Today in the Civil War

Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore.  By the 1860s they had three surviving children:  John, Henry, and Anne. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Allegheny City Wednesday May 27^th 1863 4 P.M.

Our Dear Children—Happy are we to inform you we are all in good health—Robert seems greatly improved during the last two or three days & is attending to his business regular as usual—we were in great hopes by this time we would be able to inform you that the 2000 was disposed off some way or other, so as to be bringing in something—we expected McMasters would be along to day but he has not made his appearance yet this is the reason of writing at so late an hour we hope you have all arrived safe from Chambersburgh—when you write be sure and let us know how Mrs Craig is—your old friend Mr. Clendenning across the street is very poorly—walks from one room to another with a stick in one hand and a crutch on the other side. We had a letter from Henry day before yesterday, says he was in Philadelphia last week took a prisoner there from Fort Delaware—and delivered him up to the Provost Martial—He says—The Genl. sent for me and told me I would have to take this prisoner—so I had nothing else for it, but to comply and I buckled on a belt and revolver & started that evening on the cars, had no trouble got through all my business satisfactorily—while in Philada saw the academy of fine arts—free for soldiers—by the day week, will be able to tell more about our investment—kind remembrance to Jennie, a kiss for baby

& Remain your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Revd Sam Carvis wife was buried yesterday, left him with six children—one of them an idiot

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 27 May 1863. Moore VI:05:19

Henry Warner Jr. was the younger brother of John Riddle Warner, the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore.  Henry served in  Independent Battery G from August 1862 until June 1865.These family letters are preserved as part of the Marianne Moore family papers.

Transcript:

Fort Delaware

May 24^th 1863

Nine months in the service on 22d May– ¼ of my time up—

Dear Brother

Your last long and interesting letter of 16^th May reached me a few days since and I am only sorry that I have not time to write you as long a one in return—I think you accuse me very unjustly of complaining to Father & Mother about your not writing to me—allow me to say I did no such thing—If I said, that I had not heard from you since your return from this place—I done so in answer to a direct inquiry of Father’s to that effect—I did not complain or think of complaining—I know you are busy and I am willing to excuse—you and I do not very heartily excuse you—I do not wish you to write to me except when you have abundance of time, unless on particular business—And when you have that time to spare I will always be rejoiced to hear from you—Do not trouble yourself about McPherson any more—I guess what he says may be true—I am now first Sergt (Orderly), If I am promoted again, it will be to a Lieutenantcy—I am one rank below a commissioned officer—You remark Hall was our Orderly when you were here—He is now 2 Lieut.—All Sergts are numbered 2.M. Sergt is 2^nd Orderly 1^st—If I live and am well and nothing untoward happens before I am nine months more in the Service. I expect to have a commission—McPherson is right. I have done well and if you were acquainted with the internal management of Companies you would say so too—All those that were above me in the starting out—with the exception of Hall are not one whit higher than ever they were—a fact that is very flattering to me—I regret to say now that there is not much prospect of my being able to visit you soon—In my present position I cannot leave and if I do be able to leave occasionally—I think I ought to take the opportunity of going home dont you think so yourself? – I often regret you did not postpone your visit to Fort D. until the summer season—but I was very glad to see you when you did come and maybe you will need some vacation soon and can again. If Jennie would come I would like to see you both. And the baby too—I do not know what Father has done in relation to the money with McMaster. I enquired about it in my last letter home—I have not time at present to write you further as I would wish—Remember me kindly to Jennie and kiss the babe for me, Earnestly desiring a remembrance in your prayers

I subscribe myself

As Ever Your Affect Bro

Henry

Citation: Henry Warner Jr., autograph letter to John Riddle Warner. Fort Delaware,24 May 1863. Moore VI:5:19