Anne and Robert Armstrong lived in Shelbyville, Tennessee, but at the outset of the war Anne and their children went to Pittsburgh to stay with her parents, Henry and Mary Warner. Anne was the great-aunt of the poet Marianne Moore and these letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.
Transcript:
Shelbyville Monday
Aug 11th 1861. Morning
My Dearest Annie
There is a man going North and I take the opportunity of writing you a few lines. I have been so anxious about you not writing to me for such a length of time knowing that if you had written I would have got it as Wm. Gosling got one from Eugene a week ago. saying the man I told you of was in Pittsbg. You did not even write to tell me you had got the Fifty dollars although I was so anxious to hear. the last I got from you was July 23rd nearly three weeks ago. which I answered, I forgot to tell you that I would not write until I got an answer always from you. as I was not sure of them going through. My dearest Annie how I long to see you and the children, when I do not get a letter from you for a long time I always am afraid you are sick. Mr Allen yesterday morning was seized with Colic in the middle of his sermon and had to shorten it. The Methodist one was attacked the same way also. Mrs Allen supposed to be from [illeg] Water melons. as they have been eating a good many for the last three weeks. It makes me so melancholy seeing others eating them. when I think of the time I used to carry one home to “my girl” and the perspiration pouring down my face, and how fond you Jonnie and Sissy were of them. Old Betty—Mrs Miller was buried here yesterday [illeg.] Virginia– Mrs Galbraith–is not expected to live. The Presbyterian Church is well filled now. Mr Allen has not missed having service at least twice every Sabbath since he came except last night when he was sick. he hears the Sabbath School the Catechism every Sabbath afternoon. preaches to the Colored people every two weeks. How would you like in the North to commune with colored people the way we did last communion. it was the most solemn one I ever saw. Mr A Said they had as much right to it as any one. and all the whites were pleased with it a Methodist church four miles from town offer Mr Allen a horse worth $150 if he will preach for them one year, once a month in the afternoon, although they have their own preacher, I was at Mr Cummings house for Supper last night, he was to leave today. but his wife is such with some kind of fever, and he will have to wait. He went up after supper to see Mr Allen. We had the heaviest rain last night I ever heard—for I was in bed—and it is now raining and so dark that I can hardly see. I paid Lukin for the Butter some time ago also O.S. Evans for my Board. he is going to quit keeping Boarders after this month as he has so few it does not pay. I mended the foot stool in the church some time ago. Mrs Bob Poundson generally sits with me as there is no cushion on her seat If you had sent me a letter I would have had more to say. Oh when I think of it write to Wm. S Markion & Co 606 Chestnut St Philadelphia to send you the Presbyterian as I cannot get it it is pond up to Jany 1st Also to Godey to send you the Ladies Book it is paid up to May. and the July no was the last I got I have since thought it better for me to wise and you can forward it to them. We had to get 20 ps of Calico from Nashville & ten ps Sea Island Pomespic. They cast very high & had to order on Saturday 11 day shoes to sort up our shock in deed if there was any thing at all I could get to do I would wind up the business this winter as we cannot in a few days get goods for money in Nashville and they cannot be got any where else, we cannot get any papers from the North no so we do not hear anything. If you did send letters since the 23rd July, send them by the enclosed address, not forgetting to put 15¢ inside and paying postage to Point Dearest. dearest love farewell I have to close, as the man is going to leave
Your affect husband
R Armstrong
Citation: Robert Armstrong, autograph letter signed to Anne Armstrong. Shelbyville, Tenn; 11 August 1861. Moore VI:04:21