1862 May 19 Philadelphia, Pa.

Philadelphia  May 19th 1862

My own dear Ella [Elvira Ellet]

On Saturday Marys kind letter reached me
and todays yours of the 17th inst, it has comforted me greatly to hear
that you, Charles and the dear children are all well, but Oh my
dear Ella I am suffering beyond endurance with anxiety and despair
on account of my three sons unheard from so long; Edward must
be ill or he never would let three weeks pass without writing to me
His last letter was dated the 18th of April and enclosed the latest
from Alfred, John still keeps on in [?] silence and you have read
of the deplorable state of  his family when he wrote now nearly
three months since.  The distance, the distance, which separates me
from my family precludes the possibility of going to them, or they
from coming to me, was it not for that nothing not even age or infirmity
should keep me from them.  I fear greatly that Charles unsatisfactory
letter to you arrises[sic]  from his mind being disturbed not only by his
business but some sad news from his brothers. if I could only hear
from them no matter how brief I should feel better.  I think sometimes
that if my apprehensions were well founded that surely Sarah, Lydia, or
Ann Crandall[?] would write to me. I go to bed at night, anxiously
waiting for morning, and morning comes, but no relief to my poor
heart.  This my dear Ella this is a sad and anxious state of existence, nothing
would make it endurable but the assurance of an immortality free from
sorrow or pain.  you also my poor child have you full store of trouble
but neither  you or I can realise the misery the agony of heart that

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that now has desolated so many once happy homes, where now the voice of wailing
and shrieks of agony are also heard.  I cannot tell by what means this
most wicked and unholy rebellion is to be ended, neither do I care so that
it is accomplished but my voice has ever been against any peace unless
based on the most honorable terms to our offended government.  a complete
restoration of the Union, and the insulted[?] laws once more maintained,
no compromise should be listened to, no interference of foreign aid.  The insolence
of the nations who offer such mediation should be met with dignity
and repulsed by our government without a moments hesitation none
but the craven who wish to see the republic destroyed have any desire
for such an adjustment, the war may continue and many hearts with
my own be broken, but yet with the certainty of all I hold dear more [or none?]
to become victors, I shall with my last breath sustain my beloved
country, my government and the just rights of her citizen.  I have no
faith in Hunter. I fear that  his proclamation has some hidden motive
besides the emancipation of the slaves, for time is doing that most
effectively and it will be by the consent of the owners without inter-
vention on the part of the government or the military, but by the united
consent of the whole people North and South. for it will be
for their best interest, and the world is governed by interests, yea ask my
views and I have stated them. you are tender hearted and wish to [?]
the efusion of blood my dear Ella but much I fear that Oceans are yet
to flow from the bad management of those in command. Our Charles[?]
would have subdued the rebellion without bloodshed, but he was not
heard and behold the consequences, the President and a majority of the
people hold fast to McClellan [?] [?] will not see the thing as it
is the plan is and has been to clothe him with imaginary glory in
order to place him as a Candidate for president on the Breckinridge
ticket. the great serenade given to his wife in New York.

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came out today and hailed her as the future lady of the White House
and this is why that he has always held back, never advancing until
every place is evacuated, first Munsons Hill, with one wooden gun
frightened the whole army under him, then the Potomac Baterys
then the time allowed Manassas to be shoved out. and ten York
Town, and now Richmond, all these tardy movements is to please those
with whom he sympathizes it is in vain to hope that life will be
spared by this shameful policy, for the great battle will come sooner or
later and the slaughter will be greater the longer delayed. had he
acted like a true general at York Town, I doubt if half the number
had been killed as had been at Williamsburg.  Tho I despair the man
and his party, but his worshipers are still blind and will be until
the horrid fact stares them in the face that he is a Traitor.
I only wish that you were nearer to me so that I could go to you
and tell you all my troubles, and hear your own. your anxiety about
not hearing from your family will now be removed for the mails are
asured[sic] and communication restored as soon as the Union troops get
possession  I do not believe that there will be a fight at Richmond
McClellan delays augers that  our boats were repulsed but they
will soon advance again. where has those of Charles construction
gone the papers are all silent.  to day I see that Curtis' army
under whose command I believe Alfred and Eddy to be placed
is now in Arkansas passing on to Little Rock. but nothing
satisfactory or reliable.  I do hope that if Charles does not return
soon that he may be ordered or have to go further West and that
he will see his father and the family.  I wrote a long letter to Saml
three seeks since but have no answer, I have written to Edward three
times since his last.  what can this uncommon silence mean.  I have said
so much against concealment in the case of Johns illness that they surely
will not  practice that course with me again  [?] [?] [?]


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to keep any thing back no matter how painful it had better be known at once
when you write to our dear Charles give him my best love I do not
write to him because I think he had enough on his mind without my
additional care and he would be depressed to hear of my anxiety, but I am
in good health with the exception of my heart have nothing to complain
of in that respect. it continues inflamed but no more painfull than
[?] Sarah [?] has not been able to see me for some
weeks, she rode out a few days since but was not benefitted by the
ride.  William comes as usual and is well. my sister often comes to see me
she is well but too much engrossed with the details of housekeeping to feel
her real griefs.  several of my old friends now that the weather is
pleasant often come and spend the evening with me the ladys of this
town are both kind and agreeable and pay me much  attention.
I do not go out atall.  confinement does not disagree with me and
I feel much better to remain at  home in my own rooms yet I cant
help sometimes wishing to see a great tree on green grass.  I recall
all the beautys of your  beaytiful place and take pleasure in seeing
you all there as formerly  if Miss Hunter is with Mary remember
me kindly to her also to Miss Kate Bernard[?]  I am really sorry
to hear of the illness of Mrs Dent.   I hope your next will tell of
her recovery.  You have had several deaths in your imediate[sic]  neighborhood
since I left you, but this affliction is from providence & on poor
murdered s[?] by the hand of their brothers all [?] no blood
the kin are to her. it is dreadful to contemplate such diabolical
acts as have been perpetrated on this home & hers. you said
nothing about Charley will the Hospital be retained in George Town I do
hope for your sake and his that it will not be moved &c my best love
to Mary and both of my little darlings.  I think I should love their
tender sympathy ?] more if they were near me.  Kiss them for me and
now dear Ella farewell with much love ever yours Mother

Mary Israel Ellet, 1780-1870, was the mother of Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr., 1810-1862, the noted engineer and naval innovator who pioneered the use of iron clad steamers as battering rams  and who would soon be mortally wounded in the battle for Memphis while commanding the "Queen of the West."  Three other sons also mentioned in the above letter were Alfred Washington Ellet, 1820-1895,  who commanded the ram "Monarch" in the same battle, and was later the brigadier of the Mississippi Marine Brigade; John Ellet, an early California pioneer whose sons served under their Uncle Alfred as did Charles's son Charley; and Dr. Edward Carpenter Ellet.
Granddaughter Mary, also referred to above, married the widowed William D. Cabell of Nelson County, Virginia, after the war and became a founder of the Daughters of the American Revolution.


MSS 38-111