Letter from Ann S. Robinson, dated 1861-11-12

West Brattleboro, 11 mo. 12, 1861.

My dear Brother:

Thy letter was received just a little while ago. I was glad enough to get it, for I had not heard directly from thee for so long a time. I was sorry to hear thy place is so laborious. I fear it is altogether too hard. Do not try to do so much. It seems as though you ought to have assistance enough to lighten such incessant care. I hope thee will be able to retain thy place. I [mistrust?] by the tone of thy letter thee thinks there will be a change of officers in your Company, and is thee is [where?] a chance for promotion might occur, but I do not think it would be desirable to take, "incertainties for the certain" as Sallust says.

First Day. I ought to have finished this before. I have a great deal to do though I think my letters to my friends are of more importance than any studies, yet I usually try and get my lessons first and as that takes most all of my time I do not find much time to write. I wish I knew just how thee is today. I hope thee is well and feeling, ditto. I am afraid this will be clear [down?] do not try and do so much in the end it will not pay at all. I hope thee will stay where thee is and let the old offices go to grass and grow fat. I think of you all these cold days and nights and fear you suffer from want

of sufficient clothing. It is very cold here to-day. The house is not very well warmed yet I think it is so different from the house or tent of whatever habitation thee may have is. I have heard a nice sermon and good prayers for the soldiers. I wish they may be heard and answered. The fleet seems to promise well if the reports are true. I hope it may accomplish something decisive. Gen. Fremont is really removed, and I think it is too bad, anyhow. I never shall be reconciled to it. I don't believe has place can be too part as well filled by another. I declare it doesn't seem as though the war was as near through as it did when it began. [Nancie?] heard that Blanchard has come home. Does thee know the reason why he left. She heard that it was because he was disatisfied on account of not being promoted. I do not believe this, if true he may go to war as private for all [use?]. We are now knitting mittens for the soldiers. Does thee want any? I have just heard that it was with great difficulty they prevented a whole class from enlisting at Middlebury. I do not know which class. Nancy is carrying on just as ever. She takes [well?] here. I hear our folks are well. Mother hopes thee will remain in the Hospital Miss Crampton is now at Montpelier. She has a brother in the Legislature, who telegraphed for her to come yesterday, she will be gone nearly a week. She said she would send a long and labored arguement favoring her remarks, she was more in fun than anything else. She sends her love as usual, also Miss Smith does the same. They are very good to me, everybody is. School will be out in three weeks and a little more. I expect to remain here during vacation. [Guess?] I shall have a pretty dull time of it. I suppose James will be at home very soon. I hope he will [go?] this winter

Sixth day evening. -

Dear Willie: I intended to send this before but as Nancy wrote such a long epistle I thot it would [pay?] better to wait a while. I have no more news to write to-day than I had then. It is a wonderfully dull place here there is no more going on here than though there was no other place than Glenwood. I got a letter from Henry last night, but he wrote no news. Nancy says tell him we are having regular goings in writing letters to the boys. A letter was discovered [by?] Mr. O. written to some boys in the [place?] and it is pretty hot times for the girls to-day. I do not know how [?] will come you about it. The school is getting along right and well. My class does not seem so awfully dull as at first. We get used to most everything. School closed at Morrisville this week. I have received a catalogue. My name is in it, I expect so as to attract scholars. I would have liked to have been there. I love the old place and always shall. I suppose [James?] will go back there, he seems to like them very much. I am real glad of it. I have not heard from Timothy for a long whle. Do write to me as soon as possible. I do so hope thee will be able to stay in the hospital. Of course I do not know as well as thee does but I should think it would be a better place than as [private?]. I think thy last letter was a splendid one do write me some more like it, and real often

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