Helen Adams Stowe Beebe

 Transcript of April 14, 1863 letter from Fort Schuyler

to her family

Kindly Submitted by Joyce Hynes, a descendant

My Dear children:

     I wish you to consider this addressed to all, without reserve I have no time today to address you separately as the young man who takes this will leave at one o'clock.  I send it to go to NY with the Knickerbocker, as I have no postage stamps.  I feel very anxious to hear from you all.  Do write me immediately and tell me all the particulars about yourselves.  How is with your health?  Are you all better?  How with Theodore's and Annason's business?  Are they still home?  And where will Annason run? If in the Sound could not he come ashore and see me?  How is my baby?  Oh, I hope he is well again.  Kiss him many, many times for his grandmother, sweet little darling.  Do Gufory (?) come down and see me and fetch my boy to me.  I want to hug him good.  And Annason my son, if you do not love your Mother Stow, she loves you.  God forbid she should ever feel anything but love to you.

      I shall probably stay here for the next three months anyway, and how much longer I cannot say.  I have written a letter to dear Aunt Lib.  In that, I entered in more particulars than I shall have time to do in this.  You must see the one I wrote her.

     I visited the Fort yesterday, but one of my hours had passed before I went.  Consequently, I had not time to go through it as I have but two hours out, form 3 to 5.  That time I spent rambling around the beach and find it delightful.  I expect to enjoy it much today.  Wish you were all here those two hours.

     I have my own little room, which is my castle but not on a pleasant side of the hospital as some of the wards hide the water from my windows, but the other side of the ward the water view is very pleasant.  The other wards opposite have a superb view of all the ships and vessels that come this end of the harbor.

     We have our cares and trials, and who has not, but it is very pleasant in our hours of relaxation.  The ladies in the linen room are relieved at 4 P.M. for the rest of the day.  It is a curiosity to visit that department and the laundry.  When you come, I will try to show you through.  The washing is done by steam, and the bed clothes are mangled.  All our sheets and pillow cases are linen, mostly from Holland, bed spreads the same.  The wards are kept clean by the male nurses.  The night nurse makes my fire before I am up.  The day nurses do my work that is cleaning.  I wish I could give you a description so that you could have a correct idea of all things here.  There are many unpleasant things, but I can put up with some.  This week we expect to be filled up with sick and wounded.  Then my duties will be arduous.  I feel the want of the watch very much, as I have all the medicines to give.  Did you not receive my other letter, and have you my dear son Theodore, given the watch to Uncle David?  If not, I wish you would do so immediately, and my chain likewise.  If the expense is not too great, I want it galvanized.

     It is a splendid day.  I have just been to the ladies' kitchen.  It is very long walk, but we get the fresh air.  I dare not say why long, or that mischievous Annason will laugh at Mother.  I will tell you when I see you.

     Tell me all the news, and tell me if my babe tries to walk.  Learn him to call Grandma.  I would say to Theodore if he still wants to go aboard a transport, he must apply to the Quarter Master General at NY for a situation.  You will have to inquire where he is at the US Navy yard on the east river side.

     I have not received a line or word since I left.  If Miss Vail (?) should come here, send me by her a knife and that plated fork, a tea plate, and get of Mrs. Canfield a small stew pan not to exceed a quart, a tin one, tea spoon and a box of mustard.  I will pay you sometime for it.  I mentioned somethings in my letter before.  You will know what they are.

     Remember me to your Mother Joseph, and Susy Beckery (?) and Mrs. Warren and family.  Love to Mrs. Stebbins and Mrs. Horst (?).  Tell Mrs. S. I. will will write very soon, that is when I can get stamps.

     I am not very well but feel rather better than when I left.  I wish I could see you all but do my dear Children write immediately and in case you did not get my other letter I will again give you my directions.  Fort Schuyler Section A Ward 5 (?).  I shall be obliged to trust this getting to the Knickerbocker through the NY mails.  Expecting to hear from you immediately I must close, hoping to hear your are all well and happy.

I subscribe myself your most affectionate,

 Mother Helen A. Stow