Replying to West's letter of 17 August, Stilson voices her dismay at the view of the war expressed therein, and encourages him to be more optimistic, citing the North's inherent strength and the patriotism of its people, and the desperation of the South's most recent conscription act. She defends the role of women in the war effort: "Don't think that we northern 'women who can't fight' are non caring and perfectly at ease thru' all you soldiers' sufferings. If there's anything we can do we will do it. We will remember you if that will do you any good. We will write you long letters too if that will do you any good. We will pity you when you are sick if that will do you any good or if it won't, for that will be spontaneous . . . . And we will pray for you . . . ."