|
Contributed by: Chris Thiessen This letter was written by John W. Long. John W., Nicholas and Gabriel Long were sons of James and Leah (Fitzwater) Long of St. Louis County. Nicholas was the father of my gt grandmother Lucy Long-Fisher. Nicholas named two of his sons Gabriel and John W. Long as well. "Home" is the same area of present day Chesterfield, Bonhomme Township, St. Louis County. Home, June 17th, 1861 Cousin Mary, I received your very kind and interesting letter last week and this morning I will attempt to answer it. We are all well as usual and trying in these troublesome times to make enough to live on. Gabriel left on Saturday evening for the war. He has gone at Jackson's call, and to be kept from taken a prisoner in this county. Lyon has placed troops all over the county and they search the houses and take all fire arms etc. Did you ever hear of the like since you were born in a civilized land? They have a list of who to take prisoner and who to be released on taking the oath. Gabriel and I are also on that list, but we are to be released if taken. I do not think that they will catch me. If they do and I have to take the oath they will not return to St. Louis with all of their men if they camp in this vicinity. Gabriel left in great haste not taking but few things with him. Billy Tyler, Doc Martin, George & Jasper Martin, Sam Hawkins and others you do not know were in company. Doc Martin was one who could not take the oath they want to hang him if they get him. Ginnie Shumate is at Priscilla's. She came up Sunday and will return tomorrow. She is a lively girl and this evening she and Miss Mattie Marsh and I are going jugging in the River. You asked me to tell you all about the picnic. I was not there but heard they had a fine time. I was down the next week to Mrs. Mc. and Mollie came up and stayed almost a week. She is the same Mollie and says she would like to see you and Agnes. E. Post, Johnson and E. Long Whitford had a picnic. Erastus gallanted Miss Wren. Johnson went for Miss Mollie and she being up here took Henry, they had a fine time. Erastus & family were up Saturday and Erastus and Julia came up in the evening and went back next morning but did not come over to see us at all. I was at you Ma's last week for a rarity. She nor Clarissa not being at home I went to E. Post and found them there. Mollie & I took dinner. I heard today that the troops at Merrimac Station had taken George Taylor and had him in irons hand and foot, and had taken his watch and horse. I would like very well to see you all soon, but if things remain in this way long I will not have an opportunity of leaving home soon. Is Miss Agnes going to school now? I would like to see her very much as I enjoyed myself so much in her company last fall while in St. Louis. I must close my respects to all of the folks especially Miss A. Write soon to your Cousin John W. Long. PS Martin got into the pen with the hogs and they came near to eating him up. He has a scar on his cheek that he will carry to his grave. JWL |