Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-05-29
A Wartime Letter.

THE following is a copy Of letter In the
It was picked up by him at Port Royal. s. c..
while he was serving In the Ninth Maine Regi
sheet Of note paper. and contains no date, al.
dress or signature-in fact, nothing to show
when, where, or by whom Il was written. Ref.
erences 10 the letter TO historical events seem to
early part Of 1861 Reference is also made to
Brunswick and Kings Ferry. There is Bruins
wick 10 Georgia, as well as In two or three other
southern states, but there Is only one Kings
Ferry, which 10 In northeastern Florida, ON the
81. Mary's River, about forty miles from Bruins.
wick Ca. The letter loses nothing In interest
from the exquisite feminine touch In Its closing
paragraph
Dearest Sister, we have at last heard
from you, which is the first time since
first of Dec. Gen. Cooper told the DIR.
you had left for Col SandersOn's place
on the st. Johns, again we heard you
had returned, to some where on the rail
road, fear you will not stay long where
you are, the Yankees are gaining now
every battle. Our cause looks dark
enough. God knows how 1t will end.
Our people have been looking for Eng
land to brake the blockade, while the
Yankees have been getting ready to con-
quer us, the taken of Roanoke was bad
enough with 1900 prisoners, but the
taken of Fort Donelson with ten thou
sand Is dreadful and the given up of
Nashville,
l have not finished Betty's dress, in
deed have done no sewing at all, been
oblige to do all of my work greater part
of the time without servant, We have
at present Eliza Bessent how long to
stay we don't know, only have had two
DAYS, it seems have never known what
real trouble was until the past two
months we don't know where to 60, or
what to do the Yankees gun boats will
certainly 60 up this river, therefore
King s-ferry is no safer than here. Still
we will try to get there, 1t we have to
take to the woods, send Vern's drawers
to Eliza, think they will come safe, en-
closed in Mas letter, no one will pay q
cent now, the DR.. has done all in his
power, has tried every man in Bruins
wick. Ma must content herself with
Uncle wherever they go, while this great
struggle is going on, indeed we are Oblige
to live any how, we don't hear one word
from Gurne, every young man from this
town left this week, and all who are
able to bear arms leave soon, even to
Guss Baratte.
know you are disappointed about
Betsys dress, II you kne,o all Of our dis
tress, you will excuse me, poor Josie we
feel for her. do my sister write soon,
we have been 80 worried about you, it is
with greatest exertion write these few
lines. the times are 80 sad, my heart
fails me, for our cause, the Yankees may
get the better of US, hunger we must
bear, but such disgrace would kill me,
God help us, truly this must be the
darkest hour.
We are sorry to hear of Mrs. Harri-
sons illness. hope she will soon be bet
ter our love to her and Brother, my Sis
ter write often hearing from you is all
the comfort we have now.
Hattie is Edward Seabrook engaged to
May Cooper, If not, do you know If he
ever address her. such is the report here,
be sure to let me know in next letter.
(Along the stained and frayed margin
of the sheet is written in fine letters a
sentence only portion of which can now
be made out: those hogs
thew would have been G0dsend to US.