Do you get the papers? If not shall I send you one occasionally.

New York

Day Street House

April 22^nd, 1865

Dear Arnold,

Both your letters dated April 18^th, 20^th reach me this morning. I was really surprised at not hearing from you so long a time. I do not see why I should scold you, as I have not been punctual myself, if I would set the example I might exact as hope for the same. I will begin and amend shall I? But no! You will not possibly have time to read so many letters. My dear lord and master, you may say what you will, your heart is not all my own, shall I tell you who is honored by full half of it, the regular army at present. Well, Arnold, I do not blame you. But dear Arnold don’t you know that your father views of future happiness run in a different channel.

Arnold I know no more how to advise you than a child, but if this war should come to so sudden a close as you think will not the South be a large field even for a Dr., for instance Richmond, but then I know nothing at all of Richmond or any other places, so far as to advise a person I think you had not ought to ask me indeed I wish I could advise you. If you can get an office under government, I shall be pleased that will be easiest for you, will it not? But do not take a thought for me not matter where you go or what you will not need to fear that I might not like it. I hope you will come home soon, but remember I will not let you go as soon as you seem to think, you must stay a month at least and rest for you have worked very hard lately. I would rather not have you come at all if only for a few days, now remember.

We have received letters from Cally and Charles at last, they are both spared us without a scar, but they have suffered some, they do not begrudge their going. Oh, I long for Calvin to come home, Charley had been very sick for a few days. I also had a letter from Winfield, he is at Stevenson Station, Cally and Charles hoped to be home by 4^th of July if not discharged on furlough. I hope sooner than, above all I hope you will come soon and you will stay as long as possible, won’t you?

Father and Mother are both sick this long time, not seriously now, but they both have to keep their rooms part of the day, it keeps me rather busy waiting on them and so many other things I have to attend to, that like you I cannot hardly find time for writing unless late in evening then I do not feel like it so you will excuse me want you?

Tomorrow or the day after will be no business done here as the President’s body will lay in state at City Hall. I have never witnessed such a beautiful yet mournful sight as N.Y. represents every house seems a tombstone, it seems to me impossible to walk the street without feeling very sad, just as if you were walking in a cemetery. I really do not believe that there are 60 houses or hotels in the city which are not draped, a good many gentlemen and ladies wear a mourning badge.

I heard that all the citizens of Washington would dress in deep mourning for the month. There are several southern ladys here at our house even they seem to mourn Lincoln and dread our present President, I wish he would show himself a tyrant, towards the south even the women of the South ought to hear any other word but mercy, they are very deceitful and bad. I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Miss Scott, also Dr. Sell, we had quite a nice time. Goodbye, take good care of yourself.

Your Tillie