M^rs Warren Rogers
Singsing — Westchester Cr.
New York — USA

My dear Fanny

     I have your letter of the 18 Nov^r in which you tell us of your proposed change of residence — I suppose that this epistle may reach you in May amid all the beauties of opening summer
     A farm, and money enough to be able not to depend upon the results of agriculture for a living, have long since been my ideas of what I should like to have in that good time acoming when I can bid good bye to the Tropics — I trust that you and M^r Rogers may find your new style of life as enjoyable as you expect. For the children it will be famous
     Our little lass, now nine months old,

is a jolly little maid, with a great coo always ready for papa when he comes near. When I come back from the office in the afternoon Miss Kate is almost always at the door to meet me in mamma's arms — and then while Nellie & I recount to each other the little incidents of the day, Katy enjoys being jumped and tossed about — She is so heavy now that I find my wrists get tired pretty soon —
     So Sophy Rowland [i.e., Sophia Rowland, the author's cousin] has done gone & got married — well good luck to her and a happier home than her childhood has known
     I get very pleasant letters from Annie who seems to enjoy her life at Andover very much — It is evidently much better & healthier for her in every way than to lead a merely idle life —
     Nellie & I have not now much time for reading — Miss Kate takes up so many odd moments — We have however just

finished two volu the last volume of Irving's Washington — Reading about the formation of the government while it is being torn asunder gave an added and more impressive interest to the words of the founder of the Republic — To me the saddest thing in all this war is that the great crisis of the nation has failed to bring forth one man — A great valiant patient nation waiting for a leader and none comes — Armies & treasure such as no potentate of modern times ever had the control of raised only to be wasted & squandered — General Inefficiency and General Corruption appear to be the men of the hour. Well it cannot last forever. The shadow of the coming man is over the country now, whether he is to be a Cromwell or a Napoleon God only knows — Better even the latter than that we should be all dragged thro'

the mire by Stantons & Kennedys et id omne genus miserabilis —
     I hope President Lincoln will stand firm to his emancipation proclamation it is the only hope — the Union with Slavery can never be reconstructed — Slavery clearly has sought its doom and it would be folly to try to save it on the vain chance of concilliating a few men of doubtful patriotism in the border states The news of the emancipation action in Missouri is cheering —
     Well good bye love to the chicks & yourself & kind regards to your husband

Ever affectionately yours
Ogden E. Edwards

     Nellie sends much love to the Mamma and bairns, large and small, and her best wishes for many happy years in the new home.