Augusta County: John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch to
Hester J. Nadenbousch, March 16, 1864
Summary:
Nadenbousch writes his wife thanking her for the pictures of the family she sent.
He sends messages for all the children, and instructions on how to care for
them. He worries about his wife's "delicate" appearance, and complains of his
loneliness. He also discusses his pending resignation and news about friends and
family.
March 16/64
Dear Hester
The pictures came to hand which done me almost as much good as if I had seen you all except you Some of the pictures are good some not so good but they all suit me. I would have mine taken & sent down if could get it done, but there is no operator here now but may be again, when I will attend to it
I am glad to see you all look so well & getting along so well. I had expected to see you much fleshier & only to
get a half view picture. You state that Freddy is complaining. See the
teacher and request him not to keep him too closely confined to his book
& you give him some recreation from school see to
this as too close confinement to studies now might ruin his health for
life & alike with remainder of the children See to them as much
depends upon their early training Try & keep
them from running the streets & keep out of bad company talk mildly and
seriously to them often which will do much more good than correcting them How I
would like to have you all here with me, but if it cant
be done now I will have to wait until it can, let the suffering be what it may.
I have just got some 4 shirts & 6 collars which come in like a dram in
the morning I am now
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quite well supplied in that way for some time to
come I am running short of drawers if I could get hold of 2 or 4 pair of nice
drilled cotton I would like it.
My resignation is still unaccepted but I will no doubt get out of the field. the Secty-war has shown me great courtesy in the matter [added: as] also all other officers through whose hands the papers have passed. I have seen a number of our citizens recently & hear from you generally I make it a rule to write by almost every oppertunity whether it goes through or not I think you might write me often & fully
remember me kindly to all friends but I forgot Miss Jane & the children. kiss Miss Jane as usual for me & tell her that she can pay me double when she sees me I will try & select her a nice beau. The people here (residents) are kind of a scotch Irish population & not desirable but will make the best selection can kiss the children all round for me tell Freddy he grows up a perfect little man and to act as he looks. be kind & corteous to all and to manage things right at home
Sissy she getting to be quite an amiable little lady & I learn unusualy
industrious & does good service in the domestic circle Lily she grows up
as cute &
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[unclear: cunning] as ever a perfect coquet eye and manner be a good
girl & help Ma- and attend to Jinny Little Jinny grows up as fat as a
possom and looks as saucy as if fed on Crout & homany. And as to yourself you look well in the face but form much more
delicate than I expected to see Come up & see us and get some of our
good eatings & I think you will improve (in short you all seem to be
doing quite well.) but I have a hard time here blundering along [added: solitary] & alone care for no
body & no body caring for me but so wags the wide world
Ask Cousin Mary if she thinks enough of me to write to me and if dont to say so but I suppose she is so strong union that she could not flourish a pen to a Rebel but she will change & think better of that & will marry one yet unless old B- Henrys up
So my love to all good night
Yours ever
