CAMP, ORANGE CO., 29th
March, 1864.
I take advantage, dear Cousin Margaret, of the opportunity
offered by the accompanying letter to acknowledge the receipt tonight of yours
of the 28th. The superscription of this missent epistle reminds me strongly of
the chirography of Gen. Edward Johnson. The suspicions of the postmasters at
least have been excited from its being turned out of its way to me. Its arrival
with your note is somewhat of a suggestive coincidence. I think I ought to send
it to your mother. But I feel I can trust you, and that you will not forget
your promise. I hope you are not beginning to think of leaving Richmond yet. Remain
until warm weather. I shall have no hope of seeing you after you cross the
Rappahannock. I know what a comfort you will be to your poor Cousin Mary. You
will relieve her of her pains and I trust hasten her relief from her great
affliction. Then you ought to come and see me. The indications at present are
that we shall have a hard struggle. General Grant is with the Army of Potomac.
All the officers' wives are sick and have been sent to Washington. No ingress
or egress from the lines are now permitted, nor are papers allowed to come out.
They claim to be assembling a large force. You must give us your sweet prayers,
for you always have the love of,
Yours affectionately,
R. E. LEE.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 301
No comments:
Post a Comment