Letter from Fanny to Frank Hall, from Hartford, Ct.
Hartford Dec. 22, 1862
My own dearest one
It is an utter impossibility to tell you,
to tell you anything about what a relief & joy it was to me this morning
to have your letters of the 16th & 18th come here to me, My heart flows
full of deep thoughtfulness to our kind Heavenly Father that you have been
so sweetly protected and that I have been permitted to here from you. It
seems as if I could not be thoughtful enough, my heart is full, full to
overflowing. I really felt discouraged this morning here. I woke up Just
hurt the letter before these was dated the l0th of course before the battle
and my imagination was but too busy and my trust not as strong as it should
have been.
And then can you imagine my heartfelt
comfort in your dear letters, my own one? And then to know too that you have
received my letters. It seemed as if we could not heap from one another and
the experience was so new, so perfectly unexpected. Do you think now that
you can tell how I felt, No I dearly believe you cannot, Oh, oh, the dear
comfort to know you are safe and well, Don't forget to answer my questions
deary.
Dear hubbie, I must tell you that Saturday
the news of secretary Seward's resignation and his outcome so that troubled
me more than a little; what a selfish mortal. Remember dearest and send some
one on for me if you are sick or injured, telegraph & write too, but
do not trust only to that send some one, will you remember & give me
your promise that you will, my husband. It will be such a comfort to
me.
Mr. Swift has been busy and he was here
twice yesterday and of course without my requesting it went to the office
for a letter for me. So you see there is a real interest and Catherine too.
It would do your heart good, Franky, to see how the domestics all
feel.
I could not feel it was right to send
to the office Sunday. And so you can imagine Ma & I at the breakfast
table having word from you and oh but the letter's gone into my very
heart.
Do not be rash and unguarded, my Franky.
Do you tire of my continuous cautions but I know so well how fearless you
are that I cannot but be troubled lest you fairly go out of your line of
duty and expose yourself where you actually ought not, But I must trust and
pray for you most earnestly. How does the matter seem to you now as to the
call.
Tell me you love me I know it but then
one likes a constant reassurance. At least you know wify does, dear
hubbie.
God grant dearest that you may do much,
very much good, and may we be sweetly spared to one another long & happily
here on earth. And be true helpmates to one another. There is much I want
to write but this must do now, so that John can take it down & catch
the mail. There he is now. Deep true heart love from thine own.
Fannie
Remember about my letters and as you receive a fresh one burn the other. I shall feel more comfortable in writing & know it will be a proof of your love.