1862 June 28 Washington.

Washington
June 28, 1862

My darling Sister
Miss Brooke
gave me your beautiful
letter yesterday, telling
me of our terrible loss.  I
tried to make myself be=
lieve that it was true, but
I cannot, it seems too
dreadful to believe, it is
for poor Mother that I
feel the most. it is a ter=
rible blow for her, it is a
consolation however, to know
that he died doing his du=
ty. Miss Kate Barnard

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came to see me yesterday
mornon  morning, She
brought Willie and left
him to stay with me
untill night. the lit=
le fellow was standing
in the passage when I came
out to see him and as I
stooped to kiss him, he
whisperd, "oh Nina our
Father," then I could not
stand it any longer. I
cried as hard as I could.
please excuse this writing
the ink is very bad.
yesterday I had a very
bad stomach ache, but I
am much better now,
give my very best love to
dear Mother, A Uncle
N Alfred, and Grandma
from you affec--little--Nina

Nina Ellet to her sister Mary Ellet on the death of their father Charles Ellet, Jr, mortally wounded in the river battle for Memphis. Mary had accompanied their mother to care for Ellet whom they had presumed was not seriously injured.  Uncle Alfred is Charles's younger brother, Brigadier General Alfred Washington Ellet, 1820-1895.


MSS 276