COOSAWHATCHIE, S. C,
December 25, 1861.
I cannot let this day of grateful rejoicing pass without
some communion with you. I am thankful for the many among the past that I have
passed with you, and the remembrance of them fills me with pleasure. As to our
old home, if not destroyed it will be difficult ever to be recognized. Even if
the enemy had wished to preserve it, it would almost have been impossible. With
the number of troops encamped around it, the change of officers, the want of
fuel, shelter, etc., and all the dire necessities of war, it is vain to think
of its being in a habitable condition. I fear, too, the books, furniture, and
relics of Mount Vernon will be gone. It is better to make up our minds to a
general loss. They cannot take away the remembrances of the spot, and the
memories of those that to us rendered it sacred. That will remain to us as long
as life will last and that we can preserve. In the absence of a home I wish I
could purchase Stratford. It is the only other place I could go to now
acceptable to us, that would inspire me with pleasure and local love. You and
the girls could remain there in quiet. It is a poor place, but we could make
enough corn-bread and bacon for our support, and the girls could weave us
clothes. You must not build your hopes on peace on account of the United States
going to war with England. The rulers are not entirely mad, and if they find
England is in earnest, and that war or a restitution of the captives* must be
the consequence, they will adopt the latter. We must make up our minds to fight
our battles and win our independence alone. No one will help us.
__________
* Mason and Slidell.
SOURCES: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 153; Fitzhugh Lee, General Lee, p. 129
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