Centreville Jan 16th 1862
My Darling One
–
I received
your welcome letter to-day.
I hear
Longstreet’s children are having the scarlet fever, I fear ours will get
it. You will have to be extremely
careful. I appreciate my Dear One the
tantalizing effect of seeing others with their husbands, but we do enjoy
each other as much when we do meet that it seems somewhat to make amends for
the weeks of absence. While away we can
look forward to the joy of meeting again.
When met we can abandon ourselves to the sweets of each others society
as a fresh luxury
I am anxious
to have you again near me, and hope sincerely that matters will reach their
crisis so that you can come again. I
feel no anxiety on the subject of a place for you because, Machen’s have
promised to take you in if you cant get any other place. Tavaner’s [?] bill was outrageous -- & I
hope you will steer clear of him in future.
Mrs Johnston I hear came up for Geo M Lane’s health. You must begin to look around for a
comfortable retreat in the summer months, for you & the children. I presume Maria will accompany you. I was glad to hear John had been to see you
– and I will use all my influence to have him put in command of a
Regiment. I will help him because I
know he deserves it. Jno Esten I think
went off disgruntled at me for he has not written since he left, -- the
estimate I expressed of him in a former letter I believe is correct. I wonder what has become of Chiswell, he has
not shown himself or written since you left; he was to have returned in a day
or two.
I moved to
Centreville last Sunday, and am now in the big house across the hall from Gen
Johnston. Send me several pounds of
nice candy by Genl Longstreet, also a thick, good sized but nice ivory
paper folder. What is the prospect of
Major Powers getting his appointment, I think the delay is outrageous. Gen Cooper and Col Dean are here on a grand Inspecting tour. Col French aid to the Govt has been my guest
for several days waiting for a favorable day for flag presentation. There is nothing new in the Cavalry Brigade,
except that they have gotten nearly into winter quarters, and have made no
recent scouts toward the enemy. We are
looking with anxiety for the enemy’s movements, but time alone can prove what
day will be immortalized as the battle day – big with the destiny of
millions. I wish I could see Jim
Dashler. As for Major Price I think it
probable he will keep my trunk & books through the war. He is a gentleman, but war brings about some
unaccountable things.
If you wait
awhile I think the blockade will be raised and then you can get the cloth
cloaks much cheaper. We are all getting
on finely, & I only want you to make my happiness complete – come quick
wont you? Kisses to our Dear Ones &
Regards to friends.
Yours
Stuart