Letter, 7 April 1865, M. M. Ferguson to James Risque Hutter (1841-1923)
Title
Letter, 7 April 1865, M. M. Ferguson to James Risque Hutter (1841-1923)
Description
M. M. Ferguson writes to James Risque Hutter and discusses the good news of his release as a prisoner of war. She talks about having her photograph taken and promises she will look her prettiest. She advises Hutter to marry as soon as possible, discusses mutual acquaintances, and promises to introduce Hutter to a pretty and accomplished young lady in Clarkesville.
Source
Donated by Stannard Preston
Publisher
Historic Sandusky-University of Lynchburg
Date
1865
Contributor
Transcribed by Emma Coffey
Rights
Permission to publish or reproduce required
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Text
August 7th 1865
Your letter of July 20th came to hand a week ago and would have been answered before, but I had just read the President’s order releasing all prisoners and I thought I would wait until I could hear from you again. T’was well I did as I saw Capt. Moore a few days since and he had just received your letter containing the glad news of your release. I had almost made up my mind not to send any more letters to the Island for I am convinced you did not receive half I wrote you. I have tried every kind of letter some long and some short, and had come to the very wise conclusion at last; that you were completely silenced by my continued fine and had gone home. Imagine my surprise when your last letter came containing your very severe reproach in regard to our correspondence. I know I am not to blame for I have been very much interested in the correspondence and have been very punctual in replying indeed, I have not waited for your replies, but have given you some good scoldings when your letters failed to come at the proper time. As to “the four long pages” don’t be alarmed on their account they have never arrived but if they should make their appearance at some future time don’t flatter your self I will be frightened into silence by them. I think I would stand double that number of your pages, try me; I have never had a good long letter from you. Your friend Capt. Wagner, I have seen once since his return to Clarksville but I don’t know him, I was a boarding school girl before he was and consequently had a very limited acquaintance with the gentleman. I met with Mr. Ben Haskins in Clarksville he and I claim you as “our mutual friend.”
Capt. Moore and I had some long talks about you, of course as I am a woman I have my share of animosity and had a great many questions to ask. He delivered your kind remembrance to myself in your last letter for which I thank you.
Is it not time your photograph was coming? You have been released more than a week. When it comes I am going to look my prettiest and have mine taken and send you with the request that you will put it in your album of army friends.
I am trying very hard to catch an old widower in Clarksville, if you will come out here you may have the grown daughter. She is very pretty accomplished and fashionable. I would advise you to marry as soon as possible you have been a prisoner so long, I know you require some one to take care of you. I have just sent a charming little poem Lucile, by Owen Meredith (Bulwer’s son) you must read it if you happen to meet with it that is if you ever indulge in fiction, I read all the good novels I can get. I will close now hoping to hear from you soon, I am very truly and sincerely your friend.
M M. Ferguson
Your letter of July 20th came to hand a week ago and would have been answered before, but I had just read the President’s order releasing all prisoners and I thought I would wait until I could hear from you again. T’was well I did as I saw Capt. Moore a few days since and he had just received your letter containing the glad news of your release. I had almost made up my mind not to send any more letters to the Island for I am convinced you did not receive half I wrote you. I have tried every kind of letter some long and some short, and had come to the very wise conclusion at last; that you were completely silenced by my continued fine and had gone home. Imagine my surprise when your last letter came containing your very severe reproach in regard to our correspondence. I know I am not to blame for I have been very much interested in the correspondence and have been very punctual in replying indeed, I have not waited for your replies, but have given you some good scoldings when your letters failed to come at the proper time. As to “the four long pages” don’t be alarmed on their account they have never arrived but if they should make their appearance at some future time don’t flatter your self I will be frightened into silence by them. I think I would stand double that number of your pages, try me; I have never had a good long letter from you. Your friend Capt. Wagner, I have seen once since his return to Clarksville but I don’t know him, I was a boarding school girl before he was and consequently had a very limited acquaintance with the gentleman. I met with Mr. Ben Haskins in Clarksville he and I claim you as “our mutual friend.”
Capt. Moore and I had some long talks about you, of course as I am a woman I have my share of animosity and had a great many questions to ask. He delivered your kind remembrance to myself in your last letter for which I thank you.
Is it not time your photograph was coming? You have been released more than a week. When it comes I am going to look my prettiest and have mine taken and send you with the request that you will put it in your album of army friends.
I am trying very hard to catch an old widower in Clarksville, if you will come out here you may have the grown daughter. She is very pretty accomplished and fashionable. I would advise you to marry as soon as possible you have been a prisoner so long, I know you require some one to take care of you. I have just sent a charming little poem Lucile, by Owen Meredith (Bulwer’s son) you must read it if you happen to meet with it that is if you ever indulge in fiction, I read all the good novels I can get. I will close now hoping to hear from you soon, I am very truly and sincerely your friend.
M M. Ferguson
Collection
Citation
“Letter, 7 April 1865, M. M. Ferguson to James Risque Hutter (1841-1923),” Historic Sandusky Archives and Collections, accessed May 5, 2024, https://historicsanduskyarchives.omeka.net/items/show/104.