December 6th.
If Mr. Craney thought the bundle of hair was a feather-bed, he will certainly think that the stocking box, when it arrives, is the bedstead following on. . . . Let me describe its contents. In the first place, E’s cheque bought seven dozen and a half pairs of socks. . . . We have added as many more dozen as our own purchase, and friends sent in nearly two dozen knitted ones, so that the whole number is sixteen dozen. The pair of Mackinaw blankets looked like very heavy and handsome ones, from one of Robert’s parishioners. We added two pairs more of less expensive ones, and in the folds of one are a couple of little framed pictures, out of a lot Charley brought down to be sent, but I thought two were enough to run the risk of breakage. . . . Of woolen gloves there are five dozen—Jane’s purchase, etc., etc. . . . Lastly, after the box was all nailed up, came Dorus with a dozen of “country-knit socks” from the store in Friendsville, near where Annie Woolsey lives. We had the middle plank of the box taken off and stuffed them in. . . . It is unpardonable that Wrage’s men, or any men, should be badly off for socks. The dishonest quartermasters are a curse to our army and our cause. . . . Mother thinks the best part of all this is to be able to put the pillows yourselves under the sick men’s heads. What a scene your room must be with its boxes and bags! . . . We are amused to think that you admire the President’s message. . . . What do you think of his muddle about the slavery question? about Government taking slaves at so much a lump for taxes? expatriating a man from the soil he was born on and loves, because he is loyal to the government and of dark complexion.
