Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore.  By the 1860s they had three surviving children:  John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Allegheny City Wednesday May 27^th 1863 4 P.M.

Our Dear Children—Happy are we to inform you we are all in good health—Robert seems greatly improved during the last two or three days & is attending to his business regular as usual—we were in great hopes by this time we would be able to inform you that the 2000 was disposed off some way or other, so as to be bringing in something—we expected McMasters would be along to day but he has not made his appearance yet this is the reason of writing at so late an hour we hope you have all arrived safe from Chambersburgh—when you write be sure and let us know how Mrs Craig is—your old friend Mr. Clendenning across the street is very poorly—walks from one room to another with a stick in one hand and a crutch on the other side. We had a letter from Henry day before yesterday, says he was in Philadelphia last week took a prisoner there from Fort Delaware—and delivered him up to the Provost Martial—He says—The Genl. sent for me and told me I would have to take this prisoner—so I had nothing else for it, but to comply and I buckled on a belt and revolver & started that evening on the cars, had no trouble got through all my business satisfactorily—while in Philada saw the academy of fine arts—free for soldiers—by the day week, will be able to tell more about our investment—kind remembrance to Jennie, a kiss for baby

& Remain your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Revd Sam Carvis wife was buried yesterday, left him with six children—one of them an idiot

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 27 May 1863. Moore VI:05:19

Henry Warner Jr. was the younger brother of John Riddle Warner, the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore.  Henry served in  Independent Battery G from August 1862 until June 1865.These family letters are preserved as part of the Marianne Moore family papers.

Transcript:

Fort Delaware

May 24^th 1863

Nine months in the service on 22d May– ¼ of my time up—

Dear Brother

Your last long and interesting letter of 16^th May reached me a few days since and I am only sorry that I have not time to write you as long a one in return—I think you accuse me very unjustly of complaining to Father & Mother about your not writing to me—allow me to say I did no such thing—If I said, that I had not heard from you since your return from this place—I done so in answer to a direct inquiry of Father’s to that effect—I did not complain or think of complaining—I know you are busy and I am willing to excuse—you and I do not very heartily excuse you—I do not wish you to write to me except when you have abundance of time, unless on particular business—And when you have that time to spare I will always be rejoiced to hear from you—Do not trouble yourself about McPherson any more—I guess what he says may be true—I am now first Sergt (Orderly), If I am promoted again, it will be to a Lieutenantcy—I am one rank below a commissioned officer—You remark Hall was our Orderly when you were here—He is now 2 Lieut.—All Sergts are numbered 2.M. Sergt is 2^nd Orderly 1^st—If I live and am well and nothing untoward happens before I am nine months more in the Service. I expect to have a commission—McPherson is right. I have done well and if you were acquainted with the internal management of Companies you would say so too—All those that were above me in the starting out—with the exception of Hall are not one whit higher than ever they were—a fact that is very flattering to me—I regret to say now that there is not much prospect of my being able to visit you soon—In my present position I cannot leave and if I do be able to leave occasionally—I think I ought to take the opportunity of going home dont you think so yourself? – I often regret you did not postpone your visit to Fort D. until the summer season—but I was very glad to see you when you did come and maybe you will need some vacation soon and can again. If Jennie would come I would like to see you both. And the baby too—I do not know what Father has done in relation to the money with McMaster. I enquired about it in my last letter home—I have not time at present to write you further as I would wish—Remember me kindly to Jennie and kiss the babe for me, Earnestly desiring a remembrance in your prayers

I subscribe myself

As Ever Your Affect Bro

Henry

Citation: Henry Warner Jr., autograph letter to John Riddle Warner. Fort Delaware,24 May 1863. Moore VI:5:19

Rev. John Riddle Warner and Jennie Craig Warner were the grandparents of the poet Marianne Moore. During the Civil War they lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Jennie would die of typhoid in September 1863.

Transcript [excerpt]:

Gettysburgh Sat’y May 9^th 1863

My Dear Jennie

Accompanying I send the stuff you ordered. Yesterday it was raining so that I did not go to the office until the afternoon. Was just preparing to go when Lillie J handed in your letter, consequently you have had to wait a day longer for the cloth which I very much regret. The weather this week has been so bad that I suppose Hugh & Martha did not get down. When they come give them my kindest regards & tell them I hope we shall see them before next Autumn sometime. A letter from home last night says they “Confidently expect a visit from us this Summer.” We are all here very much dispirited on account of Hooker’s advances just forward & then behind and nothing gained but thousands slain. I dread the coming summer. I think it will be the darkest time yet, and that we may not have any thing like decisive successes before next spring. Letter from home says “it is rumored, and on the bulletin board that Col. Clark is a prisoner” Their regiment was in the hardest of the fight. Copperheads here, as well as Cbg I suppose, and rejoicing over the news. My opinion is thus God will not give us success until there are more earnest zealous praying Christians. This is what we want, and when God sees in the Army & out of it the right number—and the right kind, then shall we have success and not sooner…

Citation: John Riddle Warner, autograph letter signed to Jennie Craig Warner. Gettysburg, Pa.; 9 May 1863. Moore VI:05:19

Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore.  By the 1860s they had three surviving children:  John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Allegheny City, Wednesday, May 6^th 1863—2 ½ P.M.

Our Dear Children—Your welcome letter dated April 30^th, along with Henry’s returned, & also a letter from you, of April 24^th we received Saturday May 2^nd—The day before we received yours, we received one from Henry, in which he stated that he had not received a letter from you, since the one he received from Harrisburgh, day after you left Fort Delaware; Mother says, it made her feel very sad, to think you could forget him in such a way, especially when we consider where he is placed, it would make no difference if he was at home with us—Mother says she knows your time is very much taken up, but could you not spare one quarter of an hour each week to write to him? If you care for the souls of the poor soldiers you ought to care doubly for his—I know that a little effort would do it. A short letter of half a note would please him very much & cheer him up; we think Jennie might write him a few lines also, Now John dear, if you make the effort you will certainly find you can accomplish it; Poor Henry he is far away from Home, & Home influence,
Robert Armstrong is now employed in Allegheny City of the store of Wm. Temple at a salary of 600$ per annum—He spoke to Mr. Barker some time ago to allow him an advance they gave him no decisive answer but paid him every week his $10.00 as usual, so Robert availed himself of the first opportunity he could get to advance his salary—so last Saturday when Robert said he was going, Mr. Barker said he should have given him more notice, now that is not the rule Mr. Barker adopted with his employees, for on Saturday night when all were paid off, any that were not wanted any more were informed of the same without previous notice, Robert therefore considered it was ‘a bad rule did not work both ways’

When the Rebels were in Morgantown last week, we began to think they were a little too close to us, for the sake of comfort; there seemed to be quite a loyal turn out among the people and many were dissatisfied that Gov. Curtin did not order out the Militia, but he did not & said there was no danger we felt a little jealous for when the raid was made on Chambersburgh the Militia were ordered out instanter, so we go: prospects look bright in connection with the war, kind remembrance to Jennie, an affectionate embrace for her little ladyship, & remain

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

P.S. Last night it was pouring rain all night, has been showering all day & still dropping, we have had a wet time of it. Robert told us at dinner time, it was written on the Bulletin Board, that Col Clark was captured by the rebels—I believe I will not close this until I see the evening chronicle—Jennie says she wishes we would repeat our visit, that we cannot do, but it is her time now to come & see us, and we expect to see you all some time this summer. Chronicle is not come & we will close

H. & M. W.

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 6 May1863. Moore VI:05:19

Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore.  By the 1860s they had three surviving children:  John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Allegheny City, Wednesday, April 29^th 1863

Our Dear Children, The rebels have not got our length yet, while I now write, 11 ½ A.M. I have not heard of their whereabouts, as I have not seen the mornings paper; yesterday afternoon, it was currently reported that they were about 45 miles from us. that they had captured Morgantown Va, were on their way to Uniontown, Pa, & whether they would go to Wheeling or the Smoky City nobody knew; It rained all morning & the sun shines bright & warm at present; just about where we live the people seem as unconcerned as if there was not a rebel in America, however as I went to look at my empty box in the P.O. the people seemed to be in small groups here and there & at corners as though something was going on of some consequence to every body. Yesterday in the afternoon all the bells toll’d & I supposed that it was on account of the death of a fireman, and it was some time before I knew our rebel friends were so close to us, We have no friendship for them & sincerely hope that wherever they are, they will be no nearer to us than they are at present. Sis had her foot scalded, but is running around as though nothing was the matter, will dine with us today, she is just beside me laying the things on the dinner table, Robert is still improving in health, & attends to business as usual, we all enjoy excellent health, have no news, only that we have a fire now & again in Pittsburgh, we get a note from Henry once a week. We hope the roads about Gettysburgh are improved in condition, we would like to know how Mrs Craig is, as the summer advances her health may recruit, both your communions were over last Sabbath we hope you got through cleverly. Are you going to Ill. to the General Assembly. The last of the house cleaning was done this forenoon. We have a splendid Market House in Allegheny the handsomest & best laid out in the United States at any rate so Mother says. It is admitted by competent judges to be a splendid affair, still they cannot cause eggs to be any cheaper than 15¢ per dozen—Kind Remembrance to Jennie & a kiss for our Mary—Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 29 April 1863. Moore VI:05:18

Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore.  By the 1860s they had three surviving children:  John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Allegheny City Wednesday March 25^th 1863

Our Dear Children, Another Wednesday has rolled round & brought us so much nearer to our resting place, we are all in good health, and as we have nothing new since Mother travels to Ohio, I will have consequently a short letter for you this time; my first item must be, an anxious inquiry after your health, this we would like above all things to know, Are you completely clear of the severe cold you had when you wrote to us? Also has that dreadful disease the smallpox passed by, without visiting your dwelling.

Our first piece of news is, a young man, a student, has been called unanimously to fill the pulpit lately occupied by Dr. Plummer, at a salary of $1200.00 per annum he is unmarried which Mrs John Patterson told Mother & me, in our back parlour yesterday, was guarantied to him by a few influential, leading, & wealthy men of that congregation—Robert & Anne pay 8$ per quarter, now my next item of news is butter is 40¢ per lb & very scarce at that piece, I notice these things as they occur to my mind, least I should forget them;

The Christian commission delegates have been with us, and we had quite an interesting time with them, which very likely you will see in the ‘Press’ the amount of their collections &c &c.

It has been showering almost constant from Monday morning until noon to day, Mother is busy transplanting a favorite willow in the yard, I can think of nothing more that would interest you, with kind remembrance to Jennie and an affectionate kiss for Mary, we remain your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

P.S. We are under great anxiety about the welfare of poor Henry’s Soul as well as his body, we wish you in your next to let us know if they have any chaplain there

Mother says, you need never be under any apprehension of taking the smallpox yourself, for you had a heavy coat of varioloid when you were a child, and the Doctor said at that time, there would never be any danger of you taking the small pox

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 25 March 1863. Moore VI:05:17

Henry Warner Jr. was the younger brother of John Riddle Warner, the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore.  Henry served in  Independent Battery G from August 1862 until June 1865.These family letters are preserved as part of the Marianne Moore family papers.

Transcript:

Fort Delaware Mch 2/63

My Dear Bro

I received your very kind letter but a moment ago—dated Hgbg 28^th Feby—I do not know that there is any necessity for writing so soon after seeing you—but I always feel like answering a good letter as soon as received, especially when I have so much leisure on hand as I have this afternoon—I have been wishing all day, and sorry that your visit had not happened on this week—the weather was so bad when you were here that I am sure you could not have enjoyed it— (on that account) To day is most provokingly calm, clear and balmy—as warm as a day in May—not a cloud vails the sun or a ripple disturbs the bosom of the river—but we cannot foresee things, and I am rapidly becoming Philosopher enough—from custom, to put up with disappointments uncomplainingly—I wrote home yesterday—according to promise, a full account of your visit—covering evry moment of your stay—I know it will interest them greatly—I have not yet opened the box you brought me, but I will soon—I acknowledge that some times I feel the hardships connected with my present life—altho comparatively speaking, I am so well off—yet I expected all these things—I do not regret and am determined to bear all that cannot be improved, calmly until “the end” whatever that may be—I am glad you made the acquaintance of Major B’s brother-inlaw—I am not acquainted with any certainty with the causes of his removal—I thought at first it was for the purpose of promotion—I have no news to tell you and as I have another letter to answer this afternoon which I got from a friend in Fairfax Seminary Hospital—a member of Mr. Clarke’s Ch. I will close, with kindest remembrances to Jennie

I remain as Ever

Your Aff Bro

Henry

Citation: Henry Warner Jr., autograph letter to John Riddle Warner. Fort Delaware,2 March1863. Moore VI:5:17

Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore.  By the 1860s they had three surviving children:  John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Allegheny City Wednesday February 25^th 1863 2 ¼ P.M.

Our Dear Children—Another Wednesday has rolled round, and we are happy to inform you, we are all in excellent health; at this time we have no news to communicate that would interest you, Yesterday afternoon Mother paid Miss Lewis a visit, Mother says she looks bad, and now we being to think that sorry as she must have been at his death, yet, every day that passes over causes her to feel more and more sensible to the very great loss she has sustained in his removal by death; In her administration the law required a bail, James McCandless agreed to be her bail for 40,000$ he was to be a joint bailsman with Mr Lewis brother; when McCandless was required to conform to promise, he backed out, & said that was not the way he understood it—said that he intended to be bail for the whole himself but would not go in along with another person—McCandless never went near her since—so she got a Mr. Harvey who lives on Troy hill a lumber dealer to go in as bail with Mr Lewis brother. On tomorrow we will have preaching forenoon & afternoon and on Saturday afternoon; as next Sabbath will be our communion.

We suppose the heavy fall of snow we have had, has prevented you from making your anticipated visit to Fort Delaware, let that be as it may, we concluded we would drop you a line at any rate; we now begin to feel anxious to know whether the late conscript act, can compel you to fall into the ranks and fight against the rebels in this unnatural war introduced to perpetuate slavery, wrong, robbery, & injustice to our fellow man—come what will, it is one consolation, The Mighty God of Jacob reigns.

We do not know who will officiate next Sabbath; Mother says, she will bring you here, dress you in womens clothes, & hide you, before you should go to the war—kind remembrance to Jennie, and sincerely hoping our dear little Mary is well, we remain

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 25 February 1863. Moore VI:05:16

Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore.  By the 1860s they had three surviving children:  John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

  Transcript:

Allegheny City Wednesday February 18^th 1863, Noon

Our Dear Children—Your very Welcome letter written on Monday night reached us this morning, right glad we were to know that you were all in good health, & thankful to our kind Heavenly Father for the good news. We all enjoy excellent health here, and as an old couple, we think we cannot be thankful enough, for the mercies bestowed upon us, in this land and upon our children, when we think of North Alabama, Mississippi, and many other places, where a terrible reign of terror exists at this time. We think we saw Ms McCullough, but seeing so many strangers, all in or about the same time cannot call her to remembrance, I think if I remember right she was a large sized woman. Now about Henry, we think as you do, he wants a change, and to our minds it is very evident, that if the war was over he would not come home if he could help it, there will be an over ruling Providence in it—he might be cut down very short; Mother says when you go to see him, talk to him very freely, be under no restraint we will be perfectly satisfied, with whatever you may say to him, no difference whether he takes it well or ill, Mother says, she hopes and trusts that he will be kept there, until the war is over, and she is afraid the time is coming, when his own rod will whip him, for he does not care for the sighs nor the tears of them he left behind him. To day Mr. Bard is commiting his son Robert to the earth—he died in the camp hospital, he went and brought home his remains, he was bad since last August; we wrote to Henry day before yesterday, probably you will see him before we write again—Of course we will not allude to your visit to him, until that visit is over. We are glad baby is vaccinated—and that she is thriving so well, this, to the parents is the most interesting time of youth, as she grows up, her corpulency will diminish, no better sign of good health can be for either young or old, than to be active & full of fun—May she be a blessing to you both—Your allusion to Finney & McElwer interested us very much—we think Finney a much better man than Van Wyck—Last Sabbath afternoon, Dr. Douglass preached for us. Mr. Boyle sat in our seat—after sermon a letter was read by him from our absent Pastor in the letter Mr. Clark feelingly alluded to the memory of Mr. Lewis, I could audibly hear the sobs of the Lewis family behind me—we had a very large audience—after sermon Mrs Boyle took tea with us, says she will sell all her property and go to boarding—we can loan here now on good security, at six per ct, this is her intention

Kind remembrance to Jennie

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 18 February 1863. Moore VI:05:16

Henry Warner Jr. was the younger brother of John Riddle Warner, the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore.  Henry served in  Independent Battery G from August 1862 until June 1865.These family letters are preserved as part of the Marianne Moore family papers.

Transcript:

Fort Delaware Jan. 29/63

Dear Father Mother & Annie

Your letters of 26th, one day behind time has just reached me—I would not attempt to answer any letters to day if they had not been from home for I feel very much unlike writing, but I would not have you miss a single day—for the past 10 days I have been very unwell—the day after I wrote my last letter I think I felt worst—for two or three days I was hardly able to get along at all—My disease was all the worst symptoms of Typhoid fever—I had felt unwell for a long time with a dull headache and an indescribable feeling of lassitude and want of appetite but had taken no notice of these symptoms until the disease had greatly far advanced, when I suddenly discovered what was the matter with me—I determined at once to fight it out, desperately, against going to the Hospital if possible—My tongue was coated white and very bad—cold ague chills shook me whenever I left the fire and alternate fever almost parched my face—added to this my head kept up a constant aching—For 60 hours I lived on one small slice of toast and a tin cup full of tea—I took a tremendous dose of Magnesia—waited for a few hours and then thought it better to go down to the Hospital and consult the doctor—He was drunk and of course could not see patients—So the Steward in his abcence prescribed 3 blue pills I took them, but all day I gradually grew worse—Sergt Servis (who was home [illeg.] one) hunted me up a dose of Salts which I took before I went to bed—There is a water-closet in the kitchen, so I concluded to be handy to it—I would sleep then with John Dutch—Who poor fellow done every thing for me that he could have done if he had been my own father—He made me my bed got me warm water in a tub to bathe my feet and waited on me the whole night.—That night I slept scarcely any—I was almost parched up with fever, but after the large amount of medicine I had taken, had commenced to apprate I commenced to feel better—but at this point my throat commenced to get sore and got rapidly worse until it was so sore and so much swollen I could scarcely swallow food or drink—The next night while it was in this state the skin on the glands seemed to have broken, and my nose and throat bled freely for a time and all the next day I spat up large amts of clotted gore—After this, day by day I have grown slowly better—I am well now all but a slight feeling of weakness—I will take good care of myself, and I have my throat still tied up—But I will say I hope I will never get sick here again—for, for a sick man there is no peace—continual noise and not a place to lay his head down—But I am stringing the store of my ills out too long—I have no doubt you are tired before this—I have no other news though and I may just as well fill up with this—Annie’s good, kind and sisterly letter I will answer separately—Johns letter I got last week and will return to when I can spare the stamp—(The letter from you I mean) The newspapers also all came regularly for which please receive my thanks—Let Mr Fink have his own way in that matter—I would rather loose the whole Army than put him to any inconvenience—for he has always been a good customer of mine and a profitable one— Give Miss Carry my best compliments and thanks for her photograph, and tell her if I felt at all, as if I could do myself justice, I would write her a nice little note of thanks, but I will have to defer until a more favourable opportunity—tell her I will give it a place of honour in my collection—Couch that visited you, called at my request, He is a nice fellow and went home to see his wife whom he heard was dying—he is to be back, day after to-morrow—Mrs Servis’ party interested me much, I know I would have been there if I had been home—Remember me to Mrs Servis’ folks when you see them and believe me to be your Affec son & Brother Henry

Citation: Henry Warner Jr., autograph letter to his parents. Fort Delaware, 29 January 1863. Moore VI:5:15