Two typed letters from Aunt Ellen at White Hall — January 3, 1861 (complete) and January 13, 1861 (page 1)

White Hall, Jan. 3rd, 1861

Dear Sis:

I was very thankful for your letter for we had heard nothing except from newspapers and that is, as you know, only half. When you can do write anything you know or hear. We are completely in the dark. The children are well and very sweet. They were out all the time today after the sun came out and have a large trap set which they watch with unrequited assiduity. Sam has a little burn on one finger from a cracker, which he takes every day before breakfast to Aunt Kitty to have a greased rag put on. I was tying up a mashed finger for Christie yester- day when Sam walked up and said “Bubber, Aunt Kitty is the man for fix my finger and Aunt Ellen is the man for fix yours” in his funny way which made us both laugh. He is a rollicking little chap. Christie draws me more to him each day by his affectionate ways and earnest character. They are never in any- body’s way and are quite adopted by family and servants. Every- thing is so quiet here that it is impossible to realize what is taking place and I try not to dwell on it at all for the anxiety to hear and the fear of what is to come I am afraid would make me very weak, so I try to imagine myself someone else for the time and look calmly at what comes. I can’t write much as I scarcely know what I would say. I hope someone will write us, it would be a charity now.

With a great deal of love to all at home and the Kings.

Yours aff Ellen

- - - - - - - - -

White Hall, Jan. 13, 1861

Dear Sis:

The children arrived all safe, before dark, and were most