October 1861

The following letter was written by George Dodge, son of Roderick and Elizabeth Dodge. Goodrich had been boarding with the Dodge family just prior to joining the 6th Arkansas Infantry.

Little Rock, Arkansas
October 24, 1861

Dear Friend,

Your letter has just been received and now I hasten to answer it before I read it through for when I know that this letter is on its way to you I can read it at my leisure. I will proceed to justify myself so that you will see it is none of my fault in your not receiving a letter from me. In the first place I received a letter from you when you was at Pocahontas and then your division was moved and by the time I had found where you were you had taken your march to Columbus [Kentucky]. When I heard you had arrived there, I started to write and found you were in the S.M.H. [Southern Mother’s Home] in Memphis. Then I thought I had a sure thing of it, and directed to you in care of S. Mathers. Then I waited and not hearing from you concluded you had rejoined your company. And then I was waiting to hear where to direct the next letter to as I saw a letter advertised for you in the Memphis [Daily] Appeal.  So you see I could not help it. I hope in future matters may be arranged so that our correspondence may be carried on with regularity. I am sorry to hear that you have been so unfortunate and if my letters ever get to you, as I hope they will, be truly welcome to all the gratification they can afford you.

Times here are very dull and the weather has turned very cold. If you do not get discharged from the hospital soon, you may see Pa over there as he has an idea of going to Memphis and New Orleans.  Mr. Mathews is getting along very well with his school – has about thirty scholars. For the last few days, he has been sick but has resumed his school today. He teaches opposite the Christian Church. I am hard at work in the Drug business and between tending store and studying medicine, I have a busy time.

I hope this letter may reach you and then you must keep me posted up in regard to your address &c.  so we can correspond with regularity. I must close with wishing you a better time in the future.

Your friend, — George E. Dodge

Enclosed in the same envelope was a letter written by Mrs. Dodge:

Thursday evening, October 24th [1861]
Dear Sir,

George has brought me his letter to finish and I gladly lay my work aside for a few moments to do so. We were very glad to hear from you, but grieved to know that you were so soon obliged to leave the camp for the hospital. This is doubtless very trying for you, but perhaps it is for your good. Indeed, we know it is. Sickness is severe but healthful discipline for us in this world without its occasional visitations is to be feared [lest] we should become too careless and unconcerned about our eternal interests, which are by far the most important of any. Besides, we become unmindful of our constant dependence upon God for this great blessing health, and too often ungrateful for this and our other common mercies. I am very sure that it is good for us to be prostrated by sickness, now and then, if we are indeed, as we ought to be, taught these useful and solemn lessons by it.

I trust you may be soon restored to health but I hope you will try to be patient and trustful whatever may be the result. O how much suffering has this terrible war already cost! It is fast converting our once peaceful land into one vast “Aceldama,” from every portion of which go up cries of mourning and distress from weeping friends for their “loved and lost.” It is indeed a dark and mysterious time, and did we not know that “the Judge of all the Earth will do right,” we might indeed despair. But we know His hand is guiding and directing; that He always prospers the right” and we may hope and believe that the South shall yet be free.

George will, I suppose, answer the inquiries made in your letter. I will just add that your friend, Mrs. Colonel Syberg, has been dangerously ill. Dr. Webb told her that she would never be well again; that she might live some time but her glottis was destroyed and she “would always talk through her nose, and eat with great difficulty.” She is very much subdued and quite miserable. They moved into the Simpson house and have completely metamorphosed that place.

My children are all in excellent health. Mary, Anna, & Lucy go to school to Mr. Graves, who has hardly half as large a school as formerly. Our darling pet Miriam is very healthy now and walks alone, much to the delight and admiration of all the family. Emma too is in excellent health and spends most of her time under the persimmon tree (which is loaded with fruit) with her coloured companion Phebe. Mr. Sample came down last week on his way to Synod at Pine Bluff. Ellen did not accompany him this time as he came on horseback, the river being unnavigable.

The children all send love to you and often speak of you. They are learning pretty well. Anna says, “Tell Mr. Goodrich that Lucy and I go up to the blackboard every evening and do our sums.”

I hope you will continue to write and hoping you will soon be able to assist in conquering “peace for Dixie” after which you may live long to enjoy it.

I remain, your friend — Eliza B. Dodge

Eliza B. Dodge, her husband Roderick, and daughter Miriam, ca. 1862