From Mother.
May 15, 1861.
My dear Eliza: Thank you and Joe for your letters received this morning. I was hoping to see you here today, and on reading these letters telling of Joe’s sudden departure, and thinking of you as all alone at your house, I at once concluded to go up, Charley and I, by the three o’clock train. I was all packed up to start when your telegram was brought in. I felt relieved to get it, because I was going off in a little uncertainty as to whether we might not possibly pass you on the road, on your way to us. I hope you will come, and Joe too, if he can. He must now I suppose obey orders–a somewhat new position for him! Should the regiment be ordered to Washington, perhaps you might feel like going on there for a while, at least, But remember, my dear child, your home is with us still, for as long as you choose. –Indeed, I think you had better come to us altogether–at any rate we must manage to keep an eye over you, and all of us must look on the bright side and hope for the best. How comforting to fall back at such times to that invisible arm which is ever ready for our support and which, I trust, is leading in all this movement. Charley waits for the letter, and I will only add my tender love to you both. Many thanks to Joe for his letters.
Your loving Mother