(Collection of Karen Nicholson, Arlington, VA)
Guess you went (?) for Father (?) Abraham
Chambersburg Penn
Nov. 1864
Dr. Manning
Your very kind letter, was duly received, and I shant say how glad I was to hear from you. Yet I knew circumstances were of such a character that you could not write. Why it is I place so much confidence in you I cannot say, but I have ever felt in you a true friend. You have been up the Shenandoah, enduring the hardships of civil (?) war. When I opened your letter, I confirmed the cause of you not writing for so long a time, however, I fully forgive you, knowing your time to be occupied. How glad I was to know you escaped unhurt, while others just as heroic have been felled to the earth, by the hands of Rebels, traitors to our dear old Flag. But a kind and protecting Providence has watched over and cared for you. How thankful you should be, and I hope you may always escape so well for I want to see you some day real badly if it is not till this civil war is over. That poor Surgeon, how sad his fate, but sad as it was, had to be his lot. I admire your conduct fearless of rebels, stopping to take his bleeding body upon that noble animal. Your (position or picture) certainly was critical, yet you have been able to come off conqueror. Do you expect to remain anytime in B. or will you get another kind invitation to take another trip.
Just think its real mean, having you kept so busy all the time, depriving you of society, of your rest, and injuring your constitution. But the cause is noble, bear it gently, it will not always last, or at least hope not, (By the way, just while I think of it, Did you receive a paper a few days since from our place, I sent you one having a beautiful piece of poetry in, written by a Surgeon in the Army by name A. L. Manning. I handed it in to Col McClure to have it published. He thought it real nice, worthy of a place in his paper. I was out at Col. Boyd's the other evening and the Col had been looking over the Repository, but as we went in, he of course dispensed with that, and asked us if we had seen the beautiful piece of poetry in the Repository written by a Surgeon in the Army whose initials he could no make out as any of the great number, he met when in service. Not any of the Ladies present knew anything about it, of course they told him they had all read it, but did not know who wrote it. Libbie said she would ask the fireman in the office, She did so, He told her Miss Annie Fritz had given it in. She saw me the next day, and saluted me in this style, "Annie Fritz you are real mean for not telling us your friend wrote that piece of poetry; I am going to tell Pa as soon as I go home. I then told her you were only a Barcely correspondent. She asked me for your address saying she was going to write to you if I did not care, I assured her I had no objections, then gave her your address. So if you get a letter from a Lady in Chambersburg different from any you have received, it will be from Miss Lizzie Boyd, As gay as girl as you ever met, I know, Has plenty of time to answer letters, when not on horseback. spends a great deal of her riding out. I am not positive she will write, but she may if she wishes.)
Had a letter from cousin Mollie, She is very well enjoying herself finely, is coming home in Jan, if the Rebels don't come, sends her compliments to you, Her very dear beau is coming with her home from Harrisburg. I have something nice to tell you, about one of my friends who is coming to see me first of December, Something nice I can assure you, Will tell you sometime between this and Christmas. Was invited out this evening, spent a pleasant time, met five of Cruche's? Clerks, were all so pleasant, and we had some of the finest guitar music you ever heard, I am so fond of music. Do you play any musical instrument? I have been wanting a Melodeon for so long, but times have been so exciting, that I am better satisfied without it, at least for the present. My going to school this fall is all passed off in Seminary has been burned, however a select school is in progress, and I think of going to it, after a visit to Waynesboro about Christmas, Don't you think that would be real nice?
You still seem to think you would like to see me, to converse with me, Well, whenever you come you can have the privilege, I am sure Pa wont care, or at least dont think he will. I shall not ask you to come again, not until summer for I know you will not come sooner than you can, even if I would ask you a dozen times. Glad my picture is so much admired by my unknown friend, wonder what attracts his attention to it, tis not as beautiful as some. Can't say about the "congeniality" will see when we are fortunate enough to meet. My Makiner is not sold and reserved to my friends, therefore you need have no fear about that, as you are numbered among my friends. Two Gentleman from Bixton are fitting up a photograph gallery which will be complete in a week or two, persons from other places say they are splendid Artists, Will then stand for some and send for one, having a more expressive countenance. Ma and Pa accept your kind regards, and the same are returned. O I don't mean that, I mean their best wishes for your welfare, What is your first and middle name? Strange I never knew, however, never asked it. Please write soon, or whenever you can conveniently -- as I am always glad to hear from you. I don't care how long, the letter is, or how much poetry you send, will be gladly received, only at 2 o'clock you should be enjoying a sweet nap in place of writing letters, but suppose were waiting on a sick patient.
Must close
Your Ever true Friend
Annie Fritz