CAMP, 11th January,
1863.
I am delighted, my dear son, at your safe return to Richmond
and to learn of your good health. Your letter which I have just received also
strengthens my hope of our ability to hold the Mississippi. God grant that the
integrity of the Confederacy may be thus preserved. I hope we will be able to
do something for the servants. I executed a deed of manumission, embracing all
the names sent me by your mother, and some that I recollected, but as I had
nothing to refer to, but my memory, I fear many are omitted. It was my desire
to manumit all the people of your grandfather, whether present on the several estates
or not. I believe your mother only sent me the names of those present at the W.
H. and Romancoke. Those that have left with the enemy may not require their
manumission. Still, some may be found hereafter in the State, and at any rate I
wished to give a complete list, and to liberate all, to show that your
grandfather's wishes, so far as I was concerned, had been fulfilled. Do you not
think that is the best course? If you can get the complete list, you can either
have a deed drawn up embracing the whole, or a supplementary deed embracing
those who have been omitted, stating they had been carried from the plantations
by the enemy. Mr. Caskie says six men have been sent to Mr. Eacho by Mr. Chas.
Scott, viz.: Obediah, George, Wesley, Henry, Edward, and Oscar.
The latter may be intended for Parks, or Austin, but one of
them is missing. Can you ascertain which, and where he is? Harrison was hired
to the contractor of the Orange & Alex. R. R. Can you find out where he is?
I shall pay wages to Perry and retain him until he or I can do better. You can
do the same with Billy. The rest that are hired out had better be furnished
with their papers, and be let go. But what can be done with those at the W. H.
and Romancoke? Those at and about Arlington can take care of themselves I hope,
and I have no doubt but all are gone who desire to do so. At any rate I can do
nothing for them now.
I am glad to receive the accts. of sales of the coupons.
Those due on the 1st inst. you can retain as long as you think proper.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 285-6
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