Ans Dec 22
Dec 5th, 1861
Dear Libbie:
Your letters are new with pleasure, for we consider it a great favor to hear from friends and acquaintances as you have none here. I barely know to write that would be interesting to you. A great number of our neighbours and acquaintances have gone into the army and our little village exhibits quite a lonely appearance. I belong to a Society here called the mecile pickets to make garments bandages lint knit socks mittens, etc for the comfort of the poor soldiers who are protecting our homes and even laying down their lives for us, and you as well as us. It grieves me to hear you say you would not even knit a pair of socks. I have knit a pair and expect to do more. Those that do not have an interest in the welfare of their country must be classed with traitors and I am sorry to think I have friends that would vindicate such principles. I do not consider such people even in this life a burden, life is dearer to me than even it was before, not that I rejoice in ___________________________. I do not, I look upon it with horror and disgust, but the time has come when the oppression of the south could not be borne any longer. They have un____ the north ____________submit to all their impositions and let them do as they please but they find they have not got old Buck to duel with, this time they cannot work at their ____________, their stealing time is over now. They can have the privilege of fighting it out if they conquer all is _________ if not I think the southerner will have to learn how to wait upon themselves unless some such as H. Baldwin can serve them a _______ of cheese occasionally he have better try again perhaps he may have better success next time. Such men ought not to be free _______to stay here long. I do not monies. Life becomes a burden to people of such principles, but I fear they will not be much better off when they die in my opinion their prayers will not avail much, as I heard an expression made once they will not ascend higher than the steam of the tea kettle. Don’t take offense at any thing I have written. I have not written half I wish to. It is almost night and I must stop. Do write soon. I want to hear how you get along with those socks, next time we hear you will have them knit.
Your Aunt,
L.H. Haymaker