Virginia Fawcett - January 22, 1865

Envelope:  

Mr. Chs H. Gauss
No 127 College Street

New Haven
Connicticut

St. Charles Dec 2nd 1864

Dear Henry
                I received yours of the 23rd on the 28th being I believe as short a time as your letters ever reach us.
                You say nothing in reference to your health, so we will hope it is entirely restored.
I have heared [sic] it said that woman always left what interested her most untill [sic] the latter part of her letter.  I think I will be an exception this time especially as I know you will sympathize with me so much.  On Thanksgiving day just after dinner -- Mr. Johns sent me word that there was a letter registered in The Reville for me, The boys had gone hunting & your Father had walked out.  I had not patience to wait until they would return, but put on my bonnet & stimulated by the hope that The letter was from the South, I stirred my locomotive powers & soon reached the post office, where sure enough, I found a letter from your uncle Keyes and a great long one it was.  He was well & writes in good spirits to re read the letter you would not suppose it was from a poor subdued or Destitute Southerner, he does not complain at all of suffering, or hardships of any kind, not the first word like it, -- He says all They asks of the Yankees is to be left alone, but if They will not let them us live in peace, we will certainly fight them untill the evening of the last day.  He was at Brownsville when he wrote & through the kindness of a friend in Matamoras he was enabled to send me this letter, he had not seen your uncle Willis for a year, but heared [sic] from yim in July.  They were well then.  Your Uncle Willis for some reason, I know not what, had moved to Live Oak County, but is talking of returning to his old Ranche [sic] near Austin.  He says not a word about Your Uncle Erasmus.  The greatest drawback to the pleasure in receiving this letter is That it informs us that Keyes is in the Army again, we had hoped before, that as he had served In the early part of the war, & had been wounded, that he would be exempt, but it is not so, & If he wishes to serve his country in this way, we must submit.  But O, how many anxious hours we must have on his acount.
You ask for the address of your friends in the East.  As far as I can, I will give them Beginning with the eldest,
Mrs. Virginia Moore, wife of Arcibald [sic] Moore, Sandy Spring, Maryland.
Miss Lucy Frances - Fawcett, Baltimore care of Dr. Edward Stabler, - Miss Eugenia G. Fawcett, Same Address, Mr. Edward S. Fawcett, Alexandria, Master Joseph Fawcett's address I do not know, but he lives with his Uncle Henry Stabler in the country, I think some short distance from Baltimore, Hattie & Nettie live in Alex.-- but I believe are away just now at school.  Their address would be Edwards, To care of Dr. Richard Stabler Alexandria.  Your Uncle Keyes: Benjamin Keyes Fawcett, enveloped & then Directed to Mr. George Dye, care of Milmo & Co. Matamoras.  I mean that you must enclose it in one to Mr. Dye.  He asked me to send him some newspapers & sayes he rarely sees a paper from this side of the line.  Poor Albert is just now passing through one of the greatest trials of infancy, your Mother has Commenced weaning him, I think we are succeeding wonderfully, but poor little Fellow he looks sometimes as if he thought all the world had conspired against him.
Jack came up last saturday & stayed untill Wednesday Morning, left all well at home.  They think it a long time since you wrote to them.  Oscar is talking strongly of going to California.  Your Uncle Samuel has been drafted, you will see by the paper.  He has succeeded in getting a substitute to day.  His loyalty would not lead him to face the Music.  Uncas was up at home for a few days at Thanksgiving, he Looks very well, never was as fleshy.
They are progressing rapadly [sic] considering weather & with the house the Brick work is done, & tomorrow they take the roof off, -- They all join me in love to you & in hoping you may keept in peace & safety.

ever your affectionate  Aunt Gee --