Author: Helen E. Nelson of Home Springport, MI
Title: Letter to “Aunt” [Hannah P. Draper, age 41] of Westmoreland, Oneida Co, NY
Date: 30 November 1862
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: [confirm the signature as being “Nellie”, confirm the “sent from” location, too]
Home Springport, Michigan
30 November 1862
Dear Aunt:
Since last I wrote to you change after change has taken place, and tonight I am seated by my brothers little stand trying to write to you. Excuse me for not writing to you before, for after I heard that Marcus had enlisted I felt as though I could write to no one else, my mind was so absorbed in thoughts of him both day and night. I could not possibly compose myself to write, but now I am alone, no welcome letters shall I again receive from him for he is gone perhaps forever. God alone knows and into his hands do I commit him. Sad indeed is my heart tonight. Today father got a letter from Leut. Lusk Commanding Co D. Western Sharp Shooters. He writes that he found Marcus severely wounded in the head by a musket ball. He wished to put him in an ambulance but the driver refused as there was no hope of his recovery, however the Leut. insisted on his being placed there saying that where there was life there was hope. He then, assisted by others, put him in the ambulance and started him for the hospital. The next day the Leut. with a company of his men went in search of him. They searched every hospital in and around Corinth and could neither find nor hear any thing from him and he says there is no doubt in his mind but what he is dead and that he died the day he was wounded which was the 4th. I cannot see as there is much chance for hope, yet I have not given him up. You say aunt there is no use of weeping. I was the only one that wept, not when the intelligence first came, my faith in God was so strong I felt that it could not be so and not until we received your letter could I bring myself to believe it possible then I thought it certain and wept for a little season but then I thought as you say that weeping would do no good. I felt that there were others left who needed my care and attention and that even though he was taken from us that he was better off than those who were left behind and that we had better rejoice than weep for him as we had every reason to believe that he was an heir to the throne of grace and that he was singing the new song in that bright and beautiful home to which we are all journeying there with those loved brothers to welcome us an unbroke family to our never ending home there to sing praises to God forever and ever. I am reconciled to God’s will whatever it may be. For I know that he is watching over him if he is alive and still on earth and that he will raise him up to glorify him both in this world and in the world to come, but I must close. Remember me to God and may his blessings rest upon you and all that trust in him. with much love I remain as ever your affectionate niece. Nellie
Helen E. Nelson (age 16)
Otter Creek
Jackson Co, MI