Fragment of a letter. Marked in pencil:
St. Charles MO
Monday Sept 19th 1864
..... contrast between Uncas' and the old Professors.
Your father is very much dicouraged [sic] about political affairs, is
doubtful about McClellan's election, and says that if "Old Abe'
is elected, he is bound to leave here. McClellan's letter is too
warlike for me, but your father thinks he does not mean all he says.---
I asked your Uncle Samuel what he would do if "Old Abe was elected
-- he said that he would stay -- that the southerners would have the
upperhand in this county before long. Some of the Militia near
O'Fallon Station horribly murdered a young man lately -- Since that,
eight men went to O'Fallon, took out the captain of the company, put
a rope around his neck and told him, if he and his men did not behave
in future, that they would come back and swing them all up. --
the lecture had the desired effect, for an old man living there, told
your Uncle, that they had kept as mute as mice ever since. No
one has any idea who these eight men were. I am glad you found
some sympathisers [sic] in New Haven -- it would be rather hard to stay
there a year, and have no one to talk to -- but be sure you are talking
to the right one, and do be cautious in making acquaintances -- the
most agreeable are not always the best. I hope the Yankee ladies
enjoyed the grapes -- it was no doubt quite an event in their lives
to have any thing offered by a stranger without pay.-- You did not say
whether you had any peaches.
Wednesday 21st I have made several attempts to close
this, but Master Albert has always objected -- he is so bad, I had to
give him his first spanking this morning before breakfast -- it goes
very hard with him -- his under lip is not straight yet. Mr Farris
sends you a letter to Mr Carrol I hope you will like him.
Write as often as you can.
Your Mother Henrietta Gauss
Notes: This letter is almost certainly written to
Charles Henry Gauss, attending Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut.
Samuel McCluer was the husband of Henrietta's sister, Lucretia Fawcett
McCluer.
Home
