June 23, 1863: John Riddle Warner to George Eyster

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, where he served as Provost Marshal for the 16th district of Pennsylvania from April 1863 to June 1865.  These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Gettysburg Tuesday

June 23d 1863

Dear George

If there be any means of communicating with us when you receive this I wish that you would immediately write us—We both feel very anxious to hear from you all how passed the last fearful weeks.

Young Reily of your place came through here several days since but could tell us nothing of you or the family. We are all well—no Rebels have as yet made their appearance in the town though several times we thought that they were “here at last”. We were much pained this morning at hearing a rumor that the Rebs have reoccupied C-bg—Jennie is anxious to know if you have heard any thing from Hugh Watson or hill. Both Jennie & I think that Mother, Mary & the children should come here if by any means at all they can reach us—We are in nothing like so great danger here as you are in C-bg—I think it quite likely that if the Rebs occupy Pa long we will have them here, but there is nothing here now of sufficient importance to either attract or keep them. Should they wish to cut the N.C.R.R. they will make for it by another & nearer route than this. Chambg. too is to them an important point. So I do think that Mary, Mother & the children ought to come here with all that they can bring with them.

I do not feel greatly discouraged, I am confident that in the Lord, a great triumph awaits us. He is just bringing us to that point in which His sovereignty in our deliverance will be made manifest. So manifest that the mouths of infidelity will not dare to speak.

His appointed time may be further-off than we think—but it cant be far off. And when it comes both we and our enemies will wonder.

We keep in right good spirits. Jennie is busy sewing and Baby, fat & funny, is toddling round. Full of frolic making fun for all of us & all unconscious in her sweet innocence of the fearful scenes enacting around her—Glad indeed would we be to have you all with us. Hoping that by some means you may get this—I remain

Yours

John

Citation: John Riddle Warner, autograph letter signed to George Eyster.  Gettysburg, Pa.; 23 June 1863. Moore VI:05:20