A Mother’s Message to Her Son During the Civil War

Nov 21 – write a letter to an ancestor in the military from a loved one

Dear Richard,

I hope you are well. The news here is distressing, on the rare occasion we get any. Last I heard, you were headed to Antietam and the reports that are coming in are that it was bloody and that the 132^nd suffered many losses. I’m not sure I could bear the loss of you, my first born son.

I hope that you are getting enough to eat and that you are taking care to avoid sickness by washing yourself and clothes regularly. I must say that I would willingly take care of your clothes for you as it would mean that you are safe at home. I look forward to the day you return.

I pray each day that this nightmare will end, that the rebels will turn tail and go back from whence they came, so that we can return to our peaceful lives and carry on taking care of our own business. Know that you are in not only my prayers, but those of your younger siblings as well.

I have to trust that you are safe and well, knowing that you are a brave, honorable man. Please take care and if you are able, write to us so that we may know how you are. Your brother asks each day what war is like, so if you can share some stories (without being too grisly), he can better understand what you are doing.

Your loving mother

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