Franklin County: Eliza R. Stouffer to Anna Hoover, December 20,
1861
Summary:
In this letter, Eliza R. Stouffer discusses a possible visit with Anna Hoover and recounts a
recent conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Brechbill. In the postscript, Eliza includes a note for
N. Hoover copying a letter from S. K. Snively to Jacob Stouffer. Snively expresses his
gratitude that God has spared his life and vows to leave his sinful ways if he survives the
war.
December 20 1861
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Dear sister
as I am writing to sister Catharine will drop you a few lines for your satisfaction we are all well. hope you are the same I would like to write you a long letter but have hardly time now, I would like to pay you a visit soon but I often do not feel well and feel best at home. my mind is often with you some three weeks ago perhaps longer, Brechbill was here said they had written to you received no answer thought perhaps you had send something here for his wife brought one supporter here said she had Kept the first one found she could make it fit by altering it a little, said she was some better, wished to have some more drops, suppose you have heard from her ere this
I will send the supporter down the first good opportunity perhaps you will be up soon
My love to you and Brother George
Remember us in your prayers
Eliza Stouffer
please hand this over to N Hoover
Eliza Stouffer for Bregbiles
N Hoover
As this sheet is blank, I will tell you that Jacob received a letter from S K Snively on 30th Nov. Benjamin wrote to
him, then Jacob wrote a few lines and laid it in his letter he writes with great pleasure, did
I read those lines you sent in Bs letter. I must feel very thankful that the Lord is so very merciful that he has spared my life to this present
time. While many of my fellow soldiers and comrades, are every day hurried to a long and
unending eternity I had to feel so in particular when those two men were struck with
lightening near my tent. I had to feel that easily it might have been my lot, and what would
have been the consequence. I would have received a fatal and irrevocable
doom, Friend Jacob. I must often reflect of times past, How Satan led me from the narrow path
to the broad and sinful [deleted: way] one again and how happy and contented I was
when I embraced religion, and now how miserable and wretched I often
now feel If it ever should be my luck to get home again I will give myself up to the Lord and
try and serve him [deleted: the remainder] faithfully the balance of my days
These are his own words I thought perhaps you would
like to hear from him N Hoover
