Joseph E. Shaw Collection: Letter #9

Donated By Robert Gritman

 

Head Quarters Brigade
January 30th 1862

Dear Ed,

            I received your letters some time ago and intended to have answered it sooner but I have not been very well lately as I have had a slight cold and my lips were broken out with cold sores so that I did not feel very much like writing and then hearing that Mother was sick it rather caved me in  so that I had to give up my business here for a few days and lay off, but I am now back here again as well as ever except that I feel a little alarmed on Mother’s account as I know she would not say she was sick unless she was pretty bad off, but I hope by the time this letter reaches you that she will be better.  But if she is dangerously sick I wish you would write at once and let me know and I will try and get a furlough to come home for a few days but I think it would be a pretty hard matter for they do not grant but very few furloughs but if Mother is very sick I would be willing to try for her sake.

            Our Pickets had a skirmish Tuesday night and there were several killed on both sides.  I suppose you have seen the account of it before this.  Miss Hamlin the Vice President’s daughter was here last week and made quite a visit.  She is a very handsome looking girl. We have had several distinguished visitors here lately among whom were the Vice Pres. And several senators and a prince.  It is rainy here now and has been raining steadily for the last month the roads are all one big puddle about six inches deep.  Tell Gus I received his letter sometime ago and will answer it in a few days.  I am glad to hear that he is getting along so well and hope he will take care of himself.  Give my love to George and tell him to make his mark on the page of the world’s history and that he must not let the trouble between Philly and himself weigh him down to much.  Give my love to all that folks and believe me as ever

                                                Your Affectionate Brother
                                                            J. E. Shaw

P.S. Your directions are all right-
            J. E. Shaw
            Brig. Clerk
            Sedgwick’s Brigade
            Washington, D.C.