. McKaye, to
inquire into the condition of the Freedmen. You have no idea how unreasonable
the lower class (of Irish particularly) are in this vicinity. Their feelings
have been so wrought upon by unprincipled men. The leader in the N. Y. riot was
a man from Virginia, who harangued the multitude and counselled resistance.
A telegram has just arrived from your Uncle Phelps at
Saratoga, saying Nellie and Aunt Sarah must not return to-day. Dr. Grant leaves
in ten minutes, so good-bye. A longer letter next time. God guard you, my own
dear, dear son, is my constant prayer. All send love, and I am
Always
Your loving
Mother.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 287-8
No comments:
Post a Comment