Attractive Civil War-era family correspondence accompanied by a colorful illustrated patriotic envelope bearing a waving American flag and “Freedom and Unity / True to the Flag” design. Mailed from West Randolph, Vermont, December 30, 1861, to Mrs. Clara J. Goffie of South Reading, Vermont, with original 3-cent Washington stamp and postmark intact. The four-page handwritten letter contains rich wartime content from the opening year of the Civil War. The writer discusses local enlistments, sharpshooter regiments, soldiers quartered in the village, and the departure of young men for military service. Particularly poignant is the account of Edward Hobart, described as mentally distressed after the summer campaign and later dying by suicide at the Brattleboro asylum. The letter also provides insight into daily life on the Vermont home front: schooling, family news, social visits, marriages, winter conditions, and anxieties surrounding the war. An evocative New England civilian letter paired with a desirable illustrated patriotic cover. Condition: very good overall with normal folds, scattered light toning and wear. Patriotic envelope remains bright and attractive. Manuscript clear and legible throughout.
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My dear Mother, I guess I will Venture a letter by this time. I had a letter from Hiram a few days ago, saying that you were going to Jane’s last Saturday, so I concluded that you will be for getting ar- ound home about the time this letter will get there. I expect you had a splendid time all about there did you not? I suppose John has seen all the wonders of Rutland. Well I am exceedingly well. I am driven almost to death with studies now and ex- pect to be until school is over. School finishes three weeks from today. I presume I shall be at home the first of next week after I get through here. I hope that if you and the children come up here, you will try and come before I go home. The folks are wanting to have you come, I hope you will conclude to do so. I believe this is the anni- versary of your birth. I should like to see you now. I have got to tell you so many things that I don’t know how I can crowd everything into this And that. I suppose if you have been to Jane’s that you have heard of my intentions of teaching their school this winter. I presume you are not pleased with the idea, but better teach there than not anywhere I suppose I had a letter From the committee the other day I cannot put the depended upon this school thing very it seems to me, though I am disappointed therein. I had a letter from Warren last week. James will think I ain’t going to write to him tonight. I have not heard lisp from Dan since I came up here, only as Hiram writes me that he had a letter from him a few days before. He had not got any school there. I wrote him nearly two weeks ago, but have never received any answer as yet. I presume you have heard that Hobart did Talk strongly of going to war and We all thought for a while he would not help feeling terribly. He has decided not to go at present in the Regiment of Sharpshooters that he was going with, are encamped here in the village now. They camp out nights and board at the hotel. James Newton is going with them. There is not much to be seen or heard of but soldiers here. I believe they expect to start for the South in a week or two. Edward Hobart is dead. His funeral was attended in W. Randolph Monday. Mr. Stone of Northfield preached. I don’t know whether I told that he failed or not, but he did in the summer, and he has been crazy ever since. About two weeks ago they sent him to Brattleboro to the asylum, where he hung himself last Saturday morning. His body was sent up on the cars that night. Thus endeth the Hobart family I have got a new dress to wear to school. I will send a piece of it in this letter too and some all. Write very soon. Your Martha
