03. Nellie's Letters, 1863-1864

Portland July 21st 1863

My Friend, Harry --

Your good letter of the 4th inst. is at hand -- consider me duly thankful.

I wonder what is going happen! I never before knew you to display so much constancy to any of your numerous fancies, as to this one of writing to me, and I am at a loss to discover the motive -- a selfish one I am persuaded there is somewhere. If it is that you want my picture to have some fun over

why -- you are perfectly welcome to it. If I wished to, I should not hesitate to laugh at your picture and of course you have the same privilege in regard to mine, and notwithstanding my great aversion to being laughed at; I shall send it, just to see if that was your object, now listen -- if I don't get your face on a card soon, -- very soon: there will be a fuss in the family and -- don't forget that I know how to fire a pistol! Does'nt your heart jump up in your throat at that big speech! I presume you tremble so, you have to be supported by some kind friend -- would'nt I like to do it -- just for once! (that last is supposed to be said savagely, not tenderly.)

In the late battle at Gettysburg

a desperate and frightened rebel forgot to take aim when he fired, and one ball flying off at random, had the impudence to hit my brother Wash in the left leg just above the knee. He has now been at home a week and is getting along nicely. I don't blame the rebel because he did'nt mean to hit any one -- he must have known a mans heart is'nt situated in the lower extremities and -- what is the use of hitting at all, if you don't hit the heart? You may interpret that as refering to the practice with a certain bow and arrow, -- I am not quite so savage as to mean it literally. Indeed I shall never cease to be thankful that the ball was'nt fired by a steady

hand or directed by a cool head.

So you were not engaged in any of the fights about Vicksburg? I confess I thought of you a number of times a little anxiously and was half afraid to look in the papers and did'nt forget to mention your name in my prayers, and now I won't forget to be glad you are all right. You impudent fellow -- I have just reread your letter and discovered one point that I did'nt see before, -- I have just a good mind to say you shall not have my picture to pay for speaking of it so -- as if I am deformed and have four shoulders -- I'd have you to understand that my shoulders are but two and are in their proper places -- to convince you of which fact, I guess you may have one. They are not very like me now as I am much thinner than when they were taken. -- if you don't like

it I will have one taken especially for you -- am I not good? Well it is for a selfish motive. I am afraid you will show it to some handsome officer friend of yours and I would like to have it look pretty well -- but pity me! they won't take pretty pictures of plain people -- if you want it exchanged you will have to send it back before I will forward another.

Luther Tucker and wife called this eve. They inquired for you and I -- little goosey that I am -- told them where you were and all the particulars and never thought the consequences until they laughed at me and would'nt