Fort Wise, Big Timbers,
November 30, 1860.
My dear sister:
A mail will leave here in the morning, in which I will start
this note, but there are some doubts whether it will succeed in getting
through; the snow is very deep, and it is very cold, and for nearly two hundred
miles there is not a stick of wood. We have to-day heard, by way of Denver, the
result of the election. It seems to have been all on one side. The news was
brought by a messenger, and I suppose cannot be accurately relied on. He says
Douglas has not carried a State. I can scarcely conceive this to be true.
Hurrah for Lincoln! I say. It is not likely that our next mail will bring us
the result, as our latest dates are up to October 19. I shall send to Fort
Larned in a few days for a mail, where I expect to hear more than is agreeable.
I am still living in a tent, which is rather cold at night, and the weather is
such that we can do but little work on our quarters. A few pleasant days would
enable us to finish them.
It has been a long time since I have heard from you. I do
not recollect the last date, but it was in August or early in September. I hope
the next mail will bring two or three letters. I have never mentioned the
subject of our seat in the church. I wish you to keep the one our father and
mother always occupied. It is for yourself and Philo's family, whenever they
choose to take it. Also the seat in the Hollow Church. This I would pay for as
a matter of charity.
Write often, and believe me, as ever,
Your affectionate brother,
John Sedgwick
SOURCE: George William Curtis, Correspondence of
John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 28-9
