[Manchester—Monday, 11 September 1865]
Sepr 11th Dr Hedge came in early with a letter & expressing much sorrow. Things are sure to come straight.
J. received a call also from a Mr Wells, a friend of the Kemble Family. He says Fanny is reading again in Bath & Brighton and he shall not be surprised to hear she has determined to read again in America. Her money is some of it invested here and her receipts are much reduced by exchange. He is a friend of Pierce Butler as well and thinks very highly of Sarah Wistar, says she is full of talent and has written some children’s stories which she wishes to send to the Y.F.
Mr Bartol returned from Lancaster and spoke of a sleeping child he saw at the funeral of its grandmother where he was officiating. The two slumbers impressed his thought.
He saw Mr Thayer’s house which is the finest in Worcester Co. The Nashua River flows near by and the downward meadow slope is full of beauty.
Genl Barlow came in to see Mr Fields. He is an extraordinary man. Hardly over 30 years, pale from wounds, his arm drawn up, swearing, impetuous, not totally abstinent certainly, he has distinguished himself and his brigade for undaunted bravery in action. He possesses no brain for combinations or for what is usually considered generalship but for the rude onset of battle no man has exceeded him in fury.
His wife who has now died, partly perhaps from over exposure during the war distinguished herself also by her fearlessness. One whole day, hearing her husband was wounded she dashed up & down the field on horseback in search of him regardless of the flying shot. She was always at the front doing what she could for the soldiers who worshipped her & following her husband’s fortunes.
He enlisted as a common soldier but rose through the ranks to be General. “Carleton” has put Mrs Barlow into one of his stories. She is sure to be seen in the pictoral history of this war.
