Culpeper, 11th June,
1863.
I am so grieved, my dear daughter, to send Fitzhugh to you
wounded. But I am so grateful that his wound is of a character to give us full
hope of a speedy recovery. With his youth and strength, and your tender care to
nurse him, I trust he will soon be well again. I know that you will unite with
me in thanks to Almighty God who has so often shielded him in the hour of
danger for this recent deliverance, and lift up your whole heart in praise to Him
for sparing a life so dear to us, while enabling him to do his duty in the
station in which He had placed him. Ask him to join us in supplication that He
may always cover him with the shadow of His Almighty arm, and teach him that
his only refuge is in Him, the greatness of whose mercy reacheth unto the
heavens, and His truth unto the clouds. As some good is always mixed with the
evil in this world, you will now have him with you for a time, and I shall look
to you to cure him very soon and send him back to me, for though I saw him
seldom, I knew he was near and always hoped to see him. I went today to thank
Mrs. Hill for her attention to him and kindness to you. She desired me to give her
regards to you both. I must now thank you for the letter you wrote to me while
at Fredericksburg. I kept it by me till preparing for the battlefield, when
fearing it might reach the eyes of General Hooker I destroyed it. We can carry
with us only our recollections. I must leave F. to tell you about the battle,
the army, and the country. . . . Tell cousin A. I am rejoiced that Williams is
unhurt, though pretty Sue might like to see the ambulance driving up again. I
want all the husbands in the field, and their wives at home encouraging them,
loving them, and praying for them. We have a great work to accomplish, which
requires the cordial and united strength of all. . . . Give much love to Cousin
A., Mrs. L. and her sweet children, Mr. W., and my dear Uncle W. Tell Fitzhugh he
must make haste and get well — that I am sad without him. You and Rob must let
me know how he gets on.
Truly and
affectionately yours,
R. E. LEE.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters
of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 245-6
No comments:
Post a Comment