1861 Sept[ember] 8 East Raymond [Maine]

[written on patriotic stationery with red and blue vignette of United States flag]

Respected friend [Hiram Cash];
it was with
pleasure that I received your letter,
and I now seat my-self to answer it;
though I do not know as it will be
acceptable. I was glad to hear that
you were well, and had good courage,
and expect to overcome the rebels;
which I sincerely hope you will.

The folks around here are all well.
I was up to Casco, week before last
to see Clara Brown, she is very sick
with the consupnption consumption, I do

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not think she will live but a short
time.
I was over to camp meeting, last week
two days, and had a fine time, we
came home around by Lewistown.

Grandfather fell off a load of wheat
last week and hurt him very bad,
but he is better now.

Phebe Symonds is going to be
married this fall I suppose, and
Sarah F. Jordan will be married
also. It is cold enough here today,
to freeze anyone; though I suppose
it is very warm where you now are. I
should like to go out there to
see the place if I could go, without
going in the cars or by water; it
frightens me almost to death to
ride n the cars and it would b
a pity for me to get frightened to death.

I am much obliged to you for
those peices of wood you sent me; I
shall prize those peices of stair casing

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very highly, in remembrance of Col.
Ellsworth for I think he was one
of the bravest men that ever lived.

I cannot think, of any more to scribble,
and I guess if you can read this,
you will do well for it looks
as though a blind person wrote it.

Give my respects to Willie Adams
and Sam D. and tell them I should
be pleased to have a letter from them
anytime.

excuse bad writing and spelling
and write to me again when you
have a chance. from a friend

Ella H. Rolfe[?]

see Hiram Cash's letter of August 15 in which he mentions cutting off a chunk of the stair in the hotel in which Elmer Elsworth was killed.

MSS 12916