|
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,
June 6th, 1856
My dearest
Lizzie,
I owe you many
apologies for proving myself such a shabby correspondent, but I assure you my
delay has not been from disinclination to write; on the contrary your Aunt
Flora will bear me witness that I have frequently expressed a desire to answer
both yours and Belle’s kind letters, and as often regretted that my business
engagements were such as to deny me the pleasure. Your letters I assure you have received a hearty welcome at our
little family circle, and I am gratified to see evidences of so much
improvement. There is nothing more
praiseworthy in young people at school than honorable emulation in study, and I
sincerely trust that both you and Belle have come off with flying colors at
your recent examinations and are fully prepared for a happy vacation among
kindred and friends. I have just
received a letter from Cousin Peter, from whom I learn he has had some very
pleasant visitors this Spring. I had
very cold and unpleasant weather throughout my trip to Virginia but am thankful
that both Flora and I were enabled to brave it all and arrive safely here at
the close of my furlough. We are very snugly
fixed housekeeping, and have everything calculated to make us happy, though I
must say our happiness would be greatly enhanced could we get a peep at you all
a little oftener. You have no idea how
delighted we would be to have you with us.
Do you think you could trust yourself among border-ruffians? I am afraid we will have hot work yet here
in Kansas, murders are committed on both sides every day, and a soldier was
shot from his horse while riding along the other day. Every one goes armed.
Flora and I
fully intended to have our daguerreotypes taken in St. Louis for you, but the
weather was entirely too unfavorable.
There is no good one about here or we would yet have it done. I had Bettie’s taken the other day to send
Aunt Sukey. I think it is a first rate
likeness.
I received a
long letter from Mr. Pender by the Santa Fee mail of April. He is very much pleased with New Mexico and
is stationed at Camp Thorn, N.M. Your
Aunt Flora is now on a visit of a week to an uncle in Missouri. I took them (Flora and her mother) over a
few days ago – Col. Cooke has since passed here having just returned from Fort
Laramie. I look for them all back
tomorrow or next day. Give my best love
to all – tell Belle I will write very soon.
Flora would have a kind message for you if she were at home for she
often speaks of you. Tell Monsieur
David I will look for a letter from him shortly. Give Beau a piece of choice bread and remember me to the
servants. Write soon—
Your dear uncle,
J.E.B.Stuart
|