Thursday, November 15, 2012

1862 November 16 [Union Grove, Pa.]

Nov 16th 1862
My dearest Charles-
                            I received
your letter of the 12th last night
I have time now for but a few
hurried lines, on business, in
reply--I have heard from
Mr Redin-the Government
has allowed that claim-
Mr. Brooks is already repaid,
and I have directed the rest of
the money to be at once applied
to the settlement of the two
bills in Philadelphia, which
have weighed so heavily on
my heart, and which it will

[page 2]
about suffice to cover.  This is
an agonizing subject to me,
yet to have all connected with
those last ten days fully and
honorably settled will be an
inexpressible relief to me--
I am most desirous to know
that the receipted bills are in
Mr. Redin's possession--
   It is right to mention to
you, in this connection that
Uncle Edward tells me of a
desire expressed by Mrs
Davenport, herself to raise a
monument at Laurel Hill in
the Spring-if I did not object-
she has never alluded to the

[page 3]
subject to me yet as the
suggestion might be made
at any moment, I wish distinctly
to know, in advance, what
your wishes are.  Of course
I should if time were allowed,
consult you then, but I wish
to know your views previously--
I have received a very
affectionate letter from Uncle
William, sent through the
rebel Secretary of War--He
urges me to write to him
& suggests that I should do
so, through our War Department.
Would you object to my
dong so?  Ask Uncle Alfred

[page 4]
frankly his opinion & wishes.
I could do it through Mr
Ferguson--do not fail to
consult Uncle Alfred on this
head--Nothing would induce
me to write before hearing
from you--All our friends
were well in Virginia except
John Daniel who has again
been wounded-in the hand-
slightly--We are all quite
well--With love to Uncle
Alfred-if he is with you-
always your devoted Sister--
         M. V. Ellet---
Your important letter was
safely put away--Burn This

Mary Virginia Ellet, later Cabell, to her  brother Colonel Charles Rivers Ellet, in command of the ram Queen of the West, the same boat commanded by their late father Charles Ellet, Jr., mortally wounded in the naval assault on Memphis. Charles R. had received popular acclaim for raising the Union flag over that city.  Uncle Alfred was the younger brother of Charles Ellet, Jr., and a Union brigadier general.  Another family separated by the war, Mary refers to her uncle in Virginia who wished her to come with her younger siblings to Virginia when their mother died shortly after their father.  Family friend John [Warwick] Daniel later became a U.S. Senator from Virginia. After the war he traveled to Philadelphia in search of medical help in the company of his good friend William D. Cabell a distant cousin of the Ellet family.  The recently widowed Cabell met his young cousin and married her.  Mary Virginia helped him run two schools and  later became a founding officer to the Daughters of the American Revolution

MSS 276

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