COOSAWHATCHIE, S. C.,
December 29, 1861.
You have no occasion to inform me, you precious Chass, that
you have not written to me for a long time. That I already knew, and you know
that the letters I am obliged to write do not prevent my reading letters from
you.
If it requires fits of indignation to cause you to
ventilate your paper, I will give occasion for a series of spasms, but in the
present case I am innocent, as my proposition was for you to accompany your
mama to Fayetteville, and not to run off with her son to Fredericksburg. I am
afraid the enemy will catch you, and besides there are too many young men
there. I only want you to visit the old men — your grandpapa and papa. But what
has got into your heads to cause you to cut off of them your hair? If you will
weave some delicate fabrics for the soldiers of the family out of it, I will be
content with the sacrifice. Or if it is an expression of a penitential mood
that has come over you young women I shall not complain. Poor little A.,
somebody told me that a widower had been making sweet eyes at her through his
spectacles. Perhaps she is preparing for caps. But you can tell her not to
distress herself. Her papa is not going to give her up in that way. I am,
however, so glad that you are all together that I am willing you should indulge
in some extravagances if they do not result in serious hurt, as they will
afford a variety to the grave occupation of knitting, sewing, spinning, and
weaving. You will have to get out the old wheels and looms again, else I do not
know where we poor Confederates will get clothes. I have plenty of old ones for
the present, but how are they to be renewed? And that is the condition of many
others. I do not think there are manufactories sufficient in the Confederacy to
supply the demand, and as the men are all engrossed by the war, the women will
have to engage in the business. Fayetteville or Stratford would be a fine
manufactory. When you go to see your grandpa, consult him about it. I am glad
to hear that he is well, and hope he will not let these disjointed times put him
out of his usual way or give him inconvenience. I would not advise him to
commence building at Broadneck until he sees whether the enemy can be driven
from the land, as they have a great fondness for destroying residences when
they can do it without danger to themselves . . . Do not let them get that
precious baby, as he is so sweet that they would be sure to eat him. . . . Kiss
Fitzhugh for me and the baby. That is the sweetest Christmas gift I can send
them. I send you some sweet violets. I hope they may retain their fragrance
till you receive them. I have just gathered them for you. The sun has set, and
my eyes plead for relief, for they have had no rest this holy day. But my heart
with all its strength stretches toward you and those with you, and hushes in
silence its yearnings. God bless you, my daughter, your dear husband and son.
Give much love to your mama, and may every blessing attend you all, prays,
Your devoted father,
R. E. LEE.
SOURCES: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 155-6
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