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The Letters of John M. Jackson– June 5, 1864

On one of his usual treasure hunts in Maine, our CEO, Will Seippel  stumbled upon a massive collection of letters that belonged to a soldier in the Civil War. These letters will be published in chronological order in The Insider over the coming weeks, months and years, as we follow John Mower Jackson’s personal victories and struggles within the greater national struggle of the Civil War. Click here to read our introduction to this new column that sets the stage with our soldier’s background story.

June 5 1864

My Dear Darling

It seems almost foolish to report our expressions of love for you as you knew it before you went away but there are some things worth reporting I like to hear your regard for me in every letter the rest have gone to meeting and baptism I hardly felt able to go but my health is very good yesterday we had a very good meeting Mrs. Hill told her experience and there was much feeling with some at least I hear four were drowned at the village yesterday three children by the —- of a boat and a young woman in the canal your uncle Frye is no better he has recd two letters from Frank he is in the Mass Aunt Wood is  —– by a bad spell of bleeding Mrs Smith is at Alfreds not expected to live sickness and death at home and in the army but if my friends must die I want them at home but I trust the Lord will preserve them at home and abroad

Scot hill had the end of his —- cut off they told him it would not be much but he found not much fun in it Juben Fourken has come home they say he looks and appears nicely Alonzo carried Nellie to conferance I don’t know what may happen your picture hangs in the sitting room between Delinda’s vases which are filled with flowers one with wild flowers the other wild with a sprinkling of lilac by the way Delinda  scratched her face getting thorn blossoms trees and bushes are and have been very full the flowering almonds are as handsome as anything south or anywhere else I looked at your picture this morning till I turned away fearing I was worshipping it you say sometime to pray for me it would be the strangest thing I ever knew if we should forget to we pray for you in the family and without doubt we all pray for you every day in secret but more than that I am thankful you pray for yourself I do not know where this will find you if it even reaches you from the same nervous mother B.E. Jackson

Mrs. Jackson writes to give her usual love to John, but also shares some dreadful news: four people drowned in the village canal yesterday- three children, and young woman- and John’s Uncle Frye isn’t doing any better. What’s more, Aunt Wood is dealing with a bad bleeding spell, and Mrs. Smith isn’t expected to live much longer. Mrs. Jackson is heartbroken to see so many of her friends struck by illness and death, but she finds some comfort in knowing that they can spend their final moments at home before they depart to heaven.

Otherwise, affairs seem to be the usual around home, and Mrs. Jackson is happy to inform John that his portrait sits between two vases filled with lovely wildflowers and lilacs that were chosen by Delinda. She is as anxious as ever about her son, but feels relieved knowing that everyone is keeping John in their prayers.


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