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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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