31 May 1863

[No envelope]

Erving [Massachusetts]
May 31, 1863

Dear Brother,

We did not get a letter from you the past week but shall look for one tomorrow as one of your company called on me at the store last night — a Leonard, I think he said his name was. I was very glad he called although I did not talk with him much as he was in a hurry and so was I. I treated him to cigars and he went off. When he gets back, you tell him I was very glad he called. I should think he was a good fellow. He told me you had been on a long march toward Kinston and said it was a hard one but seemed to think you could stand such things pretty well. It seems the 27th [Massachusetts] has lots of such times to go through.

Father has gone to Maine. Went Wednesday and is going to be gone some two weeks and a half so you see I am Boss and all hands. Not a very pleasant situation but I want to do the best I can as if we get along well, perhaps he will go down South [to visit you].

Business is as good as ever. Can’t get the chairs fast enough and I worked out of doors some last week, Polena & Jane tending store. We have no news here. Everything goes along as usual. I like keeping house yip top and we get along finely and if you do not believe me, come and see and we would kill the fatted calf as they did of old.

They are fighting away at Vicksburg and I hope will take it but I think it rather uncertain but hope they will and that is all the war news there is. I suppose the draft will be on us soon and all I have to say is let it come. I am ready.

[different hand]

If he is ready, I shall not let him go. He was never intended for a soldier. Do you think he was? Goodbye with love & a kiss — sister Polena

[different hand]

Tuesday. I was too busy yesterday to finish this letter as the planer broke yesterday and I had to go to Athol. Father sent up a new buggy yesterday. It looks very well but I do not like it as well as I do some buggies. If you come home, you can have it to ride in. I should like to have you come home tip top and think it rather doubtful about Father going to Newbern. I got your letter yesterday and hope to hear from you again soon.

The paper puffs your regiment some in the late movement. The papers speak well of the 27th every time.

I have no more time to write now so goodbye. — Noah Rankin

[different hand]

Dear Brother,

It is the last day of May and most beautiful weather we are having. It is so warm for the season so things grow finely. Apple trees blowed full but not as full as last year and such a lot of caterpillars nobody never saw. Everybody and everything are just about covered with the “tarnal critters.”

Noah says he had a call from a fellow last evening that sailed from Newbern Tuesday. Said you had just [got] back from another march. It must be wearing to a fellow this hot weather and it seems to me your regiment do their part of it.

Does your deer go with you? I suppose Mrs. Foster thought a four-legged dear better than none.

I suppose Father is down to Hiram [Maine] today. Noah had a few new goods yesterday. Things cost about twice as much as they used to.

I am staying at home from meeting today. Expect they feel pretty mad but I ain’t going every Sunday. I am trying to make myself as comfortable as passable. I peek through the blinds and see the new clothes so it does just as well.

How does [George] Beard enjoy the marches? He wrote to his wife that he had got things enough to send another box. She is one that would like to be some if she had the means. I like her very well. I guess people see her a good deal more now he is away. I guess he did not leave many friends here for I have not heard anybody speak well of him since he went away.

I am lazy and can’t seem to think of much so will stop. — Jane