Letter from Anna Wharton Seward to Frances Miller Seward, April 28, 1861

  • Posted on: 21 February 2018
  • By: admin
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Letter from Anna Wharton Seward to Frances Miller Seward, April 28, 1861
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transcriber

Transcriber:spp:csh

student editor

Transcriber:spp:srr

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1861-04-28

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Letter from Anna Wharton Seward to Frances Miller Seward, April 28, 1861

action: sent

sender: Anna Seward
Birth: 1834-03-29  Death: 1919-05-02

location: Washington D.C., US

receiver: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24  Death: 1865-06-21

location: Auburn, NY

transcription: csh 

revision: tap 2018-01-23

<>
Page 1

Sunday
April 28th
My dear Mother
Your letters
of the 22nd & 23rd came last
evening with the first
mail we have received
in eight days. You have
been constantly in our thoughts,
we knew how anxious you
would be about us.
Father
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
sent you two letters
last week by the bearers
of dispatches from the
State Dept, who were to
mail them at New York.
Last week was a very
anxious one for this city.
All kinds of dangers
threatening, & no troops, no
news from the North, no
telegraph, no railroad.
Page 2

Genl Scott
Birth: 1786-06-13 Death: 1866-05-29
assured us he
had reliable information
that there was no fear
of an invasion from Va
The danger most feared
was the rising of the Secess-
ionists in town & invasion
from the Baltimore mob.
There were but 800 regulars
& 500 Mass troops in town.
The 1200 District volunteers
no one trusted, about half
being Secessionists at heart.
It was a great relief to
have the 7th regt arrive
safely on Thursday.
We knew they reached
Annapolis Sunday night
& could hear nothing
more of them – horrible
rumors coming every days
of their encounters with
Page 3

the enemy.
for six or eight nights we
had visitors at all hours –
scouts returning with the
latest intelligence. But the
last two nights we had
slept soundly. Now we have
10,000 troops – & if there
is a secessionist in town
he does not express his
opinions.
Father & Fred
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
are perfectly
well. I never see them,
alone except I go at 6 o'C
to make them drive an
hour before dinner.
We have had a stereoty-
ped drive for ten days –
to the depot to ask if any
troops had arrived, then to
the capitol to see the evening
drill of the Mass regt & then
Page 4

to the long-bridge to see
that the flying-artillery
were on guard. After this
I suppose we may venture
into the country.
Genl Scott has authentic
information that up to
last night there were no
preparations for a battery
at Arlington, or at the
White-house-point.
Week before last I had
several carpets fitted to the
rooms at the new house –
but I would not commence
moving furniture till we
were reinforced. Friday
& yesterday I sent several
loads. Father has not
been in the house since
we hired it & Fred only
once. They were so over-
whelmed with cares, that
I did not like to trouble
Page 5

them – even for advice.
They are now very anxious
to move in as soon as
possible, tomorrow or Tuesday.
For several days I have been
there till late in the after-
noon, the Park was so beau-
tiful & green the birds sang
so sweetly I did not care to
come to the old house again.
Your room & Fanny's
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
are ready
furniture & all. I wish you
were here to occupy them.
The carpet in Father's room is
down. The Library is in order,
the books in the cases. I had
our old shelves stained &
varnished & with the addi-
tion of a cornice they are
quite ornamental.
I used the Parlor carpets for
the Library & Dining room.
They are beginning to look
quite dingy & white on the
seams. The Dining room carpet
will be finished tomorrow,
Page 6

it needed much piecing
I have had matting put
on one parlor for the Summer.
The painters have finished
except the last coat on
the Bathroom.
We continued to have company
every day to breakfast &
dinner. Fortunately they
are soldiers and ought
not to mind bare floors &
things topsy-turvy generally.
Three of the 7th Regt are
coming to dinner tomorrow.
Eliza & Louisa
Unknown
are well.
Nicholas
Birth: 1801-12-24 Death: 1893-02-15
is much improved
since he came – He hopes
the black horses are
well cared for, & is anxious
to know who will take
care of the garden.
Page 7

While we were at
dinner today Mr Wright
Birth: 1820-03-06 Death: 1899-07-02Certainty: Probable

& Mr Orsborn
Birth: 1832-08-11 Death: 1904-03-27Certainty: Possible
came bring-
ing me your note of
Thursday – week before last.
They arrived in Phila just
after the railroad was
torn up, were detained
there a week. They came
to Annapolis on Friday,
walked most of the way
from there to the Junction,
& with nine others worked
their way from the Junc-
tion here on a hand car.
John
Birth: 1841-12-14 Death: 1896-10-15
is to be a mes-
senger in the State
Department. The Steward
comes on Wednesday.
They tell me the messenger
Page 8

is to start in a few
moments. Love to all.
You don't know how
thankful I am that I
am here.
Affectionately your
daughter Anna

[bottom Margin]
Hand Shiftx

Frances Seward

Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21
Anna
April 28
1861