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Mosby, John S. (1833-1916) to: Sam Chapman

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03921.37 Author/Creator: Mosby, John S. (1833-1916) Place Written: [Washington, D.C.] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1912/10/29 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy

intention to vote for Taft: "If Wilson is elected…the Bull Moose will be buried forever."

with

29 October 1912, Garfield Hospital
Dear Sam:
Your letter just recd. I return you the $5.00 enclosed as I do not need it. Fount was here yesterday. He agreed to go with me to ? next Sunday. I do not like to travel alone. I shall vote for Taft & return on same day to Washington. If Wilson is elected - as I am sure he will be - it will be for better for the country that his election is overwhelming - then he will be less partisan & the Bull Moose will be buried forever. His ? ? should make him in favor of lending the classified service. Of course this can be no benefit to me but will be to you. A few days ago I got a letter from Mrs. Waldorf Astor inviting me to visit her at her father's home ? ?. I I replied that it was impossible. I was in a Hospital. Then she wrote me that on her way home to England this week she wd. Stop by to see me. Yesterday she came with her sister. It was a coincidence that as she walked in my room a nurse followed her with a magnificent bouquet & a card with the inscription "Compliments of the grandson of your friend" - signed Capt. U. S. Grant 3d. Of course it was gratificatng to be thus remembered. On my table were two ? photos taken in Bristol. I told Mrs. Astor I was saving them for her to take her choice. The other was for my granddaughter. When they left both leaned over the bed & I kissed their pretty cheeks. Then the sister said, "You ought to give me that other photo." Well I said, "you can have it if you will give me one more kiss." So she leaned over again & I gave her another kiss. But to compensate little Pauline for the loss of the picture she gave me for her a large red apple grown at ?" You can submit all this to Hugh to determine as a mention of morality. I think it made me a better man. I promised Mrs. Astor to write my grandson Spothwood to call on her at the Waldorf Astoria - wh. I did. I also wrote Jack Russell to do so & asked them to go off with her to the steamship ? Saturday when she sails for her home in England. Her interest in me may possible keep them. I wrote this to amuse you, but I know it will gratify your sin so much to make for me ? ? I was in the war. I hear nothing from Col. Cm. You know that four years ago I had an operation performed. The trouble now has been that my bladder became inflamed. But I am nearly well. My sister ? ? & Hal came to see me today. I don't think you ought to have the slightest fear of losing your place. But I am like Macbeth "neither foreign enemy or domestic malise" can hurt me now.

Yours Truly
J.S. Mosby

Chapman, Samuel Forrer, 1838-1919
Mosby, John Singleton, 1833-1916

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