CLARA BARTON                            FAMILY PAPERS                                     Poor, Leander A.  Mar. 1862 - Aug.1904contains forty one boats It is about
thirty rods above the old bridge. They had
commenced rebuilding the bridge when
we came away and as soon as it is completed
ours will be dismantled, The day
that we went up six of the Penn 28th
were drowned while attempting to cross the
river in a boat but the most serious
accident that occurred after we built the
bridge was the drowning of one horse
The leaders of a caisson team took
fright and ran off the bridge. One of
them drowned immediately but the
other was saved after they had been born
about fifty rods down the river by the
current. Two of our men took a
cold bath while we were unloading the
boats One of them fell into the [canal?]
and the other jumped in mistaking
the muddy water in the dark for smooth
ground. When you come back I shall
have lots to tell you. I miss you very
much. Please remember me kindly
to all, and write again soon too
           Cousin Leander

                  Washington D.C. Fri. Mar 7th/62
Dear Cousin Clara:-
                Your kind letter of
the 25th ult. was not received till last
evening. The delay in its reception was
occasioned from no ones fault. When
it first came to Washington I was
at Harper's Ferry, to which place it
was forwarded, and before it reached
there I was on my way back to Washington.
We received orders a week
ago last Sunday night to have our
accoutrements ready to leave Washington
in heavy marching order at ten
o'clock the next morning. Of course
we had no idea where we were going or
what the object of our expedition was. 
It was rumored however that we were
to march twenty miles on Monday
but we were agreeably disappointed
by being marched directly up tothe depot. If it had proven true
that we were to march that distance
I should have thrown away half of
the contents of my knapsack, for it
increased rapidly in weight just
marching up to the "Soldiers Retreat."
We left at eight o'clock, instead of
ten, and after entering the cars we
didn't leave them again till six o'clock
Tuesday morning. Of our ride I will
say nothing (as you are acquainted
with the road.) except that we were
not this time crowded into hay
pens but were furnished with comfortable
and pleasant cars. - Don't
you think the scenery beautiful from
the Relay House to Harpers Ferry? I
think it delightful - worthy of a locality
in New England. - The wind blew
very hard all day, consequently I kept
inside the cars, and didn't get so good
a view of the country as I should if it
had been pleasant We did nothing on

Tuesday, but pitch our tents and unload
the company baggage, but at
midnight we were called out, and
the work of unloading the bridge materials
commenced. We worked at
that all of the remaining night, and
at nine o'clock Wednesday morning,
commenced throwing out the bridge,
which at five o'clock P.M. was completed
and rocked by the stately tread
of Gens. Mc Clellan and staff, Banks
and Staff, and Hamilton and Staff.
The troops then immediately commenced
crossing, and up to last Monday night
when we left, there was scarcely a moment
that troops were not crossing.
Among the first was the Mass 16th
I was most happily surprised to
meet Bernard there. He looks rugged
but is a little weak from his
long confinement You will probably
see him soon, as he is going to
Mass. Our  bridge is 826 feet long, andMrs Clara H Barton
North Oxford
Mass.

North Oxford. March 27th 1862,
Thursday Afternoon
My dear cousin Leander
Your welcome
second letter came to me this noon doubtless
before this you have learned the answers to your
kind inquiry "How is Grandsire"?  But if not,
and the sentinel post is mine, I must answer.
"All is well" down under the little pines beside
my mother he rests quietly, sleeps peacefully
dreams happily; The old soldiers heart march is ended
for him the last tattoo has sound
-ed and resting upon the unfailing arms of truth
hope and faith he awaits the reveille of the eternal
morning.
"Grandsire" had been steadily failing since
I came home, for more than thirty days he did
not taste a morsel of food and could retain
nothing stronger or more nourish
ing than a little milk and  water,; for [o?] in of
the last days not that, simply a little cold
water, which he dared not swallow, and still helived, and moved himself and talked strongly and
sensibly and wisely as you have always heard him.
Who ever heard of such constitutional strength?
You will be gratified to know that he arranged
all his linens to his entire satisfaction some
days previous to his death. After being raised up
and writing his name, he said to me, "This
is the last day I shall ever do any business-
my work in this world is done". -
He remained until Friday the 21st (of Mar.)
sixteen minutes past ten o clock at night -
He spoke for the last time about five o clock
but made us understand my signs until the
very last, when he strengthened himself in
bed, closed his mouth firmly, gave one
hand to Julia, and [???] the other to me, and
left us. 

[* Mch 7 / 62
Leander Poor
war letter
7 cross file
33 Poor
Harper Ferry *]Copy of a letter speaking of 
my fathers last days and death
Clara Barton

"Old Castle" 2nd May, 1862
Worcester, Mass.
My Ever dear Cousin.
The leaden clouds are pouring down
a perfect torrent upon us, and it may be just that you charge 
after them the responsibility of this infliction, as I suspect a
cloudless sky would have would have lured me into the 
folly of searching "down town" all over in quest of materials
for a spring chapeau, no matter who is chargeable so
I am the gainer, you the loser.- I am going to talk
to you about me first as being subject of eminent
and No. 1 importance, and secondly of you, as simply
a soldier before Yorktown, a position of slight-importance
compared with us of the classic city of Worcester.
Well, first, I haven't returned to Washington
because I didn't feel ready, and didn't care to just
yet. I have passed a week or two with our good
friends here, but had returned to Oxford, and
yesterday came in by Diety in company with Julia
Viola and & Ada Byron, but it commenced to rain when
we were going out and an embargo was lain upon   one
and here I am this Friday morning in the rain, with out
an earthly thing to do. When I first came in last night
the Judge broke forth with "Just in time to hear our
distinguished cousin's letter" - of course I waited to know
who was so honored and to my delight learned that it
was your own self who was raising all the ado - he 
would not trust me to read it myself, as no one but
he could do justice to it. I was glad to know that
you were well employed for I know that you are all
the happier, as you do not refer to your health I trust
it is pretty good, although I fancy you cough
some. And now while on this subject, I want to say
something. I dont know if you have been informed
of the appointment of our cousin Dr Sam Bigelow
as  Brigad Surgeon of Genl Sykes Brigade of
Genl Mc Clelland's Body Guard and his encampment
at the post assigned - you may know it all
may have seen him even, but if not I want
you should both know and see and he will
know of you, as the Judge will write him of
you, and perhaps I may write him too --
This position is I trust both agreeable and honorable
as he has ten Surgeons under him

of his skill you must have a favorable opinion
and perhaps I told you of him last winter
when he was in Washington and that my
good opinion and good feeling for him increased
daily upon acquaintance. and if anything "matters
to you." I desire that (if serious enough to go out
of your own line) you should make it known to
him, he will not make a mistake or blunder
with you I think, and as a relative, I think
you would  be allowed to call his aid -
His tent is near to Genl Porters + Genl Mc Clelland
- Why cant I come and have a tent there and take
care of your poor sick fellows. I think you and 
Dr Sam are "relatives" enough to establish my
right to do so, - now there is more seriousness
than jesting in this suggestion - and I should
go in five minutes if I could be told that I
might - when you get to be a general officer
wont you call me into the service? I dare not
ask the Dr to give me a hospital for fear he
doesnt like ladies, but I know I should do
my work faithfully, and dont think I should
either run, or complain if I were left under fire -I have pencilled a line of introduction to the Dr. which you
can act your pleasure upon delivering, but it would be
my pleasure that you should find and know him. I have
asked him to cut off your legs and then I shall have to come and grow them out again I suppose.
Without doubt all news comes to you as regularly
as to us, how New Orleans has fallen to us
the correspondence relating to the surrender was
most amusingly polite,- far more so I think
than firing big guns in each others faces.- 
and they tell us that Beauregard has abandoned
Corinth and fallen back on Memphis - that
Fort Macon is captured with the loss of some
eighteen men on our side,- and that the
Yorktown Boys are doing a great work every
day, and preparing for a greater. All this in
one morning paper, yes and that the officers
of the "Merrimac" are resigning-don't you
think we must have lost our appetites,- for
joy at so much good news?
The Judge will tell you how he has just been
to Boston to deliver an address before the Antiquarian
Society. this is better than lying in his
chamber and singing hymns, and [titeravating?]
"Ma-rie" isn't it?
Cally isn't very well, she is having moretrouble with her teeth Vera is pretty well only a 
bad cold, but all the NGx news must come
to you through better sources; I have not seen
Mrs. Carron very lately. they were well at the
last intelligence, I passed M. Newton's on
my way to Worcester yesterday, and wanted to
call and inquire for Eugene, but there were
to many of us I could not, please give my
best regards to both of them; I wish you were all
in need of something. that I could do for you - 
but as I am not near, to do, I am best satisfied
to have you in want of nothing.
[They] I have just mentioned to the family who I am
writing to, and the messages are so which that I am not
certain I can remember them all. The Judge says
["Oh Lordy, give my love to Cousin Ben, and tell him]
his letter was received, and I will answer it when he
has taken Yorktown,: Grandma says, "give him my
love, he knows I love him, he was just like a son to me"
Cousin Maria wishes you all the good luck and
happiness you can have. and I don't know all the
good things they will say if they keep on.-
[David's] David & Julia are well, Ada is with Cathy
Ida pretty well, Emery & Mary very well. Now I dont
owe you this letter but never mind. I make an investment
of this, and look first to pay good interest in US stock. -
Write when you can to you Affectionately Cousin Clara

Worcester, Mass. May. 2nd. 1862.
Dr. S. L. Bigelow
My dear Cousin
I am happy in attempting to introduce to you "our Cousin" Corpl
L. A. Poor of the "Engineers" (U.S. Co. C.) whom you
may have met at "The Castle" as he has long been a 
favored guest here. - But meeting as guests at the
Old Castle in Worcester is one thing, and as defenders
of our Country before Yorktown is quite another.
When I remind you that Cousin Leander is one
of my adopted Soldier Brothers, you will regard it as
one of the most natural things in the world, that I
should hasten to bring you acquainted in your new
positions, - I will make no apology for the liberty I
am taking being confident that you must ever regard the
acquaintance with much satisfaction - We suppose the
Corporal's courage to be of the most unquestionable
character; still, if it should be held advisable by
the authorities to prevent any possibility of his
running by cutting off a leg. I beg you to
have an eye to the business as I can never feel
satisfied with the operation upon other conditions.
All are well, -"Baby" splendid-
Excuse great haste and penciling I have 
no pen & ink at hand.
With the highest esteem
I am truly your cousin
Clara H. BartonBrigade Surgeon Bigelow
Head Quarters Genl McClelland

Introducing
Corpl L. A Poor. US. Engineers

Poor
S. Engineers
Washingtoncurling hair: Effie's is straight:
March 15.- - - - and the last
one has no name but little hair
and about the same amount of
expression as might be detected
in a mushroom or any other baby
four days old. It is a boy and
May is as well as could be expected.
We have now two boys, and two
girls, and want neither more nor
less of them. Howard attends my
school two miles distant; walks
from home with me.
Aunt Folsom is still visiting
us. She has decided to return home
next Wednesday. We have enjoyed
her visit very much and would
be glad to have her tarry longer
with us, but she thinks it necessary
to be at home immediately
as her folks have written her an
urgent request to do so.

Denmark, Maine, Feb. 22, 1874
Sunday Eve.
Dear Cousin Clara:
Your more than
friendly letter of the 17th November
came promptly to hand and met
with far from an indifferent reception.
My impulse was to pen an immediate
response to it, but I decided to
wait until you should become settled
in Washington for the winter, hence this
long delay for if I indulge my propensity
to procrastinate it sometimes gets
the fetters upon me before I realize it
as it has in this instance. I have had
but little time to myself since the first
day of last August working in a shop
early and late from that day to Thanksgiving,
commencing a school the next
Monday, three miles distant, boardingat home, and doing my own chores.
I finished my school two weeks ago.
and have been hard at work ever since.
eight days in the shop and the remaining 
time at home.  We were
more gratified than I can express
to learn of your nearly complete recovery
from your long illness.  If you had
not been possessed of a iron constitution, 
you could not have undergone
what you endured, even in our own
war.  I hope to live to see,- and thats
at no distant day,  your army experiences 
published to the world.
I longed often and earnestly to be
with you during the Franco-Russian
war, but even had the opportunity offered.
I should not have gone, situated as
I then was and now am with a family depending 
upon me, but, had it been 
a war in our own United States, I
would have gone, as I would go
now.  Had it been any way expedient

for me to leave home while you
were in Massachusetts last fall, I
should have visited you.  It would
afford us the greatest pleasure to receive 
a visit from you.  We want to see you
more than we can tell.
You ask if our little ones ate healthy.
They are not constitutionally strong, but
are smart, active, romping children,
exposing themselves to all kinds of
weather (Howard and Effie do, we are
more careful of  Nina, the youngest.)
We have put Howard only, to study yet
and are not urging him at all, have
heard him read and spell at home this 
winter-have not sent him to school.
They are perhaps as pretty, and well behaved 
as the average children of their age,
but- are by no means perfect.  Howard has 
his father's long legs and arms, grey eyes,
sharp features and awkward manners.
Effie and Nina are shorter-stature and
features with black eyes.  Nina has beautifulP.S. Please give my most loving regards 
to little Nettie Golay and
ask her if she would like a letter
from Uncle Lou.

Aunt Parthenia received a letter 
from Ida last night with a
short appendix by Aunt Julia. all
well save Uncle David.  Aunt
Betsey remarkably well.  I said
all well.  Ida wrote that Mrs.
Vassall was very feeble this winter
but of course they keep you constantly 
informed of the welfare of
all your own folks.  We do very
much desire to see our old friends
in Oxford a Worcester.
We we sadly shocked last
week at the unexpected intelligence
of the sudden death of Mr, Summer.  
It is now that the country 
will begin to realise and appreciate 
his noble career.  How many
of the prominent men of our late
war have gone to their rest sinceyou and I last met! I should like to again go over the grounds that I  traversed during those bloody years, and see their contrasted appearance. I am now reaching Abbotts History of the Franco-Prussian War.  We read its history quite thoroughly and carefully as it was in progress, yet I find Abbotts little book very interesting. 
Should you see the place that you would deem adapted to me, and I to it in or about Washington please remember me and favor me with your influence.
I don't know but I shall be obliged to seek a change of climate. The past two winters have told  wearingly upon my lungs. 
Our town and immediate vicinity are quite largely represented in the New York Custom House.  post office and Quartermaster's Office, one 


of the favored ones from this place being a copperhead laureate having the horror of having skedaddled to Her Majesty province to get out of the draft. I lay no claim to special favor from the Gov't, but could go before  a Civil Service committed with a clear record. 
I do claim that the Government after having decreed honor to officers and privates of the late war to the extent that it has is in justice bound to extend them to all of us who served just as long, and just as faithfully as those who by special acts have received them.
Please write to me again when you can spare the time.
Aunt Folsom and May send much love and I remain
Your affectionate cousin
L.A. PoorAnsd Aug 12-1902
Hillside Maine, Aug 3, 1902. 
Dear Cousin Clara, 
I am going to be so bold
as I beg you to grant me another installment
to the heavy debt of gratitude that I already
owe you. For the immeasurable and garish favors 
that you have given and bestowed upon me
in the past, I'm expecting my personal voucher
for the quarter ending June 4th I unwisely
jumped one of the moads of departmental formality
instead of crossing by the bridge over the
lake provided them for, and my person is consequently 
withheld, and I am confident that
a word of assurance from you, as to my general
integrity of character will set all things right
I will explain in full. Hillside post office is
half mile distant from my house. and the post
leaves there a few minutes past first Am. On
the morning of Wednesday, June 4. I filled out
my voucher signed it and Mary witnessed it
at home, lest I might not get it to the post
[*FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER*]
[*AUG 11 1902*]
[*U.S. PENSION OFFICE*]
office in season.  I took it with my pension
certificate to the postmaster who administered 
the prescribed oath, signed the voucher
and I came home.  On Friday, June 13 my return 
papers not having come, I wrote to Hon.
Selden Connor, Pension Agent for Maine
and Monday, June 16 received a letter from
him informing me that the voucher was duly
received, but that the envelope was officially
stamped June 3 and that he had forwarded
it to the Pension Commissioner for action 
as required.  I immediately took his letter to 
the postmaster for explanation, and he informed
me that his mother, who is assistant postmaster 
and who made up the mail on the morning
forgot to change the date of the stamp, and
he immediately wrote a letter of explanation
to the Pension Commissioner.  Special Pension
Examiner H.B. Brown of Portland had meantime
been instructed to investigate the matter and on
Thursday June 19 came to Hillside. May and
I were absent in Bridgton - but he took the
depositions of Mt. Irish the postmaster and his 
mother - and on Monday June 23, he came

again and May and I made oath to the circumstances 
of the case in detail.  On the 23
of July, having heard nothing from the Pension Bureau
I wrote Mr. Brown and I enclose herewith the
letter with his endorsement.  Last Monday I
wrote Hon. Eugene F. Ware, Commissioner of
Pensions, respectfully requesting him to notify
me of his action and referring him to you for
any information that he might desire as to my
record prior to and during the war of the rebellion, 
also venturing the conjecture that you might
feel qualified to give him an outline of my
subsequent career.  I regret my inability to
attend the G.A.R. encampment in Washington
and to visit you.  Mary and I spent last winter all
alone.  Her brother Charles is with us this summer in
and Switzerland with his wife and little boy almost nine
months old and Carrie and Walter are now
visiting us.  Howard and Edith are their lit-
the New Years boy.  Leander Holden continues
plate - spending the last week of this month
with us. Howard is now collecting statistics
of the discharged inmates of the Foxboro Dipsomania 
Institute. - He is still in the town.ville English High School and reservation
Reading. Carrie teaches in the Russell grammar
school in Arlington and branches with Norwood 
and Edith Sumner is principal of this
North Plymouth grammar school. Vira
is elected to a position in the High School
in Dalton, mass and Walter his own men
year in Wellesley. Warren apprehensive that
we couldn't get her through the session
year but she is granted a $280 scholarship.
Which makes her way clear. if her health
is spared. - We learned with regret and in
designation of poor Mrs. Rich's abandonment
I hope she is duly appreciative of your benefi-
cence toward her and grateful for it.
I conjecture that you may be absent from
Glen Echo during the herlot season. but you
will of course be at home while the Grand Army is
there. May sends much love,
Most Affectionately
Cousin Lou.


Glen Echo, Md., August 23, 1902. 
Hon. Leader A. Poor, 
Hillside, Maine. 
Dear Mr. Poor:
Your little to Miss Clara Barton arrived during her
absence in Europe and upon her return she handed the case to me, 
asking that I take the matter up at the Pension Office for her, 
her time being so occupied at the present that it was not possible
for her to do so. I enclose the papers received today from the 
Pension Office and hope the matter has been properly adjusted 
ere this. 
Mrs Barton asks me to send you and your family 
affectionate regards and best wishes.
Very truly yours, 
William I Francis.
Secretary.No ans required
August 19, 1902
34 Leander Poor

Hillside Maine August 15 1902
Dear Cousin Clara:
I extend to you and Secretary
Francis my most grateful thanks for your prompt
attention to my request in regard to my pension
voucher.  It was disappointment to us, not to
be greeted by your own dear signature, but we
have a faint conception of the severe draft from
your time and energies the duties of your position
must impose and am satisfied,  I was wicked
to torture you with so voluminous a letter - If I
close it, apply the brakes, here will be a comparison
volume. - I hope you find yourself invigorated
in body and spirit by your foreign trip.
Mary unites with me in loving regards and
most cordial best wishes for your health, hap-
piness, and prosperity in your noble work of 
philanthropy.
Your affectionate cousin
Leander A. PoorAnsd. August 27, 1904 from Onset
cousin Leander Poor

48, St. James Street
Somerville, Mass.
Aug. 18, 1904.

My dear cousin Clara:
I went to the door of
your room in Hotel Vendome Tuesday p.m.
thinking it possible, but not probable that you
might be in, and in the latter conjecture I was
correct. And seeing a card bearing Dr. Hubbell's
address on your doorknob, I took the liberty to 
scribble my own name on the reverse side as a 
reminder that your humble Cousin holds you 
in the most affectionate remembrance.
I should ere this have made another effort 
to ferret you out had I not thought the insistence 
of my friends been kept up on the 
constant noise. I have read in the papers the 
announcement that after this week you will 
visit relatives in Oxford which is proper and 
just provided you will favorably consider theassurance that you have just as fond and 
devoted ones up at Hillside Maine, who are longing 
to welcome you with open arms, open hearts, 
and the most hospitable entertainment that 
the tenderest devotion can devise and afford. 
We will give you your fill of the freshest 
and sweetest of garden vegetables, digestible 
[?], the yellowest of milk and cream, 
and even if any of the food should attempt 
to play with your stomach, our faithful 
servant Dawn Native will keep nightmares 
at bay with her generous supply of the 
purest of mountain ozone. We have a very 
plain but commodious house, with comfortable 
rooms commanding views of a landscape 
which I fancy is as picturesque and 
lovely if not as magnificent, as the monumental
mountains and lakes of Switzerland affluent.
When you were cumbered with the cares and 
labors of your noble and faithfully performed 

mission of philanthropy, I didn’t feel 
that it was just that I should encroach upon 
your precious time, but now that you 
have given the burden of your great life work into 
other hands I take courage to beg you to give 
me and Mimi the pleasure of contributing 
our mite to your richly earned rest and recreation. 
Our children and grandchildren 
are at the old homestead for the summer 
vacation, but will soon disperse. Howard 
will return to the Eng. H. S. in Somerville, 
leaving Edith and little Leander with May + 
me for a few weeks. Summer and family 
will return to North Weymouth and 
Crimea to Springfield, Missy has been elected 
to a position in the Lakewood N.J. High 
School, and Martha to the Portage, Wisconsin 
High School.- I came to Boston
Monday, spent Monday and Tuesday nights
with Dr. Dearborn, who has been visiting usat Hillside came yesterday p.m. to the
house of a niece in West Somerville, where I
am now, have accepted an invitation to
spend tonight with Howard [?] at 
his beautiful home in Malden and tomor-
row night with Dr. Dearborn at 34 Bow
Street Somerville, and I invite myself
to return to the hills of Maine Saturday.
Mary and all the children extend loving 
regards to you, and join me and unite
with me in a most cordial invitation
to grant us the boon of a good, generous
visit.

With a big heart full of purest love,
Cousin Lon