Augusta County: John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch to
Frederick Nadenbousch, October 27, 1863
Summary:
Nadenbousch writes to his son Frederick and praises him for going to school. He
says he has heard of his "wild and unruly behavior," however, and lectures him
on the importance of being a good boy. He gives him instructions for the care of
animals on the farm and procuring boots for the family. Nadenbousch also
describes life in Staunton, discusses his purchase of a hotel there, talks of
his desire to leave the army and see his family, and writes about friends and
relatives.
Frederick
October 27/63
Staunton Virginia
My dear boy
I concluded to write you a short letter & I hope you can read it I hear that you are all well and getting along quite [added: well] of which I am quite glad I learned also that [added: you] were going to School at a School kept in our Schoolroom I hope you are learning fast and are a good boy I have been told that you were quite wild and somewhat unruly.
Now my boy this will not do. I want you to learn fast and grow up to be a smart
& good man and the only way for you to do [added: it] is to apply yourself to your studies. be attentive to school and
obedient to your teacher. don't run about the streets at
anytime with bad boys. keep out of all bad company keep close about home and
take care of your Ma - and little sisters You must remember that you are the
only man person left there to care for them, and to look after things, and you
should behave right and act like a little man (now listen at what I have said
& don't let me have to scold or correct you when
I come home for your bad conduct
[page 2]
two doctors, captain Brown and
myself are now keeping bachelors hall here. we have
a fine time of it, we have two violins the doctors play
at night but otherwise it is quite lonesome I would like very much to have you
all here with me. a friend & me have bought a large Hotel here. we are
going to carry it on, as soon as we can get it started it is close to the railroad I learn that your cow has a fine calf, and I
suppose you have plenty of nice Milk now take good care of the cow, have plenty
of feed gotten for her, get Mr Staub to sell you some bran
& shorts for to make slop for her Louise, Henry, & Jerry are
here with me they are well Louise is almost crazy to see you all I seen Jack and
his family not long ago they are all well Henry is grown to be a smart boy
& John is as fat as a possum they live at a
good place 25 miles from here
Major Robinson died yesterday morning 26
th
just of Pneumonia he was sick some time tell
his family Mr Jacob Thomas & Miss Jennie Robinson
went to Richmond this morning to his funeral He will be buried there to be
removed hereafter. I regret & mourn his loss, but we must all die sooner
or later and should so
[page 3]
live that [deleted: me]
[added: we] may die happy. I still have the large Sorral horse, Uncle Johns bay
Selah & an other bay here I dont ride much
now. I am mostly in the house and have a comfortable place but would like to get
out of service entirely that I could go where I please & when I please
and think I will leave entirely before a great while I have nothing of much
interest to write you now I would like to hear much more from home than I [added: do] I am always glad to hear from you all and
get the particulars as to how you get along
Get Ma to have you 2 pair good boots made and get the other children several pair each have them all large and lay them away for an other time get plenty of good & nice clothing have Some made up all of you get plenty of things if can try and live comfortable have plenty of coal & wood put away to last all winter have the wood cut & put in cellar lay in some apples &c
Give my love to the family & kiss miss Jane tell her their friends here are all well her sister is nearly crazy to see her she says.
They talk of moving to Richmond sometime soon remember me kindly to all friends
give my love to Aunt Peggy & cousin Lute & the little girls
and
[page 4]
also to Aunt Bettsy & Uncle Jim And tell Cousin Mary I got her letter & was glad to hear from
her and am much indebted to her for her kindness in my behalf I answered her
letter I hope she received it.
tell her to look out for the widower.
I hope soon to get home and see you all. I want to see you worse this time than I ever did during the war
Now can't you write me a little letter & tell me how you all are and are getting along. get Ma- or Miss Jane to show you how
Send Grand Ma and [added: all] the folks word that I am well Give my respects to Mr Staub & all others No more but
remain your affection father
John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch
Tell them all to write me put nothing in about the troops or the army
