Letter from Fanny to Frank Hall, from Hartford, Ct.
Dec. 11 [1862]
It is a bright, beautiful morning my dear
Franky. Is it as pleasant where you are? The papers announce rain there as
well as here and perhaps you are having this pleasant change
Oh, my heart goes out to you in deep,
earnest love. If I could be assured you were safe and well I should think
I could safely feel you were happy to in the performance of your duties for
I know you enter into it all with a full, warm heart. Oh, how I wish I could
in any way help you in the work. Can I? I imagine you engaged here and there
doing all you can. The excitement must be fearful. Oh that you may be kept
in the path of duty through all. And it must need a great deal of grace and
strength to do it, I am sure. But he is faithful who hath promised.
Do not let anything draw you away
from your own sphere of usefulness, In that I am sure you will find abundance
to do without yourself putting on burdens that you are not called to bear
and consequently must bear alone. Do you understand your little wifie,
hubbie?
It is nearly eleven o'clock and in about
twenty minutes John must take down my letter in order to catch the mail,
I have been quite busy this morning attending to the arrangements of the
parlor. So you can readily see Just how wifey has been engaged.
I could not have the usual preparations
made night before as the Lieut. was here, so Catherine [Dowling] has had
double flying round to do. She is a regular comfort, Frank. You don't know
how interested she is & how she tries in many little ways to show how
she feels for me.
I did not go over to see Alice after all
the other day. I was so much engaged in sewing that it had to be given up.
But I mean D.b. to go over this afternoon and hope we shall have a good quiet
time together.
I presume Mr. S. has gone on the expedition
with Gen. Foster from Newborn, as I think I saw the 10th Ct. was in it. For
once everyone is at a loss to know what is being done. God grant it may prove
to be for the final destruction of this fearful rebellion. And that all moves
may be successful to that end.
I wrote you, I believe, in the letter
sent by Mr. Sheldon that Lizzie had lively invited us to come there for the
holidays. I thanked her sincerely & said I knew you would too, but I
could not come. I do not think it at all desirable in any point of view,
dear hubbie. And it would be very trying. Comprenez vous?
Ma & I are doing very nicely here
and after B.R. communicate is received we can cogitate about going. But just
now I believe we are both happier and more contented then we could be elsewhere.
I know I am, for it seems as if intelligence came so much sooner here than
any further North. Ma says she likes it here best and I am sure she seems
to and I know we both feel easier here; our interests are united on you my
husband.
Oh how quick the end of my paper does
come too soon although for me but not for the mail. I had forgot to watch
the clock entirely. Ever my husband, your own, deeply, truly loving wify,
Fannie Fan
The Lieut. desired to be remembered to you in my next letter. He adds to our own pleasure, a very gentleman and pleasant.