Uncas McCluer - 1864-10-01

Harvest Home, Feb. the == 1863

Sir.
            I have postponed the writing of this letter for a particular reason, but there is no cause for longer delay.  We are all well except Arthur, who is complaining every now & then.  We have had a short spell of winter weather, during which time we managed to get enough of ice to do us, it is is taken care of.  I go to school five days in the week, work on saturday & rest sunday which takes the most of my time.  I went to mill today.  Perhaps you think that there is no mud up here.  There is no news in this part of the country, except that about sixteen of the colored gentry took a notion to secure their liberty, by crossing the river & getting into the promised land, (i.e. Benton Barracks.)  So, on saturday night (a week ago,) they assembled at the residence of one of our abolitioin friends and under his care & protection crossed the river in skiffs.  They were freed from bondage; they told to whom they belonged, & proceeded at noonday down the public road toward St. Louis.   But their liberty was short lived.  After traveling some distance they were surrounded by the citizens of St. Louis Co, & delivered to their owners; who after due deliberation, tied them up, & played "Hail Columbia" upon their bare backs.  They seem to be much benifited by the chastisement;  They declare that they will put to death their (would be) liberator, for having brought up them so great a calamity.  So much for the "nigger".  How are you getting along?  I have lost another nights sleep since you were up here.  The pin cussion has been neglected.  I refuse to obey you order concerning Geo- Miller for sanitary reasons.  Dock is too busy thinking of someone else, ever, to think of you.  I had hoped to have something to tell you worth speaking of, but our hopes are doomed to disappointment.  It took us some time to get under headway after the holidays were of over; but we are all right, once more, & are getting along tolerably well.  I do not expect to see you until sometime next summer; would be glad to hear from you at any time.  Give my respects to all the folks, & excuse the scrawl, for I am almost frozen.

Sincerely
U. McCluer

Note:  U. McCluer may be Uncas McCluer, son of Lucretia C. Fawcett and Samuel C. McCluer.  Henry may be Charles Henry Gauss.