Transcription of Moses Cass Jr.’s letter to his wife Abiah Sturtevant
Fort Georg April ye 15th (1776)
Loving wife I have once more an opertunity to inform you of my helth by these few lines which I hope you will soon Receive with the same satisfaction as I Received two from you Last night in which you inform me you are all in helth which gives me joy my chief conserne is about my family
I live in tumult and confution all around yet in Silent hours I meditate on our misfortune in that we must be separated at so wide a distance as I soon Expect we shall be yor fortune is hard as well as mine from the first day we met we have lived a tiresome Life as other mortals do and your trouble now is still greater you have so much care upon your mind
I mourn in sorrow for you in silent watches of the nigth when all nature is at rest and slumber Closd my eyes I fancy myself at home with you but over come with Joy I soon awake and then that Joy departs but the year will soon come round swift as the wings of time can carry it when if my helth and life are spard I hope I may return and find you well mourn not at all for me for I have been under cumfortable circumstances can sleep as well on the floor as on a feather bed and though I mourn for you I am not willing yet to turn I hold the same mind as when I came from home the ice is most gone (blot) es and Expect to set out for Quebeck in two or three days and I trust I shall have the same god to gard me there as in other Places
I think I have had my helth better then when at home I am concernd about yor going out two much in storms I pray take care I mean to take all care posible my self and submit the Event to devine providence I hear the small pox is at Quebeck but I don't mind nothing about it for we heard before we came to albany that the small pox was in the city very thick when there was not one that had it nothing but Tory lyes the most that troubles me is the continual cursing and swearing of the pensylvany men which I very much hate to hear
jeneral thomas from boston is arived hear and is to lead forth the army to Quebeck where I soon expect to be and when I (s)hall have opertunity to hear from you again or you from me I no not I shall want to hear from you again when grass has grone for cattle for I understand my hay is most gone I shall not fail to write you Every opertunity and hope you will do the same
I must now leave you all in the hands of providence and shall wish and long for the return of that Day in which we may enjoy our selves better then ever yet we have done from your loving husband
Moses Cass Jr
April ye 16th this moment Receivd orders to Embarck tomorrow morning at break of day we donot know yet whether malery rides post or not my love to Patience and Regards to Aaron for his letter and to all enquiering friends
Transcription provided by Bryan Cass