New Lodge, Windsor Forest, 27 June, 1863.
My Dear Mrs. Senior,
— I cannot thank you too much for your most welcome note, and for its result in
a line just received from your brother promising to be in on Monday, and to see
me.
Your warm sympathy touches a chord that seldom vibrates. I
had thought myself proof against cold or heat, and that I was entirely
indifferent to English opinions and feelings, which I found so generally
against us. Like the traveler in the fable, I can stand the pelting of the
storm, but your sunshine draws off my cloak, and makes me aware that I am open
to its cheering influence; and I tell it you that you may know how much good
you can do to others.
I venture to send you three cards, one of myself, one of my
daughter Mary, the wife of Lieut.-Colonel Russell, and one of my son, W. H. F.
The last was north of Washington, on the Potomac, not far from the crossing
place where the raid we hear of to-day occurred. If you read in the papers of
some disaster or success to the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, you may look with
more interest upon the faces of those who have such a deep concern in its
fortunes. My only strong belief is that you may hear of misfortune there, but
not of dishonor.
I shall now hear nothing more from them for the next two
anxious weeks, and shall then, if all goes well, try to visit the camp.
I shall keep your note to read on the sea, and to show,
perhaps, to my young soldier.
Most truly and
gratefully yours,
J. M. Forbes.
SOURCE: Sarah Forbes Hughes, Letters and
Recollections of John Murray Forbes, Volume 2, p. 38-9
No comments:
Post a Comment