Headquarters Del. Dept.,
Wilmington, Del., Aug. 17th, 1863.
My dear Mother:
The month is rapidly passing away, and I am awaiting
impatiently the time of my release. Meanwhile I do not mean to pine, but am
trying to enjoy myself the best way possible. For instance, Saturday evening,
took tea with the Bishop. Yesterday, dined with the Chief Justice. Now we are
making arrangements to get up a steamboat excursion to Fort Delaware — a little
private party of our own to return some of the civilities that have been paid
us. We (Ned and I) mean to have all the pretty girls. Mrs. LaMotte, a charming
lady, is to play matron, and I think will have a tolerably good time. So you
see, as I said before, we don't pine, still I shall be glad when I shall be at
liberty to return home. Have just finished reading Mrs. Fanny Kemble's book on
plantation life. By George! I never heard anything to compare with her
descriptions. They make one's blood run cold. Though told with great simplicity
and evident truth, compared with them Mrs. Stowe's book is a mild dish of
horrors. In this State of Delaware I believe there is a larger proportion of
extreme Abolitionists than in Massachusetts. People are tired of being ruled by
the lottery and slave interests which heretofore have locked hands together.
Gen. Tyler is an unconditional man. When one protests his loyalty, the Gen.
always asks him if his loyalty is great enough to acquiesce in the emancipation
proclamation, and according to the answer, "Yes" or "No,"
he is judged. Uncle Tom I fear, wouldn't stand much chance here. I had a few
lines from Alfred Goddard a day or two ago. He seems to be well pleased with
his position on Gen. Harland's Staff. The letter you enclosed to me from Harry
Heffron, had all the latest news from the 79th. They have suffered much in
following up Johnston in Mississippi from want of water, Johnston leaving in
every well either a dead horse or a mule. Agreeable! They are now however on
their way to Kentucky and rejoicing. McDonald is on Gen. Parke's Staff. I
believe my handwriting grows daily more unformed. How I have degenerated from
the example Grandfather Adams set us. However, I have to write fast and
sacrifice beauty to utility.
Best love.
Affec'y.,
Will.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 292-4
