Wigwam Independence
Dec. 13th 1863
My Dear
Brother;
Your favor by
Major Venable was duly received. I am
very much gratified that you were pleased with him. He seems to have enjoyed his visit very much. I sounded him in regard to Speed & while
loth to say anything in a matter which the world regards as none of his
business I found that his opinion of Speed was unfavorable & when pressed
for facts said that he, Speed, had come very mysteriously into possession of a
large quantity of Salt & had made a large amount of money out of some state
agency the effect of which at his home was to excite a good deal of remark to
his prejudice. I do hope Mary Bell will
respect your judgement enough to prevent her marrying a mere adventurer – much
less, worse. If they are engaged it
will be difficult to break it off but plain talk & firmness towards
both may do.
With many
thanks for the enclosed draft I now return it, & hope you will acknowledge
its receipt. I found the owners of the
place I desired had determined to postpone the sale till spring after
the war. If I should survive this war I
desire to settle down on a farm if I can get one to suit me – and devote my
after life to agricultural pursuits; & Flora now seems as anxious for this
as myself. I am very partial to the old
homestead at Patrick. I wonder if it
could be bought? I am very anxious for
you to pay me a visit, & think by giving me two days notice I could have a
place for Sister El. also. Flora is now
with me. I am near Orange C.H.
How will the
proposed abolition of substitutes affect you?
Let me know if I can do anything for you. What sort of a soldier does our nephew David Peirce make? Does he write well? Tell Bell to send me one of his letters –
ask Sister El to write when you can not -- & tell me how they have treated
you on the Salt question – The Gov. told me they had shown a better spirit
toward the last. We must have more activity
in our armies. We move too slowly &
stand still too long. I hope a salutary
change will soon take place. Gen Lee is
I know fully alive to this necessity, and to his wisdom, patriotism, and
Self-abnegation we owe much & will owe more before this war is over. Give my love to Sister El. & all the
rest. Yours ever
J.E.B.Stuart