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Augusta County: John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch to Hester J. Nadenbousch, January 24, 1865

Summary:
Nadenbousch writes his wife and describes the lonely life he and Freddy are leading. He expresses his frustration at a life separated from his family, and laments the four years they have been apart. He discusses running the hotel and a store in Staunton. He also sends several I.O.U.'s his wife can collect for her own use.

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January 24 ^th 1865.

My Dear Wife

As I have another opportunity to write you I embrace it hoping it may reach you soon

Freddy & I are both quite well & live here quite snug rooming together it is quite lonesome but we get along quite well F passes away his time at night in learning his lessons I pass part of my by helping him. he learns fast. I have got him a Michels geography which he is studying hard I also got him a latin grammer which he is studying & learns quite fast. He frequently wishes to be at home but says he would not be satisfied there, but wishes you were only here with us (& I say so too)

From present prospects I think very probable we will be home in the spring. I long for that time to come I am sorely tired of this life nearly 4 years separated loosing this much time in the prime of life (too bad) But it is no use to grieve after spilt milk but provide for the future.

I am still in the Hotel yet, seems no hope for a change yet We change our plan of keeping it tomorrow, furnish rooms & prepare meals & let persons call for what they want & pay for what they get. I think this mode will pay much best. I am conducting the

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store with M ^r Herring we sell a great many goods from $2500 ⁰⁰ to $8000 ⁰⁰ per day Can make more money at this than Hotel keeping by far & much easier. I have bought some drafts for your use payable in northern funds which I think I will send in this letter If I do conclude this a safe opportunity I will enclose them & note at the bottom & if not I will send by the first opportunity & do you have them collected as soon as can Get Moses or Henry to have them collected or some one else One in Missouri one in Illinois & 2 in Jefferson amounting in all $1005 ⁰⁰ in northern fund^s

The bearer of this letter may call to see you if so, extend your hospitalities

Jack & Ellen is here with me Louise is somewhat broke down. She don't seem stout as usual. I have thought seriously of sending her home to you I think she would remain there contented

February 5/65-

I received M ^rs Charles Maxwells letter by flag truce I have not seen or heard of Charles Maxwell for some time but I will make enquiry & get all information I can

I have seen George Reed recently he is well he stops at the house often

I did not send this by the chance I expected to by now send by a county man and enclose the following papers

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One draft drawn by Edwin L Moore on Me ssrs Kearsley Sherer & co Charlestown Jefferson County Virginia for $300 ⁰⁰ in Federal money Accompanying it is two (2) letters one to H Keyes one of the firms who will pay it & 1 to Thos. Rutherford Charlestown who will see it paid these letters will be presented at the time & by the party calling for the fund^s See to it if Can through some trusty friend^s dated January 25/65 One sight draft on James L Ranson of Jefferson County Virginia for $500 ⁰⁰ drawn by Frank Ranson have this collected dated Jan 13/65

One Sight by Alx H H Stuart on [unclear: Herring] Chresman Galesburg Illinois for $100 ⁰⁰ northern funds

One Draft by Alx H H Stuart on Edward Hall St Louis County Missouri-

These 2 can be sold to some one going in that direction or have some Bank to collect Cumberland or elsewhere

I also send H Thomas note to Colston for $60 ²¹ & interest Collect all these & use the fund^s as you desire or turn over to Moses what you may not need Him & J Wilson sent out Confederate money for me to invest I have not put in property yet & think had better convert into Northern fund^s as can & send to them as can no doubt it will be more useful than to invest in property here

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I sent a draft to you last summer for $100 ⁰⁰ due & payable in Maryland when I was there I forgot to ask you if you had collected it &c

Let me know if all these come to hand & if any difficulty in collecting them &c

My love to all

Brownies letter came to hand & will answer it so soon as can I am quite busy

All persons from our county out here are well generally. [unclear: G] Mitchel was here today & well M ^r Light is not so well Schopperts' family all well Kearfott alright

Nothing new but remain

Yours ever

John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch