DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Andrew F. Davis papers, 1862

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09_1862-02-09-Page 01

Camp Wickliff Ky. 
Feb. 9th. 1862 
Mrs. Sarah Davis 
My dear wife 
Yours of last Wednesdays date come to hand last night and was joyously received. but I was sorry to hear of the sickness of our two dear little girls.  By the news that I had heard from both yourself and Wm. Van. I was led to hope that they would if not entirely escape the contagion, at least have it verry light. but by what you say of them they must have suffered a great deal. but I hope that before this time they are almost if not entirely well again.   I feel the most alarmed about Orrilas breast, as you say it appears to hurt her verry much. And we both know that she is often much troubled with a soreness there.  You say that her mind runs on her books nearly all the time.  I am fearful that she studies too much for one of her age and I believe it will be better for her health for her not to go to School for awhile at least and let her play out of doors as much as possible when the weather is at all suitable, and let her go visiting as often as convenient so that she can have plenty of enjoyment which will have a tendency to keep her mind more exercised on different things from her books  This may seem like queer doctrine to try to keep a child from learning but we must recollect that she is quite young and that the physical more than the mental qualities are more to be looked to in her early life, for what will her learning be worth to her if she has no health or consitution to enjoy it.  As regard Nan, I dont think her love of books will ever injure her health any.  I wrote you a letter 3 or 4 days ago since in which I answered or rather anticipated some questions you ask in your last.  When I wrote that letter we ware under orders to march today, but last night while on dress parad the order was countermanded. So here we are yet and in all probability will remain here for some time.  One Brigade of 4 Regiments marched to Green River last Friday but it is rumored. that they will be ordered back here again

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Camp Wickliff Ky. Feb. 9th. 1862 Mrs. Sarah Davis My dear wife Yours of last Wednesdays date come to hand last night and was joyously received. but I was sorry to hear of the sickness of our two dear little girls. By the news that I had heard from both yourself and Wm. Van. I was led to hope that they would if not entirely escape the contagion, at least have it verry light. but by what you say of them they must have suffered a great deal. but I hope that before this time they are almost if not entirely well again. I feel the most alarmed about Orrilas breast, as you say it appears to hurt her verry much. And we both know that she is often much troubled with a soreness there. You say that her mind runs on her books nearly all the time. I am fearful that she studies too much for one of her age and I believe it will be better for her health for her not to go to School for awhile at least and let her play out of doors as much as possible when the weather is at all suitable, and let her go visiting as often as convenient so that she can have plenty of enjoyment which will have a tendency to keep her mind more exercised on different things from her books This may seem like queer doctrine to try to keep a child from learning but we must recollect that she is quite young and that the physical more than the mental qualities are more to be looked to in her early life, for what will her learning be worth to her if she has no health or consitution to enjoy it. As regard Nan, I dont think her love of books will ever injure her health any. I wrote you a letter 3 or 4 days ago since in which I answered or rather anticipated some questions you ask in your last. When I wrote that letter we ware under orders to march today, but last night while on dress parad the order was countermanded. So here we are yet and in all probability will remain here for some time. One Brigade of 4 Regiments marched to Green River last Friday but it is rumored. that they will be ordered back here again