This Michigan home front letter was probably written by 18 year-old Matilda L. Brott who was the only “Matilda B.” in the 1860 US Census in Grattan, Kent county, Michigan, where she was employed as a “domestic” in the Joshua Howell household. She was married in May 1869 to George W. Fralick (1847-1876) who served in Co. B, 10th Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War.

Matilda wrote the letter to her former school teacher, Lt. Asa Walker Slayton (1830-1907), the son of Russell Slayton (1798-1863) and Bethena Clark (1803-1877) of Grattan. Asa served as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. B, 25th Michigan Infantry.

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Grattan, [Michigan]
October 22nd 1862

Far Distant though well remembered friend Asa,

With much pleasure I take this opportunity of intruding, if intrusion you would call it, upon the peace & quietude that you may be enjoying when you receive this, to let you know that I still remember those who have gone forth in that noble cause—the defense of our just & righteous government. And as you are far from home, I thought perhaps you might welcome this little message in friendship from a scholar. For that title I should prefer to all others. Although properly speaking I am not. But shall ever regard you as a Teacher and shall ever thank you for the instruction that I have received from you. And with this introduction, I will proceed.

We are all well at present and I sincerely hope that these few imperfect lines may find you enjoying the same blessing of health. I pity the poor soldier, far away from home who does not enjoy that blessing.

There is a great deal of excitement about the war around here at present. But not many enlisting now. Drafting commences in two weeks from today. I am afraid we shall see harder times when it comes to drafting than we have yet. But our country’s call must be obliged or it will not be long that we can call her Our Country. And I am glad that she has so many noble sons to send to its rescue. And I feel it an honor to call those my friends who have gone in her defense. And hope to be regarded as a friend by them.

Sometimes we hear news that encourages us & gives us some hope. And then again we hear very discouraging news. It seems very lonely in Grattan now. But the less there is left, the greater sacrifice we feel that we have made and feel proud of the representatives that she has sent forth to help quell this awful rebellion. And trusting in God, we believe that e’er long, we shall welcome them home again to our now lonely firesides and the dear homes they have left far behind with the many sacrifices they have made to obey their county’s loud call.

We know that it is hard to part with friends that we have spent the youthful part of our lives in our own quiet and peaceful homes with nothing to molest our happiness. But if our Government goes down, what is there that is not lost and gone with it? What more have we to hope for seeing all is gone? Our homes would be ours no longer to welcome you back to. I have often wished I might never live to see the agonies of my country begin. But now I only wish I were of more service to my country. And if my words of encouragement were any good, freely would I give them.

I feel that we all have an interest in the cause of Liberty. And who cannot feel interested in it. I think of you all very often. Those with whom I have passed many happy hours, yes and years of my girlhood. For we have been schoolmates together. But there is no choice. All must go. We cannot reserve those who we rather would stay. All must be separated for a while, perhaps forever. God only knows. And He that knoweth will preserve you all. The right must prosper and be victorious, and with this hope. I feel that we shall soon welcome you all back to our homes. I hope that this same feeling may encourage the soldier to persevere till the end may come.

I suppose I must say a few words about our schools around here and the scholars in general. John Goss is going to teach the school in Mr. Holmes’s district. Jenny B. is going to teach our school. I expect to teach the school in Bickford district if I get a certificate. I dread inspection day. But all our inspectors have gone to Dixie. I don’t now but we shall have to go without inspection this fall. I wish we had.

Clara & Frank are going to school this winter. Lodeska lives at Mr. Watkins. Will go to school north this winter. Rilla is going to school & Mary Gillitt is going home to the south part of the state. Our schools will be small around here this winter.

But as it is getting late and is the night previous to the departure of the mail and I shall have the letters all to mail yet, I will close with the few imperfect lines and not intrude upon the quietude you may be enjoying when you receive this. Think of us scholars often. So goodbye. Write soon and remember me at your writing desk. I remain as ever a friend. From a far distant but not unmindful although unworthy friend and well wisher, — Matilda B.