Carrie Spafford had been the fiancée of Col. Elmer Ellsworth. Col. Elmer Ellsworth was a lawyer and soldier and friend of Abraham Lincoln who was one of the first casualties of the Civil War. He was shot and killed on May 24, 1861 while removing a large Confederate flag from a tavern in Alexandria, Virginia.
Transcript:
Rockford. May 25th/62
My dearest friends,
I have been hoping every day to hear from you. Something of your plans. I see by the papers that you are going to [Fargrins?]. I hope you will write me again before you go. and tell me the particulars. I wrote you two weeks ago today- I hope you have received my letter!
One year ago yesterday since Elmer fell. Oh! what a day was it to us all. I cannot realize that ‘tis only a year. it seems full six. This one year of suffering to us has been one and the first of pure happiness to him, and why should we mourn him. Still the answer comes, we are selfish.
How delightful it would be if we had such perfect confidence in God that we could feel and realize that all was for the best. His memory is just as fresh in my mind as though it were but yesterday that I bade him goodbye at the Astor. Still when I think how much has transpired within that time it seems an age.
Mrs. Lunish [?] often enquires for you both- and wished me to send her love to you.
Mother continues to improve, but is not very strong as yet. Father is well and very busy as usual. They both send love.
I had hoped you would not leave Mechanicsville until I had visited you once more. I may go East the last of the summer and if I do, shall want to go to Mechanicsville. And if you are not too far away will visit you. I have had company ever since I came home from Chicago and am now about tired. There are two young bodies with me now, but they heave this week.
Please write me soon. I am very anxious to hear from you. You dont know how much I think of you or how well I love you. if I dont write often, but when we are settled once again I will do better. I must go now.
Good bye- your aff
Carrie
Citation: Carrie Spafford, autograph letter signed to her friends. Rockford, Ill; 25 May 1862. AMs 811/2.7