Augusta County: Mary A. Smiley to Thomas M. Smiley, May 16, 1861
Summary:
Discusses parents visit to cousins, marriage in neighboring town, and troop mobilization.
Thomas M. Smiley
Thursday May 16th 1861
Dear Brother
I take the present opportunity to write you a few lines we are
all well and hope you are enjoying the same blessing good health Aunt Ellen received your
letter and came down yesterday she thought we would be anxious if we did not get a letter. you
are out of stamps and can't get any Pa got right for you yesterday and
I will enclose them in this and send. Pa and ma have gone to Cousin James Berrie's I had
intended to go but pa couldn't give up going with his wife I reckon
and as I was cut out of going, as clear as a whistle, Pretty time of the year for him to be visiting is it not. Mrs Turk and ma have at last made that
long talked of call at Mr Junkins. They spent the day at Mrs Strains and went down a little
while in the evening. Maggie Canier was married yesterday morning in the church at Providence
and just started for the North to visit her husbands people before leaving America I would have
liked to have seen them married very well but of course as I was not one of the invited guests
I would not like to go without others were going that were uninvited I have heard that those of
your company who did not go or
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got substitutes have been sent for why has that been done it is
very strange to me. I think it would have been as well for to let Adam Yago stand and then if
the militia is called he may have to go and he will have harder times than if he gone as a
volunteer I believe the Brownsburg troop starts today for Staunton it
is to stay there a day or two I heard Kes Kerr went yesterday and wanted to go as substitute
for a Swisher but I hardly think he is going for he did not say anything about it when we were there Smallwood is going in Sai Strongs place. Last Saturday
was big muster day as you call it at Middlebrook pa went down he wanted to see Morgan but he
had not got home. Mr Echard had the great misfortune to break down in his buggy with a lady Sunday going to St John's. As I have no news to write I think I had
better quit I guess if I would wait until this evening I might have
plenty but I want to send today as the mail does down I wrote last week and sent by mail and as
the Irishman wrote to his sweetheart I want to know whether you got it and if you did not I want to
know anyway. You must write soon and often for remember we are
always anxious to hear. Mrs Turk sends her best respects to you & Tish unites with me
in sending much love to you our brother, and give my best respects to my acquaintances at Harpers ferry
I remain your affectionate sister
Mary A. Smiley
