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 1st 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 1st 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