[1861 August 20]

[letter of E.T.H. Warren to his wife Jennie continues]

Tuesday morning A little prospect of clearing
off in which I hope we will not be disappointed
for the weather has been perfectly horrible. I recd
this morning your letter of the 18", I am very sorry to
hear of your being unwell and dont know of any-
thing you can do except to apply warm poultices
& cover in flannells over the lower part of your bow-
els. I am satisfied that there is nothing the matter
with you except that it is time for you to get
sick--keep quiet & keep your feet dry until
you are better which I expect you are by this
time. I know very well how much you want
to see me but not more that I want to see
you--This constant seperation is bad in-
deed, I can hardly endure it, but when I think
of the dangers through which I have passed
and that I am now safe & well -- able
to serve my country and still hopeful
of a return to my dear family at some
distant day or of seeing them here, I cannot
complain of this destiny which now
seperates us but am thankful for
the blessings we enjoy--Try and
keep up your spirits. take care of your-
self and dont be too impatient to visit
me until it is safe for you to do it for
if you should be sick here you would be

[page 3[
without any medical assistance and without
any medecines--much as I want to see you I
cant think of your running any risk--I often
think of the happy evenings we spent together
at our old home--of the laughing prattle
of our little ones, and then after they were
fast asleep of our own quiet evenings
when you would scold me for not doing
as you wanted me to do, and now I think
myself that I really was not only a very
naughty old man but a very ungallant one
too.--I really did not then know how much
reason I had to be thankful & happy. But
do not judge from this that I am dissat-
isfied with this life--for so far as I am
concerned personally I would just as soon
lead this life as any other--but I dont
like the idea of your being without my
protection. Write to me soon & often
as you can

Affectionately

E T H Warren

MSS 7786-g