Letter from Frank to Fanny Hall. Camp Near White Oak Church, Va.
Camp Near White Oak Church, Va.
March 26th, 1863
Mr. L. Meyers.
Dear Sir - Mr. Barber has delivered to
me your favor of the 17th and stated that the committee of the church of
Plattsburgh desired him to extend to me an invitation to come for a time
& labor there.
It appears from your letter that you deem
it to be indispensable for the welfare of the church that some suitable person
should be obtained immediately.
Lest therefore the Spiritual interests
of the congregation should be impaired in the least by any delay on my part,
let me say at once that my Master forbids me to accept what would have been
(were it in accordance with his will) most joyous for me to have
done.
It seems that you have interpreted my
previous letter (which had in contemplation the disbandment of the regiment)
to mean that I would leave the regiment immediately. That could not be: we
are just upon the eve of the coming struggle. The armies will soon be upon
one another, and surely now if never before, the Lord's messenger
has a work to do for his master.
Especially at such a time we can
speak only about today & therefore although there is no place that would
be dearer to me to labor in than Plattsburgh, being Just where I would
most desire to be at work in the vineyard. Nevertheless as the supply of
your necessity must be immediate & you feel constrained to be as speedy
as possible in your selection. I hasten to say that I can not come.
May God sweetly provide for you &
grant you an abundant blessing.
Remember me to your good household.
Your sincere friend
Francis B. Hall
Mr. Barber has returned to Washington, but as his son is sick, so will probably be delayed in his journey homeward.