Philadelphia April 23^d
My dear Augustus,
We are detained here
two days, on our way to Charlestown, by
the illness of our little girl – We left
home last Thursday the day after I wrote –
My own health is much improved – Fanny
has taken cold – has a swollen face and
some fever – The Dr thinks she will be
able to travel tomorrow – We spent one
day in Albany and part of a day in
New York arriving here Saturday night —
We left Aunty and Frances at our house
but they intended leaving the same day –
Fred returns this week to Schenectady –
Willie and Abbey came with us as far as
Albany – were to return home after a few
days – We spent only part of a day in New
York came over here Saturday evening –
It is now Wednesday – Fanny continued too
ill to travel so your Father was obliged
to leave me here and go on to Charlestown
where he is to argue a cause this week –
If Fanny is well enough I shall meet him
on his return at Washington –

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I found at Baltimore among
my letters from home yours of the 5^th of April – I am
grateful that you continue in good health – Aunty Worden
has come to Auburn to stay with grandpa

x

Elijah Miller

Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13

during my
absence – Willie is at home – His father is about getting
a pair of Carolina ponies which will relieve

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you from any further trouble on that subject

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We shall go home next week – are now
engaged in looking for a house for the Winter
as your Father is not willing to board – we shall
keep house on a small scale here as we
cannot close the house at home
Fanny sends a kiss – she
talks much about the
rabbits eating up your
peas –
God bless you
my Son – Your affectionate
Mother —

The weather has been unusually cold for the
season – I see by the papers that the snow
has extended its visit as far south as
South Carolina where the fruit and cotton
are injured – We left snow four inches deep
at Auburn – I shall keep this letter open
to inform you of my further progress –
It is now Sunday – Fanny and I are still
in Philadelphia – Fanny is almost well
enough to travel and we will go to
Baltimore Tuesday or Wednesday – Harriet
Bogart came with me to take care of Fanny
I should feel very lonely were she not here –
Mr Weed and Harriet were here when we
we came – we tried to persuade Harriet
to go South with us but she was not well
and thought it best to go home – It is said
that Emily is to be married though I do not
hear the family say any thing about it –
I dreamed last night that you were with me
how I wish it were a reality – I cannot avoid
some apprehension of Cholera as I see there
are frequent cases on the boats on the
Missisippi and some on the Arkansas River –
We here no more of it at the North –
I had a telegraph message from Clarence
to day saying all were well at home.
You remember attending the wedding of Marianna

Wright – She is keeping house here – the mother
of two pretty children – a very agreeable woman
She has been very kind in her attentions
to me – They are keeping house in a very
sensible manner for young people – a small
house – plainly but prettily furnished – It always
seems to me that people who commence life
in this manner have a much greater chance
of domestic happiness than those who live
more ostentatiously – Sunday May 6^th
We are still in the City of “Brotherly Love”
Have been detained the last week by
my illness – I had an attack of neuralgia
which has confined me to my room
most of the week – I am better now
and intend leaving tomorrow for Washington
where I hope to meet your Father this
week where we shall return home together –
Fanny is again pretty well – I hear frequently
from your Father who is still in Charleston
where he says it is mid summer –
The inhabitants are very courtious and hospitable
He hopes to be able to leave there tomorrow —
The weather here is cold and unpleasant
for the season – it is raining to day so
that I cannot go to Church – I have
one letter from home which says all are
well – I miss the others being detained
here so much longer than I anticipated
I will not close this letter until I get to Washington

Washington – Friday 11^th —
We are at length all here
I came over from Philadelphia with Harriet
and Fanny Monday – Tuesday o no Wednesday
afternoon we were joined by your Father
returning from Charleston – I have been to
see General Taylor and his family and am
much pleased with them – The General
certainly must be an honest kind hearted
man – His daughter Mrs Bliss is very pretty
sensible and well bred – Mrs Wood, his
other daughter the wife of a surgeon in
the Army, stationed at Baltimore, is also
here for a month or two – Mrs Taylor
I have not seen – Mrs Bliss receives the
the visitors at the White house – Mr Weed, Gen
King and many other persons from our state are
here – I went with your Father to the War department
yesterday – Mr Preston is absent – Adjutant General
Jones and the deputies gave us some information about
your post – Gen Scott is soon to have the command
of the whole Army, to be stationed at New York –
Mr King says Gus will know best when to apply
for a furlough – pray let me know when it will
be – From what I heard at the War office I judged
that no furloughs were granted under two years
but was told that your being ordered to Mexico before
the expiration of your furlough would entitle you
to one a little earlier – I will not my dear child
urge you on this subject for I can trust your judgment
but I want you to let me know when I may hope to see
you

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Your father has franked your letter as he
thinks the postage is not
any longer paid by
government — is it? —

hLieut. A.H. Seward.
5 Infantry U.S. Army,
Fort Towson.
Choctaw Nation.
Arkansas.
FREE
WASHINGTON D.C.
MAY 11
William H. Seward
Free.