Misc., Letter M.F. Whatley to U.V. Whatley, LaSalle Parish, La.

Submitted by: Sarah Whatley Stringer




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Trout Creek, Oct.28, 1861

My dear and truly loved Bud,
     My heart was again cheered by the reception of your letter of the
10th which I have read time and again. It is a good letter, and I want
you to write often. I don't care how badly it may be written, I can read
it like print.
     We are all well except Ma and she has improved enough to walk up to
sisters; Ma is at sisters now she will spend a week I expect. Pa is
sitting at the table under the pane of glass that your head broke out
when you were recovering from thphoid fever. Dan, Laura , and the twins
are before the fireplace talking about Mr. Wilbanks' school. Samuel is
peeping over my shoulder saying he wishes he could write like I do.
     Well Bud, prayers are over and I assure you in every petition you
were remembered. Pa is now in bed and I shall try to finish my letter.
     I received a letter from Ben a week since and would have answered
it immediately after reading it but expected you would be gone from
Tangipoho. Tell him not to become discouraged with me for not writing,
for I intended to answer his letter two or three times. I was so
rejoiced when I read it I could scarcely contain myself. Uncle Moses was
here the other day he and family are well. He read Ben's letter and said
I need not respond until you were stationed.
     Bud I am very much afraid you will take the measles if you should
be careful I beg of you. Tell your mess mates that I wish them please to
give you all the attention in their power if you should take any
disease. And Bud I ask you to treat them kindly, always prove a friend
to them and I assure you they will do a good part by you. The rest you
named I am not intimately acquainted with; yet I belive them (from what
I can gather) to be gentlemen, therefore I know they will ever befriend
as noblehearted a boy as my brother. As to dear cousin Ben Walker I want
you to confide in him as you would in me; for Bud do you not know I
consider him one of the dearest relatives I have?
     Bud my candel is growing dim and it is 10 minutes past 9 therefore
I shall quit writing for tonight.
     Morning has at length arrived and I shall again attempt tp write. A
few nights since I dreamed I was with you and told you to keep the ring
I gave you until you returned.
     Bud if you see cousins John, Alfred , and Green tell them to please
write me a few lines and give their address for I am anxious to write to
them. May God bless them, cousin Ben, and you, and I constantly feel
that he will.
     Bud when you get stationed we will send a box of good things for
you to eat. and when Pa goes to see you we will be sure and send you
something you will like. Be a good boy and keep the ring I gave you to
remember me, know that with it you received a sisters warmst affections.

    Yesterday Pa married Albert Edgett to Sarah Hobbs, but I fear they
will not live happily. Pa wished the bride great success in life, she
made no reply but sat smoking her pipe(nice for a bride wasn't it?) I
guess you remember very perfectly how she looks.
     Alice Turnley is at this time staying on Little River with Mary. I
shall tell Willie to write to her. I shouldn't be much surprised if she
won't write to you, for I know she loves you. Mr. McCollum was here the
other day he says he is going to save "Pink" until you return. Pa says
to tell you your guinea chicken can say "pot rack" as plain as he can.
Let us know if you leave Tangipoho and whrer you intend going so that I
can write soon. If you receive no letters do not think it is because we
do not write; but know it to be a fault in the mail.
     Bud try to write a little every day. Keep a journal it will not be
much trouble. Ben it is my request you should do the same. You can them
write of the events that have transpired that you would otherwise
forget. I shall now have to quit
writing
Your dear sister and cousin,

M.F. Whatley