August 31, 1864: Henry and Mary Warner to John Warner

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 31, 1864 Afternoon

Dear John, With pleasure we inform you that about 3 OClock P.M. yesterday, Henry arrived on a furlough of ten days from the time he left the fort until his return to the same place, he looks extremely well, and is in excellent health; Your welcome letter reached us on Monday morning 29^th Inst. We were very glad to know that Mrs Eyster and the three dear children arrived in G. safely, we sympathize very deeply with you all, we are in great hopes the rebels will never trouble you again, but if they should, make no stay but come on in good time, don’t mind the trouble of the children, and we will do the best we can for you all. We both laughed when we read what little Mary said about the rebels burning her fine dresses, we say, keep up your hearts as none of you perished in the flames, if one of the children suffered death in that way it would be worse than all the loss you have sustained; When two years of Henry’s time had expired which was the 22^nd of this month, he offer’d the Gen’l his resignation but the Gen’l would not accept I – so H. concluded to stop, and received the furlough. The Gen’l said he was of too much use to the Government, and could not be spared, and gave him the furlough; We are all well, with the exception of poor Anne, she has had poor health since she returned from Uncle Maxwells, but is going about the house; Mother says she will get the flannel and the muslin and make the babys things with a great deal of pleasure; Was MacDowel Sharps house burned? Give our best respects to Mrs Eyster, we were very glad to hear that Mr Eysters trunk was saved, that was so much, although little, still it was a fortunate circumstance, also Mrs Eysters watch and your own. The E. family loss was terribly severe surely. Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh],31 August 1864. Moore VI:06:8