Justus F. Gale to Sister
Primary tabs
Miss Almeda A. Gale
ElmoreVermont
8th Regt Vt Co AAlgiers La.Oct. 9th 1862Dear Sister.
I will improve this opp ortunity to answer your kind letter of the 21st which came to
hand the 7th. I was verry glad to hear from you again - & to hear that you was
getting better (the sick ones I mean) I wait with much anxiety
every mail that comes in to hear how the sick ones are getting along. I am in hopes
that this war will close before many moths so that I can come home – for I think a
great deal about the things and especially about the sick ones; and still another
though that one of the
number I left at home is gone to bee seen no more
on Earth forever. It is doesent seem as though it could bee that if I
should be luckey enough to return home again – that Brother Charlie would not bee
there – but I suppose I shall have to beleive such will bee the case. I am almost led
to repine on this account - but then again I feel that he who ruleth all things is a
just being and doeth all things well - he afflicts not the Children of men willingly
but for their good. as to my own health it is good as any one nead ask for - and
truly feel thankfull to my heavenly Father for this priceless blessing – I verrily
believe that his watchfull eye is uppon me for good; I hope I shall bee able to
return to him suitable homage for his unb- ounded goodness to me thus far while away
so far from home and friends.
I havent a word of news to write this time
but what has already reached you – we hear but little about what is going on in the
army near Wash ington; I read the presidents proc lamation yesterday – it is what I
have been expecting would have to come before this war would bee closed. You wrote
that you wanted to know what kind of grave stones I wanted you should get for
Charles; I wrote to Lyman to get just such ones as he was a mind to and I would pay
for them; if it would bee any satisfaction to any of you to know what I want he
should have I will tell you - although I am not afraid to trust Lyman & the rest
of you to get them. I want he should have a good nice white stone – such as others
have there in the same grave yard – I dont want such as Jespers
was for I
never felt satisfied with that; I prefer one with a cap on it - but about how it is
set in the ground I am not so particular whether it sets in a granite block or how it
is set – let Lyman do as he thinks best about that accor- ding to the diference in
the cost I am willing to get one that will cost from 23 to 28 dollars. I wish there
was enough more put on Jespers to bring that up to that price.
you tell Mother that she need not worry about my giving up the farm or depriving her of a home for I shant give up the farm for I want it to live on if I live to return to Vermont.
I shall stand to the bargain I made unless Lyman thinks best to do some other way
before I get home. he will act as he sees fit for me.
I shall write to
Lyman soon – the last letter I got from them Almira said that Lyman said he would
write soon – I expect to get a letter from him soon he probably will write more about
things and then I can tell what to do write concerning things at home. you
need not be afraid to write about affairs for I want to know what has got to bee done
if any thing has got to bee changed at home on account of Fathers & Mothers
seperation. tell Father that I am verry than kfull for his kind letter – and will
answer it soon.
give my best love to Mother & Samantha & all the rest – I want to see you all verry much.
give my respects to Brother Chase & family & all enquiring friends.
The Elmore boys are all doing well Rufus came from the hospital this morning – he looks as though he was doing well now - Charlie is getting pretty tough again; Horrace, Wesley Stephen & Put are tough as a white oak whip stick. I received a letter from Vernon Merrian the same day I did yours; I must close for this time – please write often and oblige your friend & Brother,
J. F. Gale