Augusta County: Freddy Nadenbousch to Hester J.
Nadenbousch, August 8, 1864
Summary:
Freddy writes his mother and describes the long trip to Staunton, the death of
Henry, and his activities at the hotel. He sends messages for his sisters and
friends at home.
August 8/64
Staunton Virginia
Dear Ma-
supposing that you and little sisters will be glad to hear from us- I take my
seat for the purpose of writing you. we are here and we had a long troublesome
Journey up the Valley in the hot sun we laid by during the heat of the day and
drove late at night and camping out each night we eat our snack in the ambulance
& slept in it & had quite a good time not withstanding the
oppressive heat well we are now here- on our arrival we found poor Hen quite ill
indeed but he knew us and was glad to see us our arrival seemed to improve him
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but later got worse and in a few days he died poor fellow he is
now gone to his long home. the doctors and all did all they could for him but to
no purpose his race was run I hope the good man has taken him home to himself. I
am quite well pleased here. This is a fine large nice
house and I have good [added: a] time I some [added: times] ride out for the cows & take
the black boy george on behind me. He generally walks & brings the cows
but is glad when I go with him. We have two cows & buy some of our milk.
tell Jinnie we have two pretty little calves here
and a lot of nice hogs and a nice large bay horse
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And the market
[added: man] drives him in his wagon mostly I
wish so much that you were
[added: all] here with us Pa talks so much about you
all and wishing you were all here and I think he may yet Move you up if ma will come. this town is not as large as martinsburg
and lays in a hollow. I am quite well pleased here Pa
& I went to church last Sunday. We have a great
many visitors here daily always coming and going. Pa
thinks of going Down if can get off may go in a day or two give my love to Miss
Mary & Jane and all of our kin Pa Joins me in sending much
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love to you all if Pa comes down I will be
along I got my shoes and much olblige the remnant of our things have come. We lost the tea & Some sugar and coffee
and all of the things in the barrels tell Mary Ella & lily to take care
of my pigeons and rover tell Wiltre Diffinderfer that we sold old dove and
little Jeff tell Will ramer that I am trying to get a pair of pigeons for him
tell Miss Jane that I wish she [added: was] up here
to make my clothes I write this in the dining room the tables are crowded with
ladies & gentlemen they are about done and I must close and get my supper doctor Mchesney desires to be remembered by you
No more but remain your affectionate son
J. Frederick Nadenbousch