July 8, 1863: George Eyster to John Riddle Warner

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:

United States Hotel

Harrisburg, July 8, 1863

Dear John,

I take the opportunity of Judge [Longen?] going to Gettysburg to-morrow to send you this.

In consequence of the invasion I was compelled three weeks ago to remove my office to this place and have been here since with the exception of a few days. My office is in the Hotel.

During the two days the enemy occupied Chambersburg first, Mary and the children were at home. On Friday of the same week I had her brought down to her uncle Hugh’s, where she still is. I was up last night to see her. They got along very well whilst the rebel army passed along and lay about Shippensburg and were treated reasonably well by such rebels as chose to call on them. Mrs. Craig having no girl both Mary and she almost wore themselves out cooking for their rebellious visitors. Mother Craig is also at Shippensburg and during the excitement stayed at David Griswell’s, Jove Nervis’ and Mr. Craig’s by turns, and was not very well contented any where. She seems to be the worse for what she has passed through.

Hugh B. Craig lost his sheep, cattle, and hams, but saved his horses.

Watson, strange to say, was not visited at all by the enemy, although, he had taken his horses away as a precautionary measure.

Uncle Hugh lost one horse, a wagon and some feed. He had the horror besides of furnishing a camping ground for almost all of Ewells rebel corps. His loss is probably $1000. My brothers lost about $3000 in goods. The merchants of Chambersburg were all robbed, many of everything.

We deeply sympathize with you and the rest of the citizens of Gettysburg in the trying circumstances by which you have been surrounded, and feel a great anxiety to hear of your entire safety. Let me ask you to take the first opportunity to send me a letter to this hotel (United States) telling me all about yourselves.

I may not get home for some time—certainly not until it would be entirely safe to remove back my office effects.

By the time this reaches you, mail communication most probably, will have been opened. Don’t fail to let me hear.

Yours

See over Geo Eyster

I send also by Judge L. a letter to John S. [McShany?]. It was printed he was captured. If this be true, I wish you would tell me all you know about it.

Citation: George Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Harrisburg, Pa.; 8 July 1863. Moore VI:05:21