Charlestown, Jefferson County, Va., Nov. 21, 1859.
My Dear Wife, —
Your most welcome letter of the 13th instant I got yesterday. I am very glad to
learn from yourself that you feel so much resigned to your circumstances, so
much confidence in a wise and good Providence, and such composure of mind in
the midst of all your deep afflictions. This is just as it should be; and let
me still say, “Be of good cheer,” for we shall soon “come out of all our great tribulations;”
and very soon, if we trust in him, “God shall wipe away all tears from our
eyes.” Soon “we shall be satisfied when we are awake in His likeness.” There is
now here a source of much disquietude to me, — namely, the fires which are
almost of daily and nightly occurrence in this immediate neighborhood. While I
well know that no one of them is the work of our friends, I know at the same
time that by more or less of the inhabitants we shall be charged with them, —
the same as with the ominous and threatening letters to Governor Wise. In the
existing state of public feeling I can easily see a further objection to your
coming here at present; but I did not intend saying another word to you on that
subject.
Why will you not say to me whether you had any crops mature
this season? If so, what ones? Although I may nevermore intermeddle with your
worldly affairs, 1 have not yet lost all interest in them. A little history of
your success or of your failures I should very much prize; and I would gratify
you and other friends some way were it in my power. I am still quite cheerful, and
by no means cast down. I “remember that the time is short.” The little trunk
and all its contents, so far as I can judge, reached me safe. May God reward
all the contributors! I wrote you under cover to our excellent friend Mrs.
Spring on the 16th instant. I presume yon have it before now. When you return,
it is most likely the lake will not bo open; so you must get your ticket at
Troy for Moreau Station or Glens Falls (for Glens Falls, if you can get one),
or get one for Vergennes in Vermont, and take your chance of crossing over on
the ice to Westport. If you go soon, the route by Glens Falls to Elizabethtown
will probably be the best.
I have just learned that our poor Watson lingered until
Wednesday about noon of the 19th of October. Oliver died near my side in a few
moments after he was shot. Dauphin died the next morning after Oliver and
William were killed, — namely, Monday. He died almost instantly; was by my
side. William was shot by several persons. Anderson was killed with Dauphin.
Keep this letter to refer to. God Almighty bless and keep
you all!
Your affectionate
husband,
John brown.
Dear Mrs. Spring,
— I send this to your care, because I am at a loss where it will reach my wife.
Your friend in truth,
John Brown.
SOURCES: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters
of John Brown, p. 595-6
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