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(1861) Richmond Inne

My dear Sally, I feel as though the little brains I had are almost parched up by the scorching days we have had in the past week, & with so much [?] that I have not had the moral courage to answer your truly welcome letter, today being a degree cooler I take the advantage to let you know I can[.?] Sally I will not say what [?] for we are doing nothing but trying to give all the comfort we can to the poor soldiers in making tent cloths [?] Sally & little Sally have been to St. James for weeks among them[.] The former was among the first who went more than two months ago she says they have made about 140 tents besides a great number of suits of clothes[.] I wonder sometimes how such apparently soft delicate fingers can sew on such stout heavy [sack?] but I find where there is a will there is a way and they seem happy to think they have health and strength to perform the [duty?] all churches in the city I am told are working hard, but such numbers

of troops are daily coming in and so poorly equip[ped] that there seems no end to their labors as I did not feel strong enough to be with them they sent me some [badges?] to make but they were afterwards countermanded as being too conspicuous, made of bright yellow and white flannel, they have not adopted any yet but seem to think it important that they should have some made to distinguish them from the Federals. Nothing is spoke of here but war and rumors of war, but for today we have had no news of consequence but anticipate a battle e[']erlong at [Mariopes?][.] What may be the issue we know not but judging from the past we may humbly infer that the God of all nations who giveth not the battle to the strong will enable us so far to overcome that that peace and happiness may once more be restored to our [distracted?] country -- we feel quite uneasy at not hearing from -- our dear Davey We have only had a few lines from him since he left[.] I have written several times sending him two [coloured?] shirts his uniform and [step?] coat besides other [little?] sundries but do not know whether he has gotten them or not[.] They were in a bundle and I am fearful he has not received them[.] I must beg the

                 I shall expect a very long answer to this and soon too.

favor of you my dear Sally to find out if you can and let me know and where he is stationed [.] We feel so lonely without him [It?] makes me have so much to do and think of[.] Tell him if you see him to pray write if only a few lines & where we must [?] to him, some persons have thought Williamsburg may be invaded whether there is danger or not [can't] you come up and stay with us as you know my dearest Sally you would be as one of us and we would be so happy to have you with us so do pray come here untill all this turmoil is over at any rate untill there is no danger [?]of your city[.] Our first thought was of you when we thought there was danger and as the [wish?] and [?] of the household I beg you will come so say yes won't you[.] I know without a good reason you [won't?] come so that I am selfish enough to wish to have a good one that may bring you that we may have you with us[.] John I suppose could not leave but he would [be better?] satisfied to know you were with us should an invasion take place[.] We feel perfectly safe here despite of Genrl Scott's declaration that he will be in Richmond by the [1st? 15?] of next month[.] Generals Davis and Lee's families are here, of course they entertain no fears on that score, it is worth

a trip to Richmond to walk on the Capitol Square the trees and shrub[b]ery are in great [luxuriance?] forming a [cheering?] shade over nearly one fourth of the grounds the [colorful?] statute of Washington pointing almost prophetically to the South and last but not least in my estimation our great statesman Mr. Clay statue attract hundreds of men women and children every evening forming a beautiful [panorama?]. The Kentucky troops walked bare headed around his statue and many of them shook his hand as tho he really stood before them. We have no [music?] there now but the [drum?] whose noise is very discordant to my ear. I would much rather have the star spangled banner for I have no idea of giving up that splendid air to the Yankees. How are all your flowers I suppose your garden is a [wilderness?] of sweets. I have read so often in the British [poets?] lately of the [passing?] daisy and here tell that I long to see one of the little celebrities all [nice?] as usual and written in affectionate remembrance to John and [yourself?]. Tell John I don't believe he cares anything about me now as he neither writes nor sends me a message [?]. I shall return good for evil by sending my best love and wishes to him & John W & Mary & Rose [Good?] [by?] [my?] dear Sally believe me [?] ESL