Evanston, Illinois
Nov. 23rd, 1865
My dear Boys,
Thos. & John
I am informed that you are both located at the same place. I, therefore, address this to each of you, as I do not find much time for letter writing.
I have been spending considerable of my time up here this fall in trying to prepare the way for a removal in the spring. Having sold out in Danville, I felt like I wanted to get away from there mostly on account of my children whom I think will have better advantages up here. But I find that it is a great undertaking in my age to get another house and fixed for business as I was in Danville. It is rendered the more so, as I am destitute of the help of any one of my sons. Sometimes I feel so wearied of life that I feel it would be a blessing if I were released from Earth and go Home to Rest in the grave. Had one of you remained at home to have assisted me in the store, I would not of sold out. But I trust it will turn out for the best.
Dear boys, you have both recently had warning of the uncertainty of life by the deaths (as I am informed) of two of your comrads, Henry Search and Wm. Reed. God be praised that it was not either of you thus taken away so sudden, and unprepared for the Eternity on which they have entered. I do trust that you will think seriously on your Souls destiny and remember that "Sin kills beyond the grave."
George & family are well and doing well. I am putting up shop & sale rooms and shall go in business with him, so as I can get the buildings up.
What are your prospects for being mustered out? I do not see any signs of it. Yet it may come shortly. Do try & save all the money you can to help you along when you may get home, as you will need it. I find that I will fall short of having enough to begin to live & do business again.
I am not feeling well today, having over worked myself in chopping down some trees.
Write me, both of you. I expect to return home in the course of a week or two and would be glad to hear from you. Tell me honestly & freely how you are doing. You are daily thought of and prayed for.
Yours truly,
W.H. Brown
Hempstead, Texas
December 10th, 1865
My dear Mother,
It had been some time since I last wrote. And a good deal longer since I received a letter from home. I wrote to Sallie a short time ago and told her about all the news there was to tell. I am in good health as are all the other boys in the Company.
We hear nothing at all about muster-out. Isn't it very strange about those papers that were sent to Washington, while I was at home? I have never heard anything at all, have you? Please write a little oftener if you can. I haven't received a half dozen letters since I left home. There is nothing more to write.
Ever Your Affectionate Son,
Tom R. Brown
Hempstead, Texas
December 20th, 1865
My dear Father,
A good while has elapsed since I last wrote to you. I have written to Mother mostly. There is not much to write about even now. There is nothing talked of in the Company except the possibilities and probabilities of muster-out.
I met a Mr. Knox the other day. He used to live in Danville. He says that he knows you well. He is the man that built that house that Ike Simpson lives in. He lives up in Limestone County.
He is very anxious for me to come up there and stay with him awhile. He thinks that there is a big opening there for a young man. Limestone Co. joins Ellis where Uncle McReeves used to live. I am going to try and go up there and see the country before I come home.
We are having a Norther and it is pretty cold, and it is getting late so I will close. Write to me often, Father, for it is very seldom that I get a letter from home. Much love to all.
Ever Your Affect. Son,
T.R. Brown
Sergt. "K" Co. 37th Ill.
Hempstead, Texas
January 9th, 1866
My dear father,
There is really nothing at all to write about, but I am at leisure and haven't any ideas that I could better employ my time.
I have been promoted to Orderly Sergeant since I last wrote and I expect that it is as high as I will get during this war unless we should have to serve our time of enlistment out, which I think from present appearances is very favorable.
There was a circus in town yesterday, but I didn't attend.
Excuse my writing, father, for I am just learning to hold my pen in a little better shape that I used to and I think that in time it will be a great improvement.
I am in excellent health, would like to come home very much, but can stand it for another year if necessary.
Have you ever heard from the papers you sent to Washington? I haven't, neither has Ralph or Ed? Eli H. & Will Smith will come home on furlough very soon I think. Love to all.
Ever Your affect son
T.R. Brown
Danville, Ill.
Jan. 21st, 1866
Dear Tommie,
I guess I might just as well as not write you a letter. Yesterday was my birthday. Today I enter upon my 63rd year, in feeble health. Providence has kindly blessed me with a vigorous constitution and general good health. I have continued up to the present but whether I may be spared to see another "birthday" is uncertain.
One thing I know that it cannot be very long at most until my anxious cares & prayers will be over for Thomas whom God has given me; God knows that each son shares alike in my thoughts & Prayers.
Today I was taking up off the stand and something fell off on the floor. In picking it up I found it to be a small likeness of yours taken when you were a little boy. Then how rapid my mind glanced over the past. Five years have nearly passed away since you went to serve your country. You have grown up in that time from a headless boy to the thoughtfulness of manhood. I wish to say in this connection that it affords me very much satisfaction & pleasure to know that you have honorably done your duty, that you have the regard & best wishes of your superiors in office. I am proud of you in this.
But, Tommie, consider that you have just commenced life as a man, and that you yourself have the shaping of your character for real or for worse, which I trust you will thoughtfully consider. Be true and honest to your fellow man. Be obedient & faithful to God & then you are in possession of a character that will stand through all time & eternity.
You give some indications in letters received that inducements have been held out to you to remain in Texas, in a former letter. I wish you would express some thoughts on the subject (by the bye, I think from what you write that you do not get my letters.) I do not wish to take the responsibility of saying what you had best do. I am now becoming too old to engage in business much so as to need you. My sons will have to try their own resources & energies, always ready am I to help them so far as I can, also to counsel & advise.
Right here, allow me to say that the surest & easiest way I know of for you to feather your nest is to pay attention to Molly Bell. If you set about it, I think you can win her. She is not only a most estimable girl, but will have a fortune. I know that her parents would like this arrangement.
I have written more than I ought on account of my eyes which pain me. Sallie is pretty comfortable. Lue is quite well & her little ones. Have you ever written to your Aunt Reeves, Perrysville? Care of Wm. M. Bell. Goodbye Tom.
Yours Truly,
W.H. Brown
Hempstead, Texas
January 24th, 1866
My dear Mother,
Your kind and most welcome letter dated Dec. 31st was received several days ago. But I have been very busy the last few days and haven't had time to write. I suppose that in this time Ed. H. and Will S. have reached home and are enjoying themselves hugely. I could, were I them, me thinks.
You requested in your last that I should send you my accounts at home. I'll do it. In the first place I owe you $20.00, 18 of which I got while at home and $2.00 then the other day. I owe Father $90.00, $10.00 of which is to pay my subscription for the missionary cause. Please ask him if he paid it to Mr. English. Then comes Mr. English for $50.00. Rainner for $40.00 for clothes. Miller Haggard $10.35 for boots and mending. Crane & Craig $7.00 for hat & shirt. Partlow $3.00 for shirt. Rainner $10.00 for those jeans. Bob Short $2.25 for valise. Amounting to all $234.60
We expect to get pay next week. I will draw six months pay proper and $50.00 bounty which amounts to $170.00. Out of this I'll pay my debts in the Company and save enough spending money out of the $70.00 and send $100.00 home. When we are mustered-out, think that I can come home clear of debt and $100.00.
Tell sisters Sallie and Lue that I'll write to them in a very few days. Much love to each and every one. Write often
Ever Your Affectionate Son
Thos. R. Brown
Orderly Sergt.
Hempstead, Texas
January 29th, 1866
My dear Father and Mother,
I received five letters day before yesterday. One from Father, dated at home Jan. 8th, two from Mother, one of the 8th and one of the 11th inst., one from sister Lue of the 7th and one from Ed Robinson. I will answer yours all in one, and the two I owe Lue I will answer very soon.
Ralph McCormack has just been paying us a visit from Houston and I enjoyed his visit very much, for he is a fine fellow.
We are having the most pleasant weather I nearly ever saw, bright sunny days, cool evenings, and delightful mornings. I enjoy such weather so much, and how very often I think of sister Sallie, how she would delight in such weather. And how much pleasanter it would be for her if she could have it, than the cold dreary days up home. But never mind, you will have such weather along in May and I am greatly in hopes that I will be there to enjoy it with the loved ones at home. For you must know that after reading your last letters that I have given up all thoughts of remaining in Texas. The main object in my staying here was to get rid of going up the river in an open boat with the Regiment during the cold weather, but I see very small prospects of getting out before Spring. If we do, you may look for me when you hear that the Regiment is coming home.
Father, if you have a project in view for me, please keep it, for I will do my best, both for myself and you, when I get mustered out. I believe that. In fact, I know that I can steady myself down if I am doing something to get along in the world.
I had a talk with the Major a day or so ago. He thinks that it would be impossible to get John a discharge. I hardly know what is best to be done in his case. Act as you think best. I think though that Gen'l. Black would be a good man to consult with.
We don't hear anything more about getting paid off. I shall send you $100 when we do.
Ralph Mc and I promised each other that we wouldn't cut our hair off again until we were out of the service. At present his is considerably longer than mine.
All of the boys are well. Much love to all. Tell sister Lue and Sallie that they will hear from me soon.
Ever Your Affectionate Son,
T.R. Brown
Orderly Sergeant
P.S. Mother, here is a passion flower. I got it at Mobile, Ala. You have often read about it in the bible, I know. I have one or two others of a different kind that I'll send you soon. These others are a piece of moss and an orange leaf.
Tom
Danville, Ill.
Feb. 11th, 1866
My Very Dear Son,
I am feeling very lonely tonight. Thinking of my far, far away boy. I often think why am I so dealt with? But I can only reply in the language of the deaf & dumb boy, who was asked by another person "Why were you born deaf & dumb, and I made to hear & speak?" The answer given on the blackboard was "Even so Father because it seemed good in thy sight." Do not think that I lay my privations & sorrow & sufferings to my Heavenly Father, but to the arch enemy of all. To sin which hath brought death into the World, and all our woe. God only permits His purposes, we cannot fathom. We shall know hereafter.
Thomas, I am in poor writing plight tonight, I fear I shall not write you a very interesting letter, but when you receive it you will know your mother was thinking of you, but you cannot know how anxiously & lovingly.
Your father is at Perrysville. George McNeil sent a note asking him to go down & make them a parting visit & he would pay his fare there & back. He said they had a good meeting going on with fair prospects of doing good.
Revival meetings are going on all around. Oh, that they would reach the hearts of my own dear children! If it was not for my hope in God, what would life be worth? But that keeps me & has kept me through these long weary dark years of separation.
I remember that today is an anniversary with you. After this we begin to count months instead of years. I begin to look forward, as if, my life would again brighten, as if, as I often fondly hope, my life might decline in peace. Oh! that it might, & like the sun leaves a brightening, lingering ray behind.
Father & Mother Hartness now are both in the Spirit Land.
We received your last letter in about thirteen days after 'twas written. We never received one in so short time from you before, not since you have been in Texas. Your letters are to me like balm to the wounded. They always help me better to bear life's burdens. John does not write often. A letter from Mary last week says he was doing very well at school, and likes it, except by spells. You know he must feel bad. Sin is hard master. Capt. Sonca wrote that John owed him $30.00. If you will pay it and take his receipt & send it home, I will pay that amount for you to the bank where ever you wish. Because I & your father both wrote to him, that he should be paid. I must close.
Glory to thee my God this night,
For all the blessings of the light.
Keep me, oh keep me, king of kings
Beneath thine own almighty wings
Teach me to live that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed.
Teach to die that I may
With joy behold the Judgment day.
Oh, may my soul in the repose
And with sweet sleep my eyelids close.
Sleep that may me more active make
To serve my God when I awake.
With undying love, your mother,
E.T.B.
Our days are as the grass. Or like morning flowers; If one sharp blast sweep over the field, it withers in an hour.
Dansville, Ill.
April 25, 1866
My dear Son,
I received yours of 6 inst. several days ago but have been very busy, and too I am constantly expecting you home. I cannot help it. Every morning paper is so eagerly searched to see what is said of regiment. This morning our daily did not come.
Ralph McCormack has been pretty sick but I believe is now better. His Aunt Draper told me that Ralph said you were such a nice boy. It did me good when she told me, for in spite of herself, a mother cannot help having fears & anxieties for a son who has left home as young as you did. Especially when that son does not profess to take his guide & counselor the Redeemer of the World. Ralph was a religious boy before he left home & attends both church & Sabbath school since his return. The same is true of Ed Messey. And I hope before many more months to be able to see you at regular attendance in the worship of God.
Your father has returned from Evanston, but his house will not be done for some time yet, and I very much fear we shall not be able to move Sallie. There is not any telling what we may yet do or may have to do. I have been looking every day for that promised letter. The one you thought you would write.
Uncle Reuben Partlow is laying quite ill. Friends generally are well. Sallie & Lue have both been a good deal sick this Spring. John is still at his trade in Evanston & your Father thinks he gets along nicely, loves to work. Cy & Billy Berrin of Perrysville are both dead. Judge Peters has started to California with his wife & two sons. He has gone for his health which was very poor when he started. He was not able to speak above a whisper. Col. Gilbert went along as nurse. Clay & Charlie Smith, Will Abdill & Will Cushman are all at Commercial College. Henry Smith attends such a school at Hartsville, where the expenses was not more than half as much as at the City.
With much love I close this hastily written paper.
E.T.B.
Genr'l Thos. R. Brown, with the compliments of his Father.
Be of good heart. Your mustering out day will come by & bye. Have patience Congress is going to add on a considerable compensation to all those who came out honorably discharged.
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