Greenwood County
KSGenWeb
The following letters were transcribed by Florene Phillips, great-grandaughter of John Austin Norton, in the 1950s from the originals stored in a shoebox in the possession of Ruby Lyman, John's granddaughter who was living in Topeka, Kansas. Three of the originals are in the possession of Florene.
Notes on names and places compiled by Melinda Norton.
(w) signifies the person seems to be with John;
(h) signifies at home (Greenwood County, Kansas) or with Sarah.
John Austin Norton, one of twelve children of Harvey and Frances Marian (Austin) Norton, was born March 15, 1830 in Sacketts Harbor, Jefferson Co., New York and died December 4, 1869, in Madison, Greenwood Co., Kansas. He, with his parents and siblings moved from Sacketts Harbor to Mahaska County, Iowa, in 1843, where he met and married Sarah Wells Ferree, born August 15, 1834 in Dauphin, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, the daughter of Reuben and Nancy (Wells) Ferree.
In 1857, John, with his brother Frederick Augustus, came to Greenwood Co., Kansas and the next year, 1858, his parents and most of his siblings followed. John filed a claim of 160 acres in the Verdigris Valley, four miles east of Madison, Kansas. Prior to staking his claim, he had gone to California in the feverish search for gold, writing home of his impressions and experiences there.
When the Civil War broke out, John enrolled for three years on September 1, 1862, at Emporia, Kansas, and served with Co. D, 11th Regiment, Kansas Cavalry. He was stationed at Fort Scott, Aubrey, Ft. Riley, and Olathe, Kansas; Camp Blunt four miles south of Maysville in the Cherokee Nation; at Browns Mills, Cane Hill, and on Flint Hill Creek in Arkansas; Cottonwood Springs, Nebraska; Independence and Rolla, Missouri; in camp on Crane Creek, Missouri, and in Polk County and other locations in Missouri.
John returned home after being mustered out and continued to farm his homestead, despite severe attacks of pleurisy contracted during the war. He also served as Coroner in 1866, Probate Judge in 1867 and as Justice of the Peace in 1868. John's father, Harvey Norton, had been elected County Clerk of Greenwood County in 1866. John died December 4, 1869, of pneumonia resulting from pleurisy and lung disease, one day before the death of his father on December 5, 1869, in Lane Township, Greenwood Co., Kansas. John is buried in #8 Cemetery. Following his death, Sarah continued to farm with the help of her two young sons and the Indians who lived across the creek, giving the Indians half of the corn crop for their assistance. Sarah died February 29, 1888 in Greenwood Co., KS, at the age of 54 and is also buried in #8 cemetery.
John and Sarah had five children who lived to maturity:
All were married in Greenwood County except James, who was married at the home of the bride's parents near Lena Valley, Lyon Co., Kansas.
While John was serving in the Civil War, Sarah, with the help of
Indians in the area, was able to plant crops, giving the Indians a share
of the crop.
Guerilla warfare along the Missouri-Kansas border
was fierce. Quantrill and his raiders passed through the Norton land and
Sarah, hearing of their advance and the rumor that they were killing all
the male babies, took their sons, James Austin (4) and Charles R. (2)
and hid them in a hollow tree trunk in a stand of trees down by the
river. She was always sure this action saved their sons. (Family story)
Dear Sarah:
I again write you a few lines and let you know where we are. We arrived here yesterday about noon after seven days of very hard marching for it rained on us for two days and nights. While we were at Leavenworth I got kicked on leg, my leg was so sore that I had to get another man to drive my team and I rode in wagon, we leave here in the morning for Missouri, my leg is better so that I shall drive my team from here, we are to guard a freight train down to our army in Missouri, my leg is better. We expected to stay here for awhile and I was a going to try and go home, but as it is I can't but I expect we will be back here in about a month and if we do I shall try hard to go home. I could not see any chance to send you any goods from Leavenworth after I got my money for we had to start rite off down here. We have all us boys been to the express office to-day and have sent our money home. I sent you 35 dollars. I sent it to Fick and Eskridge Emporia, you had better have John take the team and take you and Eunice to Emporia when you hear the money is there so that you can do your trading. He likely will want to go to for Nathan has sent him 25 dollars. I tried to make him send more but he has spent some of it foolishly. I can't have much influence over him, let John have as much of the money as you think you can spare after paying Frank and it maybe you will have to pay Mr. Hill that dollar I owe him. I don't believe that you can pay for that thrashing this time. I think I will be able to send home some more in about a month if we are where we can be paid off. I will put a dollar in this letter for you to buy you some coffee with. I wish I could have the coffee that is wasted in this camp it would more than do you. I was very sorry that I could not send you home what you needed from Leavenworth for I could of bought them so much cheaper than you can in Emporia. Sarah, Will is going to write to Horatio Pritchard to have him send for that box of things that we had in Leavenworth now I want you to pay Rashhe my share which is fifty cents. Walter is going to send his share with Will in the letter. I have never had a letter from you yet but I think I will get one perhaps today. I will back an envelope and put in this letter so that you may know how to direct to me. I would send you some letter stamps but there is none here to be had. Kiss the children for me and may god Bless you all.
From your affectionate husband.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
P. S. There was two men who deserted from our regiment last night they took two mules with them and there was a lot of wagons after them and if they catch them woe be unto them.
Notes:
[h] Fick and Eskridge (located at Emporia, Kansas)
[h] John (I think this is John Rose, the husband of sister Phylinda)
[h] Eunice (sister)
[w] Nathan (I think son of John and Phylinda Rose)
[h] Frank
[h] Mr. Hill
[w] Will (husband of sister Eunice)
[h] Horatio Pritchard (husband of sister Frances)
[h] Rashe
[w] Walter (brother)
Dear wife:
I wrote you from this place to let you know where we are. We had a very hard march from
Fort Cotton averaged 25 miles a day which made it very hard on the boys. We joined
General Blunt four days ago since then we have marched for this place. Marching two nights
all night. The enemy is known to be encamped here. General Cloud attacked them early this
yesterday morning the battle was commenced by the Kansas 2nd Rabbs battery attaching the
enemy at the time the battle began our regiment was 4 miles off but hearing the firing
they was ordered to charge double quick which they did for the whole 4 miles but when our
boys come pouring over the ridge on a double quick the enemy saw them coming and broke and
fled, so our boys was ordered to halt and lay down and rest the battle was short but decisive.
We have taken four pieces of cannon to the celebrated Texas battery and some small arms. Our
loss is four lives and 6 or 8 wounded. The rebel loss must have been heavy for our men have
burried 3 and there is 2 more laying dead in the brush that was found later this evening besides
they was none to have carried off their dead and there is 3 or 4 houses along the road they
went that is full of their wounded there is three in a house close by us. One poor fellow shot
through the breast, he was praying all the afternoon and sent for our chaplin this evening
perhaps is dead by this time. We have taken some thirty prisoners besides some that have come
in of their own accord. Six of them have joined the Kansas sixth regiment. Our own cavalry
persued the enemy and cut them up badly. I was back some 20 miles with the wagon trains we
started on and as it was light presently we heard the cannons firing about nine o'clock. We
received orders to rush on and such whipping as we done you never see we got up with the army
about 3 o'clock but was afraid that some guerrilla party would attack us and burn up the trains
as we had but a small guard. I still drive a team and expect I shall get 25 cents a day extra
pay which will make my wages a little over 20 dollars a month. I never was heartier in my life
we have plenty to eat-beef, pork, mutton, chicken, apples honey and cook it with fence rails
we take them from the rebels. I expect that we will persue the rebels on down into Arkansas
the troops are anxious to follow them and whale thunder out of them. I will quit for to-night
for it is getting late.
For my affectionate wife and family.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
(Really, Ft. Wayne, note by John at the bottom of the letter)
[w] General Blunt (Major General James G. Blunt, US)
[w] General Cloud
[w] Walt (brother)
[w] Nate
having not finished I will write a few lines more. Yesterday we went out foraging, we got two loads of oats 8 stands of bees and geese and chicken with our numbers some sweet potatoes some apples, so you see that we have plenty of good things to eat, the bushwackers killed six of our Indian pickets yesterday, last night it snowed a little but to-day it is pleasant. Walt is fifer and Nate is drummer for the company (notation: this is not Camp Blunt, but Ft. Wayne) we are encamped on the ground that we drove the enemy off from at same day.
My dear wife:
Your letter dated Oct. 12th followed me up and came to hand about one hour ago and I hasten to answer it. I was very sorry to hear that you had never had a letter from me for I have written you before then. I wrote to you at Fort Scott and put a dollar bill in the letter. I also expressed 35 dollars to Fick and Eskridge for you which I hope you got if you did not God only knows what you will do this winter, but I am in hopes that you will have gotten it before. I have ten dollars now that I wish you had but I can't see any way of sending it to you at present I was very sorry to hear that my little boy was having ague. You say that he often speaks of me no doubt you all do. Well don't let him forget me for I have a faint hope that I will see you all in a few months. There is talk that we will go back to Fort Scott before long but I don't know and the soldiers won't know until we start. You must keep up good cheer wife for I know that you feel lonely with out me, but you know that it wasn't because I wanted to leave home that I come at war to serve my country which I am doing as a faithful soldier if I could only know that you had plenty of clothes I could be satisfied. Now Sarah I want you to write as soon as you get this and tell me all how you are getting along. Are the hogs fattening and when you killed them and how the colts get along and if you get much good out of the cows this fall and if you got that hay stacked and if father or George has gathered in the corn and all the particulars. Give my respect to my relatives and also the neighbors and tell me how they are all getting along. Now a little about myself two companys of our regiment and the Kansas second was sent out here four days ago to scout the country for wheat and eatables which we are doing with a good will. We have hauled in a good deal of wheat, which we make the old Sesesh miller grind for us. It goes rather tough but he has to stand it and I tell you we live on the fat of the land beef, pork, mutton, chicken and honey, molasses dried apples and green apples and besides we have a nigger to cook it. We are destroying a good deal sesesh property we have burned 2 large tanneries and all the leather goods that was tanning. We have taken all the oxen wagons, horses, mules and the officers are going to give them to Union families and negroes that want to go north. I am still driving team I go out with my team on nearly all the foraging expeditions and haul in the plunder a lot of them having the diarrhea for two or three days but are all right now. I will send you some money the first chance. Nate has been having the ague. He has got it broke out and is having himself the diaerrah some at this time. Poor Jerry Musgrove he shot himself through the neck and bled to death poor fellow. Well, I must quit and go feed the mules.
May God bless you all.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w} old seseseh miller (seseseh is one who seceded from the Union)
[h] father of George
[w] Jerry Musgrove
[w] Will, Harry and George
Dear Wife:
I write again to tell you of my health which is fine at this time. I wrote to you a few days ago but having a little time this afternoon I thought I would write again. My company has again got with the regiment and we have moved about 20 miles north and within the Fort Wayne we are within 10 miles of the Cherokee Cone it has been raining for three days which has made the roads very bad but this afternoon it has cleared off. I have been hauling rails all day not to build a fence with but to burn. That is what we do with rails that have not taken to (--?) I can't see what we are staying down here for there is no enemy to fight that we can hear of. Comd---has gone out at this time riding with 2 or 3 hundred men to see if he can find the enemy in enemy force. If he does not (and I think he won't) then we will move north either up into Missouri or Fort Scott. If we do move north I will try hard to go and see you. Walt had a hard chill last night and feels quite bad to- day, I think it is on account of the wet weather. Will is hearty, Harry and George and Humphrey are well. Niram Norton and Silas Martin are well. Harding is quite sick and is in the hospital John Hensley was taken sick and has been sent to Fort Scott with a provision train. Ben is also well. We are looking for another train in a few weeks from Fort Scott. I am really very anxious for it to come for I think I will get 2 or 3 letters from you. I am very anxious to know whether you got the money or not and how things are a getting along. I suppose you would like to know how I like the army well I like it full but not like I expected I would. I wish I was out of it I would not join from the fact that I don't believe that we was needed for we are doing no good down here only devastating the country. What the sesesh familys are to do here this winter is more than I know. I think that as soon as we leave that a great many of them will come home. Well I must quit and feed my mules. I will try and write some more before I send this a day.
Yours both now and forever.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w] Niram (maybe Niram Norton listed in Janestown census in Greenwood, 1865)
[w] Silas Martin
[w] Harding
[w] John Hensley
[w] Ben (brother)
Well we are still here and our train has not been heard of and we fear it has been cut off. To-day I attended the funeral of one of the men. He was shot by a bushwacker day before yesterday three of our men went out scouting on their own hook, they got out about 10 miles and was fired on from the brush, the one was killed, another was wounded with 2 buck shot and the third had his cap shot off so you see what they got by being fool hardy.
Dear wife:
I wrote you a few days ago but since then there has been a bloody battle fought in which our army have been victorious it was fought on last Sunday 7th, it commenced about 10 o'clock and they fought until dark. Owing to the good management of our officers our own regiment loss was lite only 3 killed and 30 wounded none of our Verdegris boys are hurt. Walt was struck in the small of the back by a (minnie?) ball and knocked down but it did not break the skin. There was 2 of our company wounded our whole loss on our side is about 700 killed and wounded. The rebel loss is from twenty to twenty-five hundred they have now been four days burying their dead and they are not done yet. I can not give a full description of the battle as I was with my team about ten miles off but we could hear the continued thunder of the cannon you will see a full account of the battle in the Emporia news. I have a chance to send you a letter to Emporia by a man that is going directly there I will send you ten dollars which you must use as you think best. I want you to send me in your next letter 7 or 8 postage stamps I can't get any here I would to God that I could know how you are at this time. I am in hopes that we will get some more mail before long. I would like to hear from you often and I will write oftener than I have. I have no stamps to pay the postage with so you will have to pay the postage on this letter. I don't know that we will have anymore fighting down here for a awhile perhaps none at all for the enemy are disbanded and are coming in and giving themselves up by the hundred. To-day there was a whole company come in with their arms and horses and have joined our army. We will either go on to Fort Smith before long or else turn back north we can't stay here long for there is not much to eat in way of animals as we have got our camp close by the enemies hospital is close by the where we are camped. It is a sight to see, we have to feed them the wounded they say they will never fight again. Wife take good care of family and yourself and don't worry about me. May God speed the time that I may be permitted to see you. I send you and the children my best love. I would of sent you more money but we have not been paid yet. We are all well. Direct letter to Fort Scott Co. D 11th Regiment. Hiram Norton wants you to tell his wife how to direct. If you see Cranes wife tell her he is well and how to direct it.
Your affectionate husband.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
(I think this should be Cane Hill)
[w] Verdegris boys (boys from home)
[h] Niram Norton wife (a Niram Norton b. about 1838 is listed in Janestown census 1865, bp NY)
[h] One copy says Granes wife and the other says Cranes wife.
Dear wife and children:
Having time to-day I thought I would again write to let you know that I am still alive and tolerable. Well I have had the sore eyes for a few days but not very bad, they are still weak. I have not much news to write we are at the same place that we were when I wrote last the army had done nothing since the last battle that I wrote you about there is considerable sickness in our regiment at this time. I think everyone is eating so much fresh hog. I wish that we would move from here and keep moving, for the soldiers are healthier when they are on the march than they are lying in camps. I am sorry to inform you of the death of Crane, he died I think of the brain fever he was buried day before yesterday. Will is going to write his wife the rest of the boys are well. Will has been promoted he is orderly Sergent. Walt and Ben are at Fayetteville where our main hospital is. I heard from them yesterday. They are well only Walt is still weak. To-day is Christmas but a dull one it is for it has rained all day and is still raining. You must write how you spent Christmas what kind of a day it was and if I was there to eat supper with you wouldn't I be a happy man. You can judge if I would by your own feelings. If I was there now I would call for a fancy supper and what do you think it would be why mush and milk but instead of that I must eat beef and beans, coffee and hard bread. I want you to write what luck you had selling your pork and if you are comfortably clothed this winter and tell me if Moore fixed up the house or not and what you have done with colts if you have not sold them and can possibly keep them I would rather you would. I wrote a letter some two weeks ago and put ten dollars in it and sent it by a man by the name of Wm. Rosson he went home to see his family to Emporia he promised to put the letter in the office at Elemendaro. Will and several of the boys sent letters by him all to be mailed there we mailed them to Madison if you get it use it as you think best. Write if father or George gathered the corn and how much you have left tell me if Bob Dincan ever paid you that five bushel of corn that he borrowed of me or not. J.S. Rose also owed me ten bushels of corn tell me what corn is worth there this winter write about everything and everybody. We are looking for a train in before long then we expect to get some letters. I long to hear from you again. I can't think of anything more to write at this time so good-by and may God bless you and bring me safe back to you again is my prayer.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w] Crane (death of Crane)
[h] Moore
[w] Wm. Rosson
[h] Bob Dincan
[h] J. S. Rose (Phylinda had a son b. 1866, J. S. Rose)
I wrote you not three
days ago but having received your fond letter of the 22nd of last month I will
write you a few lines. Nothing of interest has occured since I wrote you. We are
still laying here. Our Colonel is in the field and we look for him back to-day
or to-morrow then I think we will know where we will go. I am very glad to hear
that George is going to tend the place this season. It maybe I will be there to
help put in at least I hope so. I am so happy to hear you are in good health.
Tell Alice and Flora to be good girls and I will fetch them something nice when
I come home. Tell Jimmy that pa says he must be a good boy that I have got a
little axe that I am going to fetch him. Kiss Charley as for you I hope I will
not find you as poor as I did when I come from California. Tell me if you ever
write to boys in Iowa or if you ever hear from them. Tell me how father and
mothers health is this winter and all about everything. Give my respects to old
Jimmy and his wife and all inquiring friends. Tell me if you can hear from
Nelse. Nate is well. Harry is sick in hospital.
From your most
affectionate husband.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[h] George
[h] Alice and Flora and Jimmy and Charley (the children of John and Sarah)
[h] old Jimmy and his wife
[h] Nelse
[w] Harry
[h] Nate
My dear wife:
It is now raining and I am in
my wagon and I thought I could not put in the time any better than by writing to
you as I know that you will be anxious to hear where we are. We are now about 50
miles northeast of Springfield so you see that we have done some traveling since
I last wrote. We have to get up at 3 o'clock and start at five and travel on
till night, the roads for last three days have been very bad. It will take about
three days yet to get there. I think we will get our pay when we get there how I
am to get you some money I do not know I will have to trust a little at a time
in the mails I expect. I sent you ten dollars by John Fereon I hope you get it.
We are encamped in a large timothy meadow which makes a good grazing for our
mules on an old sesesh farm. The boys have cleaned him out of all his chickens,
bacon, honey, corn, hay and in fact everything that they wanted and a good many
things that they did not want. They are burning the rails from around his field
of wheat and part of the mules are eating it up. So you can see the way we use
them. This old man has 3 sons in the rebel army some of the boys of the tenth
regiment caught a bushwacker the other day and was taking him under guard and he
broke and run from them and they put a hole through his body but he died game.
he hurrahed for Jeff Davis and told the boys to tell south to never give it up.
I still enjoy the best of health and could enjoy myself a good deal more if I
could know that you were all well. I hope to hear from you before to long I will
write again when I get to our journeys end. So I will quit for the time and may
God bless and protect you all is my daily prayers.
From your
every-faithful husband.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w] John Fereon
[w] Jeff Davis (Jefferson Davis, president of Confederate States)
My dear wife:
Having
nothing else to do I thought I would write a few lines to you. I wrote a letter
to you four or five days ago but since then I had the pleasure of reading your
first letter and what a joy to hear from you. Six of us came to Rolla to have
our wagon fixed. We got here yesterday I expect about noon. I heard of Wm.
Godfrey. I am sorry to inform you that he was left in the road 20 miles this
side of Fort Scott sick with the measles and what I hate is that he was left in
the hands of a sessionist with a rebel doctor but the boy that was with him
thinks he will be treated well. Ben won't get his discharge they have written
him ordering him back. I received a letter from him 3 nights ago he said his
children had all had the measles. They leave at five so I will bring my short
letter to a close by asking Gods blessing to rest with you all. I have had a bad
cold but am better now.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w] Wm Godfrey (husband of sister Eunice)
(w] Ben (brother)
My dear companion:
I wrote to you from here some
five days ago from this place. Since then I have been back to Salem to the
regiment and have been paid off and returned here last night. I have expressed
my money to Emporia with a lot of the Emporia boys we sent it to J.R. Swallow so
after you get this you will have to go and send to Emporia after the money. It
is in a package by itself and directed to you. I have sent you seventy dollars
so you must pay up the little debts and take receipts for them and fix yourself
up comfortable I am not afraid to trust you with the money for I know that you
not lay on to any without you have need to. I would that I could of sent you
some before but that was impossible I am afraid that the children had to stay
out of school for want of clothes if they did tell them pa says to study hard to
catch up. We were paid for six months 78 dollars a piece I have not gotten any
of my extra pay yet but I think we will get it in a few days. I received your
second letter when I got back to the regiment and I have got one of same date
for Will. I was very glad to hear that children had gotten along so well and as
for yourself you must get some Lincoln coffee to stop that headache. I would to
God that I could of got a power of attorney from Walt so that I could have drew
his money and sent it to him for I know he needs it. I think quite hard of
father for making you pay that five dollars for the agreement was he was to wait
until I was paid off or I would not made the arrangement for him to have paid
the taxes but such is the way I find the soldiers that are away fighting for
their country are generally treated. Truly this war is testing the principle of
all classes of men. I have not heard anything more from Will. Tell Walt that
Whitman is one of General Ewings body guards. Ewing is acting Major General over
the first division army of the frontier. Everybody is in good spirits about the
war. Grant has whipped the rebels in four pitched battles down at Vicksburg and
has taken a large number of guns and provisions. There is talk that we are going
back to Kansas but I guess there isn't anythng certain about it. I will write an
order to Swallow for you so that if you send for it you can send the order. It
may be you can get a chance to go up yourselves and do your trading. I will also
enclose 50 cents there will be 20 or 30 cents expressage share. I have not found
out whether there was anything paid on that thrashing or not you had better try
and go to Emporia and go home by the thrashers and square it up. He lives on dry
creek and I believe his name is Even Jones.
Affectionately yours.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[h] J.R. Swallow
[w] General Ewing
[w] Grant (General Grant)
My dear wife:
I have been looking for a letter for two
nights but have looked in vain. I guess you did not write last week, but that
need not hinder me from writing you. I am happy to inform you that my health is
good and I hope that these few lines may find you the same Gods blessing. I have
no news of importance. We are still staying here enjoying first rate, but I
don't think we will stay to long but I think we will not go far from here we may
get to go to Leavenworth. I am thankful that we did not have to go to Vicksburg.
The mules run in the pasture days and stay in the shade. We are having fine
times now for we have taken our rations to a womans house and give her two bits
a week a piece to cook them and they are cooked rite. our boys fetch in potatoes
and onions and apples so you see that such living is much to good for a soldier,
but we will try to stand it if the regiment will let us stay here. Three of our
boys started home on furlough this morning. I expect that I could of went now
but I had rather wait till September for I can do more good then than I could
now. Tomorrow is the fourth and the negroes of this place say that the whites
ain't loyal enough to give us a dinner. Ben is staying with us I haven't heard
anything here from Will. I attended Came;ete (NOTE: Campbellite?) preaching last
Sabbath and went to prayer meeting last night but they never pray for the
government. I long for the time to roll around that I may again be permitted to
meet you all again. I can't bear the idea of being separated from you two years
longer. I can't help thinking of those I love but I put my trust in God and hope
there is a better day a coming if not on earth in heaven. Tell Alice and Jimmy
that in two months more I hope to get a kiss from them again. Tell Jimmy pa
wants to know if he has got the knife and axe yet? Kiss little Charley and tell
him pa will come before bye and bye. I don't expect to hear from you before next
week but I will not put off putting this in office till morning perhaps I may
get a letter to-night. Well I will quit for this time and get to dinner.
From your fond and affectionate husband.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
My dear wife: (in
health and in vigor, Thanks be to God)
I am again permitted to write to
you again although I have not had a letter from you for over two weeks, but that
does not hinder me from writing to you I am afraid that either you or some of
the children are sick. In the letter that I got from Walter he said that you had
got your likeness taken and was a going to send it and a letter to me but they
still do not come. If you should get sick and could not write you must get
Eunice to write, or in case of sickness I think I could get to you in time. I
was glad to hear that you had got your money. I hope you have got now things to
be comfortable for yourself and the children. News about ourselves, we are still
here although we were ordered away day before yesterday and got loaded up and
got three miles on the road towards Kansas City and was ordered back. After we
got back company D. and K. and ten men out of D. and ten out of F were ordered
to take two day rations in their haver sacks and they started about ten o'clock
that night and 100 calvalry went with them they have gone on a secret mission to
where the bushwackers has a rendezvous. We are looking for them back to-night.
Will is here at last and has got his old position he is now orderly for whole
company was glad to have him back again. The men were all in good spirits, the
other evening when the news of the surrender of Vicksburg and the cutting up of
Lees army came in they made the cannons howl and churches that the people would
not open and ring bells the soldiers opened and rang them themselves and they
kept it up till ten or eleven o'clock. There is an order in now for our regiment
to be mounted and you bet the boys feels good over it. I think we will not stay
here but a day or two longer. I think we will go to Kansas City and whether we
will stay there or not I can't tell. We may get to go to Leavenworth. The talk
is now that we will be paid off again this week. O how I wish you could have
some of the good apples that the regiment is getting. We have some to eat and
sauce and pies to our hearts content. Such soldiering as this I don't mind. All
I hate is being away from those that I love. There is here where I am staying a
little boy just about the size of Jimmy and whenever I see him playing around it
makes me think of home. I am now writing on a stand upstairs in a little closet
by a little window in a large brick house it goes a good deal better than
sitting on the ground and writing on a knapsack. I hear the boys are coming back
so I guess that I will quit and go and see what they have done.
From your
affectionate husband.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[h] Walter (brother)
[h] Eunice (sister )
My dear wife:
I will try to write a few lines to you again to you although I have
not heard a word from you since Nate was there. It is certainly strange
but I can't think it is your fault. Nate got a letter from his mother
and George got a letter from Jule but neither of them mentioned you. I
am sorry to hear there is so much sickness on the creek there. I was
sorry to hear of the death of John's other boy but such is life. Now
about myself our company has all got back here again and Eunes and I are
again cooking I still enjoy good health and it is pretty healthy here.
Since Nate came back I have sent you ten dollars in letters but I don't
know whether you have got it or not. We are looking for the paymaster
around every day. Walt is going home after he comes I will send you some
money by him. The captain wants me to be a corporal but I won't have it.
There is talk that our company will be sent across the plains next
summer but I don't want to go for my part. I am going to try and come
home and see you about the first of April. I wrote to you in one letter
to sell the cattle if they were to much trouble but I hope you haven't
for I still have hopes of getting out of the service before another
fall. O how I do long for the time to come when I can again be with my
family. I think how that I could be happy with you if only had one crust
of bread a day to eat. I pray to God may spare me. I am so anxious to
hear from you that I can hardly wait. Well I will have to quit and go
and help get dinner. It has been about ten days since I wrote you last
but I was waiting to hear from you but have looked in vain. Tell the
children that pa says they must be good to ma and not forget their pa
who loves them so well.
From your fond husband.
Sarah
Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w] Nate got letter from his mother. (I think Nate is Nathan, son of sister, Phylinda)
[w] George got a letter from Jule
[h] John's other boy died 1-29-1864 (maybe son of Phylinda and John Rose)
Dear wife:
I am tired and sleepy but what does that signify when
I want to write you and first I will tell you what makes me feel so.
Last night just after dark there was a woman come to our camp and said
there was a lot of bushwackers going up the blue towards Olatha so about
a party of forty of us mounted and put out after them. Went to Olathe
and found that they had not been there so we pushed on to Gardner and
then we found out that it was a lot of our own men that had been sent
out to scout and it was all for nothing. We rode some hardy miles in
three hours so I am free to to-night. they are having a dance here
to-night. they are all gone for it but me I am here alone writing to you
and tending the lite. I wrote a long letter to you three nights ago, but
as Walt did not start when he expected I thought I would write a few
lines more. Day before yesterday Silas got thrown from a horse and got
hurt pretty bad I should not be surprised if he did not get out. My eyes
hurt so I can't see to write
God Bless you till I write again.
Sarah Norton J.A.N.
Notes:
[w] Eunes (sister Eunice)
[w] Nate
[w] Silas
My dear wife:
Walt and the girls got back here last night all well but the
children had been sick words can not express my feeling for you dear
wife for I know how lonely and sad it is for you when either you or the
children are sick. I would to-night that I could be with you to share
your hardships. I think that if nothing happens will see you soon after
the first of next month which will soon roll around. I was very sorry to
hear that the fire had burned up so much of fence but it can't be
helped. Now about my health I have not been well for some time. I have
felt a good deal as I did when I was in California. I lay it to being in
the house so much and stooping and cooking. I am not bad yet. I am going
to taking some medicine and I am not going to cook for awhile so I think
that I will be all rite in a few days. Will has been quite sick for
about a week with something like the fever, but he is now able to walk
around. The rest of our boys are well. I expect to be paid off in about
ten days or two weeks I will draw fifty dollars. I expect to come home a
horseback but I will fetch you as many things as I can carry of them
things you wanted. Ben is ordered back to M company. I believe we will
not stay here long. I hear to-night that we are bound for Little Rock,
Arkansas. I hope and pray that it is not so. Eunice says that John's
folks are willing for you to live in one of their rooms. I want you
write and tell me what you think about it. If I don't get to go home to
stay another fall I don't want you to live there alone another winter. I
feel very bad Sarah that you think so hard of me for not fetching you
down here what I have done I thought was for the best. Under my
situation. Tell George that I cannot advise him to come into the service
for in the first place Kansas has more men than her portion and I think
there is now enough men to do the job up by fall. If he felt as I do
about it he would stay at home. I think now that I will be able to fetch
home a horse for George to work. That is if he wants it I will fetch you
a saddle if I can get it home. Give my respects to Em and Jule tell them
that I thank them for their kindness towards you and the children. Well
as it is getting late I will close by asking God to watch over and
protect you from all harm. So good bye and God Bless you and kiss all
the children for me.
Your affectionate husband.
Sarah
Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[h] John's folks ( Sarah can live in one of their rooms.)
[h] Em and Jule
[h] George (could George be a brother of Sarah?)
[w] Old Charley
[w] Em
My dear wife:
I take a few minutes to write
you a few lines as I expect we will leave here to-morrow. The troops
along the border have been concentrating at Maysville for the last three
days there is now twelve companies here and more coming in. Report says
that Hindman and Coffey are advancing north through Mo. with a
considerable fever (how bad that is I can't say) but one thing certain
is that there is something up the troops are all in good shape and
condition eager to get off after them and I am to be along. Old Charley
is fine and I feel pretty well myself only rather sleepy to-day for I
was out patrolling all last night and day before yesterday two wagons
that had been to Kansas City for rations was attacked by bushwackers
about 15 miles from here in Mo. there was 18 men only one escaped the
rest are supposed to be all killed the wagons were also burned. We were
paid off. I shall leave fifty-five dollars with Em. She will send it to
you if she gets the chance before I get back (or if I should not get
back) I will write to you again first chance that I get. Nate has been
quite unwell for a few days with the diarreah but is now better his mare
is better. I hope that I will get a letter from you this evening before
I go away. Our two meetings went off quite lively. I will close and
leave room for Em to write some. So farewell till I write again.
Yours affectionately till death.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w] Hindman and Coffey are advancing north through Mo.
Em (She will-------)
[w] Nate
My dear wife:
I intended to have written you before but I
have been patrolling the last two days. It must be your coming down here
that gave you an appetite for I never saw you eat better. All has went
off fine since you left here no excitement. They have been making
arrangements for a dinner to-morrow. We looked strong for the boys
yesterday and are still looking for them to-day. I hope they will come
and fetch Alice. We are going down to Mo. after cherries this afternoon
if they come I will try and save you some. I believe I will not finish
this till to-morrow evening you may not get this this week and maybe
that boys will come and I can send this by them.
Tuesday, well I
will try and finish this where I left off we went and got a fine lot of
cherries as none of boys came I can not send you any now. About dinner
we had the finest dinner you ever saw. The program was as follows. At
eleven o'clock the people was called to order and a chairman elected we
had some patriotic songs sung by the Squire Hill Sunday School. Then the
reading of the Declaration of Independence then a song then a speech by
a Major then the star spangled banner sung then dinner. I can not do the
dinner justice by describing it was certainly the best public dinner
that I saw. Companys S and D went out with the cannon and fought a
battle I do wish you could of been here. I was on guard last night. I
feel quite sleepy to-day. Em has quit cooking only for Nate and me and I
am doing duty again. I hope I will hear from you before long for I want
to hear if you got home safe and how you feel after the trip. I will
close by sending all my best love write often and I will write often.
From your affectionate husband.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w] Em has quit cooking only for Nate and me
My dear wife:
I will confess that I
have not wrote soon again as I ought but I have been waiting till the
boys started home, but I will wait no longer for I don't know when they
will go home. I was very glad to here you got home safe and that you
felt so well after your trip down here, but I was very sorry to hear
that Jimmy and Charley had got burned so bad. I hope it will not cripple
them any be as careful as you can about such things but accidents will
sometimes happen. I am also very sorry to hear that you are so much
dissatisfied since you went back I was in hopes that you would be more
contented I would to God that it was so that I could be with you but
things look discouraging now for we hear bad news from the East and we
are expecting to leave here every day but still we may not go at all. We
heard yesterday that a bushwacker had burned Weston it appears that way.
They are gathering all their forces on the north side of the river. I do
not think you will blame me for doing what I think is best for you I
shall certainly want you down as soon as I think it right nothing would
please me greater than to have you with me. So do try for my sake to be
contented. I will not pretend to tell you how I feel about the service.
Only that I am getting worse disgusted with it every day. Don't give
yourself any uneasiness about me reenlisting for by the time my three
years is out I think I will be thoroughly warned. I am in favor of
upholding the government but I don't like the way they have of doing it.
I have been herding for the last week but am now doing duty, there is a
prospect that we will get an easy birth. Our Captain and Lieut. are both
under arrest at Olatha. The charges against the Captain is for
jayhawking. I think it will be pretty hard with him I don't know what
they have got the Lieut. for. Peleg is in command now and you bet he
makes things get. I think that there will be no trouble about that
matter that you spoke of I have talked to the boys about it. I cannot
think of anything else to write. Tell Jimmy and Charley that I hope by
the time this letter gets there they will be well tell the girls that I
want to see them so bad that I can hardly wait.
As ever your fond
and affectionate husband.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[h] Jimmy and Charley and the girls (children of John and Sarah).
[w] Peleg is in command
My dear wife:
Another week has gone by and I have not had a
letter from you. About myself we have had another scare here last Monday
I was out to Spring Hill after a load of corn and when I got back I
found all of the available force of the company had been ordered to
Paola and was gone. It was reported that the rebels were a going to
attack it that night. There were some of the other boys that was not
here so when they came in eight of us started at sun set to join the
company at Paola at one o'clock at night. We staid there from Monday
night till Wednesday night at one o'clock. At one o'clock we were
ordered back. Arrived here yesterday morning at sunrise. While we were
gone the militia was sent in here to guard the place. They kept the
folks in a big scare the women slept in their clothes so they would be
ready to run. How would you like to be here thru such a time. Their was
all kinds of rumors afloat here yesterday it was even said that we were
to leave here this morning for the plains. I expect we will have some
scaring times between this and fall for I think there is considerable
many bushwackers on this and the other side of Mo. river but I think
they will do most of there mischief on other side of the river. Don't
make to much calculation on coming down here this winter for I may be a
good way from here by fall but if we do stay I want you to come. I think
the paymaster will be here this afternoon or to-morrow then we will be
apt to find out about it if we don't get pay I think I shall sell my
horse. I think I can get a hundred and fifty dollars for her and I think
it would be better than to send him home and run the risk of his being
stolen. O how I would like to see you all and be with you to-day I don't
know when the war will end I cannot see the beginning of the end yet
though our armys are having some success. Calico has gone up to
forty-five cents don't that beat all well I can't think of anymore that
would be news to you. I will quit. I send you all my best love hoping
that God continues to Bless us all. Write often and I will do the same.
Yours till death.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
My dear wife:
I will again write
you a few lines to let you know that I am still enjoying first rate
health and I do hope that this will find you all well. I have no news in
particular to write it is a general time of health here and we are a
having a pretty easy time of it since we got back. We only have one roll
call a day. I haven't been guard since I come back home and now Captain
Green Dewey is first Lieut. and Will is second Lieut. we are still
having good news from the east everything looks to a speedy termination
of war, I expect that we will have to go to Colorado in the Spring.
Moonlight has already gone. We muster for pay next Saturday and the
report is that the paymaster will be here about the 10th of next month
and then I think we will go to Ft Riley and wait till grass. I am a
going to try hard to come home before we go to Colorado I think that
Walt will get his discharge between now and spring and it was a dry
Christmas here. Old Bet and her colt run off and I went down to Minorva
Vill after them. Bens folks are all well. I expect I will get a letter
from you before long. I began to want to see you pretty bad. It seems
like a long time since I left home, write as often as once a week and
direct to the company so that if we move it will follow us. I hope I can
get to come home and stay a few days before we have to go on the plains.
The nearer my time is out the more I want to be at home. That little
stay I had there was only an aggrivation but it was mighty sweet while
it lasted. I wish I could send the children some presents for New Years
but I can't. Well I can't think of anything more to write so I will quit
and go water old Sam.
From your affectionate husband.
Sarah A. Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
[w] Captain Green Dewey is first Lieut.
My dear and children:
As we
expect to leave here day after to-morrow I will write you a few lines again and
I have a chance to send it directly to you by John Majors him and Ann are here
on a visit I am still enjoying first rate health and I would like awful well to
hear from you before I leave here. I haven't had a word from you yet I begin to
fear that some of you are sick, but I hope not our reg. expects to rendezveaux
near Lawrence on the 6th of this month. I don't know whether we will be paid off
then or not if we ain't paid off then we will be soon after we get to Ft. Riley.
I do wish that we could have got our pay here for I would had such a good chance
to send you some money and some other things but as it is I can not send you
anythng I will send you a few of my cloths. I tried to send you __ but I could
not get any. O yes Will is mustered in second Lieut. For three more years. It
may suit him but if they would make me a major general I would not take it three
more years. If I get out this time I will enlist once more but it will be to
serve with you I don't see why I can't hear from you. New Years went off very
dry. I was on guard and I feel rather sleepy to-day. I have turned in my horse
and have got another but I don't like him very much. I will write a few lines
separate.
J.A.N.
Notes:
[w] John Majors and Ann (sister and brother-in-law of John)
My dear
wife:
We arrived here about two hours ago and while the boys are getting
dinner I thought I would write you a few lines first I am well and hearty we had
a pretty good trip a coming up. It was pretty cold but as long as it was dry we
did not mind. We are camped half mile above the Fort in the timber bottom. I
expect we will stay here or about here till spring. I sent you 5 pounds of sugar
and some other things. I suppose you have got them before this. That led that I
sent you in a gunny sack I want you to take care of for half of it belongs to
Walt and take care of the other amunition and don't let it be used up. Well I
will quit and write again soon. I send you all my best love.
Yours in
haste.
John A. Norton
My dear wife:
I will again write you a few lines. First I will let you
know that I am well and I hope that this will find you and the children well. We
are now in quarters at the fort and doing post duty. We moved up here day before
yesterday it is a nice place our room is large and clean and plenty big. We have
good bunks and plenty of room all I dislike is the confusion that is always
singing some whistling some talking some playing cards and a general clatter of
feet, but I am beginning to get used to it. There is a good kitchen and tables
and good stables for our horses. Walt caught a catfish that weighted eighty
pounds. I tell you I have learned something about catfishing. When I get home I
can catch a plenty in the Verdigris. I hope that father will pay the taxes on
our land. Will got a letter from home last night they wrote the bushwackers had
been to Aubrey and burnt Old Bells house and Lushers and robed Frank Fristole.
That is what they get by taking the 11th away from the border. Ben is still in
the hospital yet I don't see that his eye gets any better. Burr is getting
better he is going to try and get sick leave. I will write few lines separate to
you.
Yours till death.
Sarah Norton John. A. Norton
Notes:
[h] Frank Fristole
[h] Lushers
My dear wife:
I left Riley night before last about two hours before night for home I rode
thirty miles and staid till morning. I traveled all day yesterday in the rain
got here to friend Kittys about middle the afternoon but as I have got to be
back to Riley Thursday night and my horse is already jaded I dare not venture
any farther I would of liked very much to see you once more before I had to
leave the plains but I will not get to see you any more till my time is out. Now
about business, the money that I have with me is to be divided as follows one
hundred and seventy-five dollars of Walts to be given to mother for safe
keeping. Twenty dollars is Wm. B. Godfreys to be given to father or mother,
eighty dollars is Nates to be given to his father, fifty-five dollars is Ed
Starkling to be given his wife and forty-five dollars is Niram Nortons to be
given to his wife and I send you seventy-five dollars it is in a package with
Nates I have the rest of them separate with the name and amount on out side. Now
wife I want you to take Niram and Startlings money over to their wives yourself
(if you can) if you can't send them word as quick as you can take a receipt for
all money. Get John to write them for you. The sack of coffee is for you and
Nirams wife to divide equal. Pay your debts and settle with John I don't expect
I will get to send you anymore money till my time is out.
Notes:
Kitty
Walt
Wm. B. Godfrey
Nate
Nirum and Startlings
John (maybe Rose)
My dear wife and
children:
I will try and write you a few lines to let you know where and
how I am, first I will say that I am now in hospital. We arrived here on the
evening of the tenth I believe. I had not been well for three days. That night
it finally settled in my right side the plurisy as usual, by morning it was
pretty bad that day and night and the next day I suffered pretty bad by the time
the doctor got the pain stopped they wanted to take me on for I was (the only
bugler?) there was in the company but I would not go I knew it would bring the
pain back again Billy King one of our Co. is here doing duty in the commissary
he told me said John don't go another dammed inch till you get well, he said the
hospital here was good and I would soon get well and I have found it so. This is
the fourth day I have been here and a warm room and plenty of good vituals to
eat. Even butter and I am almost well now. I sit up as much as I want to and
walk around the room and feel well only I am quite weak. Now I don't want you to
feel uneasy about me at all for I think it will be the making of me this summer
for my system is well forged out I am glad that I ain't on the road to- day for
the wind is in boys faces and blows a perfect gale of wind and dirt. The 16th
regiment of Kansas will be along here in ten or twelve days and I expect that
some of our boys that we left at Riley will be along with them. If nothing
happens I expect to go on with them there is a lot of troops coming out here
this spring I don't think we will have much Indian fighting this spring for it
is thought that when the soldiers get after them in force that they will scatter
for the mountains. I don't know when I will ever hear from you again it will not
be till I get to the company again for if any comes they will go to the Co. Well
I am getting a little tired so I will quit for this time and write again soon.
From your fond husband.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
Billy King one of our Co.
My dear wife:
I am going to try and write you a short letter once
more. I am still in hospital. I was about well but I took the sore throat. I got
about well and I took the disepclas it began around the roots of both ears it
has run nearly all over my head but they managed to keep it out of my eyes so
far. You would not know me if you were to see me now all the hair is shaved off
my head and they have put on lunar castic on my head and face till I black as a
nigger except from my eyes down over my mouth and chin. It has not caused me
much pain. Only my head has been sore that I could not lay on it. Tell John I
meant no offense about rent for room. I place all trust in John I know he will
do nothing but what is rite. I want you to write me as soon as you get this
direct to John A. Norton Cottonwood Springs, Neb. in care of CS King.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
John (maybe Rose)
CS King
My dear wife:
I
will again write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along, well I
am still at hospital and I will tell you all that is the matter with me, after I
came here and got over the plurisy I took the sore throat and my throat sweld up
on the outside and there is still an enlargement on my windpipe though not large
but it still keeps a little sore and hinders me some from swallowing. The doctor
says the soreness will all go away, but he thinks the bunch will never all go
away. I am getting to feel pretty well. There s a squad of our regiment of
26arrived here yesterday and are a going to go on to-morrow. The doctor says I
may go with them if I want to. I am going to try and see the Lieut. that is in
command and if he can furnish me a good place to ride I believe I shall go on
with them. I will not finish this letter till I know whether I go on or not I
wrote the last part of the letter yesterday since then I have heard from the
regiment they were at Larime and were going out into the Black Hills. So if I
don't go on with the squad I am afraid I won't get with the regiment this
summer. I have now given up all hopes of getting home till my time is out and
will be glad to get home then. So write to the Co. well wife I have been over
and saw the Lieut. and he has no way of hauling me so I don't expect that I will
get to go now. I am ordered away from the hospital. I shall go over to the
quarters this afternoon. I will be attached to some company for rations. Well I
will have to quit for this time.
May God Bless you all is my daily
prayer.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Continued: Wife I expect by
the time you get this that you will be moved. Now I will tell you what I want
you to do. I want you to take good care of my saddle and bridles and don't let
them get scattered and keep them where the mice won't eat them and those chains
and straps that was in an old sack out doors when I left keep them in the dry
and that little bullet weighing eighteen pounds don't let it get lost. I expect
now to get home again to stay and if I do you know I will need all those things
so take as good care of them as you can. I feel uneasy about Morris. I fear you
will lose him before I get home but I know you will do all you can to keep him.
I will try and buy two or three pigs if you can keep them. I tell you what I
want dun. Now I say do as you think best about things for I know you will do the
best you can I advise you not to all leave home at once no more you can help for
you know how things used to come up missing once in a while I hope you can get
the doors and roof fixed good so that you can be dry and comfortable get along
the best you can. I hope now to be home some time in July if I do that will give
me time to fix up a comfortable house for winter Oh yes try hard to raise a lot
of chickens if you have to buy some meal to feed them on, yes and speaking of
meal I want you to get some good meal about the first of July and keep it for me
till I come.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
Morris
My dear wife:
I wrote to
you three days ago in the evening after I had mailed your letter. thank God I
received two letters from you. Well I had been ordered into the quarters and the
fact is I did not like the outfit and I could not get to go on to the regiment
and I felt down but when I got your letters I felt relieved and happy and I have
felt well ever since till last night when we got a telegrapher dispatch of the
assination of President Lincoln and secretary Seward it has cast a gloom over
every man at the post the flag to-day is at half mast and they are firing a
cannon every half hour all day. It certainly will be a heavy blow on the
government. Whether it will prolong the war or not is to be seen, but God
forebid it should. I don't much expect now that I will get to join the regiment
again until the come back. Whether I will stay here till they come back I can't
tell but one thing certain I intend to take things perfectly easy and you bet
that I am a going to take care of myself. Now Sarah don't be uneasy a bit about
me for you know that I always have friends wherever I am and I am making and
having friends here. There was one last night that said Mr. John I heard to-day
that you was out of money I told him I was, He handed me five dollars and told
me that if I ever had a chance I could pay him, if not it was all right I am
getting strength quite fast. The weather is now warm and pleasant and I knock
around considerable and it does me good. Yesterday I had a quart of pickles and
a quart of molasses given to me and I am going to buy one half pound of butter
it will cost me a half dollar but I don't care I hope September if nothing
happens that I will be home where I can get butter without paying that for it. I
expect that you will lose old Pide from what you wrote for if she brings a calf
before there is grass she will not be apt to go up but I hope not I hope to home
in time to put up feed myself another fall, but the way things are working out
here it is perfectly uncertain when our regiment will be ordered back in, they
maybe ordered back within two weeks and they may not be ordered back till late
in fall. We can't tell now anything about it, but I think that they will be back
in time to be mustered out by the time that our time is out. I hope your spring
has been early for the cattle sake. I am so thankful to hear that your health
keeps so good. God grant that it may continue well I will quit for a awhile for
dinner is about ready.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
Assassination of President Lincoln
"Seward": William H. Seward, Secretary of State under Pres. Abraham Lincoln.
Well wife I did not
finish writing last night as I will try and write a little more it is quite cold
again this morning. The rebel troop that are in our service that I spoke of are
just a coming in I expect that two companys will stay here. I don't know where
to tell you to direct only to the company it may be that I will get them
sometime well I can't think of anything more to write at this time I will direct
this to Madison. Take care of yourself and children and do the best you can and
may God Bless you all.
From your fond husband.
John A. Norton
Dear wife:
Another week has rolled around and I will again with pleasure write you a few
lines. As I know you are anxious about my health I have the pleasure of
informing you that it is better now than it has been since I have been here in
fact I am well now only I have not got very stout yet I don't intend to get very
well here, that is I don't intend to let the officers know how well I am for I
am a going to take your advice to take good care of myself as I can. I don't
intend to do duty at the post if I can help it, since I wrote to you last I have
had the great pleasure of reading two of your kind and good letters one was the
first- you wrote after you moved, the last was Apr. 28, how thankful I am to
hear that you all keep so well and that things are a prospering so well with you
as they are. I do hope that health and prosperity may still be with you. I wrote
in my last letter I have heard some good news there was a -----------then that
all those that had been sick and was not able for duty should be mustered out
and I expect that in the East it will be so, but out in this forsaken country
nothing goes on rite. I may get discharged before the regiment is but it is
uncertain. I have seen a man that has been up where the regiment is he says that
a part of the regiment is at deer creek a hundred miles above Laramie and the
rest are 25 miles father on the Platte bridge he said he heard Colonel Plumb say
that the boys should be back to Leavenworth by the time that their time was out,
there was a little fight 15 miles below here yesterday the Indians run in on a
ranch and killed one man and drove off some cattle there is no buffalo up in
this country at this time of the year and the Indians are pretty near starved
out. They want the cattle to eat, the soldiers went out after them at last
account had killed three of them. I don't intend to go on to the regiment for as
near as I can find out it will be a good deal like the Fort Smith trip I think
that most of them will have to walk back. I don't want any of that you know. So
I shall try and stay here and if I am sent back from here it will be with some
train. I am very sorry that you could not get my letters more regular, to hear
how I was getting along for I know how you felt, but thank God our prayers were
heard and I feel now that I will be restored to you and may God speed the day,
but don't give yourself any more uneasiness about me but put your whole trust in
God and do the best you can till I return. Remembering to take care of yourself
and children tell Jimmy that pa thinks if he tries rite hard that he can be a
good boy. Tell Charly that before all the warm days are gone pa will come home
and what does me the most good is to think that if I am spared to get home that
I can stay there. Try and keep Morris if you can. Direct your letters here. It
snowed one day and has been quite cold here this week, blame this country I wish
I was out of it, but I try to be as contented as I can, praying that all will
yet be well. I shall write I hope to hear from you again soon.
No more at
this time but remain your fond husband.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Notes:
Colonel Plumb
Morris
His children Jimmy and Charley
My dear wife:
Well I
wrote a letter to you yesterday but this afternoon I was ordered by my company
and I leave here in the morning for the West. There is a train here that has got
to be escorted up to Julesburg 100 miles above here and they are scarce of men
here that is the reason that they have ordered me off I think. I don't care I
had rather be on the road than to be here only I thought that it might be that I
would get to go to Leavenworth. I hope this will find you all well as this
leaves me. I will quit and go to bed for I have to be up early for we start at
seven o'clock. So good night and happy dreams to you as ever,
Your
husband.
Sarah Norton John A. Norton
Contributed by Glenda Anderson, 2nd great granddaughter of John Austin Norton
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