Thursday Evening April 20th 1865
Dear Sister,
I was glad to hear of you safely in your new home and meant to answer you promptly, but the excitement since last Saturday has almost unfitted me for anything but thinking of the sad topic of the hour. Our church was clothed in black on gallery and pulpit, relieved by the colors of the draped flag of our country back of the Pastor's seat. Front of the desk a handsome portrait of him we mourned spoke eloquently to all. Mr. Gard's text was Deut 4th verse.
The funeral pageant of yesterday exceeded anything ever witnessed here in Newark. .Scarcely a house in the city but was draped from cornice to basement, inside the windows and out, with the vestments of woe. All parties, rich and poor, vied with each other in their token of affection and respect for the departed.
The horror of the first day had somewhat changed to the deeper feeling of personal grief at our loss. It was often said the people felt " as if one lay dead in every house."
The sorrow has come to you as to me--excuse me if my letter is too full of it.
Love to yourself, husband and little ones. From your affectionate Emma.