1848-1922: Civil War, Disease, KIDNAPPING!!!

Another lot of paper I bought. Here are some chronological tid-bits from these antiquated letters from the late 1840s to mid 1860s which then jump to 1922:

The 1848 letter is of little interest to read.

"....very sick.... I could not get up scarce one bit.... I could not raise my head to look up the doctor was here yesterday evening he examined my lungs with his instrument and thumped my brest (???) it showed the prints this morning.... he says that I have not got the consumption that my lungs is purfect sound but my liver is in a very bad condition....." it goes on, before continuing with her 'saying' that "he dont see nothing to hender why I cant be cured to modest health.... I am so lonesom I have had more than one cry aready." For whatever reason, as an after thought or after another person reviewed it, at the very bottom she (we assume) writes in tiny font that she is thinking about leaving him due to her lonliness, that she doesn't want to discourage him but that she needs him there as soon as possible."
Sunday, September 6th, 1857.

"We are looking for the hundred days men home this week and I hope that we will see them for I am so lonesome I don't know what to do I would give a quarter to see the Company.... I have just been reading the news grant is still progressing sherman is doing a little farragut is about to capture mobile. I hope that they will have success... there is not a county in the United States that has not had some of the cursed traitors. I heare that they are (??????) to resist the draft...." August 18th, 1864.

"They have some curious looking things they call reaping machines but I would not give 3 cents a dower for them..." A Civil War Soldier writes home as he begins his training. July 5th, 1864.

"I have been going to writing school this fall.....but I improve very sloly I think. Old Abe is our president for four more years arnt you glad of that. I am. the election of abe was one of the greatest victories of eighteen sixty four. well I have been thinking for the last fifteen minutes of something to write but I cant do it." November 27th, 1864.

"He is now taking Dr Jaynes Alterative and Sanitive pills, commenced a few days ago, cannot tell now whether it will benefit him or not...." January 25th, 1865.

The most beautifully scripted letter happens to see the writer say, "My hand trembles so that I can barely write." I'd love to see her writing on her best day, then!
"He went with the double object of having Samuel doctored, and of learning Telegraphy." Sadly, it was a college in the fifth story of "Pike's opera house", but he was so weak that he couldn't climb the stairs and the doctor of the "Eclectic Medical College" in the same building that day told him he wasn't allowed anymore. He became so badly off that day that he was confined to his bed.
"He says Samuel's disease is of the spinal marrow affecting the heart, stomach, and brain..... This to me is a dark picture-- Yet I live in hope-- 'The Lord doeth all things well'.... Later, "Local News" appears with some interesting items, including: "They have just got the house all newly papered...." May 2nd, 1865.

"I suppose you have heard of Dear Brother Roberts death. he died the 20th of July with the camp Diareah he died at Knoxville Tenn.... I forgot to tell you.... that George Bassetts factory was burnt down last Friday Morning it got fire by a lamp that fell down.... I want you to send your photographs of you to me-- pleas." Dec. 31st 1865 and January 4th, 1866, on same piece of paper. From "your cousin Lizzie."

Jumping to 1922....: "Rose Chanty (???) was kidnapped by Raymond(?) Wilson off(?) Grand Rapids was found at Dublin about ninety miles from here. She was found by a farmer hunting for his two cows which were lost, he brought her to the nearest farm-house which was a mile away! She was unconscious when they found her and when she came to she was in a daze and kept running up and down the house... when the officials heard she was found they started to look for mr wilson who they believed was in the wood near Dublin.... They searched the woods in which the girl was found but they could not find him.... they learned he lived in Grand Rapids.... after much trouble they found his address and went to his home where they arrested him .... after a short trial he was sentenced to thirty-five to forty years in prison. When he arrived to the prison gate he said he was very sorry for the little girl."