Letter from Mary Louisa “Lou” Mitchell/Michel Binckley to “Mother Binckley,” April 8, 1861

Washington

April 8, 1861

Dear Mother Binckley,

I had no idea of allowing so long pass without writing to you but have been so busy that the time flew faster than ever, and I cannot believe that it is the second week in April. But late as it is, there are few signs of the approach of Spring – to-day reminds me of the account you gave of the disagreeable weather you met in Ohio – it is a perfect storm of cold wind and heavy rain. The half opened peach blooms look frozen and the leaves that started out last week look as if they repented their rashness.

For the first time in my life, it saddens me to see the springtime leaves, for I know whence they come, I must go – however, I will not speak or think of that now.

I supposed Milton told you that Slocumb had actually resigned and left the city. Poor fellow! It was hard for him – everything seemed against him – his property here could not sell – his influential friends gone, and Rosa’s father in such difficulties that his home had to be sold. But an offer was made Slocumb to go as agent to Little Rock, Ark. With an opening to practice law; it was the best, and Milton advised him to go – so, after a week or two of indecision, he made up his mind and started right off.

Dear little Rosa! I was so sorry to part from her, though there is more probability of our meeting if she goes to Arkansas, than if she had remained here.

Milton and I went down to see them off, and had to help them finish their packing, as Rosa had been to Mt. Vernon that morning, and had barely time to get ready for the evening boat.

It did grieve me to the heart to see Milton’s one intimate friend taken from him – he seems so alone now.

Old Gen. Cooke* has been very sick lately, and quite desolate, as his wife is away. Milton went down to see him, and I to see Katy Barclay; I found poor Katy had been very ill – was in bed two months – her baby’s life had to be taken to save hers, and she is just now able to go about. Mr. Barclay brought her up in the little carriage to see us last week.

Mrs. Ridgeley has broken up housekeeping, and is boarding at Mrs. Lamb’s, so I saw her, too. They sent much love to you. Poor Gen. Cooke sent for me to come up and see him, and I found he wanted me to use my influence with uncle Joseph [Joseph. E. Johnston, Quartermaster General of the USA until his resignation on April 22, 1861] to have him kept in as he was in an agony of fear lest he should lose his office. There is so much distress of that kind now. Some old clerks who have been in for years and years have been dismissed without a day’s warning. Our neighbor, Mr. Smith, has been removed.

Changes everywhere – except in the “Home of the Poet” who still sits in his portico and watches his “fountain.” I expect soon to see the largest size volume (complimentary copy) sent in, consisting entirely of “Odes to my fountain,” “The ‘fountain’ by night,” “the fountain at dewy morn, or silent eve, when naught breaks the pathetic stillness but the gushing fountain or the rumbling baker’s cart.”**

But we will turn from the imaginary woes of the Poet to the real troubles of your old washerwoman. Aunt Betty’s husband died two weeks ago, and she seems fairly broken down: will have to sell some of her furniture to pay funeral expenses – of course we help her as much as we can, and Milton proposed to take her with us, but drew at the same time, such a picture of our possible straits, that the poor old darkie got scared and thinks she had better stay here.

Just think, I have not mentioned Ellie [aka Nellie or Nella Fontaine Binckley, circa 1860-circa 1950] yet! [P]oor little soul! She has her first bad cold, and has, I think, commenced teething, so you can imagine how I have spent the last two or three nights.

If you had been in your old room last night you would not have slept much. Oh, that room does look so desolate, I can’t bear to go in there – and yet I feel constantly tempted to go in and tell you something, or take you an apple – I guess you have better apples than we can get here.

Dear me, I am at the bottom of the page and not nearly done.

We have had a good joke about Willie’s [William Manning Mitchell, 1840-1908] going to the Almshouse. He got the situation of Resident student there. A very desirable one.

We are all well as usual in good health, tho’ not very bright in spirits. No one can be in the present state of the country.

I do not dare think of what may come but the All Wise ruleth over all.

Do write soon to us – all send their love. Sue [Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel, 1838-1940] will write to you. Ellie sends many kisses to grandma from herself and mother.

Mary Louisa “Lou” Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930) at Washington, D.C. to “Mother Binckley” (Charlotta Stocker Binckley) in Ohio, April 8, 1861. Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription.

Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance over the past few years.

*Possibly Philip St. George Cooke (1809-1895), though his command at the time was in the West. J.E.B. Stuart was a son-in-law.

**A notation in pencil indicates that this was Walt Whitman, but was he residing in Washington, D.C. at the time?