Augusta County: John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch to
Hester J. Nadenbousch, August 10, 1864
Summary:
Nadenbousch writes his wife Hester who is despondent over being left alone and
without domestic help. He cannot come home and stay because he refuses to take
an oath of loyalty to the Federal government and fears arrest. Instead, he has
hired an Irish servant girl for Hester, and will send his slave Louise if that
does not work out. He discusses moving Hester and the family to Staunton as a
third option, even if it means loss of property to the Federals. He cannot get
out of Staunton to visit home because of the shifting battle lines. Nadenbousch
also discusses financial matters.
August 10/64
Staunton Virginia
My Dear Wife
I received your letter by M r H- also the money you sent me. I notice all you say and am sorry to see you in such a desponding mood, though don't see how you can be otherwise being left alone & have no help &c, but we must hope for better times soon. I think the tables are about being turned and we may be able to be constantly together.
I have set several times to start down since I came back but it seems that about
the time I have all arranged to leave our forces fall back from Martinsburg and
when they advance again we don't get the reliable word
until about the time they start back I had set tomorrow again to start
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down but can't get a buggy until friday &
again we learn that our Army have fallen back to Millcreek so I will have again
to put off starting until I can learn that the way is open, for if I can't get home I care nothing about being in that neighborhood but
from what we learn here I think the way will soon be open and kept clear for
sometime and [deleted: get] give me a fair chance it is a hard tramp
to make & to be foiled when most there it is too hard
I have found a little Irish girl who wants a home. she
was a chamber maid in this Hotel before we got it and bore a very good name the
proprietor kept her in his family she agrees to go and live with you and make
that her home. I pay
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her fair down and pay her $5 per month. I have told her what the work will be (house work) you
take her and put her to work at this bargain. you put her in a room to herself
to lodge on the porch or at the head of the stairs and not to room with you all.
I think she is honest & trusty & will suit you well don't hesitate to put her at anything you have to do, and
don't make too free with her as it might spoil her
[added: she sews well] get some one to cut your
wood get Mr Staub to get you some one don't think of getting [added: along] the
way you have been doing try this girl & if you can't make her suit, I will send you Louise & run the chances of
loosing her as you shall not be put to so much for
assistance
Or if upon reflection you would
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prefer coming out here just write me
at once & I will have you brought out at once and let the property take
chances, as I would much prefer having you all here comfortable and loose the
property to having you grabbing your way along as you write me We are still
doing considerable business here I have been offering my interest here for sale
and rent we could sell now for about $175,000
00
in Confederate funds but then the query is what to do with the money now
& this is not the worth of the property we are now asking $300,000
00
and think we can get 2 at most anytime but we must make this pay as much
as possible. I want at least to be even when this war is over & wish to
be something ahead
If I were to stay at home as you intimate I think that I would be arrested and
required to take the Oath or be sent off and
imprisoned during the war. the oath I won't take and and of course to be imprisoned would
seperate me from you and yet I would not have my liberties or any chance to make
something for you in future so of the two it is [section cut off]
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me
to be here and make something for us. My inclination
of course it to be with you constantly as my course up to the beginning of the
war will show [added: scarcely] ever staying from
home over night &c &c-
If you prefer coming out here don't hesitate to say so & you shall come & I will make you as comfortable as I possibly can in Dixie
I have got hold of $20 more green backs which I send you. apply it as you chose. it is quite scarce here & hard to get hold of, but I will still try & get some & will send you and as you have the chance get us such things as [deleted: we] we may need
I will come down as soon as I can learn positively the way is clear to
Martinsburg. I learn that Jacob Thomas has gone to the Yankees that is heavy
work I would rather cut my throat that to be so treacherous
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and heap
up such a stigma on my family but these are strange times, hard to fathom depths
Tell moses I will try & do the very best I can [deleted: for] with his & Wilsons funds but have not as yet determine what is best to do with it.
You try & keep this girl & if you come out & she wishes to come along bring her out also. I have no directions to give about our business there as all seems to be conducted as well as I could direct it from here
Take good care of yourselves keep plenty of every thing on hand If smallpox there is too dangerous there move from the house out to the mill with Henry
I will be down as soon as can Write soon God bless you all
Yours ever
John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch
