Joanna Curtiss, Warren, Conn., April 5, 1864
Title
Joanna Curtiss, Warren, Conn., April 5, 1864
Subject
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources
Soldiers--Religious life
Soldiers--Conduct of life
United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865)
Soldiers--Alcohol use
Description
Joanna Curtiss writes to her son Homer, giving news of her church, expressing concern over his promotion, and warning him against alcohol.
Date
1864-04-05
Text
Warren, April 5th 64
My Dear Child
I have so many things that I wish to
say to you, that I have little courage to begin with pen and paper. I find I have been hoping you
would come home, to have thought of a great many
things to tell you. I did not intend to expect you
but I did so want to see you, that when I
looked at Homer Sacketts face, I did want to see
yours too. I wonder how his home appeared to him?
do you think he will ever tell? it seems pleasant to
us. I should think from all we hear that you
have been having an exciting time for the last
few months, a time calculated to try men's spirits
if not their souls, their tempers if not their prin-
ciples, but I cannot see that I am anxious to hear
you promoted to a Lieut. you remember you once said
that the temptations to vice seemed to increase in
proportion to the Office, and I tremble for our
dear soldier boys, with temptations increased four
fold, + restraints very many of them removed,
[page 2]
there is one thing I feel very anxious that you should
do, that is "Touch not, taste not, handle not, anything
that can intoxicate, do let your example be such
that no one can ever quote it, as an excuse for
his own wrongdoing. I cannot feel that we are
under any obligation to confort to customs that are
in themselves wrong, or that lead so directly to wrong,
as the habitual practice of tasting, or drinking that
which which will intoxicate. How can a man that
has once fell that he loved God so far forget that
love (knowing that His eye is constrantly upon him)
as to touch that, that the scriptures say, cannot
not will exclude him from the home of the
good. You ask after our church and Society, I have
nothing very flattering to say, nor do I yet as some
have expressed themselves the last year, I think
that our society is very much stronger than it
was one year ago. Then, Sam + Augustus have
joined the society, + several others are, it is thought about
ready to. Augustus expects to unite with the church
next communion, + it may be George will
come with him, he wishes to, + so does Emma.
[page 3]
but they fear the effect on their Mother.
I think that I never saw a time when the
people seemed to be less disposed to quarrel
with each other than now, they seem dispos-
ed to let each enjoy their own ideas of right
+ wrong. The sabbath school goes on as usual
Seymour was apointed Librarian to serve till
he left for New Britain + I think I have once seen
Ed. Rouse circulating the books since he left.
Mr. Bassett takes a deep interest in our youth and
children, he says it is very uncommon for
young men where he has formerly lived, to
be so steady as our boys are, + he dislikes to
have them grown worse, but wishes to impr-
ove them rather, he would do almost any-
thing for their good, you would think him
inexcusably awkard perhaps, but we like
him, he manifests an interest in the people.
Mr. Sackett in prayer meeting one day in his
prayer, thanked God, for sending us a min-
ister that cared for our souls, we feel the dif-
ference, between what is + what was.
[page 4]
I can hardly bring myself to write of our
own prospects + plans, we sometimes are at
a loss how to plan our business, I wanted you
to come home so we could talk it up. Charles
would have both the girls teach, believing
they could get a dollar more that way.
Frank never dictates, never gives an opin
ion, leaves us to form our own plans, and
if we ask any help from him, he is always
ready. The same good boy as ever, but looks
sometimeson the dark side I think if we had
stronger faith in God, we should not so
often feel that all was lost. I have no feat
that I shall suffer for want to care. THo, it is
so often repeated, that we shall be on the
town, it troubles Miranda to hear it so often
repeated, she says "it makes her mad" it does
not me. I do not feel that it affects our re-
spectability, tho it sometimes touches my
pride a little, but it is of no consequence, and
cannot interest you, but you must bear
with me as well as you can. tell us how
Homer enjoyed his visit home, it seemed so
good to see him. I have not said half I wished
to him, can't you come some time? O when
we get moved and settled, how we should
welcome you if you would come, but if
that may not be, let us often meet at a throne
of grace, that we may meet in that home of the blessed
where we hope so many of our loved ones are gathering.
JSC
My Dear Child
I have so many things that I wish to
say to you, that I have little courage to begin with pen and paper. I find I have been hoping you
would come home, to have thought of a great many
things to tell you. I did not intend to expect you
but I did so want to see you, that when I
looked at Homer Sacketts face, I did want to see
yours too. I wonder how his home appeared to him?
do you think he will ever tell? it seems pleasant to
us. I should think from all we hear that you
have been having an exciting time for the last
few months, a time calculated to try men's spirits
if not their souls, their tempers if not their prin-
ciples, but I cannot see that I am anxious to hear
you promoted to a Lieut. you remember you once said
that the temptations to vice seemed to increase in
proportion to the Office, and I tremble for our
dear soldier boys, with temptations increased four
fold, + restraints very many of them removed,
[page 2]
there is one thing I feel very anxious that you should
do, that is "Touch not, taste not, handle not, anything
that can intoxicate, do let your example be such
that no one can ever quote it, as an excuse for
his own wrongdoing. I cannot feel that we are
under any obligation to confort to customs that are
in themselves wrong, or that lead so directly to wrong,
as the habitual practice of tasting, or drinking that
which which will intoxicate. How can a man that
has once fell that he loved God so far forget that
love (knowing that His eye is constrantly upon him)
as to touch that, that the scriptures say, cannot
not will exclude him from the home of the
good. You ask after our church and Society, I have
nothing very flattering to say, nor do I yet as some
have expressed themselves the last year, I think
that our society is very much stronger than it
was one year ago. Then, Sam + Augustus have
joined the society, + several others are, it is thought about
ready to. Augustus expects to unite with the church
next communion, + it may be George will
come with him, he wishes to, + so does Emma.
[page 3]
but they fear the effect on their Mother.
I think that I never saw a time when the
people seemed to be less disposed to quarrel
with each other than now, they seem dispos-
ed to let each enjoy their own ideas of right
+ wrong. The sabbath school goes on as usual
Seymour was apointed Librarian to serve till
he left for New Britain + I think I have once seen
Ed. Rouse circulating the books since he left.
Mr. Bassett takes a deep interest in our youth and
children, he says it is very uncommon for
young men where he has formerly lived, to
be so steady as our boys are, + he dislikes to
have them grown worse, but wishes to impr-
ove them rather, he would do almost any-
thing for their good, you would think him
inexcusably awkard perhaps, but we like
him, he manifests an interest in the people.
Mr. Sackett in prayer meeting one day in his
prayer, thanked God, for sending us a min-
ister that cared for our souls, we feel the dif-
ference, between what is + what was.
[page 4]
I can hardly bring myself to write of our
own prospects + plans, we sometimes are at
a loss how to plan our business, I wanted you
to come home so we could talk it up. Charles
would have both the girls teach, believing
they could get a dollar more that way.
Frank never dictates, never gives an opin
ion, leaves us to form our own plans, and
if we ask any help from him, he is always
ready. The same good boy as ever, but looks
sometimeson the dark side I think if we had
stronger faith in God, we should not so
often feel that all was lost. I have no feat
that I shall suffer for want to care. THo, it is
so often repeated, that we shall be on the
town, it troubles Miranda to hear it so often
repeated, she says "it makes her mad" it does
not me. I do not feel that it affects our re-
spectability, tho it sometimes touches my
pride a little, but it is of no consequence, and
cannot interest you, but you must bear
with me as well as you can. tell us how
Homer enjoyed his visit home, it seemed so
good to see him. I have not said half I wished
to him, can't you come some time? O when
we get moved and settled, how we should
welcome you if you would come, but if
that may not be, let us often meet at a throne
of grace, that we may meet in that home of the blessed
where we hope so many of our loved ones are gathering.
JSC
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Citation
“Joanna Curtiss, Warren, Conn., April 5, 1864,” Linda Lear Center Digital Collections and Exhibitions, accessed April 25, 2024, https://lc-digital.conncoll.edu/items/show/1661.