University of Notre Dame
Rare Books and Special Collections
Return Home
Topical Collections
Personal and Family Papers
Military Records
Letters and Correspondences
Anderson-Reavis Correspondence
Cicero R. Barker
Mary Bettle
Caley Family Correspondence
William Combs
Mary Crowell
Henry S. Figures
M. A. Harvey
Ora W. Harvey
John M. Jackson
James B. Jordan
Henry H. Maley
Christopher C. McKinney
Meek Family Correspondence
morgan Family Correspondence
James Parkison
Peed Family Letters
G. Julian Pratt
John Pugh
Harrison E. Randall
Read Family Correspondence
Samuel T. Reeves
Harrison E. savage
Shriver Family Correspondence
Shriver Family Correspondence
Sillers-Holmes Family Correspondence
Taylor Family Correspondence
Thomas Family Correspondence
Herbert Benezet Tyson
Isaac Ira White
Diaries and Journals
Miscellaneous Manuscripts

  (transcriptions only)

Technical Details
Manuscripts of the American Civil War
Caley Family Correspondence

< previous letter |  index  | next letter >


Document Type: Autograph Letter Signed

Author: Sarah O. Caley
Date: July 19, 1863
Place: Chardon, Ohio
To: Charles Caley

Physical Description: Ink on paper; 4 pages (21 x 14 cm.) on 1 folded sheet

Note: Enclosure with Charles Caley's letter of July 27, 1863 (MSN/CW 5024-15)

Number: MSN CW 5024-14

Transcribed by: Jonathan Lawrence and George Rugg, 2004-05


Transcription
(Please click on our Technical Details button at left
for more information on transcription conventions,
image scanning conventions, etc.)

Page 1      Images: 150 DPI100 DPI72 DPI

Chardon July 19th 1863

Dear Brother Charles,

     Your kind and sympathizing letter has just come to hand -- and I now sit down to acknowledge the kindness and sympathy that you express for me -- in this my great and bitter affliction I am so lonely and wretched -- that I sometimes think if it were not for the strength given me from God -- and the sympathy of kind friends -- my poor heart would break -- Oh Charley if it were the will of God that I should be laid in the grave with my dear William [i.e., William Caley, the author's husband] -- I would much rather go and rest with him -- The ties that bind me to earth are not as strong as those that draw me toward Heaven -- "for where the treasure is there will the heart be also" But God has seen fit to deprive me of the society of my loved one -- I must bide his time for a reunion in a brighter land -- It seems very hard to be separated -- just as we were

Page 2      Images (pages 2 & 3): 150 DPI100 DPI72 DPI

beginning in life -- with so many anticipations of happiness -- and sometimes it seems cruel -- but God's wisdom and purpose ought not to be questioned -- "His ways are above our ways, and his wisdom past finding out --
I have lavished all the wealth of my affection upon William -- and in return I received the best gift that God ever bestowed upon me -- namely -- his pure and undivided love -- Do you wonder that life has no charms for me -- bereft as I am of such dear companionship?
     William expressed a wish to live to see his brother once more -- said it was hard to die -- and leave so many kind friends -- but said it was all for the best -- Oh said he -- God doeth all things well -- His suffering were very great for a few hours before he died -- but he died peacefully -- without a struggle -- He said he could go contented if he could only take me with him -- But he is gone -- and I have nothing left but the memory of his love to console me That is something that the world cannot take

Page 3      Images (pages 2 & 3): 150 DPI100 DPI72 DPI

from me -- But I miss him -- Oh how sadly I miss him --
     I have not been very well ever since William died -- I have had a very hard cold -- but it is some better now --
     I had a letter from John folks last week -- John and Mary [i.e., John and Mary Caley, the author's brother-in-law and sister-in-law] were well -- but the baby is not doing very well -- only gained a pound and three quarters (in weight) they wrote --
I am afraid they will not raise it -- it is so puny --
We received a few lines from Milton last week -- He was in that great battle at Gettysburg Pennsylvania -- but came out safe -- Charles Carroll was killed -- and James Melton mortally wounded -- since reported dead -- Thus our brave boys are falling daily -- victims to this unjust rebellion --
Royal Prouty is at home -- I have not seen him -- but those that have seen him -- say that he looks worse than William did when he died -- I hope careful nursing will restore him to health again -- I was glad to hear that you were well -- William worried a great deal -- when

Page 4      Images: 150 DPI100 DPI72 DPI

you wrote that you had that chronic diarrhea -- He was afraid you would run down with it --
     Tommy has just been here -- He is at work for Uncle Callow now -- His side troubles him a great deal -- He has been down to Painesville to see Dr Clark -- He thinks he will get over his lameness in time - but did not seem to think he would immediately -- He is taking his medicine now and I hope it will help him -
     Well Charley I will close this imperfect scrawl by asking you not to cease writing to me -- but write as often as you can -- Unworthy as I am -- I desire to be remembered by Williams friends -- This will be a great consolation to me in this my hour of trial and affliction --

From your sorrowing Sister
Sarah.O.Caley.

To Charles.C.Caley.

P.S. I sent a copy of the Painesville Telegraph to you -- containing a notice of Williams death -- did you get it? S.O.C.

 
Transcription last modified: 16 Dec 2005 at 03:44 PM EST


< previous letter |  index  | next letter >



  Related Collections:   Colonial & Revolutionary America Early National & Antebellum America American Civil War Modern America Sports

Rare Books and Special Collections

University of Notre Dame
Copyright © 2006, 2009, 2011

Dept. of Special Collections
University of Notre Dame
102 Hesburgh Library
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Telephone: 574-631-0290
Fax: 574-631-6308
E-Mail: rarebook @ nd.edu