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Florence Augst 2d 1863

Honble George P Marsh.

My Dear Friend

You will feel for us I know, in our present afflication--and of Course I include dear Mrs Marsh and "Cary" Our Dear child Florence is now in her grave! She died calmly and without a Struggle--a few minutes past midnight--on the 31st July --

For nearly 8 months her gradual decline had been going on We took her to Leghorn for a change of air, but the disease, (Rheumatic Fever,) continued, and never left her until too weak for recovery, for an abscess--deep seated in the thigh, had formed, but never came to the surface Her sufferings were tremendous --

I will not touch your hearts, by a recital of what She Said--and how She bore her pains to the last. It was all truly Angelic! She had a wonderful mind--and was a 'born Poet,' in her way -- -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- Our two other Children, James--and Fannie--have been placed beside her in the same grave We had them embalmed--after a method sufficient to preserve the bodies, and have kept them till now--under the belief, that we Should go home with them And it may be that we Shall return to American, but not soon --

I received dear Mrs Marsh's letter, and have not forgotten her request for a photograph of her bust But so great was my anxiety at the time, that I really could not bring myself to write to her, and how we have felt ever since you may well suppose --

Pray tell her, that a photography from a plastic model would be harsh and very unsatisfactory -- I shall soon begin the bust in Marble -- With our United affectionate regards, I am ever your Friend,

Hiram Powers.

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