The Fassett Letters - Letter #83
Two
sheets of blue paper 7¾ x 10”
Date:
Sept. 29, 1861
Place: San Francisco
From: Noah
Chittenden Fassett
To: Mrs. C.H. Fassett
Written in
the upper left corner of the first page.
I
do not send Papers
regularly
now on acc
ount
of uncertainty of
mails
C
Continued
below.
San Frano
Sept 29/61
Mrs CH.
Fassett
Granville,
O. My Dear Mother
some
ten days ago Harris Rec a Letter written I think about the 20th
Augt.
The first we have had in a long time. we began to feel quite anxious
but attributed the delay to failure of the mails. they are and have
been quite irregular owing to interruptions in Missouri but we hope
better service soon as Route has been changed running now from Chicago.
Since writing you we have had a state Election contested by three
parties resulting in a tremendous and overwhelming majority for the
Union.
Two union candidates (Union) cast 85,000 votes to 32,000 Secesh
or Peace
Party. Just Prior to Election
Continued
on reverse side.
the
Peace party made such a
boast of strength we began to think the might carry the State and went
to work and organized Home Guards and Private Military companys and
bought up all the arms of every description for sale but their strength
is so small and they out of power now. (though they have ruled us for
years) and nearly ruined our State we now do not fear them. In the City
we are so organized that on an understood signal in one hour we would
have ready for duty from 8 to 10,000 men armed. I am ready and so is my
Sharps Rifle. I mention the Kind of Gun I chose to show you I prefer
fighting at a long range. at ¼ of a mile I could perforate a
Seceshers vest twice out of three times and he would not be safe at
½ mile distance but as there is no probability of my having
a trial I am not now practicing
Continued on second sheet.
much. I hope that Mary and Willie are
quite well now. You must keep a Girl and rest Mary during the warm
weathe,r anyhow. and longer if necessary. On the 20th Augt I send you
Draft for $100–. Encl find the second of Exchange in case you
did not receive the first. I suppose that will be all you need at
present as you wrote to Harris about that time you wanted some funds. H
thinks Ball would buy that mare and turn it on your a/c. If you do not
need her dispose of her in some way and write if you want more money
now and always. Ann has been here staying with Mrs Harker about two
weeks not very well. she is better and went home last night. She had
Sarah with her. Harris was sick about two weeks ago, but is entirely
well now. he had a Billous attack caused by exposure in the dust and
sun I presume.
Continued on reverse side.
Nellie arrived safe across the plains about two weeks
ago. she is quite poor but not more than I expected. it is a very hard
trip for a horse. I think the man that brought her took great pains
with her, and he would only take what she cost him for bringing her
over. I should much preferred paying him well for his trouble. this is
our busy season of the year which will last to January 1st. I shall
write to Mary in a few days. am looking every day for a Letter from
her. dont laugh at my writing. my pen is poor and I am in my Room. and
it is Sunday cannot get a better pen. all places of business in this
state now closed Sundays by Law I am very glad of it. My best love to
all I want soon to write to Jane and the Dr. have not had a word from
her since she was married. nor from Sarah since I was home. I think of
you all often if I dont write much
Yours
Chittenden
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