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Note to Swem - I think there's an error in the uploaded image as the transition between page 3 and 4 doesn't seem logical.

I received your little note my dear

Selina and am truly grieved to learn that

you have been so ill. I fear Mr. Cabell has so

[?] I did not see him when he was here

or I could have asked him to call for a

reply to your note. I hope you will get well

now but at our age one does not recuperate

so rapidly as when they are younger. My own

health is good, tho I do not get any better

of the rheumatism and I am [?] hopeful

now that I shall ever be on my feet again.

But God's will be done - We have determined

now to remain in town till the first of

July. We did not want to go quite so far

into the country as New Market or to give

our kind friends the trouble and expense of

furnishing a house We shall probably be

able to get the Cottage at Bremo, which will

suit us very well. We still feel so unsettled that

we cannot fix upon any permanent abiding place.

I know not what a day may bring forth.

Of course my thoughts and wishes turn to

my dear old Arlington yet even if it

should be restored to us which is very

doubtful at present we should scarcely

be able to live there - yet I will not

attempt to penetrate into the future. It is

in His hands who doeth all things well

and whom we must [?] [trust?] even when

He crushes all our fondest hopes. When I think

[Page 2]

of the failure of this struggle and of all

that this has cost us my heart sinks within

me. Has all this precious blood been

spent in vain? It is happiness on those

who have poured it out on their country's

soil. Do we wish for your two noble boys.

They are far happier than those who

remain. I am truly [rejoiced?] that your

lot is cast among such kind people. This

war has brought out the fine [?]

feelings of so many and hardly a day

passes that we do not receive some

testimonial of remembrance and affection

from all parts of the country. Our great

anxiety now is for President Davis. If the yan

kee papers speak truth he is most cruelly

treated. I do not see any hope for him. [Some?]

in a [feat] of justice and mercy for the malice

of his enemies will do everything to destroy

and humiliate him - A cell has been made

for him in one of the [?] at Fortress

Monroe and iron bars put in the windows.

His family not allowed to remain with him

and refused permission to go North are sent

[South?] where they cannot even hear from

him - as there are no mails South

now - That he would ever have allowed him

self to be captured for I am told he had an

abundance of time to get away. -

[Page 3]

I see Minnie Lloyd quite often. She is

going to Gloucester this week [?]

girls always a letter from Laura

[?] and she said your brother John's

family were very well and his [?]

quite grown up - [?] [?] [?]

[?] [?] been here that I have

seen. Mr. Burke, [?], [?], Eliza and

Mary [Dangerfield?] [?] [?] [?]

Mrs. Turner as well and seem to think [?]

and his family will now return. [?] [?]

has gone back also with his children [?]

Frank Smith and Mrs. Edward Dangerfield

and the Revd Mr. Johnson have also gone to

try and recover their property. I fear they

will have some difficulty. The Fairfax

es have determined to remain in Rich

mond and will take this house when we leave

it. We are getting along quietly now. The

Yankee officers have behaved with courtesy

and even kindness to the people of Richmond.

The illustrious [?] has just arrived and we

do not know what his counsel may be. He

promises fair if we may judge from his

speech. Yes words cost but little.

You must remember us all [affectionately?]

to your girls and remember us to Mr. P. You do

not mention a little package I sent you

by Mr. Cabell of lemons so I hope you got

it safely. Let us know if you like.

[Page 4]

[Brows?] but lend you mine.

It is said to be very nourishing.

[?] L Smith and their boys are living

with us and have been here since the

Evacuation.

I have written you quite an

epistle tho I have nothing of special

interest. I hope soon to learn you are

quite well again. Ever yours affectionately.

MC Lee