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Rome December 91, 1862
Friday Evening
Darling Mother,
I have just received yours and my
dear Father's letters, and had been thinking so
much of our last Xmas together that I must
recall it to you. I can't remember whether [Nita?] Lee
and Penny Bedinger were there Christmas day
or came on the day after, but I think they came
after. But don't you remember you made a
plum pudding because it was darling Charley's
first Xmas at home for so long and we tried
so hard to be bright and cheerful because it was his
first, and [we?] invited George Bedinger to dinner and
Capt. Patterson from over at Mrs. [?], but Capt
Patterson went to Dr. Stewart Baldwins and George would
not get here because so many had asked be
fore him. Charley had been down into Clark Co
already the day before and it was a little doubtful wheth
er he could get back, and he went again the day
after Xmas. Then don't you remember we went to
church, and some of the Lexington boys, belonging to
the Rockbridge Artillery sat just behind us and you
were wishing so much you had turned round
and asked them to dine with you, but you did
not and after we got home we were talking
about it, and Charley went back to the church
to see if he could get any of them but they were
all going to Mr. Williams's, oh I remember it all
so well. And don't you remember you gave
darling Charley a pair of kid gloves that he was
so much pleased with; dear Father was in Rich
mond, so we spent our Xmas [alone?] after all.
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Oh Darling Mother, will this earth ever seem
like the same earth again? When, when will
God take us all, it does seem to me sometimes
as if I must cry out in despair that the burden
of life was too heavy for me to bear, and if it is
so with me who am young and strong what must
it be to you and my precious father. I keep saying
over to myself, only a little while, only a little while
longer, but the way does seem so long and toilsome.
Sunday. I have been reading dear Minnie's bible this
morning Mother, and finding some verses written in
the back of the book from Isaiah. I began at the 48th
chapter and read through to the end, do not read it dear
Mother it contains many precious promises, and our
only comfort. Today is communion Sunday at our
church, and I was greatly disappointed that I could
not go, but the close carriage got broken on Friday
and could not be mended in time. Mr. Bolling offered to
take me in his buggy, but it is so bitter cold and the ride
so long, 10 miles, and the church so cold with no carpet
that I was afraid to venture. Col Tucker has not come
nor have we heard a word from him, but it is his custom,
he [never?] writes. The servants have quieted down, we never ap
prehended any danger from them but thought they [?]
intend going off in a body. I thought I should hear from
Sister Friday, whether she and Nina would come over here and
spend Xmas with me, but I did not. I suppose I shall
hear tomorrow. I do wish some of us could be with you
and dear Father. but we must bear it as best as we can.
God bless and comfort you my precious Mother and
bring us all together again in His own good time.
Ever your loving daughter,
Hattie L Powell