Letter from David Hull to Son George C Hull

Letter

St. Joseph Museums

1: Zanesville Sept 25th 1861
My dear Son I arrived safely at home last night about dusk and found all the folks well and glad to see me back. I had pleasant weather and agreeable company all the way and would have enjoyed the trip immensely if I could have banished from my thoughts all recollection of you and the ... in which I had left you. I remembered continually that I had left you with but little knowledge or experience of the world. Cast for the first time in your life among strangers and exposed to the evil influences and contaminations of life in a camp. Evils which I dread far more than I do all the dangers and accumulated horrors of the battle field. I can, generally, when I make the effort control my feelings perfectly, and you know I am never (excepting in a jovial mood) vary demonstrative in matters of feeling or affection, consequentially I suppose you had no idea or suspicion that during the last few days of our stay together in St Louis I was undergoing one of the most painful struggles to which my feeling have ever been subjected. the natural and reasonable apprehension that years might elapse e’re we might meet again and

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Zanesville Sept 25th 1861 My dear Son I arrived safely at home last night about dusk and found all the folks well and glad to see me back. I had pleasant weather and agreeable company all the way and would have enjoyed the trip immensely if I could have banished from my thoughts all recollection of you and the ... in which I had left you. I remembered continually that I had left you with but little knowledge or experience of the world. Cast for the first time in your life among strangers and exposed to the evil influences and contaminations of life in a camp. Evils which I dread far more than I do all the dangers and accumulated horrors of the battle field. I can, generally, when I make the effort control my feelings perfectly, and you know I am never (excepting in a jovial mood) vary demonstrative in matters of feeling or affection, consequentially I suppose you had no idea or suspicion that during the last few days of our stay together in St Louis I was undergoing one of the most painful struggles to which my feeling have ever been subjected. the natural and reasonable apprehension that years might elapse e’re we might meet again and