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Uncle David Dogget died yesterday morning. Perly Pitkin I suppose, thee knows, is now at home - he takes his son back I hear - he thinks the war will not continue long & that Washington is safe from any attack.
I hear that James Clark's wife had had a letter from him & that he was somewhere near Washington.
We have a frenchman at work for us who has a wife residing in the village near the acadmy he went home after milking the night that the Sargent came in pursuit of James - he met said officer on his way - when he got home his wife told him that Jem had deserted & that Levi P. was after him - so if he did not find him it was not because his business was not known. Levi told Jane that Hiram Orcutt came to the camp at B. & enquired for Wm. Stevens captain of the Plainfield company - which I took the liberty to disbelieve. Has thee seen Blanchard or O. Hill? Did thee see Frank Lawrence in Phil. - our mail has got back to its old time. I hope to get a letter from thee or Henry tomorrow. Thy mother
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My prayers for thy preservation & safety are breathed by night & day
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East Montpelier 29th of 9th mo/61
My dear son William
As the absorbing interest with us since thee left, has been in the news from the Vermont 4th - it seems as if I had not much to write about - & still have been anxiously waiting to hear where to direct - & was informed by thy very welcome letter to sis. Mary every item of which is of the deepest interest to us. My heart overflows in thankfulness, that the journey was accomplished in safety - so many terible accidents are constantly happening - but ah! it sinks in fear & dismay when I look into the probable future. I fear that Timothy will also go to the war - it may be my lot to say with E.B.B.
"Dead! one of them shot by the sea in the east And one of them shot in the west by the sea Dead! Both my boys - When they sit at the feast And one wanting a great song for Italy free
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Let none look at me."
I am glad to hear that Henry has recovered, & also that thy health is so good - how does thy wrist hold out - it seems to me your marching in Brattleborough was rather unreasonable. Ann said thee carried more than thy own [bursten?]. I hope thee will not try to help others too much, & injure thyself, though I think it is a beautiful trait to be willing to do as we would be done by & this is no more than the christian's duty & if this rule were applied to the south how could you "hunt & destroy". If thy enemy hunger feed him - if he thirst, give him drink - & if he smite thee one one cheek turn the other - & if he take thy cloak give him thy coat" -
I am glad to hear of your good regulations & of your sober conduct. I expect thee & Henry will have a good influence & will make foot prints that will lead others in the right way. I trust you will keep a clear & tender conscience.
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I presume Mary will write thee very soon - she has been at Plainfield & has improved very much.
Last week we had a short but very pleasant visit from cousin Wm. Stevens & wife - he seemed exceedingly surprised to hear of thy going to the war - said any other one would not have surprised him so much - he thought thy health was sufficient if nothing else, to prevent. They arrived first day morning & left third day at noon. [Keria?] appeared well but looks very young - 22 & 41. Moses & Henry are so displeased with her marrying him on account of his age that they do not visit her atol - her father did not object it appears. Moses did not think 10 years too much.
Our sweet corn & shelled beans are excellent - & many other things in the garden constantly remind me of thee & I wish thee could share them.
