Letter from Ann S. Robinson, dated 1862-02-11

I have had a nice long letter from Timothy, he is such a nice boy. If I should loose faith in others I should not in all mankind, knowing from my brothers [how?] [goodness?] is possible, for men to be. Thomas has also written. He is rather sober I think. I wish Jennie was at home. I am afraid she will not be there next summer and I do not know what mother will do. She is just right for that place. I do not like to think of mother's being alone with aunt Mary she is such gloomy company. O, dear! I ought to write to her. Poor [Orvic?]! he has gone the way we all must sooner or later tread, may we go as brave soldiers, who have fought well the battle of life. I think I could say with thee that my letters are all answered; upon counting them I find [mine?] more to be disposed of. I do not have many correspondents, but so many of our [own?] family to whom I will write [makes?] a good [many?] letters [due?]

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2nd Mo. 11, 1862.

My Dear Brother:

Thine was duly received and I was very, very glad to know thee has so good a position. I think it must be better than the one in the hospital, at least if no easier thee will not be so liable to catch diseases. Thee cannot know how glad I am to hear of thy health and prosperity. I should have been very glad, indeed, to have taken care of thee when thee was sick, but am glad thee had so good a nurse. I trust thy health will be spared, that sounds as though thee was well when thee went away which I know was far from being the truth, there I am not tryng to make thee out eternally sick as thou thinks I do.

I was surprised to know Henry is to return to the Co. by what he had written I should not have thought it, yet I hope it is for the best intrests of him. I [reckon?] Levi will not relish his promotion, much, but that is not of any consequence. The wheel of fortune turns round and of course some go up while others come down. Therewerre a number of the girls who went to camp at the old grounds. I did not care to go, for there is no one whom I know in the Reg. The measles prevails extensively there, and now there is one case of them here, and probably there will be many more. Nancy never has had them, and will probably. Mary Smith's father and brother are sick with the small pox, she does not go home, but, of course, feels extremely anxious. She will not have it now, as it is too late. My health is very good, and this is my stereotyped expression,

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the same as Nancy's, when we are walking in the morning she always exclaims with upheld hands, "What beautiful clouds."! We walk half an hour before breakfast at seven. This is healthy business for fair damsels. The walks are very good, and I enjoy it, but most of the girls think it is a terrible bore. School goes on "all right." I cannot express my admiration of Virgil, it is the best of anything I have read, and Latin is a fascinating and beautiful study to me. Mr. C. thinks I shall teach it some time. I hope I shall. The more I know the more I know I don't know, which would be rather discouraging did I not feel that it is best not to give up, with small difficulties and discouragements. [Les?] "Plus Haut" be still our motto and it will lead to more apparently unattainable heights of knowledge and of usefulness.

I does not pay to write to one girl out of ten, or one boy out of five unless you have some other motive than just to hear from them alone. I have put away ten letters that will remain unanswered. I fear Levi's last will share the same fate. [Fannie?] and Mrs. [Senney?] are about the only female friends with whom I care to correspond. I do not understand why James is going to Morrisville this Spring. I should think he would be needed at home. He appears to like there as well as all the rest of us. Edwina writes that her husband is worth "more to her than her [?] five hundred friends.", and very precious". I trust she will always think so, but doubt it some if [?] is included in the no. George Powers is dead. This seems very sad to me. I liked Geo. very much the more I saw of him, he was real steady the last term. It is a terrible blow to his parents who almost worshipped him. I should like to see Mrs. Phil. The [?] is to be pretty well [Repplied?] with [Brandy?]

I should think Lorin would take the [Pre?-] [?] [C.?] of all the world! Vincent has written to me, a real nice, glorious and sublime letter. He is in the Cavalry at [A?] Dis. [H?] old fellow he could not keep his school out and so compelled by circumstances as well as by a love of his country he joined the army. Poor fel. I hope he will live to preach many sermons to his fellow sinners. There is a [Levee?] at Morrisville tonight (12th). Will thee go with me? I would be extremely happy, &c. It is nearly time to go, so hurry up. I will pin on thy collar, as I did one night and the pins all came out before we got there. I wonder what thee is doing to-night. I hope thee is well and happy. May the love of Our Father surround thee and bless thee forever and ever. With a great deal of love, I remain as ever

Thine, Ann Stevens.