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Packet boat August 17th 1864

My beloved Husband

You will see that I have at last left Carysbrook, and am en route for home. I don’t like to call Clarksville home, and when I do it I hope, you will bear in mind that it is only [pro?] [ ? ]; for I do not intend, if possible, to prevent it, that Charley shall be brought up with the associations & surounding of that place. Yesterday morning I left Cousin Randolph’s, and in passing the Rectory [took?] up [hannir?][Janson?], I had been invited to take snack at Mr. Galt’s just on the canal, and there Nan went with me. I had expected to come off at 3: o’clock but the boat did not pass until nine at night. This gave me a delightful day with Nannie at Mr. Galt’s. I had seen so little of her, owing to Charley Whooping Cough, that it was a real treat for us to have this last day to-gether. She sent her love to you. The Galts have lost, ten little Negro children with the Whooping Cough. Dr. Carmichael

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arrived at Carysbrook on Saturday. His presence is a great comfort to Tuck in her [bitter?] bereavement. They both seemed to feel that I might reproach myself with having taken Whooping Cough to Carysbrook, and were so sweet and kind, and considerate [for?] me that I felt quite touched. Tuck’s heart was quite full when she looked at Charley, and thought how “one had been taken and the other left.” Charley now says “May gone.” The two little things were devoted to each other. Cousin R. always spoke to Charley of himself as Grand Pa, & so I taught C_ to call him by that name. Truly there is no one who is so much of a Father to me, & I love him very dearly, and am very grateful to him for all his kindness. He thinks C_ will make a smart fellow. I doubt if you would know Charley if you were to see him alone, he has changed a good deal since you were in Virginia, and while not so pretty as he was, he has more the air of a boy[underlined] The head is immense[underlined], and a perfect shock of hair. Gentleness is his predominant characteristic,

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which trait he certainly does not inherit from his mother. I received your gloomy letter just before starting yesterday. What put you in such bad spirits? Arnt you [mistaken?], I fear, Cousin R has not managed it very adroitly, and while I was not at all in favor of the plan he adopted I was afraid to say so. He is a [ ? ] very peculiar person, and it is singular how much his children and all connected with him stand in awe of him. I am truly sorry for him, for he estranges those dearest to him by his peculiarities. It is dif =ficult to keep in sight his truly noble qualities when be gives way to his harsh and dictatorial temper. The greatest tact is necessary in intercourse with him, fortunately his bark is worse that his bite. I will be in Richmond only a day or two, and then go on home. I can’t say I am very glad at the prospect of getting back, and one thing I am determined upon

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which I expect you will consider a bad resolve, viz: I dont intend to work as I have done. There is no use in it, and I don’t intend to torment myself to death any longer. I will stay with Mrs. Tully in R_ A letter a few weeks ago from cousin Lizzie stated her house was full and servants sick, and no hint given of a desire to have me there. So I invited myself to Mrs. T who really seems delighted a the prospect of having me with her. I bought a few chickens [for?] present for her, & Tuck gave me some tomatoes, so I do not go empty handed.

I have made a beautiful fan out of goose feathers entirely different from those made by the Carringtons. I sent you one or two papers not long ago. I hope, you got them. We are a large party on the boat to-day. Monta, Joe Beyan, Frank, & Henry Bank, little Annie Tucker, Charley, & myself. All cousins. Joe is a fine, [ ? ] fellow.

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his Mother said today his was her only smart child. [ ? ] Beyan is in the same Company with [Marna’s?] servants I sent him a message to look after them if they went into Maryland I hope I may here frequently form you when I get back, for letters will be my only comfort.

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I wish you could see Charley take Cousin R_ by the nose &

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give him a [ ? ] kiss.