Letter to Eliza Johnson

Scope and content:

Written from "Camp Near Verden." Letter regards family and business news.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Camp Near Verden
March 14, 1863
My Dear Wife
I returned here on Thursday. I went to Richmond today on business--was there but 4 hours. Just before leaving I met with Porter Johnson who had arrived in Richmond last night. He had been told by some one that I was in Richmond, was on the look out for me. I shook hands with him without recognizing him. I was not thinking about him--did not look particularly before I remarked "I believe I do not remember you."---He had not received any of our letters. I had but little conversation with him and did not learn his business. I shall go down to Richmond on Monday to see him. He may visit Brownsburg before his return to Missouri. I met young Camden at the cars in Lynchburg and sent the garden seeds by him. I shall try and get some more seeds in this neighborhood. I found your letter on my return--read it with much satisfaction though I had seen you since it was written. Norvel Lewis of Clarksburg died in Richmond last Saturday. He had been drinking for some days, was prostrated at once and all that could be done did not revive him. Porter knew him well and I hope his fate will be a warning to him never to drink liquor. His death has produced a great grief among those that knew him. I shall write again by Wednesday's mail. Let me know when you are to move. Probably if Porter concludes to come up I may be up with him. If you have nothing in the house do not fret about it. You cannot have less furniture than we have in camp and we got along very well. So long as we keep our health take the world easy--it is not worth while to fret about what we cannot help. I sold the bay mare this evening for $300, she was being reduced each day, so I though it better to part with her. After you are moved, I will write to Porter when to come after his mare. Give my love to the children and believe me truly yours
M H Johnson

March 15 63
My Dear Wife
Capt. Semmes did not leave this morning as he expected. Tell Porter I have examined his mare today. I do not think she has fallen off much. Write to me on the receipt of this and forward to Verden. Let me know when you will move or whether you have moved. There has been no weather for gardening, so I do not expect that Porter has done anything yet. I can get some sweet potatoes from [S ]--had I better do so

Subjects:

United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Home life
Correspondence

Names:

Johnson Family
Johnson Family
Johnson, Porter, 1845-1917
Johnson, Porter, 1845-1917

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