John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. George Eyster was his brother-in-law and lived in Chambersburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

   Transcript:

Chambersburg September 11^th 1862

Post Office—12 o’clock, at night

Dear John,

We think ourselves now in actual danger. Our town is to-night under strict military surveillance. Judge Kinwell being the Provost Marshall. At least 500 men are under arms and posted on the various roads. An hour ago a dispatch was received from the government saying we had reliable intelligence that it was the intention of the rebels to enter Pennsylvania. Capt Ward telegraphs just now from Greencastle that he has the roads strongly picketed, but apprehends no attack before morning. The rebels are certainly at Hagerstown in very strong force. We have not yet decided what course to proceed with 10 families, but will have concert of action. We feel afraid to try the experiment of hasty [illeg.] to the humanity of traitors. 580 Cavalry will be up in a few hours. Most of the merchandise has been shipped to points away from town. Clegget Fitzhugh from Mount Alto was seen in Hagerstown today. We fear he may pilot their cavalry into our neighborhood by a circuitous route. Dob Sinan & Brimm led the advance into Hagerstown. They have torn up about two miles of the rail-road on the side of Hagerstown. I have been on Horseback all night.

If Mr. Weaver gets this please communicate contents to M. McPherson/if Mr. McPherson, to Mr. Weaver.

Yours

Geo Eyster

Citation: George Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Chambersburg, Pa.; 11 September 1862. Moore VI:05:10

John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. George Eyster was his brother-in-law and lived in Chambersburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Chambersburg

Sept 10, 1862

Dear John,

The rebel General Jackson, with Twenty thousand men, is approaching Hagerstown. His advance were within sight of the town an hour or two ago—say from five to six o’clock. The government telegraph operator destroyed its apparatus and left. The only force between us and them is a couple of hundred cavalry at Greencastle. The news I have given you is reliable. How I have obtained it, I’ll not stop to tell. There is considerable excitement in town to-night, although not so much as some say now. The County Records are being packed for removal in case of necessity. We will have [cadettes?] out to-night.

Yours

Geo Eyster

Citation: George Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Chambersburg, Pa.; 10 September 1862. Moore VI:05:10

John Riddle Warner, a Presbyterian minister, was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. George Eyster was his brother-in-law and lived in Chambersburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Chambersburg, Sept. 9^th 1862

Dear John,

Mary received Jennie’s letter to-day. We had had some idea that you would be nervous in consequence of the nearness of the rebel combatants, but did not dream that you would be so terrified as to think of packing up. In the name of conscience how must your community at large feel when one of its Ministers allows his wife to prepare to flit. John my good fellow, be of better cheer. In any event dont run. We have had some great excitement here, but all are beginning to feel better. Some have been threatening to flee to the mountains; others have been seeking a place to bring their treasure; a few have packed up their movable property and sent it out of the County, to Lancaster, in a single instance, but the sojourners in Federal Hill will do no such thing, come who may or what may. There is no danger of the rebels visiting either you or us for the present. By this time George B. is engaging their best attention. In the event of their repelling his friendly salutation, we may possibly behold their faces. I cannot believe that God has again placed that young commander at the head of the Union Army for any other purpose than to lead it to victory. So cheer you up my lively lads. Wait a little longer. Let the wild world wag as it will, we’ll be gay and happy still, or at least we’ll try to be. Don’t think that I regard and disown the aspect of affairs in any spirit of levity. But it is true, we are many of us too much inclined to take trouble on interest. I’ll send you a copy of the Transcript where you can read the local news of the week pretty fully. Mary had a letter from Mrs. Dick yesterday, in which she stated that the news of her husbands death had been confirmed. I clip and send you a paragraph from a letter of one of the editors of the Valley Spirit to that paper, dated Alexandria, Sept. 5, in which honorable mention is made of the Captain. I offer a brief tribute to his memory this week in the Transcript. Captain Kerns, (Rev. Mrs. Fisher’s son) who was shot through the leg some months ago at Mechanicsville, was severely wounded and taken prisoner about the same time Captain Dick fell. A special messenger has just returned from Washn, without learning anything further with regard to him. We are expecting mother to come upon us suddenly all in a fright. I trust, however, that you will not allow Jennie to write to Hugh and advise him to go away with his family. From a remark in her letter to Mary, I am fearful she might do this. If we have anything newer or more exciting than the rebel advance I’ll write again.

Yours truly

Geo Eyster

If you get too weary come over, a come over anyhow.

Citation: George Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Chambersburg, Pa.; 9 September 1862. Moore VI:05:10

John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. George Eyster was his brother-in-law and lived in Chambersburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.  

Transcript:

Chambersburg Sept. 5, 1862

Dear John,

You and Jennie will regret to hear of the death of Captain John Dick, of the 107^th Pa. Regiment. He met his death heroically in one of the battles last week near Washington. His body has been recovered, I learned this evening, and is being brought to Shippensburg, but whether for interment there or in this county, I am unable to state.

Rumor says this evening that Captain Mack Kerns, of this place, was also killed.

We are all well. Mary goes down in the morning to see Mr. Dick.

Yours Truly

Geo Eyster

Chambersburg

Sept. 5, 1862

Dear John

I write a second letter in order to inform you of a true tale of facts with regard to the Bank. All the specie of the institution ($105,000) was removed to Harrisburg yesterday in charge of Mr. Menemsmith. The specie and valuable papers of the Hagerstown Banks were brought to town to-day and will be taken to Harrisburg to-morrow morning. We have news in town that the rebels 40,000 strong crossed the Potomac into Maryland and at a near Edwards’ Ferry. A person from beyond Hagerstown just in this evening reports that heavy and rapid cannonage was heard down the Potomac all afternoon. A battle is surely in progress at or near it. [illeg] Two companies are organizing here this evening, one infantry, the other cavalry, for home defense. The Hagerstown Banks were no so much alarmed in consequence of the documentations between them, as at the prospect of cavalry raids from the direction of Hancock &c.

The government is indeed paralyzed. Have we some Achan in the camp or are we foiled in every direction, because we fail to let the oppressed go free?

If the capitol is to be taken and the government to pan through the throes of dissolution, in God’s name, let us set up honest military chieftain as Dictator, who shall lead us to victory and enable us set to hack the back of the giant evil. Rather than succumb to the despotism of an oligarchy let us welcome poverty and death—let our fields become a waste and homes a dream.

We’ll attend to the gas arrangement you speak of.

Yours truly

Geo Eyster

Citation: George Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Chambersburg, Pa.; 5 September 1862. Moore VI:05:10

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.

Allegheny City Wednesday September 3^rd 1862—2 P.M.

Our Dear Children, With sorrow of heart, we must confess, that we feel sad & gloomy, although at the same time we have to acknowledge we have no right to be. We all enjoy good health; Annes family and ourselves, have plenty to eat, drink, & wear, and are out of debt—The news from the scene of war both East & West does not seem to be of the most cheering character at present, united with the absence of Henry causes sadness. We have no news, of any kind, in our neighborhood, to communicate that would interest you

If Henry has not written to you we will give you a statement of his movements since he left us—he arrived in Harrisburgh on tuesday morning and arrived at Fort Delaware on the Saturday evening following, says he is well and hearty and upon the whole do not find things as hard as he expected—since his arrival at the Fort has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant called “4^th Gun Sergeant” which places him 6 ranks above a private, is to have command of a Gun and has already command of 2 corporals and 14 men all of which ‘mess’ with him in his tent (a large Sibley calculated for 22 men) Says, he has complete controul of them in every particular must see that they keep themselves clean turn in at the right time in the morning, are properly conducted, fed, &c &c, says he allows no swearing in his tent and of consequence had not heard but one oath from one of his men since he came there, says every man in the mess also has a Bible and you would be astonished if you could see, by a walk with him through the tents at early candle light the amount of Bible reading that is done there and by men too who he thinks never opened a bible at home says, they have prayer meeting in one of the tents every night at 8 oclock and regular services on Sunday

His address is

Henry Warner

Care of, Captn J.J. Young

Fort Delaware

Delaware City

Delaware

If you should write to him be sure direct as above, & be particular for instance dont write Mr. Henry Warner His letter coming to us has a three cent stamp on it and when we write to him we put a three cent stamp on ours

Kind remembrance to Jennie and wishing you both, and your dear little babe the blessing of the mighty God of Jacob

We remain your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 3 September 1862. Moore VI:05:10

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 August 27^th 1862—

Our Dear Children

Your welcome letter reached us on last Saturday for which we are grateful—at the same time we got one from Henry from Harrisburgh, it has been a very lonely & sorry week with us. Mother regrets much that she did not get away on friday morning, as she could have hindered him from enlisting, as he did not enlist until Saturday night, You speak of your Mary being a precious treasure, if she was a boy would you wish to see her going to war, I answer, indeed you would not, all we can do now, is, pray that God would cast the skirt of his garment around him, He has left us very lonely & heart broken—He was to leave Harrisburgh last Monday, and we can give you no further information about him, until we receive a letter from him—Robert & the children are well Anne is just a poor walking ghost, The children were very much pleased with the presents, and she desires to return her sincere thanks for them, and all other presents you have given them

Taylor acted like a gentleman in the affair of Uncle Hughs death—His children were telegraph’d to Ravenna, they all came on, were at the funeral, and defrayed every expense attending it, to the last cent, Taylor is one of the best men we ever knew—Aunt Betty was here near a week, we thought she would have died here, is none better, & is with her daughter—kind remembrance to Jennie

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Henry is in the Heavy Artillery service—not an engineer

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 27 August 1862. Moore VI:05:09

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 Tuesday August 12^th 1862—11 A.M.

Our Dear Children—very grateful indeed are we to an overruling Providence for our safe arrival at our home at 12.30 A.M. in health and safety—Henry was on the R.R. platform & Mother spied him, I think, a minute before the cars stopped—he handed us both out took shawl, bonnet box & Mothers little basket in his possession & we all three walked over to our comfortable home where Anne was in waiting ready to receive us, a fire made & tea kettle boiling with bread & butter of her own supply; I must now inform you of our trip it was a most delightful one—we did not dine at Harrisburgh nor sup at Altoona—had ice water on the cars and our Gettysburgh supply satisfied us—for my part I could eat nothing on my arrival, just took a drink of water & went to bed left Mother Anne & Hy chatting—Henry is now away for the trunk & also to deliver Rev’d McElwer’s favour to Dr Rodgers—consequently I am without my gold pen—

Must now tell you about Henry—he is enlisted in the volunteer Engineer service—in a regiment stationed at Fort Delaware—they are not to be moved about from place to place as the army in other places—The fort is to be prepared for the purpose of repeling foreign intervention, or invasion—the artillery well drilled then do duty at the fort mounting guard every morning– & having parade morning & evening—where a regularity & an abundance of wholesome food besides a wholesome atmosphere will be enjoyed also the comfort of sea bathing &c&c that many of our military are strangers to—we can also exchange letters with him as regular as with you—how soon he will leave, we do not know nor does he know himself; I have now given you all the information I could on this subject—poor Mrs Brown was in this morning to welcome us home, & also to weep about the probability of her son going to war—the young men here cannot bear the idea of being draughted—our pastor Rev’d J.B. Clark is to leave this week in the command of a company raised by himself—there is & has been a perfect furor here among the people enlisting & hastening to the battle field—Mother was at market this morning is now busy brushing up & cleaning our dear home—our valuable cat has never left us and has three fine kittens since we left thanks to the kind attention of good neighbours—Our Henry has not forgotten Mary, inquired to know how she was—remember us to all kind friend—Miss Rebecca Campbell, Mr & Mrs Dickson—Mrs Cobine and Many, many, many others who have been to us very kind indeed both of Hunterstown & Marsh Creek congregations—

Joseph Banks & Mr. McMaster are to carry on the business of the mill—Mr. McM is exempt from Military service I believe from some physical disability—Henry is come but trunk wont come until afternoon—kind remembrance to Jennie and a kiss for our dear little Mary

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 12 August 1862. Moore VI:05:09

John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. George Eyster was his brother-in-law and lived in Chambersburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.  

Transcript:

Chambersburg July 2, 1862

Dear John,

I am glad to be able to tell you that your wife is much better. The only danger I fear is that she may expose herself too soon. I try to get her to keep her room, especially on cool, damp days, and not to exert herself too much. With care a week, I trust, will see her well.

I have interceded for your daughter, and procured an important modification in the manner of its ablutions. Its maternal relative, Aunt Mary, has decided that in consequence of my representations of the child’s inherited abhorrence of the application of aqueous fluid to that part known as the integument, hereafter it shall be subjected but twice a week to the ordeal described in my last. Captain Mark Kerns, of the 1^st Penna. Artillery, who was shot through the leg in the battle near Richmond, last Friday, arrived at home this evening. He is the son of Mrs. Rev. Dr. Fisher. His wound is disabling but not serious. Captain Hezekiah Easton, (also of the 1^st Penna Artillery,) a citizen of Condon, in this county, was killed in the same battle. This is the gentleman who figured so conspicuously in our financial world for a number of years and whose heavy failure a few years since originated much litigation, some of which is still pending. Captain Easton was shot through the body in a fruitless endeavour to save his guns and expired where he fell in about ten minutes. He was a brave man, and much esteemed. A meeting is to be held this evening to devise means for the relief of his family, who are destitute.

What hegira is contemplated in Gettysburg this week that makes it doubtful whether you can procure a horse? I cannot but think that you will be able to procure one, if you are half as much in earnest in your appeals as Richard at Bosworth. If you were here, I could continue to loan you one. I declined to make a speech to the Sabbath school (which contemplated a visit to Greencastle) on the Fourth, principally because of my expecting you, I represented that I had bargained for sundry little articles, which I intended to make into a decoction essential to our proper enjoyment of the Nation’s natal day. I trust that you will serve and not let so paltry an excuse as the want of a horse interfere, especially when you have no corns on your feet and the roads are good.

Very truly yours

Geo Eyster

Citation: George Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Chambersburg, Pa.; 2 July 1862. Moore VI:05:08

John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. George Eyster was his brother-in-law and lived in Chambersburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Chambersburg

June 28^th 62

Dear John

This is Saturday afternoon. I had promised your wife to write yesterday evening, but forgot to do so. Blame me, not her, if any disappointment was occasioned by your not hearing. I’ll write some now, but keep the letter open for a postscript tomorrow evening.

Jennie is now worse, although not much improved. I try to have her do as little as possible, believing that best for her. The Doctors say that, as the Rheumatism has not up to this time developed itself in any new place, it is not now likely to do so, and that she can soon commence the use of liveliment.

Mrs. Craig is about as she was. Her appetite has slightly improved, although it is no great variety she eats.

Your baby, bless its soul, is all you could want it for its time of life. Its aunt put it into a tub of water this morning for a bath, but the little Miss did not seem to relish the process and looked as if she would like to kick the manipulator and spill the fluid. It grows daily and drinks almost as much cow’s milk as the writer, which is no small quantity when the milk is cream.

To day we have painful tremors of a battle along our right wing in front of Richmond, Colonels Black and Sweitzer, both of Pittsburg, are among the killed, dead to life, but born to glory, victims of this accursed rebellion. Anxiety is here to learn the fate of our fellow-citizens of the Reserves, who were in the fight.

I’ll endeavour to write you more frequently in coming week.

Yours truly

Geo Eyster

Sunday Evening

Nothing newer. The Sick are about the same—your wife, probably, a little better. Mr. Nicholls preached this morning; this evening is monthly concert. I’ll write you to-morrow evening. Come over, no later than Thursday. Be sure of this. I’ll have lemons, ice, and sugar—my wife will have cakes—and we’ll celebrate the “glorious fourth.” I wish all hands were able to celebrate a restored Union and pacified country. But—good bye

Yours

Geo Eyster

Citation: George Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Chambersburg, Pa.; 28 June 1862. Moore VI:05:07

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 June 11^th 1862 3 P.M.

Our Dear Children, Here I am all alone, Mother gone to spend an hour or two with Anne, Henry sawing wood in Sewickleyville and every thing just as it was when I last wrote you. We are all in excellent health & spirits, would like very much to know if you all could say the same. Mother said just before leaving house I do feel bad about going to visit, where people are afflicted as your family must be, we are anxious to hear how Jennie is, and if she is entirely relieved of that painful malady sore breasts, we would also like to know how our dear little Mary is, and yourself. it has just commenced raining heavy and I am glad mother has taken an umbrella with her.

Dr Rodgers has become quite unwell again, Our minds and the minds of all around us, are so taken up with the stirring events of the war, that all gossip is out of the question, as for home news that would interest you, we have none, we now speedily look forward for the communication to be opened up once more between Pittsburgh & New Orleans, we may well say, miraculous! We here, as well as yourselves, are anxiously looking for a result at Richmond. reading the morning & evening papers and thinking of little else, reading the interesting letters from acquaintances in camp published in the different papers, a great number of the wounded on the peninsula are from this place. The way is completely opened up now between us & Shelbyville. Archy & Anne exchange letters & newspapers regular. Archy is doing very well selling goods for Tennessee bank notes, U.S. treasury notes, & specie, no confederate scrip papering there. We would like to know how Mrs Craig is & what effect her visit to you had on her

Kind remembrance to Jennie & believe us to be

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 11 June 1862. Moore VI:05:07