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Richmond 30th October 1862

I intended my dear [Selina?] to write to you soon after I saw in the paper the notice of the death of your second son [in] because of his country. The thought then crossed my mind how much longer will mine be spared to me. Little did I imagine that the first void in our family circle would be in the death of my precious Annie, but God's ways are not as our way, as her Father says in his letter to me. He took the one fitted for the [change?] the finest and the best - we do not miss her so much now, having been separated so long but when we return to our home, the void will be dreadful, yes I [?] us have her back. Deprived [of her own dear house?] she has found one in the [?] of heaven where there is [?] [?] [?] for all who love the Savior. Oh what an unspeakable comfort to me, on that bed of death to know that she had [given?] her heart to Him who had promised never to forsake those who trust in Him - I have many left [and] pray that this affliction may be sanctified to me and to them. It was attended with much to mitigate it, in the delicate kindnesses and attention of all within our reach we had a most skilful physician on the place a refugee from Nor- folk, Dr. [Selden?], who saw her 3 times a day [and?] was always at hand to watch any change. His amiable family aided me in nursing her. - She was ill for 4 weeks [and?] I who was little acquainted with the disease thought it was only reaching its crisis, when the terrible fever which never abated was [?] her life, I don't know that she was aware of her danger for she was very deaf and could neither read or listen except the morning before she died. On being told it was Sunday she asked for her favorite hymn book and after vainly trying to read, opened it at a hymn which she handed to me it was headed, "In Extremity [I Commenced?]" When I can trust with God my all "in trial's fearful [never?]" I read it and asked her if [?] read it to her she said no, she could not hear - She slept a great deal under the influence of morphine and I hope did not suffer much pain. Her life gently ebbed away almost like the sobbings of a child going to sleep and it was mercifully ordered that she did not seem to [miss?] any of her family who were absent, tho she seemed much pleased when I arrived there and did not like me to leave her bedside. I laid her in a family

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cemetery there preferring to leave her among her kind friends there till she could be taken to her own dear home. The neighbors all sent the most lovely flowers to adorn her [?] and evergreens - roses to plant on her grave. A lady of the state wrote some touching lines which I will transcribe for you. I returned with Agnes to Rich mond where I shall probably remain till after Xmas. Should any of you be in town I shall hope to see you. I am at the [No?] [James K?] [Carkies?] Corner of Clay and 11th streets. Robert was unexpectedly order ed down here on some business with the President and I had the pleasure of having him here with me for 5 days tho' I only saw him at night it was a comfort to [mingle?] our tears and to see him so well after all his toils and anxieties - Tho' he does not say anything about military affairs, He is cheerful on the [subject?] - He has become quite stout and wears a long grey beard so that I think you would scarely recognize him if you should meet him unexpectedly - Rooney came down too to see his wife and found her with a sweet little daughter a fine healthy child. [She] is some 2 weeks old. My husband returnd to the camp this morning and Rooney goes tomorrow so that we are both sad - Rob is with Jackson and is quite a veteran he had been in so many battles - so far he has been mercifully spared even from a wound - I can't tell you any news except what you see in the papers and they contain but little [?] I hear the enemy are making powerful preparations to act by sea especially against Charleston and Savannah may they be foiled in all their base attempts - and may we pray more earnestly to the Almighty that the precious blood spilled in our holy cause may be accepted in His [?] and His anger appeased - Did you know that poor Rosalie Webs ter had also lost her two sons. They were her all. You have your sweet daughters left to you - Tell [Nina?] I forwarded her letter to Mildred who is at school at Raleigh North Caro lina. Her father preferred her going there [thinking?] there was so much excitement in Richmond it was impossible for her to study and she is very much pleased with her school and teachers. Her direction is care of [Rev'd] A Sneades, St. Mary's [?] Raleigh, North Carolina -

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Earth to earth and dust to dust Savior in thy word we trust Sow we now our precious grain Thou shalt raise it up again Plant we the terrestrial root That shall bear celestial fruit Lay a bud within the tomb That a flower in heaven may bloom Severed are no tender ties though in Death' embrace she lies For the lengthening chain of love stretches to her home above Mother in thy bitter grief Let this thought bring sweet relief Mother of an angel now - God Himself hath crowned thy brow with the thorns of the Savior worn blessed art thou evermore unto Him thou dost resign A portion of the life was thine.

Earth to earth and dust to dust Sore the trial, sweet the trust Father thou who seest death gathering grain as every breath as his sickle sharp he wields O'er our bloody battle fields Murmer not that now he weaves His sweet flour into his sheaves Taken in her early prime Gathered in the summer time Autumns blasts she shall not know never shrink from winter's snow Sharp the pang that thou must feel for thou fairest flower is hid underneath the coffin's lid O'er her grave thou dropst no tear warrier stern must thou appear Crushing back the cruel grief Which in tears might find relief Louder still thou country cries at thy feet is bleeding lies

And before the patriot now Husband, father both must bow But unnumbered are thy friends And from many a home ascends Earnest heart felt prayers for thee That as thy days thy strength may be "Tenella"

I must thank you for the beautiful hymn you sent me and your kind letter. May God in His mercy spare you any further afflictions. Your sons have met with a noble end. We must not weep bitter tears for the brave dead - but for ourselves who are left to mourn.

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I read in the paper a very touching obituary of your son You must feel it hard to lose such a one but the room Heaven gives its favorites is awarded to him. Love to all your family. Affectionately yours M C Lee