Letter from William Q Force to his brother Manning Force

1208 K St
Washington DC
September 25, 1878

My dear Brother,

I don't know that any of us have written to you since you left. It seems a long time now. Yours of Niagara and Pomeroy came safely and advised us of your safe journey and pleasant vacation. We have all remained home. Peter has begun going to the Public School. He is in the 4th grade, which represents the fourth year of Study. The average age of the boys in that grade is a little more than a year older than he. He is doing very well, and is delighted with going.

This is Innie's birthday. Miss Walker sent her a very handsome basket of flowers, and Mrs. Maynadier sent her a fine large cake surrounded by a profusion of varied and beautiful rose-buds. Gen. Morgan and his family are in the city. He has leased a house for five years, and they are now keeping house. It is on the N. W. Corner of G & 4th Street. (G St No 401) opposite where teh old jail stood, which you know has been pulled down, and its site planted with grass and trees. Among the persons having the yellow fever at Memphis, I saw the name of a Dr. T. H. Force of Hot Springs, Ark, but do not know who he is. In the school Peter goes to, there is a boy named Force. I did not know there was anyone in the City by that name except my own family. Charles and his family are staying at Gen. Morgan's country house for the summer. It is in the pines, about eighteen miles from Selma and Gen. M says there is not the least danger of fever there, even if it should reach Selma.

Miss Hobb has given up all hope of getting back to her office. The family were in great distress by the removal of her sister from the Quartermaster Office to make room for someone else two or more weeks ago. Both being out of the office cut off all their income, except what they get by renting out a few rooms. Secretary McCrary was away, but as soon as a statement of the case was sent to him, she was restored.

Did you see in the papers an account of a soap stone quarry and many Indian implements in it that had been found near Rock Creek? There was an article about it in the "Star" some weeks ago (since you were here) which I omitted to make a note of at the time. I have just now spent a good deal of time looking for it, but cannot find it.

Hope that and Francie and all Mr. Horton's family are well, all join in love.

Your aff. brother,

Wm. Q. Force

Translation notes:

Peter Evans Force (1868-1930) is the son of Henry Clay Force, 1832-1874 and Katherine Ogie Frierson Force Martin. Francie and Horton are the wife and daughter of Manning Force. Innie is William's daughter. Charles is another brother of William and Manning and was a physicain serving in the Confederate Army. Manning Force was a Union General.