z esvanm

                               ~ Letter written by E. S. VanMeter~

Elzey Sweringer VanMeter, born in 1814, was Nancy's 1st cousin. Her mother, Susannah Downing was Nancy's mother's sister. Elzey, Hugh, and Isaac were all siblings and lived in Cairo, Ohio. Their mother Susannah died about a year later at age 83.

Home: March 2 1862

Miss Thompson

Affectionate cousin I seat myself to drop a few lines to you to let you know that I read your most kind but very short letter of the 19th and was very glad to hear that you had arrived safe home and that you found the folks all well and able to scold. Your letter found us all well and kicking. Mother’s health is quite good at this time. We took her to Hugh’s on Thursday and had a good old time to get her there she fought and hollared all the way. Well Nancy I suppose you would like to see the little Lieut. Bowsure one time more and have him in your arms and kiss him and call him honey. This is a very lonesome day. It is snowing and hailing and almost cold enough to freeze the horns off the chickens. I bourd the sugar trees yesterday and did not get water enough to drink. They were all barren. We have recd. some three or four letters from Isaac since you left here the last one was wrote the 20th. They came back to Lebanon Kentucky and stayed one day and was ordered to Tennessee again but we don’t know where. You wanted to know the Captains name was Ogan. If you meant to write to Isaac direct it to I.L.VanMeter Lebanon Kentucky 14th Ohio Regiment Comp K in care of Capt. Ogan and the letter will follow him. His capt. Is now laying sick at Lebanon. Don’t forget the name is Ogan. Old Polly says she thinks you was not as good as your word. You promised to come back again and did not do it. You said in your letter that you had got your (picture?) taking in Shulltown and left it at Hugh Downings for us and that healed the wound with old Polly. Oh yes Nancy what is the matter with Irving. We have not heard from him since he left. If he is able to write we would like to hear from him but I must bring my scribbling to a close hoping you will write soon. Give my love to all your brothers and sisters and especially to aunt. Excuse my scribbling Yours in love, E. S. Vanmeter