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Clarksville October 18th 1863
Sunday morning
I am truly glad that I did not
write to you, my beloved Husband on Friday
in accordance with my want for I could not have
told you as I now can, that on yesterday our
boy displayed to my astonished view a tooth.
All fears of a toothless son have at last vanished
and our Charley will be like the rest of the world
at least, so far as teeth are concerned. Friday
evening I got a letter from you containing the
pomegranate deed which I, in duty bound,
shared with Milly when I delivered your
message. I was greatly pleased to find you
had gotten back to Darlington hoping, to hear
more regularly from you for several weeks to come
that I have done recently. I have gotten but
two letters for along time, the one just mentioned
and another from George [Turn?] describing the
old Episcopal Church, aisles [underscored] &c. Do you
understand? To be separated from you is evil
enough of itself but, separation and silence
[2]
combined are not to be endured. On last Tuesday,
I think it was, I wrote you rather a despairing letter
I think it served as a sort of safety value for things
have been brighter since, not that I want you
one whit the less. I have actually been out for a long
afternoon visit to Mr. Carrington's. Helen and
I went after an early dinner yesterday, found all
the family at home, and they were expecting us, for
nearly all, from Mrs. C. down to Molly [Wat?], had
been here in the morning. We had a delightful
walk in the garden, Mrs. C. making me up a
boquet so large that some of them thought I would
find it rather a burden. While getting the flowers
Mrs. C. talked to and advised me about house
=hold matters, told me how she managed unruly
servants, that that morning, she herself had
whipped both of her cooks, because she was tired
of bad bread. She has promised to spend a
day shortly with Mama who is not well. George
came Friday evening to stay with Helen, and
I had hot ginger rasin cake for tea. Now
sir, ain't that being high? I made it myself
and wished for you all the time, particularly
[3]
at tea as it was very good tho' my first
effort at Confederate cake. Last night I got a
letter from Mr. Hopkins enclosing Hartwells [hire?] for
September less $10. subscription to the Enquirer which
also came to hand last night for the first time. I have
received in all from Mr. H $53 [fifty three dollars]
I wish you would write to Goddin and [Apperson?]
about the sale of the stock. I have never heard a word
from Mr. Paine about the other money, and perhaps,
as he has not attended to that he may have neglected
to give Goddin & A_ the power of attorney to sell.
I feel very uncomfortable about the delay in paying
for the house, for this season. Mrs. Johnson wrote for
the sifter and Helen not being in, and I under the
impression it had been bought by us did not send it.
A few days after H_ got a note from Mrs. J_ demanding
the sifter saying, she had refused to buy it when it
had been offered her for sale, & she now wanted it.
You may be sure the difter went & a note too, from H_.
This morning she met Mrs. J_ after church & Mrs.
J_ did not even bow to her. Under these circumstances
you may [sure?] I feel anxious that payment should
be made. We now have no sifter, but I borrowed our
next door neighbours for a few hours, and had a consider
=able quantity of flour sifted at [once?], when I get through
with that I will borrow again. Dr. George Venable was at
Mr. C's a few days since, and stated that he intended
sending to mill for us five barrels of corn, and to
send, Irish, sweet potatoes and corn field peas to us,
and all for what reason do you suppose? because he
admired Dr. Coleman's spirit so much he thought
he family ought to be looked after. So you see we get
something by your being in the Army. Dr. Paul Venable
sent H_ two bushels of Irish potatoes, and the Covington's
are always sending something, every few days. George
will send down a mess of corn field peas or some
vegetable she knows we are without, and for the last few
days we have been feasting on a wild turkey of Mr. C's
killing, in fact, I think we live almost too well. You
must have thought yourself very smart about the
selective merits of bacon & [Sa...g?] ham. Don't you know
[4]
whatever is a saving of bacon is a saving of money?
What I wanted to know was, that in view of the difficulty
in procuring more bacon, if it would not be best to save
what we have, and substitute as far a possible fresh
meats and molasses. For you know people must eat.
We have bright dresses for Sarah & Sally at $3. but I am
very glad you have gotten more, they will need them
in the Spring, and I don't think we will be able to buy
anything at $2.50 by that time. [So?] every thing in Clarkes
=ville is exceedingly high. Common shoes for ladies at
$40. I wrote to Mr. Hodges to have shoes made for me
also a pair a piece for Sally and Sarah. I am not in
need at present but, I think every thing will continue
to go up. [Georgie?] says that she knows a reason why
you ought to be here, but she won't give it to me. I
suspect it is that some one else is coming here to settle.
Helen knows what it is and agrees with Georgia
but her opinion on that subject has no weight with me.
You would be delighted to see how [?] Charley
is to Helen. He kicks her in the mouth & then kisses her,
and if she pretends she is crying he puts up his own
lip and looks miserable. To see him smack his lips
over sweet potato you would laugh. Helen says his
ways are more beautiful than his looks, but that he is
beautiful enough for anything. She seems to be perfect
=ly carried away with the baby, and to love him next
to yourself. Mr. Hopkins mentioned that a Miss South
=all had just come out of Williamsburg, but brought
no news – that the 32d Regiment had gone below
and it was supposed we would soon hold the town.
I have been nervous som since at the [?] idea. I
intend writing to Tim [Mac?] to try and remove some
comfort making articles for us. I am expecting Tom
to every day. I am very much disturbed to hear you
won't be able to get us any commissary. Our rice is
very low. Jonny is constantly at home sick with pain
in his back or head – almost always sick after Sunday.
Helen and myself have both been very unwell, she looks
very badly, both cough our hearts out. My throat does
not hurt now as it did at first, nor does hers. She has pain
under her shoulder. Charley has a cold, but not a bit sick
Mama very feeble. I could not go to church this morning
owing to an attack of [?]. Do write me how you
are, when you are coming home some for a visit? Don't
[Marginalia Pg 1]
fail to write on the 29th a love letter to your devoted wife. I wrote to [Montague?]
to see Mr. Paine
for me about
the $1700.60, as
I could not make
him notice my
letters. I don't
understand
it. So kind
as he is. I
have no news
from Cousin
[Lizzie?]
I have
gotten two
shirts for
Toby costing
$15.
coloured.
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