Daniel Webster Ellis

Clarkesville Tenn

                                                                                   

Miss Mollie Miller

 

Dear Friend I received your letter of the the 24 and was happy to learn that you had not forgotten me for I thought you had as I had writen so often and received no answer you wished to know how I spent the fourth I spent it in Ashland Tenn and nice time untill the afternoon and then we had to fight for thirty minutes but that was soon over and then we danced untill evening when we came to came to camp and found the officers all on a drunk

 

Well Mollie I would like to have some of your Appel butter but as the south is between us and Ohio it is out of the question

 

tell Lide that I will write her as soon as I write a note to her on this letter if you have no objection /

 

Well Mollie you can tell John and your pa that the Rebels are not sutch cowards as I thought they was for they fight like hell hound useing the words of Col Mason excuse me for the rude comparison we have whiped them twice and got whiped once and that was at pitsburglanding

 

We      After wishing you health happiness and long life I will Close

 

please write soon

To Miss Mollie Miller

                                               

From Web the solgier

boy

Piqua Miami County Ohio

Aprill 18^th 1864

At home

 

Dear Webb

I received your kind and no less interesting letter after some delay and now I shall endeavor to reply to the same. I was visiting in town last week and received your letter and should have answered it on saturday evening it was my intention to do so but Miss Tillie Clarks brother was home from the army and there was some company going out from town to spend the eveing and they came and insisted so that I concluded I would go I guess Cousin Lidie did not like it very well for I promised to stay with her

 

            Well Webb I suppose you now residing in your Southern home and enjoying all the comforts and luxuries of a soldier life whilst I am enduring all the hardships of a farmer’s daughter I am getting rather religious since you was here last I have been to church six times since your departure so much for my But / verily I say unto you! my religion has not made me any better I am as great a sinner as ever

 

            Webb I heard last night that you insulted some of the Democrat boys out at Mr Pattersons the evening of the party I told them I thought it was a mistake

 

            I received a letter from Chicago on thursday last from a young gentleman that I never saw or heard of he wrote that he had friends in Piqua who wrote to him about me and wished him to get up a correspondence with me and as they recommended me so highly he thought he would comply with their wish he is to send his photograph as soon as I answer his letter but under the arrangements I dont think I he will have the pleasure of sending it I think I shall find out who his Piqua friends are

 

            Well our boys started to California last week and we miss them very much but I suppose we will lose the rest of our boys the second of may they leave us to go to the field of battle it is the Volunteer Malitia I Abraham president of the United States has ordered them out so mote it be /

 

            Webb this is the fourth letter I have written this after noon and my fingers cramp so I can scarcely write and I must write an other as soon as I finish this. I have you attended only two parties since you was here our winter’s amusement is a bout drawing to a close I understand there is to be several parties next week for the Soldiers that are to be

 

            The sabbath after you left I was in at church and some dident like the idea of the bride making her appearance in a black silk dress and the bonnet she had wore all winter I told them it suited me but I was not aware that I was a bride but enough of such nonsense

 

            Wishing you well and hoping to hear from you soon I close my dry letter perhaps the next will be more interesting

 

            Give my best wishes to Mr Sheets

 

            Miss Tillie sends her love to you she is sick at present time

                                                                                                           

Good bye Webb

Yours Mollie

 

Webb please write often                                                                                 

for I am ever happy to hear from you /

They say that absence conquers love

But Oh believe it not

Ive tried alas its powers to prove

But thou art not forgot

                                                Mollie

Monday                      

Sept 1^st

Home Saturday Night Aug 20^th/6[?]

 

Dearest Brother

I have received two letters from you since writing, the first, you were on the train, and the other today you were at Dalton Ga, and you are now perhaps engaged in the deadly conflict. if so, may the God of battles protect you and be your guard and shield in the hour of danger.

 

Well there is considerable of excitement here they are enlisting very rapidly. Joe Cory come home from the 16^th Battery to recruit /

last Thursday and went

to Columbus today with

ten from here I do

not know how many from other places. The ones from here are John McGillon, Ell Howe, Luke Cyster, Charlie Polly, Hale & Bacon—refugees—Snider—Helen Polly’s beau—I do not know the rest. They got four hundred dollars bounty. John Johnson has paid a substitute. he said he would give all he was worth before he would go. The democrats have nominated McClellan, and Pendleton but I presume you will hear all about the convention before this reaches. Mollie Brower & Newt Varner were married last Thursday he went to the convention and left her at home. do you remember that party he was at /

                                                                                   

Thare is a great deal

of sickness here. Aunt

Kitty Scorse was buried

last Monday. Some Conklin Child died today and Sallie McNeal is not expected to live but a few hours and poor dear Ru is only getting weaker all of the time. she took a heavy chill last night at nine it lasted until eleven and then had high fever until morning she is a little better this evening. Will just carries her like a baby whereever she wants to go. she sits up just long enough to eat The rest of our folks are all well I did not get the school here the teachers are Mr Harde—butternut—Miss Lemmon, Miss Newson, Miss Sallie Beakley, and Miss Rena Lewis /

 

Mr Ed Beakley has come out to be a butternut he denounces Lincoln, all he has ever done and the whole republican party [paper fold]

 

I have not got a school yet I am trying to get one on the Springfield line so that I can come home on the bus evry night Ell & I were at Springfield last Sabbath we took dinner at the Knaub House and had a real good dinner. there was basket making at [?]sville and we went out in the morning and did not like it so we went on to Springfield. Will Stafford and his girl—Nellie Lowman—were with us. I am going over to Troy next Saturday and I will get those Vinings if they are there

 

[margins]        The flying Irishman whipped his wife splendid pap he is; very much obliged for the caps they are real warm; Mollie sends her love Harrie a kiss; Will and I took Harrie to Troy to get photos and he says the man could not get it fixed; Follow the Real railroad; O[?] came home last night

Camp Harker Nashville Ten

May 6^th 18/65

 

Miss Mollie

                        your favor dated May first was received this morning and I now seat myself to reply

 

                        I am very happy to know you are enjoying yourself so well but Mollie I must say that your acknowledgement of being a Rebble has caused me to feel very unhapy I would mutch rather heard of the deth of my nearest and dearest friend but as I cannot have my choice in this I must be content Now Mollie if you was in earnest in what you sayed please tell me as if you are growing tired of vows made to me in times gone by let me know it and will release you for I have said I would labor to promote your hapiness and I repeat it. no mater what sorrow it cause me. I expect to be at by the fourth of july next then by your permition I will visit you again. I wrote to you a fiew days ago and told you all the news and what I thought of the Confederate cause now if I have been to rash I beg pardon but donot think I have for you know I am a Soldier in the Army with this I close

 

Yours in haste write soon if worthy

 

Give My Regards to Cous Lide

 

 Dan. W. Ellis U.S.S.D. Department

Direct as before

                                                           

Good By My Love to you

Camp 71 Ohio Vet Vol Inf

Near Green Lake Texas

July 12^th 1865

 

Dearest Mollie

                        I will write to you this morning all tho I cannot boast of my good heath I blieve I fare as well as any of my comrads but fortunately for us there is no disease among us but the cause of our illness is fatigue and the effects of being on the salt waters. in the first place we were five days on the ocean then landed on the shore of the Matagorda Bay and was compelled to march thirty Eight miles with out any water only that we got at New Orleans which was vary poor and scarse. I do think it was the severest march our Corp ever made I saw the men fall on the way and pray to be shot to keep from perishing and yet they would not murmer or grow angry I allso saw men steal / milch cows (that was being drove through to the lake to water) and milk them to keep from falling as others had done I will give you the number of men we had when we started from the coast then the number we got here with that you may know our lose We had ten Companys and three hundred and nintty four men when we left the the Bay and when we got here we had seven men and four companys. Showing a loss of three hundred and eightyseven men but I blieve the most of them have been hauled in to camp and donot think vary many of them dangerous but canot say only for my own company and I see all of our men can sit up but alase our task is but half done for we have just as far again to march after leaving here without water

 

We are on our way to Auston the Capitol of the State distance one hundred and forty miles from here but I am writing or trying to write to mutch I fear you will tire of me I trust this will find you enjoying your usual good health /

 

Please excuse my pencil and consider this from a tired but faithfull Soldier Whos only injoyment is serving you and his country. Now I will close

 

Plese write soon if worthy Direct to Auston

Texas after my best wishes and undying Love

to you Dearest

                       

I Close

Webb

Hed. Quarts Co. I.

71^st O. V. V. I

Sept 1^st 1865

 

Miss Mollie

                                    This Dearest is the first evening I have spent in camp since I wrote you the last note I have been out in the country with some of the men after our Regt’l Horses that strayed from us. Oh what a country this is. I have been travling for sometime and have the first nice place to see in Texas yet. and there is not half of the natives that talk the American tongue but some of them talk German and I find it to some advantage to be a Dutchman. then we have a Dutch General to command our Brigade now but enough of the Dutch and I know you donot want to hear of the Nigger so I will now Speake of a white man /

Well I do not know what to write first for I do not know anything to write. there is nothing doing here and the Army I blieve does more harm than good for the boys will steal that is some of the naughty ones will but yet we have some good boys that does not steal then you know there is all kinds of men in the army

 

I suppose you are having gay times this fall with the returned Soldiers for they must be vary numerous and do know thay are gay and festive cusses. then this is the time to have fall picnicks and enjoy them for I suppose the weather must be getting coll now. Oh yes please tell me how Lide and the Post Master flourishes. I suppose we will get letters without writing any.

 

Well I am allmost willing to say I will be at home this fall if I must Desert but I will wait untill Dec then I must without doubt start home if not before that time but I hope to be there before that time for I am tired of War.

/

Well Miss Mollie I have had a Lady visitor and she wanted know I was a mried man and how old I was and if I was not married whether I intend ever to marry. so you see there is some chance for a fellow here if does not get to Gods country again but my visitor was the wife of a old friend and he was with her so you see there is not any probability of me being the favored one here again poor child. so I guess I will not try to marry in this Country but wait untill see some person that suits me better than either the French or Spanish Lasses enough of this We have a fine camp and a good Spring near it which is quite a favor here as the weather is vary warm and the water poor

 

            Well I must close for the mail goes out at twelve to night and we all only have one mail a week so if I fail to send my letter to day / it will not go for a week

                                                                                   

Good By Write soon if worthy

Ever your Webb

Camp 71^st O. V. V. I

Oct 4^th 1865

 

Dearest Mollie

                                    your kind favor of Sept 1^st was received yesterday and I now seat my self to reply to the same I am quite well Well and trust this will find you the same

 

Well Dear I am a vary sorry that my letters are so unfortunate as you say and that they cause you to loose your apetite for I am not willing to do you any injury if I know it yet if this note like its predecessors causes you the loss of your super I donot know what I shall do to prohibit the sad occurance in future. I will try to think of some plan when I write again /

 

you spoke of me being at home some time ago would to god it was realy so but fear it will be some time be fore I get there for you know it quite a good distance to travel and then I donot know when we will start for home but you may tell this those folks for me I wish they would please quit this gossip or I will think I have a Wife and you know you would not like me to Address my letter to Mrs Mollie J. Ellis. but a truce with this folly let them say on they cannot harm a Christian you know Oh Mollie I was to town town the other day and saw a tribe of Indians Camanches then I saw a herd of Camels and five arabs driving them dont you think I see lots for a boy /

 

Well Now for the sin I have commited by playing Cards I fear I will fail to find any cause for floging so I will not attempt to excuse myself but promis to do so nomor just because you request for I donot see any harm in it yet I have heard of harm arising from that source. you soke of me not writing to Lide I have wrote her the last letter I think if not misstaken please Remember me to her and tell her to answer my letter if she pleases. I blieve this is all I have to write this time I wrote to you and your pa a fiew days ago I will send write again this week if nothing happens to prevent my doing so I will not promis to help you be Bridget but will help you / some other person some time prehaps Give my best to all of the folks that may wish to know

 

Write soon if worthy

Remain as ever

Your Lover

D. W. E to

Mollie J M

                                                                                                           

Good By

Camp 71^st O.V.V.I

SanAntonio Texas Oct 27/65

 

Dearest Mollie

                        Your kind and most welcome favor of the 1^st has been received and read with the greatest of pleasure and its contense highly appreciated for you know Dear that I am ever happy to hear from you yet the last letter I received from you gave me more real happness than any one I have read for a long long time for you know you was unwell when you wrote the one before this and I have been uneasy aversince untill I received your letter last evening. do not think me trying to flatter you Mollie for you know I have told you that I love you and with me to love is no dying passion but an everlasting and unchangeable affection that will continue to grow warmer so long as my / heart continues to pulsate. blieve me dear Mollie I will never be happy again untill I am with you and that absence instead of conquring Love strenthens it evry day I am away from you I can feel my Love for you increasing but I fear I am allowing my heart to run away with my pen or pencil hopeing you will not think me trifleing with you I will drop this subject Mollie I fear you made quite a mistake in the letter or in a part of your last letter to me for I do not recolect of stoping at Newport and I am quite shure my name is not Jennie. Well I will not tell any one of it so you must not feel bad about it I have erased the sentence and so it is all over now I am vary sorry you have been troubled with the tooth ache but I hope you will be well of it by the time you receive and answer this sorry you lost your teeth but you / know you can get a new set and the next time you want to go to Dayton you shall go providing are a good little girl I hope Mollie I hope you will not think of that little quarrel we had for I think we was rotten out of employment when we was writing about politics dont you I now must bring my ill composed note to a close for the bugle sounds for parade and the men are awaiting for me Please excuse the pencil for the wind shake my tent so I canot use my pen. Remember me to Lide and Aunt and write soon to Webb if worthy

 

P S have you forgotten late photo you was to send to me Please send it by next mail wont you Mollie Good By

                                               

Ever your Webb

to M. J. M.

Gallatin Nov 20^th  1/6[?]

 

Dear Mollie

       your most welcome letter was received evening and its contence highly apreciated

 

            I was vary glad to learn of your good health but sorry to hear of you being weary and tired but I hope you are enjoying your self well at the preasant time

 

            Mollie I suppose you have plenty of apple butter now and will not go to aunt Kities to get apple butter but I think I will come to your house instead of going to see my aunt and see who has the best butter but this is foolishness and I will not spend my time writing sutch stuff and I know you will not approve of it so I will change the subject /

 

            Mollie I have just got in from duty in the out post where I have been for three days and had a vary nice time untill last evening and then it began to rain and continued to rain untill midnight and then I toock three of the men and went to scout to see that the coast was clear of rebs but we did not go far untill we found that the enemy was not far from us for one of them send a leaden message to us and it passed between me and one of my men and we replyed to it in the same way and all of our shots toock effect on his horse and kill him and we then rushed upon him and captured him after exchanging several shots with and the result was I got one of my men wounded in the face but it was only a small shot and we killed one of the enemy and captured one /

 

            Well Dear Mollie I am one of the happies of man since kind since I got your most welcome letter stating your willingness and approval of my addressing you as a suitor for your heart and hand and life our course may be both prosperous and granted that we may have no cause to regret the step we have taken but on the other hand may our future be one of endless happiness and for my part I shall not leave anything undone that will permote the hapiness of my Dearest friend.

 

            Mollie give my regards to cous Lide and to your Ma for I will have to close my letter

 

            Now Mollie please write soon and write a long letter to your ever true friend and admirer

                                                                                   

Webb

 

            Good By may sweet dreams be whispered in your ears by night is my prare

Camp 71 O. V. V. I

Nov 26^th 1865

 

Dear Mollie

                                    your kind favor of the latest has been read with the greatest of pleasure and this pleasant Sabbath morning finds your humble servent seated to the pleasant task of replying to the same. alltho I have nothing of interest to communicate I endeavor to interest you for a short time I was vary happy to hear of your good health and that you was enjoying your self so well. I did think we would be on our way home before this but today finds us in the same place we was when I wrote your last letter yet I hope it will not be a greate while untill we will be / at home our papers are all posted and we only await transportation to the Gulf which I think can be got in the next week then I think we will will start

 

                                    Well now I do not know what to write Oh yes have you had any snow in Gods country yet. I think they have forgotten to send Winter to this place for the weather remains vary warm yet I think it as warm here now as midsummer North. yet I expect we will get cold enough going the Ohio River but enough of this I am tireing you I know then I do not want to tell you all I know now for if I do I would not have anything to tell when I get home you know Mollie

 

but I must close

                       

Good By from

Your Webb E /

 

Please remember me to all of my friends

                                                           

Yours in Haste

Webb to

Mollie

Gallatin Tenn Dec 31^st /65

 

Miss Mollie

 

Dearest Mollie

I received your kind and highy apreciated this evening alltho it was vary slow in coming it was in the road ten days but never tow late to be welcome

 

            Oh Mollie this is the most horable night I have yet witnessed in this country it rainy and hailing and it is as cold as the hart of a Bandit and I have nine miles to ride before tomorrow morning there is to be a rebel Ball at the village of Sandersville and we are ordered there to see if there is any rebel soldiers there

 

            Mollie it true I am vary tired of my situation but alas I fear there is no happiness for me of my situation for there is only one chance for me to be happy and that I am fearfull I can not gain and I sometimes think it best for me to remain in the service of my country.

 

            Mollie I am laboring under a dangerous disease which I have often thought would never effect my being but man knows not what is to be his fate /

            You I supose will ask what

            it is that troubles and now I

            will try to explain to my solemn

            and unsatisfied condition, Mollie I am

in love and the I love I fear will upon spurn me from her in disgust when I dare to speak of it to her and if so then I am prepared to give my wortheless life to my country

 

            And Mollie do not start when I tell you that the one I love bears the of Mollie Miller for I do not blieve you are to detest or dispise eny liveing being therefore on you rests the happiness of one who loves you far better than him self

 

            Now Dearest if you can be content with me shareing of a soldier you will I trust never regret the step you have taken all of my life shal be devoted to you and your happiness and now Dearest Mollie if this ill composed note meets a welcome please answer soon for one that you are most dear to waits on your answer and on your answer depends his happiness

 

From Your Lover Webb /

 

            Mollie as this is a vary cold and disagreeable night I will not write a vary long letter

 

            Give my kindest to your Ma and Papa allso John and Lide and tell Lide I will write to her tomorrow.

 

            I will send you a presant as soon as I can get one that will suit but this place cannot afford anything that is nice as I want to send to you

 

After My Love to you I close

                                                                                               

Yours untill Death

Webb to

Mollie

 

Newyearsgift Mollie

At Home Piqua Miami County

Ohio

I believe

Wednesday Jany 20^th            8/66

 

 Dearest Webb

           As I promised you to write to you to day I shall of course do so.

 

            But as usual I have not any thing to write but of course will fill this sheet of unsullied white. Well I believe you left here on monday. Well on tuesday morning Mr. Winans called was very sociable I suppose he was not aware that Ellis had been here the evening before. Oh yes he called twice the last time I had retired to rest my weary limbs as you might suppose I felt rather inclined to be sleepy. probaly he thought I had gone to a party well yesterday I washed and scrubbed in the forenoon and as usual had company in the afternoon. this forenoon I ironed and the Bees are just swarming but I called Papa to the house so I could write to you Mama is getting dinner oh yes we had two swarms of Bees / yesterday. Well my Dear I am going to town this evening wont you come and go with me. that is if no person comes to keep me from getting my work done. I am going to Can Gooseberries this afternoon. say come and help. Oh yes there was a gentleman called here yesterday and he said he must look at Marys quilt (I put one up in the frames monday) and oh how nice my quilting looked. he said I must quilt it [stain] or John Winans might not like it. How are you Winans and quilt.

 

            Oh well I know this is very interesting to you but what else shall I write. Webb it was too bad you had such a bad day monday to go home. I really felt sorry for you. but that did you no good. Well how is the picture by this time, did any of your friends recognize it, the well known face of your old sweet Heart hey I hear some person down stairs saying Mollie Miller come to your dinner shall I go or not to go or not to go. that is the question Oh say Webb you will never get those others I sent to Ky will you or neither will I or the picture either Oh / I expect some other fellow will be carrying my picture around. Oh say I did not sign my name only Mollie, so they wont know who the Mollie is  I never yet had a dead letter sent back to me and that is the reason why. well I will sign my name to this one so I will be sure to get it back in case any thing should happen. Oh I hear the old cook just talking down stairs she says it is curious no person can come to dinner one here and one there so I [stain] good by More anon Mollie Well say Dearest Love do you remember the last time we did meet how you told me that you loved me kneeling at my feet (in a barn). Oh Dear me it is after 4 Oclock & I have just picked and cleaned a nice dish of Strawberries for supper I wish you was here to dine with us. Well I have some few left for breakfast try and be here by that time

 

            Well honey I do not know anything more to write but come down to Piqua as soon as you can. Mother has begun to get supper and I must go hitch up the hoss / and be ready for my departure by that time. Webb you try and be in the City by the time I get there. Oh how happy I should be to meet your smiling face on the bustling street there

 

            Well my Dear I must close my unworthy epistle by bidding you an affectionate Adieu

 

            are you writing to me now or have you completed your task ere this I hope so why cant I get a letter from you this evening boo hoo. to bad is it not Webb

 

Ever your Faithful Mollie Miller

 

Webb Ellis

 

P.S. kick Hensch for me

and oblige Bridget [?]

 

[upside down]

inclosed I send some property belonging to you and I dont suppose you can get along without it. how are you tooth pick

Piqua Miami County Ohio

9 Oclock. tuesday night. March 20^th 1866

 

Dear Webb

            I have just answered a letter which I received from Cousin Lide on yesterday evening and so I thought I would write a few lines to Webb.

 

            Well how fares your own Dear self this stormy night snugly ensconced in bed no doubt and dreaming of moonshine & mush & milk

 

            Well I believe I told you you in any other letter that I received your welcome missive was happy to hear from you &c

 

            So now I am at a loss to know what to write (Oh ye shades of departed eloquence inspire me with words suitable and Idea’s immemorable)

 

            Indeed Webb I do not know what I commenced writing for for most assuredly I have not any thing to tell you. Well yes John was in to Church on sunday and went to Lides for dinner Father and Mother were at Lides yesterday. John and they went to town dont you think and left poor me at home / and all alone. “too bad” I have not saw Lide or have not been to town or not even as far as our big gate “since you was here. aint I a good girl I told you I was going to stay at home so you see I have been as good as my word. it has been raining every day since you left here only saturday and sunday, so we have nothing but rain and mud—mud and rain on sunday we had a couple of gentlemen to see us and spent part of the day. Namely Mr. John Winans & Mr. George Millhouse

 

Oh dear ever so good and funny was no name for him.

 

            And yes Webster you said in your last that you did not know when you would come up again Well I know you will come by Saturday week wont you for it is so muddy now that I suppose you could not get here if you would try but come by Easter and I will cook you an egg wont that be nice

 

            Well I shall now close as it is getting late and you know I never stay up / later than 10 Oclock

                                   

perty perty

 

            Webb hoping to hear from you as soon as convenient I shall bid you an affectionate good night and close my scribbling

 

by_by Webbie

                                                                                   

Write soon to

Your Mollie

 

Wednesday afternoon

            I am just going to send your letter to the Office by Brother John and I am expecting his return with one from you now Webb you must not disappoint as I know you will not probaly you will tell me when you will be to Piqua again good by once more

                                                                                               

write soon to your Mollie

5 Oclock—Friday Evening

Oh yes             Piqua Ohio                 

April 14^th        1866

 

Dear Webb

              I received your kind letter last wednesday in return for the one I sent to you an hour before receiving your most truly welcome missive

 

            Well I want you to know on wednesday afternoon just as I was sealing your letter there was a young lady came to see me Miss Maggie Winans and in a bout five minutes more another one and they stayed all night, and yesterday morning Father started up to St Marys as we had a letter the evening before that Grandfather was still living so Father went out I suppose he will bring Mother with him sure. but when will that be? Mother was to write to us every day and John did not go to the Office yesterday eve so we did not get our letter and there will be another this evening and I expect he will not come / home in time to go down it is too bad us two little Orphans all alone no paper no mama. dont you pity us John is over at the other place at work so I am all the man that is at home. Well I had the pleasure of having Lidie to make me a visit yesterday Oh thunder too what a time we had with fire and no man at home but me but the neighbors come to my aid and assistance and among the hardy few was my friend John Winans. Well I cant tell you about the fire wait till I see you. or Lide. we can both tell you. You wanted to know if Mr. W. called sunday evening he did not.

 

And Webb you know the gent you left here well I did not go in the room again untill I heard him starting I was allmost froze. I thought he never would go. I guess he begun to think I went with you.

 

            Well I am all alone to day and have been washing and churning so I can scarcely use my fingers. Well Webb I will not attempt to finish your letter this evening for I cannot use my fingers they are so sore and they wont bend either they have got the stiff neck /

 

Saturday afternoon. I shall now try to finish your letter. Oh dear me but I am tired I am sitting in the parlor writing by the table. The rocking chair is drawed up in the front door and who do you think is occupying it. Why it is pussie a very respectable person dont you think?

 

            Oh yes I was sitting in the door about 5 minutes ago and saw Mr. Winans and his sister going past a flying in the buggy and now I see the old gentleman just passing in the Spring wagon. I have a notion to pick up my bonnet and run out and to to town with him or no I guess I wont Oh dear but John will get thunder if he dont come home this evening in time to go to the Office he said last night that he did not expect to get time to go. Oh no the men never have time to go any place. if they were smart like the women they could get their work did and plenty time to go. Well my Dear I hardly know what to write Oh yes I wonder if there isnot a letter at the Office from Cousin Webb to Cousin Mollie /

 

Well I wish the horse and buggy were here I bet you this Miller would soon light out for Piqua

 

we came very near having a big rain shower this morning I was most afraid but I tell you I was afraid yesteray evening John did not come home untill long after dark and the girl was afraid the boo boos would catch her. O thunder I cant think of any thing to finish this sheet. Oh yes I will say something pretty to you

 

Forget thee! Forget thee how can I forget

When vows of thy heart with my own linger yet

The vows which you pledged were united with truth

As fresh in thy manhood as strong in thy youth

Forget thee. Forget thee! how can I forget

When not a sigh leaves me which breathes of regret

When not a wish passes but finds in my breast

A hope for thy welfare a prayer for thy rest.

Forget thee! Forget thee. how can I forget

While deeply most deeply thine image is set

And naught from this bosom that image will tear

Forever! yes, ever that image I’ll wear.

Forget thee. Forget thee I cannot forget

While deep in my bosom thime image is set

Well the                                              Ahem

 

            Well the dog is barking and I must go see what the matter is. yes I will go for he will be there. well the sheep were in the orchard that was the matter but the Captain made them light out and was telling all about keeping them out but he just shook his head I guess he did not understand. but I had a romp with the dog and kitten and had them to play untill they got tired I would sit the kitten up on top the board fence and the dog would climb up and push it off Puss did not enjoy the joke to a very great extent strange toy! I did well folks say I allways enjoy myself. but I know I do not there are times when I am very sad though I believe I appear lively but hark the rain falls. I think this will be a rainy day for out door work. Well Webb write when convenient for you to do so and oblige her

 

[verso margins]

 

Webb I have not got that picture yet but you know Ma has been gone why yes poor Oh fiddlesticks. I say and I had no opportunity of getting them but shall do so at no far distant day. well I will quit for this time oh yes when are you coming up again.

 

[Recto top margin, upside down]

 

I dont know whether I will get to send this to the Office this evening or not but I will send as soon as possible. Webb I just thought of it we write to each other oftener now than when you was in the army far from home, never seeing each other and thinking probly we never should. strange aint it. Mollie Miller

Good by Webb from                                                                          

Mary to Daniel

 

Your what is it                                                                                   

yes. well good evening           love     Mollie

At Home April 25 1866

 

Dear Mollie

                        Madam the greate love I have to you expressed is fallse and I find my indifference toward you is increaseing daily the more I see of you the more you appear in my eyes an object of contempt I feel myself evry way disposed and determined to hate you Blieve me I never had an intention to offer you my hand. Our last conversation has left a tedious impression which has by no means given me the most excellent idea of your character your temper would make me extremely unhappy and if we are united I shall experience nothing but the hatred of my friends added to everlasting displeasure of living with you I have indeed a heart to bestow but I do not desire you to imagine it at your service for I could not give it to one more inconnstent and capricious than yourself and less capable to do honor to my choice and family yes Miss I hope you will be persuaded that / I speake sincerely and you will be persuaded will do me a further favor to avoid me. I shall excuse you taking the trouble to answer this. as your letters are allways full of impertinence and you have not a shadow of wit and good sense Adieu & bliee blieve me so averse to you that it is impossible for me even to be your most affectionate friend and humble Servent Servent                     

 

affectionate

affectionaty                                         

Dan W Ellis                                        

 

To M J M                       

Dayton Ohio

 

Dan W Ellis

 

Dayton Ohooooo

 

Folly of Life

Friends of Freedom

Farewell to all

 

[upside down]

 

Moon Light

Fort Wayne Allen County

Ind.

thursday evening Sept 20^th 1866

 

My own Dear Webb

I have waited watched and prayed for a letter from you and yet no word and why is it I have wrote this being the third one since hearing from you what in the world is the matter I had a letter from Lide yes two from her on satur monday evening one she wrote on sunday out at our house. she said that I would see you before I received her letter. she said that you buggy was standing at M^cfarlands gate that you and Eckabrode were at M^cfarlands Why Webb what in the world does it all mean and then you never wrote to me or tell me anything about it I dont see why it is Oh Webb I am so anxious to hear from you. You was so fraid that I should prove false to you while gone and / who could have been more faithful to you or any other person than I have I think Webb you are the one that is proving neglectful but Dearest Webb I will not chide you for I know there must be some reasons for your delay in writing

 

            Well Dearest Webb we arrived safe at Fort Wayne yesterday evening we met with good luck all the way

 

we left St Marys all under water yesterday morning it begun raining there on sunday evening and has never ceased yet Oh it is dreadful if I was to home I would not care so much the St Marys folks tried to prevent us leaving yesterday but we could not see the stay I was up before day light waiting for breakfast to start we had to leave St Marys at 8 Oclock on account of the bad roads and the water was so high we were afraid we could not get to town but / we got there just in time for the coach Cal and I were the only passengers going over and there was none at all coming back. the folks were afraid to travel we met a gentleman at Massakonetta[?] that knew us he checked our trunks for us took us in the cars and seated us so we came to Lima Met, M Nichols I saw him through the window befo as we were passing out of the Car but told Cal to pretend we did not see him I was just about to pass him when he stopped and introduced himself then I introduced him to Miss Cal. he got our trunks for us got our tickets for the next train and seated us in the car and stayed untill the train started. he was very attentive I think him quite a gentleman he said for me to inform him of the time I was going back and he should / be there and wait on me with pleasure and I want you to know when we got to Van Wert who gets on the train but our friends John Robison and Roper Evans bound for Fort Wayne so we had a gay time they took care of our trunks at the Depot as Uncles were not expecting us untill the 5 Oclock train so we had to stay at the Depot from half past three untill 5 Oh dear but it was nice but we had a gay time as there was a lady there that knew everything and we were very ignorant. I did not even know where I was. Oh there was a man just stopped and says the fair is not to be untill next month. I wrote a letter home today and told our folks that I wanted home and for them to write and send for me to come home and still it rains. Oh I wish I was at home allthough we have a goodeal of fun here at uncles yet laughing and talking soon wear off for we cannot get away for home just jammed up in the house from morning untill night I am going home in about a week sure as thunder if they dont write for me to come I will pretend they did for the folks here are determined that I shall not go home for three or four weeks it makes me sick to have them talk that way. John the cuss sent word to me that he was coming out in about two weeks more and for me stay untill he was ready to go home but nary stay wet Good bye darling Webb

 

[verso margin notes]

 

Oh Webb we went to the resevoire sunday and a had a nice time we went out about three miles I believe it was well Webb do write to me often and write long letters

 

Well Good night darling Cal is getting supper cooking Codfish dont you wish you was here my Dear except my love and a kiss Yours ever faithful Mollie

           

[recto, upside down]

 

please excuse this paper and envelope write soon to your Mollie who loves you dearly

Thokoms[?]    Howard Co      Ind

feb the 1^st 1876

 

Dear Niece

                        I take this opertunity to try to write a few lines

 

I have heard the sad news of your Father’s death I can weep with you but it will do none of us any good to griev but it is natuerl for us to do so Eliza Patterson wrote to me three weeks a go that your pap was sick but I was quite unwell at the time I could not went if I had no other caws I had strong simtums of lung feever and was taking medison and I am not well yet though I am better but I am so nervis I can hardley write and Stepen is allmost sick and he could not go for Cass has not walked one step since he had his thy broak the 14^th of Oct it was broak in two places and the Dockters onley set one place and he is going / to Indianoples to morrow to see if he can get anything done for him at the hospital one of our neighbor men is going with him but I fear it will be a bad job.

 

Lida kep us posted as far as she could but we did not get her letters as we ought she wrote one the 19^th and we did not get it to the 29^th and Stephen had been to the Office three times

 

I would been glad to seen your papa once more but so it is, it is the way we all hav to go and we know not when. I had hoped your papa would got up a gain but I was disapointed as I hav been many a time so we will have to try and bear it the best we can. I hope you will excuse my bad writing and meny mistakes for I am so nervis I can hardley write at all. I wish you to write to me when convenient and let me know how you all are and how and what you are going to do. tell Lida Patterson we are obliged to her / and Joe for leting us know of your Father’s affliction it made the shock liter in some degree still it was bad enough at best. I can not write any more at present.

 

My love to you and your Mother my respects to all inquiring friends

 

from your affectionate Aunt

Margaret M^cFarlin

 

Mary. J. Ellis 

 

Feb 2^nd

I will try to write a few lines this morning I got a letter from Lide Patterson last night which gave me grate satisfaction conserning your papa’s change before death

 

Stephen had to go to town yesterday on earent for Cass and it was so stormy he came home so sick I was so fritened I can hardley think what to write for we had no one to go for a Dr. he said he did not want any he is beter this morning. Cass is waiting for his friend to go with with him so I can send my letter to the Office if he goes. I will write to Lide when I can, so good by

Gallatin            February the 3^rd

           

Miss Mollie

 

Dearest Mollie

your vary kind and interesting letter of January 25^th was received last night and was highly satisfactory to me I was happy to know you was enjoying good health

 

            I got to camp at ten OClock last night after riding for five days in succession and I was so weary that it was impossible for me to write at that time

 

            Mollie I will give you a slight idea of our scout we started from camp on friday last and rode untill sabbath morning before we halted to take any rest we then halted for two hours then started and traveled near five miles when our advance began to skirmish with the enemy and keped up the fighting in front untill night we then retired to the village of Gainsborough where we met about thirty of the enemy but they did not give us a chance to fire at them for they ran like sheep /

 

            Well Mollie I would like vary mutch to enjoy your sweet company once more but I fear it is uncertain when I will get to see Ohio again but hope it will soon but it is pleasure to me to know you are enjoying your self so well

 

            Now Mollie you spoke of a Lady, Miss D, saying she received a letter from me if she has a letter with my signature to it it is forged for I have not wrote to her for three months and do not expect to write for I do not think it would be honorable in me to so therefore you may rest asshured that so far as I am conserned all others are forgotten and all engagements broken if there has been any but I do not remember of making any engagement with any Lady nor even trying or proposing to any Lady excepting your self

 

            Now if this is sufficient to convince you that I am free from all other ties or engagements I hope you will give me a direct answer by return mail for my happiness hangs on but a sturdy cord and you Dearest can either give me pleasure and honor or loneliness and disgrace for if you should decide in my favor I would the happiest of the happy but on the other hand should reject and spurn do not / think I could ever be of any use to this world and would seek to pass away my life on some lone isle.

 

            Well I have allmost forgot to say that the 7 V^l is expected to start home soon as vetran volenteers and I will be with it so it is not worth while for me to send my picture.

           

Give my regards to all my friends if I have any

 

After my Love to you

 

            I will Close

 

Good By Dearest pleasant dreams

           

Write soon do please

Webb

Stacy City Tenn

August 2^nd

 

Dearest Mollie

                        your kind favor of the 20^th came this evening and I will write you a short note now while the forces are halting to feed them selves and horses we started from camp last night at three and at day light was in sight of the mountains we then came to this place to get breakfast we have been troubled by the rebs for some time and the Col says he is tired of it so we are hunting them while the hundred day men hold our posts on the railroad by the way these men are good soldiers so far as they go /

 

Mollie I am vary happy to know your health is improving for I can not be happy knowing you are not well and happy you spoke of Miss D. well I must admit that I paid my regards to her for a short time but the idea of me marrying her is most absurd of anything I ever heard she never thought of sutch a thing and I most shurely did not.

 

            Now Mollie I hope you will not doubt my vows for if ever the truth was spoken by man which I know or blieve has been but this I do know that Webb Ellis will be true to his love untill death Mollie I have been in a vary big hurry for fear of the troop starting but the Col says we will stay here all / day so I will not close yet bu he says I am not allowed to write Love letters while on a scout but I guess I will do as I please the Col says for me to his regards to you

 

            I got a letter from Lide yesterday and answered it the same day

 

Sergt Sheets says he will exchang photos with vary willing bu he has not got any just now but I have one of his I will give back and wait untill he gets some more

 

            Now Dear Mollie I will soon bring my letter for fear of tireing you with reading it

 

Good By            Ever your

true Lover Webb

                                                                       

please write soon for I am ever

anxious to hear /

 

Please excuse my pencil

           

Give my regards to Aunt &c Webb

Elk River Tenn May 5^th

           

Miss Mollie Miller

 

Dear Mollie I will try to write you a fiew lines this morning while we are halted on our way to some place but I do not know where we have stoped for riders and do not know how long we will stay here but perhaps we may stay some time and we may leave in a fiew hours

 

            I am vary well now but I am tired we have been on the march for three day and now we are seventy miles below Murfeesborough the most of the regiment is nine miles below here there is only one hundred and fifty of us here we came trough on horseback and the rest of the regiment came on the / cars there is but one house in seven miles of us and that is three miles away so we will not be troubled with visitors but the country is vary pleasant to camp in only it is rather cool the boys weare their over coats all day when riding

 

            This is all the news I have to write only that we had several little skirmishes while on the march but it no did amount to anything

 

            Mollie you may Direct to Tallahoma Tenn but we are fifteen miles from that place the mail is carried to us by the provision train and I will get it no matter where I go

 

            Give my kindest to Lide and all of the friends /

 

After my Love and

best wishes to you I close

hopeing to hear

from you soon

                                                                       

Yours untill death

Webb