The bell has been tolling for the afternoon service to commence as usual I am at home for I cannot walk. My health has been very poor for two years and I am obliged to stay at home for I cannot walk but a short ways. Yet I can sew a part of the time and get along very well. Hire my washing cone, sometimes my wood and water fetched in. I live in the parlor in the lower part of the house.
Dave Burnap occupies the room I used to and Bro. Kidder the others and bedroom. Mrs. B's health is poor all the time and she could not do her work when he was from home. Time has wrought changes since you were here yet we look about the same, much older. If you would step into meeting you would see visible changes since you left, for time is bearing us to out Eternal home ñ to joy unspeakable and full of glory or endless woe. O may we strive to be faithful to ourselves and those around us and to fill up our few days with usefulness. It is almost a year since Mr. Little died, Mrs. Health this fall, Dr. Blanchard a few weeks since ñ all of consumption. Mrs. Break has a little daughter 2 months old. Charles Cummings was married to Lucretia Richardson last spring, live with Mrs. Bugbee at the brick house. Nathaniel Dodge to Caltha Cummings this month.
Mr. D. has enlisted. Leaves this week for the army. Mr. Chelles has built a good house north of Mr. Bricks. A hall is nearly completed extending from the store to the public house designed for elections, etc.. Philander Deming is our pastor yet, a very good man and highly esteemed. Five young people united with the church last Spring form Nevin's District.
Since the war commenced the people are all engaged about what concerns us all for it is all common cause ñ the safety of our own dear country ñ the peril of our lives.
Thirty-seven have enlisted from this town. Three have been taken prisoners. Albert Hall is one. John Rice a young man from Wethersfield who had been in Mr. Brick's store for some months enlisted with the others and was in the Battle at Bull's Run. His Capt. Wrote to Mr. Powers that he was shot by his side and left on the field of battle. Nothing was heard from Albert for a number of days only the last seen had found John was over him. When told to run said he would not leave him. After great anxiety of his parents & friends a letter came from A. saying he was a prisoner at Richmond with John R. A ball passed through his left side etc. and another soldier carried him a mile on their shoulder to a hospital and were taken together for John prayed Albert not to leave him so he was taken for his two friends' sake.
A friend in need is a friend indeed. When Bro. Powers received the news of J's death the bell was tolled, the flag draped in mourning at half mast. And when his funeral sermon was preached the next Sabbath at Wethersfield about thirty young people went down to attend. His intended Frances Robinson, dressed in deep mourning sat with his family as mourner. How the later news affected her I have never learned. It is expected John will soon be sent home as all wounded are to be sent from Richmond the first of Nov.
You have reason to be thankful you are so far removed from the tumult of the times. It is very exciting indeed and has caused me many sleepless hours yet I know that God will accomplish what he desired to in this war. As a nation we are wicked and need chastisement.
(The above letter of four letter-pages as found is not signed. It may possibly have been written by Mother's Aunt Lois Fletcher, Grandfather Metcalf's sister.) C.E.
