Kelly, Mary (fl. 1862) to Mother and Sisy
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04197.30 Author/Creator: Kelly, Mary (fl. 1862) Place Written: Cincinnati, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1862/04/22 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
She sends gifts to her mother and her daughter. Her husband appears stronger but does not eat much and complains of pain in his left leg. The pain is much worse at night and he must take morphine. She suggests they hire someone to do the plowing. [Section addressed to Sue dated 4/24/1862] She received letters from Sue and Sisy. She asks Sue to make Sisy a couple of dresses.
My dear mother and sisy.
I am going to send this and some other things by Mr. Cherry I fixed up a shaker for you and bought a hat but it is not [illegible] yet and a net for your hair as I don't suppose anybody take the trouble to curl it since ma is gone, but I know it will be combed just as well, you must let it be well combed I got grandma a pair of shoes just for everyday for I know she needs them Well we are here pretty much as we were, your pa seems rather stronger than he was but I cant tell whether his wound is really much better, we have to coax him to eat what nourishment he takes, he has some appetite too, what he eats agrees with him very well, but [insert] don't complain of any great suffering except at times, especially in the evening of his left leg and foot which is caused by a pressure or a slight injury to the nerve on that side, he has taken morphene [sic] every evening since he was hurt in small quantities before he could rest I wish he was at home I think I could do pretty much the same we are doing here only we could not get those [illegible] little things for him to eat that we can get here, not so convenient at least I think I will try to come in a week or so if he is witting [illegible] is looking for George on the train today
I guess you had better send and get Billy Robinson to plough the and plant the garden whenever its good weather and everybody is planting thiers [sic] earn and potatoes plant a good [illegible] of potatoes and the rest in corm more earn though, dont have the corn planted next to the fence nowhere round the fence I will hr very easy pleased about it - Sis and [illegible] or Sara June could [insert] some evening go over and get Mr. Robinson to so it [struck] I will pay him when we come I guess you have enough of flour and meat, I [illegible] the cow has a [illegible] I san John Cherry Sunday, he told me some of the news, I though I would have [illegible] a letter by non from some of my friends if Henry [illegible] wants to learn Mrs. Hopkins I will take her I wish you could send me a letter sing and tell me all the news Sir Williams and his wife [illegible] every day to see how we are getting on the Sisters send up [illegible] and beef ten and soups of all kinds any time through the day, about 30 of the wounded from the Pittsburgh we are at this house some of them die every day I hope I shall hear soon
Yours most truly
Mary
Thursday April 24th
Dear Sue
I received yours and sisy [illegible] letters Tuesday one I cant tell you how glad I was to hear you were getting along so well at home, though we doubt you have some vexations and annoyances too & hope you can home enough of wood anywhere and plenty to eat. I am very glad it was so that you could come on even if Sarah L. had been there it would be pleasant to have both as you are there I shall not be uneasy about sisy, but what she will have her pants all night - as mother cant see good enough to do such things as that tell mother that I was watching out all along coming down the Ohio far some of these places [struck] on the bank where she used to [illegible] in the night when she came down that [illegible] nearly 4th year ago I didn't send my thing by Mr. Cherry as you see I got sisys trimmed here I do wish she had it by Sunday - tell her I read all of here letter over two or three times she must another I cant see much change in James he looks lively, seems to [illegible] up what he was some days back he don't appear thirsty or home any fever but don't improve much if any George has never come through here yet Sue I guess you had better make sisy blue [illegible] dress, make it just like those other summer dresses she has make good allowance for [illegible] setting the belt up on the waist I want - bother about braiding anymore of it - you might make her white one too but I thought I would soure [sic] small [illegible] in the sleeves 7 or 8 at least to correspond with the [illegible] there was a [illegible] of [illegible] inserting about the house somewhere that would do far the belt you may finish that spotted dress [struck] and where of mothers which is partly done I [illegible] to get you to do that anyhow before I left home I want you to write often it would be letters is would even over with them any time, but home them directed to John's Care as you did with that on you sent is your [illegible] home has'nt he got a situation from [illegible] John thought when he saw that perhaps he had a situation he wished John to get a place far him here, which he thought of doing until he saw that - he is very willing to try to help worthy young fellow, but he hopes they would prove that -no doubt but saw would
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