This letter appears to have been written by “N. A. Kaufman” and though I cannot find her in the genealogical chart of the Isaac Kaufman (1806-1867) and Eliza Smith (1811-1863), she appears to have been a sister of their children who are mentioned in her letter. They include George “Willis”) Kaufaman (b. 1842), Abraham David Kaufman (b. 1846), and Theodore S. Kaufman (1844-1908) of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania.

See 1863: Theodore S. Caufman to Eliza C. Crider which has family history pertinent to this letter.

Transcription

Boiling Springs
November 14th 1864

My dear friend,

Your letter dated October 16th was received by me in due time. It came unexpected but not unwelcomed. Indeed it seems so long since I have written to you that I have forgotten how long it is. I am not waiting as long to answer as you did, for I want to tell you if you have any notion of coming to see us this fall, you had better come soon or it will be winter. Really it felt like winter today but I think we will have some pleasant weather yet before winter sets in and I hope we may for our Quarterly Meeting is to be held next Saturday & your old favorite Mr. Burd is expected to be there. I have been interrupted in my writing this evening by some company coming in to spend the evening & as I don’t want to leave any letter lay over for another mail, I will try and finish it yet.

You ask about Bennet’s school. He never had much of a one & now he has none. The scholars all left before harvest except two or three & the teacher (a copperhead of course) went to Canada for fear the draft might hit him. I don’t suppose there will even be a school there while Bennett lives & owns the Church.

No doubt you have heard that Theodore has gone to be a soldier, but perhaps you have not heard Brother Will & Abe have gone also. Yes, they have gone and I have now not one brother at home. What a terrible thing is it that homes must be left desolate for such a cruel business as war. “Oh if the God of battles were not our strength and stay, Mothers and wives and sisters where would we turn today. But knowing is power extendeth wherever his children are, trusting we pray, God keep them gone, gone to the war.”

Abe Kaufaman was in the 100 day service and came home last week. He lookjs very well. Willis came home a few weeks ago. He had the ague before he came and has not entirely recovered yet.

I forgot to ask Sadie about writing to you. Sadie Whisler and her brother were down at Kaufman’s last Saturday. Ella has grown to be quite a big girl. She goes up to he grandpa’s by herself. She has not forgotten you entirely yet. We would be very glad to see you again. I almost forgot to tell you that we had moved about two months ago. We are now living in Front Street in a house built since you were here. If you come down in the cars, you must be sure and write long enough before us to meet you in Carlisle unless you would know of some other way of getting out. Our mail is the same as when you were here.

The Methodists are going to commence a protracted meeting here on next Saturday a week (Nov 26th). As it is late, I must close hoping to see or hear from you soon. Good night. From your affectionate friend, — M. A. Kaufman