balto., 9th July, 1861.
mrs. Frances M. Cross.
Dear Madam:
I have this moment received your letter dated yesterday and
have just telegraphed Mr. Bucklin. Since I had the pleasure of writing you last
it has become vastly more difficult to get to Virginia, and this very day the
Federal Government has taken possession of the steamers composing the line via
the Patuxent River — the most desirable route — leaving at present, but the one
open by way of Balto. & Ohio R. Road, to a point near Harper's Ferry,
thence by stage to Winchester and Strasburg, and thence by Railway via Manassas
Junction to Richmond.
To pass the Federal Pickets near Harper's Ferry, it would be
necessary to have the pass of the War Department at Washington. This I have no
doubt I can procure, and, as I before intimated, it would give me great
pleasure to undertake the charge of your grandchildren. As I communicated by
telegraph, “It is possible, but very difficult to get to Virginia now.” As I am
not aware how important it is to get the children to Virginia, I am unable to
advise you in the matter, but have merely set down the facts in relation
thereto. If the children do leave, may I ask the favor of you to write, or
telegraph me.
Very respectfully,
W. T. Walters.
SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in
’61, p. 62-3
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