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Clarksville April 5th, 1865 Wednesday night

              I little thought, my beloved Husband

when I last wrote that a blow so heavy was pending as the evacuation of Richmond, and yet it has fallen depressing all, crushing others, rendering me heart sick, but not despairing. While I think with horror of those miserable wretches having such triumph as entering in and possessing our Confederate Capital my thoughts turn much more frequently to the bloody Battle Field, over which are lying our poor men who have fought so bravely and endured so much, and yet without keeping the enemy at bay. the Yankees brought up fresh troops every time, while our poor fellows had to bear the burden all the time. It is stated that on Sunday, the President received a dispatch from Genl Lee while in Church, in which Genl Lee stated that his lines had been broken in several places , and that he advised the evacuation of the city. This the President read to the Congregation, and I must leave it to your imagination to picture the scene that followed. The next morning the City was abandoned. The Tobacco and Cotton were burnt, and in destroying the Government stores

[Marginalia – Left side of Pg 1] Another letter from Mother, dated March 6th. Julie and all are well. The gentlemen are now made to work on fortifications, and are arrested on the pretext that

[Marginalia – Top of Pg 1] they put up signal lights. What will become of poor Mrs [Maupin?] & Mrs [Southall?] again in Yankee Hands. Mrs. M__ had just gotten a place as Matron in the Jackson Hospital.

[Pg 2] that portion of the City leading from Cary Street to the river as high as the American Hotel was consumed. I think some of Montagu’s house must have been destroyed. Genl A. P. Hill was killed in the Streets of Petersburg on Sunday. Genl Gordon has been captured.[underlined] A courier came in this evening stating that Genl Lee had on Monday and Tuesday whipped the enemy, “piling the dead.” It is said that our Army is this side of the Appomatox & Grant the other. It has been reported that Picketts Division has been badly cut up, but it is said today, that but few have been killed, many wounded and captured. Wise’s Brigade has suffered terribly.

I will now turn to our family matters. Helen is still away, nobody knows where. I think, she left Richmond if possible Sunday night, or Monday morn =ing before the evacuation of the City, and she may be somewhere on the rail road waiting for an opportunity to get home. Quite a number of persons are at South Boston, who expect to come down in the Government boats to-morrow. I trust, Helen may be among the number. In the mean time we keep your Mother in the dark. She knows of the awful Battles but not a hint has she received of the fall of Richmond. I don’t think she could stand the announcement without being assured of Helen’s safety. Yesterday

[Pg 3] morning she got up in a chair to put something on the wardrobe, and in getting down made a misstep and fell, hurting herself very badly. She has not at =tempted to walk since, and indeed, cannot raise her foot from the floor. The hurt is across her hips, but particularly the same hip dislocated before. She suffered a great deal yesterday, and passed a very restless night, to-day she has slept a good deal, and seems to be much more comfortable, tho’ she has kept her bed. Last night Georgie spent with her, and to-night Cousin Sally is here. I think by keeping quiet a day or two longer she will be about again. Her being in bed prevents her seeing anyone, and thus she escapes the evil news that I am sure, would make her ill.

        mail 

The last news [crossed out] brought me tidings of Cousin Randolph Beyan’s losses – eight of his best hands went off, five of his horses were taken, a good many of the Randolph [sp...? ], and a Yankee and himself had a tussle for his watch which he managed to retain, besides he lost a great deal in clothing. Mr. Mason was pretty nearly swept, Nannie was enabled to be calm while the eight thousand raiders were all around her, but the excitement brought on illness, and destroyed [underlined] [ ? ][underlined] hopes.[underlined]

I have written a good many letters to the Army to-night, and as I must be up by daylight in the

[Pg 4] morning to have toasted and ground some coffee that I hope, to be able to send to Sainty for his wounded, I must tell you good night, after stating that Charley has cut is stomach teeth without having a finger ache. He is a selfish little dog, and objects very much to sharing his cakes, (he is sometimes fortunate enough to have some), with any one. Tell Montagu that Uncle Cranford sent his love to him, and said he would attend to any business in Chicago if he desired it. [Stineman?] is said to be within thirty miles of Danville. The President is there. I wonder where he will run to night. I wish you had the servants with you. My idea is that the only safe Country is that

    has

which ^ already been overrun Ask Montagu where Mothers Texas lands are located. We had better move off there, and then to Mexico if necessary.

John Daniel the Editor of the Examiner is dead. He died but a day or two before the Enemy entered Richmond. Poor fellow.

Give my love to Montagu. Write soon to your devoted Wife [underlined]

I am trying to make such arrangements as I can for a Yankee said, but there is not much that I can do, unassisted and servants all around

[Marinalia Pg 4 right side]

Emily Carrington is better