TWELVE PAGE LETTER TO “DEAR LITTLE DURL” FROM “YOURS EVER AND ONLY, AUTIE”.

TWELVE PAGE LETTER TO “DEAR LITTLE DURL” FROM “YOURS EVER AND ONLY, AUTIE”. Camp Sandy Forsyth, 10 p.m., Saturday night, November 7, 68. Three sheets of paper, folded, written on twelve sides./“Dear Little Durl/A small mail came this evening. I received only three letters and one of those was from an autograph seeker. The other two flowers were from the dearest of dears, both written from Mrs. Boggs and numbered 7&8 one was quite long and the other was brief. You termed it a business letter and mentioned having seen Col.—— in the sheet you do not mention the number of letters you received from me and I fear you do not get all I write. I have written you a letter I think everyday or nearly so since my return from the first expedition. The number must be over twenty at least. Her has only sent him eight and one of those I have never received no.6 but I suppose her has been busy with her writing and friends, so he will not treasure it —– her. But he does long for letters from her. I presume that this is your first night in 11worth, I hope you have made a safe and pleasant journey and found everything satisfactory on your arrival. I wish I could spend a few days with you so as to be assured that you had everything to make you comfortable in my absence. I sincerely hope Nellie is with you. My Osages joined me this evening. They are all very fine looking Indians. I cannot write this evening, I do not feel in the humor. I wish I could see “somebody” and put them on the ground in reference to their conduct with Gentlemen. I have listened to more conversation between the officers than I ever have before relating to women and they are all without exception so so very severe upon women and apply such strong meanings to the slightest acts with words of women that I sometimes get almost frenzied when I think that some men might have peeked at my letter and from some innocent artless word or deed of hers. Oh I cannot express to you with my pen the extent to which officers- gentlemen go in ascribing thoughts and intentions to women from some trivial and—– act. One would think there was no such thing as sisters among women to hear nice talk. I have heard in a crowded tent officers say how many ways a woman had if intimating to a man that that she wanted to do things with him, for instructions in playing cards, the lady dealing instead of placing the cards on the table for her opponent to cut them would hold them in her hand so that her hand could touch him- this was pronounced an invisible sign that a woman was ready(?)/Another that when seated at a table or playing cards the woman allowed her knee or foot to press against a gentleman, this was to be interpreted the same way so when walking or promenading for the lady to lean heavily on the gentleman’s arm, and a dozen equally simple and to me innocent acts were all stated as unfailing evidence of impurity of thought and desire to act badly upon the trust of women. It worried me and does yet to think that my little one with her mind and heart as pure as those of any angel has no doubt done them and many similar acts and that wicked ignorant, conceited and silly men may has ascribed when other than the purest of motives. Married ladies were particularly criticized and spoken of lightly as if their marriage make it safe for them to be dishonorable. One named lady, an officers wife came to Ft. Dodge and an officer who never saw her before slept with her the first night she stayed at the post. And if I am not mistaken you and Mrs. Gibbs know the woman it is not a woman of the 7th although this can be frowned upon, one of them then to — — — two other women all whose characters were under discussion. An officer told about their riding in an ambulance after dark with two officers and how they acted. I am not for one moment worried or anxious about the purity and uprightness of my darlings acts did people know her to be the true woman and wife that she is, but I often fear, particularly after hearing men talk as above, thus some of my little devils innocent, playful , uncaring actor speeches to gentlemen may have misled them, and caused them to attribute unworthy notice, when if I could only see her to put her on her guard more than ever, but I cannot see her she must heed his advise as she always has she knows that he is better aquatinted with the world and it’s wickedness than she. She knows that he would tell her nothing but for her good, and he now urges her to exercise even more care than ever in regard to her conduct with gentlemen. You know that I am away from you now and this fact alone will cause people to watch your conduct more narrowly and criticize it more severely than if I were with you. There are always to be found mean, low mischief loving people who envy us our happy married life and who would gladly throe a hand between us. They would be overjoyed to detect the slightest thing upon you, just either in your conduct or language that would either injure you before the world or in my eyes. You will always be good and pure and everything else thus rendering you dear to your boy. But in addition to this be on your guard always when with gentlemen or when speaking to them. Do not put yourself in such circumstances that people of small minds could slander you if they desired. Avoid being alone in the dark with them as no circumstances furnish so good a foundation for a piece of scandal as these. I am so sorry that so many women have acted so as to give the majority of men cause to doubt the entire sex. Could these very women who have listened to the vain nonsense of gentlemen and in return have granted improper leisure. Could have then some men discuss them by name in a tent full of officers. — alive would make them more careful. My letter — conduct satisfies her boy to the fullest extent and when he knows women condemned so after and so generally and as he well knows so justly he praises thus “Destiny” thus he pointed out when his peerless letter one whose purity of thought and action is one of the brightest facts of character. He could live away from her for an eternity were this possible and know every moment that her mind, heart and body remained as pure as the angles in heaven. But he desires that the wicked world shall never ever have cause to take her name upon thy polluted lips, I will not write more tonight but will hope to do so in the morning. Good Night sweetest of wines, dearest od dears and purest of women—- Sunday morning. To day it is rainy and unpleasant. My little durl may think this is too serious a letter but. I do not mean it so. I only thought how closely she will be watched, as all women are in their husbands absence an knew she would want her boy to have enough trust in her to warn her of any danger. Col. Wier came with the tent yesterday and asked permission —–./I wish I could get a letter from her before I leave. Writing from 11worth I felt awfully —-/The day before yesterday he has been looking for mail for several days, a small re course./Moylan rce’d a letter from Anna but then were none for her “Bo” he knew it was all right because so far his little durl was concerned and true enough the mail yesterday brought me two letters from her. One of them the same date as Mr. Mo from Anna. But I do not hope even for a letter from you before I go. The time is too short. I hope you will write repeatedly in care of Col. Beasly Fort Hays. and when the Cav comes back I can get all your letters every word coming from you will be most welcome. I am never so tired, sleepy or hungry but that your letters make me forget everything. I am sure of one things and that is that you never loved your boy more finally and devotedly than you do now. and you desire him with you more earnestly than now. And she can feel equally confident regarding her boy. Mail from her arrived and I must say Bye, Bye. I will write again tonight if possible./Yours ever and only, Autie” 4-30918 (6,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	407	$20,700.00	TWELVE PAGE LETTER TO “DEAR LITTLE DURL” FROM “YOURS EVER AND ONLY, AUTIE”. Camp Sandy Forsyth, 10 p.m., Saturday night, November 7, 68. Three sheets of paper, folded, written on twelve sides./“Dear Little Durl/A small mail came this evening. I received only three letters and one of those was from an autograph seeker. The other two flowers were from the dearest of dears, both written from Mrs. Boggs and numbered 7&8 one was quite long and the other was brief. You termed it a business letter and mentioned having seen Col.—— in the sheet you do not mention the number of letters you received from me and I fear you do not get all I write. I have written you a letter I think everyday or nearly so since my return from the first expedition. The number must be over twenty at least. Her has only sent him eight and one of those I have never received no.6 but I suppose her has been busy with her writing and friends, so he will not treasure it —– her. But he does long for letters from her. I presume that this is your first night in 11worth, I hope you have made a safe and pleasant journey and found everything satisfactory on your arrival. I wish I could spend a few days with you so as to be assured that you had everything to make you comfortable in my absence. I sincerely hope Nellie is with you. My Osages joined me this evening. They are all very fine looking Indians. I cannot write this evening, I do not feel in the humor. I wish I could see “somebody” and put them on the ground in reference to their conduct with Gentlemen. I have listened to more conversation between the officers than I ever have before relating to women and they are all without exception so so very severe upon women and apply such strong meanings to the slightest acts with words of women that I sometimes get almost frenzied when I think that some men might have peeked at my letter and from some innocent artless word or deed of hers. Oh I cannot express to you with my pen the extent to which officers- gentlemen go in ascribing thoughts and intentions to women from some trivial and—– act. One would think there was no such thing as sisters among women to hear nice talk. I have heard in a crowded tent officers say how many ways a woman had if intimating to a man that that she wanted to do things with him, for instructions in playing cards, the lady dealing instead of placing the cards on the table for her opponent to cut them would hold them in her hand so that her hand could touch him- this was pronounced an invisible sign that a woman was ready(?)/Another that when seated at a table or playing cards the woman allowed her knee or foot to press against a gentleman, this was to be interpreted the same way so when walking or promenading for the lady to lean heavily on the gentleman’s arm, and a dozen equally simple and to me innocent acts were all stated as unfailing evidence of impurity of thought and desire to act badly upon the trust of women. It worried me and does yet to think that my little one with her mind and heart as pure as those of any angel has no doubt done them and many similar acts and that wicked ignorant, conceited and silly men may has ascribed when other than the purest of motives. Married ladies were particularly criticized and spoken of lightly as if their marriage make it safe for them to be dishonorable. One named lady, an officers wife came to Ft. Dodge and an officer who never saw her before slept with her the first night she stayed at the post. And if I am not mistaken you and Mrs. Gibbs know the woman it is not a woman of the 7th although this can be frowned upon, one of them then to — — — two other women all whose characters were under discussion. An officer told about their riding in an ambulance after dark with two officers and how they acted. I am not for one moment worried or anxious about the purity and uprightness of my darlings acts did people know her to be the true woman and wife that she is, but I often fear, particularly after hearing men talk as above, thus some of my little devils innocent, playful , uncaring actor speeches to gentlemen may have misled them, and caused them to attribute unworthy notice, when if I could only see her to put her on her guard more than ever, but I cannot see her she must heed his advise as she always has she knows that he is better aquatinted with the world and it’s wickedness than she. She knows that he would tell her nothing but for her good, and he now urges her to exercise even more care than ever in regard to her conduct with gentlemen. You know that I am away from you now and this fact alone will cause people to watch your conduct more narrowly and criticize it more severely than if I were with you. There are always to be found mean, low mischief loving people who envy us our happy married life and who would gladly throe a hand between us. They would be overjoyed to detect the slightest thing upon you, just either in your conduct or language that would either injure you before the world or in my eyes. You will always be good and pure and everything else thus rendering you dear to your boy. But in addition to this be on your guard always when with gentlemen or when speaking to them. Do not put yourself in such circumstances that people of small minds could slander you if they desired. Avoid being alone in the dark with them as no circumstances furnish so good a foundation for a piece of scandal as these. I am so sorry that so many women have acted so as to give the majority of men cause to doubt the entire sex. Could these very women who have listened to the vain nonsense of gentlemen and in return have granted improper leisure. Could have then some men discuss them by name in a tent full of officers. — alive would make them more careful. My letter — conduct satisfies her boy to the fullest extent and when he knows women condemned so after and so generally and as he well knows so justly he praises thus “Destiny” thus he pointed out when his peerless letter one whose purity of thought and action is one of the brightest facts of character. He could live away from her for an eternity were this possible and know every moment that her mind, heart and body remained as pure as the angles in heaven. But he desires that the wicked world shall never ever have cause to take her name upon thy polluted lips, I will not write more tonight but will hope to do so in the morning. Good Night sweetest of wines, dearest od dears and purest of women—- Sunday morning. To day it is rainy and unpleasant. My little durl may think this is too serious a letter but. I do not mean it so. I only thought how closely she will be watched, as all women are in their husbands absence an knew she would want her boy to have enough trust in her to warn her of any danger. Col. Wier came with the tent yesterday and asked permission —–./I wish I could get a letter from her before I leave. Writing from 11worth I felt awfully —-/The day before yesterday he has been looking for mail for several days, a small re course./Moylan rce’d a letter from Anna but then were none for her “Bo” he knew it was all right because so far his little durl was concerned and true enough the mail yesterday brought me two letters from her. One of them the same date as Mr. Mo from Anna. But I do not hope even for a letter from you before I go. The time is too short. I hope you will write repeatedly in care of Col. Beasly Fort Hays. and when the Cav comes back I can get all your letters every word coming from you will be most welcome. I am never so tired, sleepy or hungry but that your letters make me forget everything. I am sure of one things and that is that you never loved your boy more finally and devotedly than you do now. and you desire him with you more earnestly than now. And she can feel equally confident regarding her boy. Mail from her arrived and I must say Bye, Bye. I will write again tonight if possible./Yours ever and only, Autie” 4-30918 (6,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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