Note: Ginger (Munson) McGee has successfully identified "Miss Sevres" as Mary R. Seevers. She was the daughter of Augustus F. Seevers, a broker in Baltimore. She was about 24 years old when she befriended John. Although she often signed her letters "Cousin Mary," she was not related to John Wesley Hanks. Transcripts are courtesy of Ginger (Munson) McGee.
"Respects to Lieut Cotten." Baltimore
Oct 9th 1864
Lieut Jno W. Hanks.
Dear Cousin:
Yours of Sept. 28th and Oct 2nd containing the permits reached me yesterday, am glad you have at length succeeded in obtaining permission to receive some warm clothing for the coming Winter. I went yesterday and ordered your suit of "grey." but the tailor will not be able to let me have it before next Tuesday week. I will then pack your box and send you by express. hope you may be as fortunate in receiving promptly as all my other friends have been. I have friends now at "Elmira Point Lookout and Camp Chase. my favorite Cousin R. E. Seevers [?] is a prisoner at the latter place.
I hope in this your health has improved. Will send your coffee etc in box with clothing. do you think it would be best to have the coffee ground fine first for use. if so will have our cook fix it nicely. am sorry you could not get a permit for a larger quantity and greater variety. The Doctor secured [?] the number of pounds from 5 to 3 (coffee) for Lt Cotten and yourself the desired "needle books." suppose you have both learned to be your own seamstresses since the War; I should like to see some of the mending! Don't get tired waiting for your box. Try to keep warm this cool weather. I sent you a paper last week. will mail another tomorrow
Your Cousin Mary
Baltimore Oct 10th 1864
Lieut Jno W. Hanks
Block 9. Mess 1
I wrote you yesterday acknowledging the receipt of your letters containing the permits. I will hurry as much as possible to have your clothing ready for you, for I am sure this cold weather you must suffer. I was fortunate this morning in seeing some "Confederate Officers" from "Johnsonıs Island" en route for exchange. Among the number Col Miles. Captain Ward of Lynchburg Va (who gave me his "carte-de-visite") a Lieut Bullock. "Lieut Col McHenry" and others many were in the ambulances. I had just finished breakfast, when a little girl came in to say the "Rebels" were at the N Central Depot about 5-1/2 square from our house. I hurriedly put on cloak and bonnet started to see them. Lieut Bullock was standing near me. Inquired if he was from N Carolina! He replied yes. I then asked if he knew you; was glad to hear of you through him! I said I was your Cousin -- that when you were fortunate enough to be exchanged if he saw you to enquire my name. I had a very large pair of Buckskin gauntlets on which the Officer in charge allowed me to give him. They were rather small but he said he would keep them to remember your Cousin by. He looked much confused. there was quite a number of the elite of the City collected at the Depot. We waited until the officer was given to fall in line! Saw them start for the wharf. The Officers in charge seemed very kind and considerate. did not learn their names. Do you think you will be shortly sent off for exchange. Do you know this Wm [?] Bullock. What kind of person is he. Tell me all about him! I feel anxious to know something of him! More anon.
Your Cousin Mary
Baltimore Dec 21st 1864
Lieut Jno W. Hanks.
Cher Cousin. I received yours of Dec 18th containing rings. a few hours since, have just finished a short note to Lieut. J.I. Merk [?] enclosing the $10 greenback. The rings are beautiful, and price not exorbitant. I know the little children will be perfectly delighted, accept thanks for the trouble you have had about them. The letter from Lt. C. [?] not yet at hand. We are all quite anxious to see your "Carte de visite" and I will prize it much, rest assured I will tell you exactly what I think of it. Will send today the French grammer it is very much delapidated but will answer the purpose as well without a cover as with.
Will deliver your message to "Miss Addie." have made her promise to give me a "carte de visite" to send you.
Do you know Lt. E.D. Snead of N.C. He belonged to 13 NC. Regt as Asst Surgeon. I saw the Doctor quite frequently after the "Battle of Antietam," have often wondered whether he was still living; hardly a day passes without tidings reaching us of some friend or acquaintance having passed from this world of sorrow and tribulation.
Father and Aunt join me in many kind wishes and hope that in the future we may see you among us. If you can get a permit for a slice of plum cake, will send you a piece by "mail."
Have you heard from home lately Excuse haste and believe.
Me Your Cousin. Mary
Baltimore March 28th 1865
"Excuse this miserably tame letter"
Lt Jno W. Hanks
Mon cher Cousin's letter of March 21st was handed me today, when I came home to dinner (Dont the word dinner make your mouth water. If I could I would most willingly send you mine for a week though tis my favorite meal) and with it one from L.A. Hanks. dated Feb 22nd 1865: "Medical College" per Flag of Truce. Should you see the writer shortly, give many thanks for the really beautiful letter. but how they ever heard there was such a person in existence as myself, I can't say. perhaps you know. I was quite overwhelmed with undeserved praise -- am fearful will never be able to believe half the good things written of myself. In my last I mentioned the safe arrival in this "City" -- (or rather outside of this City) of Lt. Cotten. today a friend saw him at Fort McHenry all the prisoners sent on for the past week are waiting there for transportation. Will drive down tomorrow, Providence permitting, and make every effort to see him. Emma is glad he received his box. Did you get your cake? Be sure to telegraph before or when you leave. I must not forget to ask if you are not in want of new underclothing -- will with pleasure make a couple more negligee shirts what was sent you last fall must be entirely worn out. You must get a permit if you don't leave for two months. A box will reach you in time -- It's a tedious Process though is it not? Have you received the forks [?] we sent last Wednesday? The chains etc have not yet arrived. A lady desires me to have you make for her several chains to send to Europe. have you material. If not I can send it. Will send you a green-back in my next -- Au revoir -- [?] mis berisse" With love from all to our Cousin.
Believe me as ever Mary
Shall be pleased to see any of Your Friends--as they pass through "Our City" when released, to go home. Father joins me in this.
Baltimore April 11 1865.
Lt Jno W. Hanks.
"My Dear Cousin." I wrote you Sunday last, enclosing $5, and also a note from "Miss Addie," which I hope may reach you safely.
Yesterday yours of April 4th was handed me; I answer this promptly fearing something may occur which would prevent my writing later in the week. Can have the underclothing ready by middle of next week, but will not forward until I hear whether you need a pair of shoes, that all may be sent in same package, or there may be some arrangement made now that Genl Lee has "surrendered," releasing on parole all Prisoners of War. If so, you will pay us a visit on your way "home." President Lincoln has not yet issued his Proclamation on that subject; but tis thought he will do so in a few days. Today news reaches us of the "surrender of Genl Johnston," so what is to be done but submit? We all feel very anxious to hear from or of Sergt Emile St Martin of Co. K 8th La Regt. Gordon's Division. Please make enquiry of Prisoners lately sent to Johnson's Island -- from the front. 400 or 500 officers passed through our City last Sunday afternoon en route for that "Pleasant summer resort." Enquire particularly of them for "Emile St M." -- and ask them to give you a description of the Bayonet charge made upon the Ladies at the outer [?] Depot last Sunday. I saw the whole affair."
Father has been quite sick for the past week, his nerves are much implicated, indeed we all feel "miserably, miserably" -- May "God Grant the People" of this afflicted Country courage to bear bravely all coming troubles.
All desire Remembrances as ever
Your Cousin Mary
