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Backward turn backward, Oh Time in your [flight?]

Blenheim May 7th [1865]

Dear Minnie, [?] Starke will go to Richmond tomorrow, if he is well enough, and promises to call to see you, if he can do so and to take this note. Make yourself agreeable to him and tell me what you think of him, he is a particular friend of mine. Send me by him the beads [Nina?] left with you for me. I suppose Frank has reached you before this and can tell you more of my darling Mother than I can. The last news I had from her, was by a letter he brought [?] to [?] for sure. I feel very uneasy about her. Your long

[2]

and most welcome letter was received yesterday [?] and I was indeed delighted to get it, and also Agnes's, for which please thank her. Tell Mildred I have not been able to hear any think of John Williams. Hugh McGuire is over here at Amelia Springs, I fear mortally wounded. I had a note from Hunter a few days ago, saying he was extremely ill, and I hear this morning he is worse. Edward Grady and Edward McDon- ald are also wounded. I am extremely anxious to hear from you dear Minnie and to know what you are all thinking of doing. I have formed no plans for the future yet, at least I [?] of now, but I am so completely cut off from all the rest that I don't know what they are thinking of.

[3]

It is very lonely here in the country, tho' I had rather be here than in town. I never hear any news, and what I hear, I know not how to rely on. This is a [scary] dreary time. Oh to lie down in the quiet grave. Blessed are the dead who did not live to see these times. Write me a long letter by Mr. [Starke?] if you can Tho' it may be some time getting to me and tell me what you are all doing and how getting along, what you are thinking of doing and whether you have heard from [Glocester?] Love to all friends.

Your loving neice, Hattie

[there is wording on the last page in a different hand writing that I am unable to read]