CAMP TENNALLY, OCT. 5, 1861
DEAR RACHEL –
I RECEIVED YOUR LETTER ENCLOSING ONE FROM WILLIE AND ELLIE, YESTERDAY EVENING, AND THE WHOLE THREE WERE VERY ACCEPTABLE. I WILL WRITE TO THE CHILDREN SOON. I AM GOING DOWN TO THE CITY THIS MORNING TO FIX UP MY CENSUS MATTERS.
THERE ARE NO NEW MOVEMENT SPOKEN OF. THE RUMOR OF SENDING McCALL’S DIVISION TO MISSOURI IS STILL TALKED OF, BUT I PLACE NO CONFIDENCE IN IT.
NOBODY EVER SENT ME THE PRIVATE HISTORY OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, BUT FROM THE ACCOUNT GIVEN IN THE DISPATCH, I JUDGE IT WAS INTERESTING.
I SAW DR. HOSACK HERE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY. HE AND DR. GRISWOLD CAME TO SEE US, FOR A FEW MINUTES. I WAS MUCH ASTONISHED TO SEE HIM HERE.
I AM GLAD MAXWELL IS SUCCEEDING SO WELL. HE DESERVES SUCCESS.
WE HAVE RECEIVED BLANKS AND FORMS FOR CONDUCTING ELECTION ON TUESDAY NEXT. WE HAVE TICKETS, TOO, BUT I MEAN TO VOTE FOR CAMPBELL OF CLARION FOR PRESIDENT JUDGE. THE 10TH WILL VOTE PRETTY GENERALLY FOR HIM, MANY OF THE COMPANIES BEING FROM OUR JUDICIAL DISTRICT. I AM GLAD YOU HAVE GOT THINGS YOU NEED – ESPECIALLY THAT COAL. WHEN YOU NEED MONEY WRITE TO ME, AND IF THERE IS MONEY IN CAMP I WILL BORROW IT AND SEND IT TO YOU. I MUST CLOSE NOW, FOR IT IS TIME FOR THE MAIL TO GO OUT. I WANT YOU TO TELL THE CHOIR HOW OFTEN I THINK OF THEM, AND ON SUNDAYS I SIT AND THINK OF THE TIMES THEY ARE SINGING IN THE DEAR OLD GALLERY AT HOME – IS FATHER’S RHEUMATISM SO BAD AS TO PREVENT HIS WORKING OR GOING ABOUT?
MY LOVE TO ALL, AND KISSES THE THE CHILDREN.
YOURS EVER
TOM
