[1]    This is Goodrich’s first reference to Mary’s illness, which became progressively worse over the next few weeks.  She does not appear to have recovered until some time in March 1865.

[2]    The letter from home was presumably from Goodrich’s mother, but is not among the letters in the Goodrich Collection. Goodrich did receive a letter from Nathaniel W. Davis written on this date, however, describing the death of Davis’s former law partner, Willoughby Babcock. It read:  

November 30, 1864  --  Owego, Tioga County, New York  

My Dear Sir. Your letter under date of the 11 inst. was received the 23rd. I assure you it was a welcome missive. I was glad to hear from you; but would have been much better pleased to have seen you.  

You doubtless thought my letter was ____. If all was true I had said, it was none to much so.  I am now satisfied that you are [a] Loyal Man and love the Union. I had forgotten that you ever wrote to me or that I had written to you. You make a quotation from my letter to you. I am of the same opinion still. Yet that is no excuse or apology for braking up the Union. The South had no reason to complain of the National government. I had always been favor of it. It was the aristocracy of the South and their hate to a republican government and that the majority should rule that induced them to secede and break up the Union .  

I have not received but the one letter from you since the rebellion – that of the 11th inst. Colonel [Willoughby] Babcock is no more. He was wounded and died of his wounds. [He] died in October. Died a short time after [he was] wounded. He was a splendid and brave officer. His body was embalmed and sent home. I attended the funeral [in] Homer, Cortland [County, New York]. His wife had a fine baby boy soon after the burial of her husband. She left New Orleans when the Colonel was ordered North.  

I saw Johnson a few days since. He had been south [and] was not well. He can never make a lawyer. Charles Parker is a very good lawyer. But at present, nor has there been any law business since the rebellion broke out. My law business is not worth $500 a year. The farmer makes the money now. Butter [sells for] 50 cents, pork $16 a hundred, oats 85 cents, flour $15 a barrel, hay $25 a ton & so on.  

It was difficult to get letters south or from the South. I hope that General Sherman will reach Savannah & capture it. I like the idea of laying waste [to] the whole country. Our government has been so kind & tender of the South that they have not done any injury, but have actually helped them. Sherman ought to lay waste [to] the whole country ever which way he passes. The Rebellion will be put down or the people will be annihilated. Every loyal man ought to rise up in the South & overthrow Jeff Davis & his minions.

The Union Party has annihilated the Copperhead Peace Party at the North and the Union will be restored under President Lincoln. All well. Success to you. Good night. Your friend, -- Nathaniel W. Davis