Content Page

January 15, 1863. Letter from Fanny to Frank Hall, from Plattsburgh, NY.

                                                                                                                                                Plattsburgh Jan. 15/63

My own dearest one,

          In our room as quiet as need be save for the wind that seems to be rising a little. I don't know but I wake and trouble you with my letter so selfishly that is quite too much of my own anxiety but how can I help it. This morning I went over to Mrs. Moores to see if she had heard from the Capt. They had heard under date of 6th why do I not hear too. It is such a new experience. You have always been so thoughtful, so constant in writing I do not understand it, so unlike you.
          The Capt. alludes to you overexciting yourself and then there is an allusion to your having a cold. Why do I not hear from you. Oh it was such a comfort to go there & talk about you.
          Franky my husband I ask as an especial favor to me that you will not seek in any way to prevent anyone's writing about you. I am sure you do not wish to take from the comfort it is to me, to hear not there for even less I would not have anyone suppose that you desired to keep anything from me, which I am sure you never have, since our engagement even. Will you tell me hubbie that you will not in any way try to prevent anyone's writing about you. If you could know how I feel you would continue to do as you have ever done tell me truly & frankly all. Will you be prudent, will you take care of yourself for me. Perhaps I am unduly troubled but it [is] so new in my thoughtful Franky to be sure I do not expect you to send letters daily but there is such a long anxious time.
          Darling, my own one, I am so rejoiced if it added to your, comfort in any way about the $50. How I think of you, how my heart is with you dearest. Do not think me unmindful about the tracts but so far I've not found them. I just been out for exercise and could not resist Mrs. Moores but I think it doubtful if I find them; I don't know darling but you let me get them to comfort me more than anything else.
          It was stupid in me not to have sent the N.Y. Times before. Dear dearest one, let wify do anything in the wide world that she can for her devoted, loving hubbie. Mrs. Moore was telling me to day that there was so much interests in the letters & c. & then I thought how sullen mine had been save in love to you. Have they seen our laden with that? Do you love your wify's line? Oh how [?] I trust that tomorrow's mail will bring me a letter. Will you number your letters as I do, then I shall know if I receive them all. It would be a satisfaction even if they were lost to know you had written. Will you please try & remember this new one for wify.
          Dr. Coit was here today and desired me to send his love to you. He gave us a beautiful & wonderful account of his eldest child who died at four years old. He said he was reading Shakespeare one day when the little fellow came up to him & wanted to know what he was reading & if it was true so Dr. C. answered him but the little boy was not satisfied and came to him again & said "Father will that book help you to preach the gospel." Of course Dr. C. replied so not exactly, then the child said "Oh please then dear Father send it home & don't read it." Was It not remarkable for such a tiny child? At another time he was conversing with a young lady upon her soul's dearest interests and this little boy came to her and said "I know why you are not converted, you have such a kind heart." Then he spoke of his son Henry and his religious character though he had never been converted. Under the ideas of baptism. Then he talked a great deal of his wife and a most beautiful character he gave of her. She must be one of many.
          Among other things he said that at one time they were trying to build a church & that he could say that Mrs. Coit, by her personal exceptions in work, gave one third the fields. Her industry is certainly remarkable & indefatigable, I am sure. Then he told us of a poor woman, aged, whom he had found but had lived her long life without any religious knowledge; how all was a blank to her how utterly impossible it seemed to be to take light into her heart. Can we be thankful enough who have the true light shed abroad in our hearts.
         His description reminded me of the woman you found in the woods at Luzerne. So I told him about how grandma wonders how I can write as much as I do & oh I could write a great deal more. Tell me darling that you have my letters as you receive fresh ones and it will really be a proof of love to me & I will thank you dearly own one.
          Now I'll read in your bible and have a session of prayer, then take up [?] & go to bed and add to this letter, all being well in the morning.

                                                                                                                                             Friday Morning

Dear Hubbie,

          Now for a little more of a letter. I've just been in our room for a quiet time, When I came down I found grandma fussing in her room as she has no strength whatever to do. She really needs constant watching, I trust she is gaining strength but you can imagine how weak she is when the conversation of others after a little while I can see tires her, Still she is some stronger certainly.
         We have a quantity of snow on the ground this morning and snow is still falling gives promise of more winter like weather. This keeps me in.
          Tell me, own one, do I write too long letters. I wish there was more of interest for me to write & cheer you but news is something we do not possess here. Oh yes, I can tell you about Mr. Myers; he has had a hard time with an infected toe nail and Michael has been quite ill with some hard tonsil neuralgia. I think Mrs. M. appears very well indeed for, you remember, has gone to Memphis, for the present at least. I've not yet had an opportunity to call there.
          You see there is an attraction for me at Mrs. Moores. Julia is well, though I've not been able to see as much of her as usual on grandma's account for talking. Even as I said wearies her some what. Darling forgive me for writing so much in one strain. But, you will have wify's letters any way, will you not. Shall I tell you what I hear of you and your work in the Regt. This much know it is most dear to wify's heart and what you would dearly love to have said. God grant own one that you may be the instrument in God's hand of being many to the true fountain of living water & may we sweetly be spared to one another here on earth.
          I know your heart is working in the noble work and only for you will not be cautious and prudent as you ought. "I will have mercy & not sacrifice," remember own one.
          Richard has come from the mail and not brought me any letter. How about your trouble that you wrote of in the bowels & the cold. Do write me frankly & truly my own best loved one. Oh is still storming & I must send Richard up with my letter to the office.
          Do you want paper or can you get it there? Tell me ever dearest one, thine own loving wife.

                                                                                                                                              Fannie Fan

          Surely hubbie if you were too sick to write you would direct someone to telegraph for me and also send someone on. Do, do remember your wifey's love & your promise, my dearest.