Near Fredericksburg Va
Mar. 20 1863
My Darling
Flora –
.
On this lovely
spring morning, when the birds are warbling their notes, and men are warring
their discord, my thoughts, deserting post, find centralization in you. But where are you – what are you doing? I would like to look into that dear face,
and kiss away the tear which has hung about you like a harbinger of evil since
the first month of the war. Let us
gather wisdom and encouragement from the past, when I left you, alone, you
thought, sick in body and heart in Wytheville, loving as you said my country
better than my wife, you thought you would never forgive me, now look
back & tell me which was right.
.
When at Mr
Price’s you wanted to see into my valise, and I told you calmly, seriously, I
could not without a breach of military duty or perhaps I did not confess that
the reasons were military because that would have disclosed too much, you
seemed to persuade yourself that, therefore, I had no confidence in you &c
&c. My reasons I am now at liberty
to state, & would but for the space it would take, but Mr Th. R. Price will
tell you – as I since told him.
.
Now Dearie let
us gather wisdom to let old hubbie manage his matters and when he withholds be
satisfied there is reason for it, and submit without question or
complaint. The greatest comfort I can
feel is to have that perfect, trusting confidence, without questioning
in imagination or word, or complaint, without requiring explanations &
reasons for what seems strange or unreasonable.
.
I can not love
any one that does not love you – and my strongest ties are to those that love
you most.
.
Major FitzHugh
now my Division Qr Mr – goes down & takes this and a key for the valise,
which I sent with your dress, one of my sashes, and other articles from my
Balt. friend, of which Landstreet apprised you. I think the shoes are for some one else – so do not dispose of
them till I find out. I suppose
[missing] of Mrs French’s death. [missing] FitzHugh to bring you down if you
will come without Jimmie & Mary. I
hope the dress suits you. I sent
another list to Nassau -- & also one for Mrs Major Hill. A.P. Hill’s sister Mrs Saunders is a lady I
commend to your acquaintance, she lives in Richmond. I suppose my letters are still following you round, but I will
try to head you off with this at Richmond, they are very anxious for you to
visit Dundee, and certainly at no place could you be more welcome. Jno Esten & I got up a very tasteful (I
think) tribute to Pelham and I wrote the lyrics – they will appear in
the papers anonymously, of course. I
have not heard from you in a long time but I take it for granted it
is not my Darling’s neglect. The
late journey you have made no doubt reminds you of the crossing the
Plains. Here’s a kiss Dear One – and
one for Jimmie –
.
I saw Maria in
her new home. She will be very
comfortable, but I would not like for you to live with her & you had better
let her know, that I am unwilling for the cares of housekeeping to be added to
your other cares. For in such a
partnership I know very well you would soon become chief manager. Add to this the danger of little differences
that might estrange loving & devoted sisters from each other for life. I think they will be very nicely fixed. Capt White has a Svt girl 14 or 15 which he
is anxious you or Maria should take for what she is worth in your opinion. He wants a good home for her & is not
particular about hire. Give much love
to Ma & our Pittsylvania kin. They
have been steadfast friends of the family, and have treated me personally with
a great deal of kindness. Old Garnett’s
mouth is going like a flutter-mill & it is next to impossible to write
under it. I shall have to stop. He bores me awfully. Mrs French’s family always inquire with much
interest. Miss Nannie Pat is at Mrs
Buell’s near Orange C.H. Cousin Cornelia
Dabney is a warm friend of yours, and Mrs Gen R.E. Lee also. See them all when you go to Richmond. You will find good photographs of me at Reed
& Riddle also. They will make a
good one of you after perhaps a few trials.
I hope to get a good one for frame – colored – and cheerful looking. You have not left all your friends, by
a jug full, and I am determined your picture shall not say
so.
.
I wrote some
verses on Dundee which I know you will like when you see – the verses in the
Sentinel will on Pelham’s death were mine.
.
Write often –
Ever yours –