Franklin County: Alex Cressler to Henry A. Bitner, July 15, 1861
July 15th1861
Dear Henry:-
Once more amid the scenes of confusion
and surrounded by the walls of Franklin Hall is Ellic,
your old friend. this morning I got in the carriage &
was hurried away from the
loved scenes of home, by
the gentle pace of faithful "Lade" and
after two
hours ride was again at the place of study, and surrounded by the hum and bustle of a county town.
I enjoyed my trip home very much, and consider that
I would have loosed a great
privilege, if not permitted to give my assistance in
reaping the harvest; none
but the experienced know the value and comfort
of county
labor until deprived of its blessings.
I think a life in the county, surrounded by
nature's robes
of green, basking in the sun shine of heavenly purity, freed
from the
clamour and confusion of a county town,
breathing in the health and vigor of a county
home, and
reclining under family protection and affection,
one of heaven's richest
blessings.
[page 2]
It is reported today that General McClellan has
routed the
Secessionist entirely, and taken about
sixteen hundred prisoners, "good for him", may
he ever be successful in his efforts to protect
the rights of American citizens. And may
his right
arm be strengthened by every battle strife, and may
God unnerve every arm
that would raise
to aid in the destruction of this the home
of the [added: free] and the assylum of [added: the]
oppressed.
Henry I did not get to Uncle Michael's,
Wallace's, or Kyner's, but I know you
will get
Kyner's name to your petition without my intercession in your behalf. However I know I
would have enjoyed a visit with you to
the [added: two]
latter named places, and will hope better
the next time I come home, which I hope
will
be when the huckleberries are ripe. As this
is
my second letter today, I will close by
asking you to remember
me to the people
of the pines who are solicitous enough to enquire
of me.
[page 3]
Since this was written Aunt received a
letter from Uncle
Stumbaugh, he says that
General Patterson assures him that if
Johnson
did not attack him that he (Patterson)
would attack Johnson before the term
of
the three months men would have
expired, so lookout for a fight the
last of
this week, or a retreat on
the part of the rebels.
Your Friend, Yours,
Ellic Alex Cressler
