Alphabet File page 233
New York has grown out of all knowledge and such changes there, also! The idea of running trains under the ground and under rivers as they do! The Pennsylvania RR has a new depot in the heart of the city, the trains coming to it and leaving under the ground and passing under the rivers -- passersby never see a train which arrive and depart from within the walls of the depot -- this depot and the tunnels are not yet in use, however, but will be soon.
The Zoological gardens, in Bronx, at 180th Street are the largest, I believe, in the world - What a county we now have and how rapidly things are progressing! My army son goes to the Phillipines in September with his Co. He is now a 1st Liet., and has been commanding the battery for about a year - in the coast artillery.
My family are all well - the boys are all doing well and things are jogging along with me as usual -- write me when you feel like it -- will try not to be so remiss on my part in future--
Very truly, your friend Charles Marshall
P.S. I referred herein to your p.c. of May 17 - before closing this have read that of July 4th, regarding Admiral Young, also sending program, of the Confed. Daughters, of convention at Monterry - It was interesting - particularly in conveying the fact that there are 12 chapters of them on the Pacific coast. CM
Sunday, May 21, 1911 Bay St. Louis Miss
My dear Dutton,
It seems incredible that my last letter to you was so far back as November 20th, as stated in your letter of April 27th, which came to hand on day before yesterday - I remember that I said that my letter was not an answer to your last letter received, but was simply to say that I had gotten it and would write soon more fully -- How time flies! I was very busy during the winter and early spring and absent much of the time - was in Washington a short time after I wrote you, also in Atlanta and Nashville --was gone that time several weeks. Later have been it Baton Rouge and Jackson (Miss) to say nothing of several long detentions at court at several points on the road moreover we had a bridge damaged by a storm in April, which kept me "on the jump" for just 9 days -- am just getting caught up again with things which necessarily had to be deferred.
Your letter of Dec 19th and a more recent one, (which was placed in my desk and I cannot now find it) were received. I also received the packet with copies of correspondence (and postal cards) The article about Mr. M.H. Smith I saw in the "Confederate Veteran" for which I have long been a subscriber -- I saw Mr. S. A. Cunningham, of Nashville, the author whom I have known for many years and discussed the article with him - I think in February - Mr. Smith has denied the statement about Montgomery Ala in connection with the yellow fever quarantine nothing of the sort happened.
I remember very well the Memphis incident in H. F.'s history, but never knew what impelled him to do it -- He is an exceedingly good man as well as a most capable one -- I saw him in New Orleans in early February -- he was looking well, though was "complaining" somewhat -- for the first time did the strong, very strong, resemblance to his great brother, M. H., strike me --Mr. M. H. Smith, you know, is regarded as a very great man in the nation -- The correspondence, copies of which you send is very interesting, indeed --your letter was fine -- The incident was striking and most impressing as described by you -- you sent me Admiral Sperry's photo last winter which I have -also of the officers of the fleet -- It occurs to me, at this point, to inquire if you have any one with you in the settlement with culture, understanding and qualifications generally enough to exchange views with you on an incident like the passage of the fleet, and who was capable of a conception of all that it meant, to a remote degree, as with yourself, I imagine not --I should also inquire if you have been able to discover any new facts regarding the leprosy during your long experience which would go to explain some of the mysteries-- It seems strange that Father Damien should have become a victim so soon and you escape for 26 or 27 years --We have some of this dreadful disease in Louisiana and anything like a knowledge of its causes, etc. with the physicians seems to be lacking -- I congratulate you on reaching your 68 birthday and hope you will see many more -- My birthday was November 9, 1848 -not February '49 as you suppose. I have your photo (in uniform) of 1863 which came with your letter Dec 19 - How boyish you looked then!
As you have one time or another given me some of the facts of your war experience the 60's I am sending you inclosed the history of an incident in which I figured (ingloriously!) -- I think you will find the story interesting -- Kindly return the papers of the case to me with your next as I wish to keep the file.
Very truly your friend
CM
November 22, 1921
My dear Dutton,
I retired from active service with the railroad on Aug. 1st. 1917. I wrote you that having more time I was going to write you more frequently -- Instead, I have not written at all, altho', receiving letters and photos from you, from time to time, and thinking about my obligation, and desire to write you! The fact is I was never so busy in my life as when I quit (?) work!
My neglected private affairs required a whole lot of attention -- The war was on -- Had two sons in the army -made two trips to New England. One is now a Major (lieut. col in France, Gilbert, he who went to Manila, you remember. The other, my youngest son, Geoffrey, is a captain (lieut. and captain in France). Both got back all right.
The company needed me to some extent again in the emergency. Was overwhelmed! To cap the climax, I managed to break a hip, and hurt a knee in alighting from a train two years ago (Oct. 29, 1919). Spent weary weeks and weeks in bed at the hospital in New Orleans and at home, perfectly helpless. Was a user of a wheeled chair for months. Still have to use a crutch and stick to walk; ugh! This all I am going to write now.-- It would require a volume to relate all I want say, and I will unfold the story gradually in letters to follow.
I have just received your card bearing good wishes for my birthday (Nov. 9th, 73rd) -- also your photo in civilian dress, seated - beard trimmed. You look fine! I did not like with the long beard.
Your good friend, ever mindful of "auld land syne",
Chas. Marshall
February 9, 1922
My dear Dutton,
I wrote you, in November I think, a letter of explanation of my long silence. I was simply 'submerged' by the conditions, and my unhappy, unfortunate accident, from which I am still a cripple I believe I told you about it. I am slowly, very slowly, improving -- I know I mentioned the receipt of your photograph (I looked at it this morning). My oldest son (Gilbert), the one who served in the Phillipines -- the one, who, writing me a letter on ship board, wrote "the island of Molokai is in sight;" at that moment your were writing me and stated that the transport bearing my son was passing! I remember that I referred to the remarkable coincidence when writing to you later (when, what a distance from the governing clause! Gilbert on the last page is nominative to is) is a major. Went to France as a National Army Major. Became Lieutenant Colonel - upon his return to the U.S. went back to his captaincy in the regular army, since then becoming major - he married a New York, upstate girl before the war but has no children.