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Rome, December 21, 1862

Sunday Evening

My dear Father,

I received your letter and am concerned

indeed to know what you will do. I am so much afraid

you will have to take something which will be too much

for your strength. I know of no one in this neighborhood

who wants a teacher except the one Cousin [?] [Castleman?]

spoke of for one of the [Adies?], and they want a lady. Early in

the fall you could have gotten to Dr. Jones's, which would

have been such a pleasant situation, but he has a teacher

now. Do you think this last victory will give us peace any

sooner, if we might but have peace and go back to Winchester.

I have seen no list of the casualties, have you? ([as printed?]

the Richmond papers just after it) and were any of our

friends among the number? I am sorry to hear the Loudon

people are having such a time; poor Uncle William has been

a sufferer. I wish grandma could get to Aunt [Fanny's?], I

think she must be right uncomfortable, but I don't see how

she can if Uncle William has no carriage. These are terrible

times, and such cold weather our poor soldiers must suffer

very much. Don't you congratulate me I have at last got

a pair of thick shoes. Poor Mr. Bolling has been scouring the

country over to buy or beg leather to make them and has at

last succeeded. Everything is very quiet here in the country

the papers come irregularly, and we hear nothing, no body

writes. Mrs. Bolling is still staying home and is very funny

and cheerful, and keeps up our spirits. She don't mind our

laughing at her peculiarities (of which she has a great

many) but says, "laugh on child, laugh on, I like to see

you laugh." Her Brother old Mr. Goode came last

night on his way to pay his second visit to Miss

[Nita?][Culter?], greatly to Mrs. Bolling's annoyance.

[Page 2]

She knowing that Miss [Nita?] would not marry him.

I still take my walks every evening, sometimes

alone, sometimes with Millie, and often think of

you and dear Mother walking at the same time

and wish I could join you. Mother said she was

uneasy about them in Gloucester, Sister sent us

a letter from Jeanie dated 27th of November, I

don't know whether you have seen it or heard

since [?]. I will send it with this. It seems from

that, that it is doubtful whether Grandma and

Minnie will go to Richmond to spend the winter.

I am glad Dr. Tabb has sold his place at so good

a price. I should think in these times I would be

more comfortable to be further from the coast. It was

strange to me that property should sell so high. There

have been several sales in this neighborhood lately and a

piano, which cost 300 when new and has been in use for

8 or 9 years sold for 465 and a wardrobe which when

new cost 30 and was much abused sold for 62. Xmas

is almost here dear Father. I wish I could be with you

but you and dear Mother will have to kiss each

other for us; we shall have no church, so shall

spend the day quietly at home. Give much love to Uncle

Gordon, Aunt Fanny, Kate, and Powell. Let me know

as soon as you get an answer to your application

for the appointment for judge. Do you think the work

would be less laborious than that of a clerk, if so I

do hope you will get it.

Ever your fondly loving daughter,

Hattie L. Powell