.MTQxNg.MjM2NA
Williamsburg, 13 Nov. 1861
My dear son,
I have been intending to write to you for some time but have been prevented by various circumstances among these I had to go to Richmond recently and have (just?) returned. I shall not have to leave home so often now as I am no longer (?) of the railroad. A change was made rendering it absolutely necessary that the (?) should reside in Richmond, in consequence of uniting another office in it, and I, of course not a candidate for re-election.
On my visit to Richmond about 3 weeks ago I saw Mr. (Austin?) who informed me that your shawl had been taken from your trunk. I enquired about it and found that it had been brought to the office of the Exchange Hotel after you departed from a room which you did not occupy; how it got there I cannot imagine unless someone took it thro' mistake and left it in the room without giving any information of it. However, I was quite satisfied to (?) it again.
On my return here yesterday from Richmond I found Mr. Wilmer here; he has received the place of chaplain of Col. Ewell's regiment which is at this time rather scattered but all in this neighborhood, so that I hope he will be with us chiefly during the winter. We are all quite well at present but some apprehension lest (?) and the baby should (?) the measles as little Moses has it. Your cousin Cornelia Griffith and Mary Jane are with us for a few days so that we have quite a crowd. Little Montague Tucker is exceedingly ill with typhoid fever and not expected to live. I suppose your mother has informed you that Capt. Morrison (the professor) died of the same disease not long ago. There is however no other case now in town that I have heard of except Mr. Vert's youngest daughter and she is said to have it mildly. We have now scarcely any troops in and about town except sick ones of whom unfortunately (?) there is a considerable number here. There is no recent news and nothing in the war direction doing on our peninsula.
I am glad to hear that Mr. (Somers?) has a good school; a sufficient number of boys will prevent your time from being dull and will produce emulation.
At the end of one of your late letters to your mother I observed the parting salutation "bon nuit" - the French word "nuit" is feminine therefore you should have written "bonne nuit" - the difference between the genders in French being altogether arbitrary, is one of chief taxes upon the memory of the French scholar.
The salutation "bonne nuit" at separating for the evening(?) is never used except between those who are entirely familiar with each other. Of course it was quite proper to be said towards your mother. The usual parting salutation at night is "bonsoir",(which is never used in accosting)- or "je vous souhaite le bon soir". "Adieu" is used during the day (or night either) or "je vous salue". Recollect that "bon soir" is never used in accosting one - only in parting: and that "bon jour" is never used in parting - only in accosting and that at any time of day or night.
The other expressions in meeting and accosting one, are "comment vous portez vous", "comme va votre sante", "je vous souhaite le bon jour:, "j'ai l'honneur de vous saluer: etc. etc. etc. (?) after one has become familiar with the language by various turns of expression as "comme va la sante de Monsieur", "J'ai l'honneur de saluer Madame", Je porte elle bien" etc. etc.
These are according to my recollection, but I may have forgotten and before I wish you to show this part of my letter to (?) teacher of French in order that you may not derive erroneous impressions.
Your companions are in various directions. Henry Dix is in Capt. Healey's company, as you know, and will probably go into winter quarters at Shrattey's. R. McCa(?) and Geo. Vest are both gone some where, I do not know where, and I believe to different schools.
All here send you best love my dear son and hope to hear from you soon.
Your affectionate father Ro. Saunders
R.P. Saunders
