This letter was written by 44 year-old Emeline (Viles) Ward (1819-1900), the daughter of Elias Viles (1784-1819) and Betsey Apthorp Fessenden (1787-1863) of Lexington, Massachusetts. Emeline was married in 1847 to John Sanderson Ward (1810-1865), a farmer in Montague, Franklin county, Massachusetts, when this letter was written in 1863. Their children were William Henry Ward (1849-1925, Eleanor Ward (1851-1912), John Fessenden Ward (1852-1853), and Mary Eliza Ward (1856-1935).
Emeline wrote the letter to Eunice (Sanderson) Holman (1812-1908), the daughter of Curtis Sanderson (1774-1849) and Eunice Spooner (1775-1861). Eunice was the wife of Deacon John Morse Holman (1815-1895), a farmer from Petersham, Worchester county, Massachusetts. Emeline speaks of Eunice’s son, Frank John Holman (1852-1928). Eunice was a school teacher for many years.
[Note: The ambrotype of the woman in the header image is unidentified.]
TRANSCRIPTION
Montague [Massachusetts]
August 20, 1863
Dear Cousin Eunice,
Your letter of August 7th was received and I thank you for writing to us so fully respecting Fred and other matters.
We were very glad to hear by Mary’s letter that Fred had returned and given you so happy a surprise. I think after the sad experience of the last two months, the pleasant surroundings of home and the bracing air of his native hills must be very grateful to him. He has borne his part so nobly that his friends here will all feel proud to take him by the hand and call him cousin.
Our 52nd [Massachusetts] Regt. returned a fortnight since sick and worn out. Those who were well when they left Port Hudson were sick when they arrived home. There were put into cattle cars without seats at Cairo and the sick into ice cars. Even Mr. Morris, as hardy as he is, is feeble, and takes a vacation through this month, and has gone to Saratoga. Our Captain [Lucian H.] Stone [of Co. F] is just able to ride out. Of those [28 volunteers] who went from Montague, but three have died, and none have been killed or wounded. We were very glad to hear Mr. Helman was so much better and able to get along with his farming so nicely.
Our children’s school commences the first day of September. They now purpose visiting you next week, if perfectly convenient. If it is not, you will please be frank enough to write to us that it is not. Their present plan is to go out with a horse and carriage on Tuesday next, Henry driving, and return Friday. Frances has been at Amherst a fortnight. Came back Tuesday. She has written to Henry Cowles to come up and go with them and we hope he will come.
Henry Ward thinks he should like to ride out to Barre one day and see Mr. Severance who used to live with us. I feel it is a great tax upon your hospitality to have an annual visit from the children. There is no event they look forward to with so much pleasure. They seemed delighted when I received your letter and found “Aunt Eunice” was ready to see them. They are so young I shall feel anxious about them, but Mr. Ward thinks they can be trusted to go by themselves. Mrs. Dickins is expected in town tomorrow to stay till Monday.
Give my love to Mary. Tell her I am to watch tonight with Elvira Marsh who has a fever [but] not very sick.
Please remember me to all friends. Yours truly, — E. V. Ward
Spared & Shared 21 