The William Henry Letters

BOSTON: FIELDS, OSGOOD, & CO. 1870. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1870, BY FIELDS, OSGOOD, & CO., in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. University Press: Welch, Bigelow, & Co., Cambridge.

My dear Young Friends:—
Much to my surprise, I was asked one day if I would be willing to edit the William Henry Letters for publication in a volume.
At first it seemed impossible for me to do anything of the kind; “for,” said I, “how can any one edit who is not an editor? Besides, I am not enough used to writing.” It was then explained to me that my duties would simply be to collect and arrange the Letters, and furnish any little items concerning William Henry and his home which might interest the reader. It was also hinted, in the mildest manner possible, that I was not chosen for this office on account of my talents, or my learning, or my skill in writing; but wholly because of my intimate acquaintance with the two families at Summer Sweeting place,—for I have at times lived close by them for weeks together, and have taken tea quite often both at Grandmother’s and at Aunt Phebe’s.
After a brief consideration of the proposal, I agreed to undertake the task; at the same time wishing a more experienced editor could have been found.
My acquaintance with the families commenced just about the time of William Henry’s going to school, and in rather a curious way.
I was then (and am now) much interested in the Freedmen. While serving in the Army of the Potomac, I had seen a good deal of them, and was connected with a hospital in Washington at the time when they were pouring into that city, hungry and sick, and half-naked. I belonged to several Freedmen’s Societies, and had just then pledged myself to beg a barrelful of old clothing to send South.
But this I found was, for an unmarried man, having few acquaintances in the town, a very rash promise. I had no idea that one barrel could hold so much. The pile of articles collected seemed to me immense. I wondered what I should do with them all. But when packed away there was room left for certainly a third as many more; and I had searched thoroughly the few garrets in which right of search was allowed me. Even in those, I could only glean after other barrel-fillers. A great many garrets yielded up their treasures during the war; for “Old clo’! old clo’!” was the cry then all over the North.