Scope and Contents Recovered from diarrhea, but many of acquaintances still ill. Has not heard from Bob. Has seen Mr. Semple who offered regards to the family. There is nothing new from Williamsburg. Has seen Mr. Jonas, Mr. Penick, Henry and John Dix. Has not been able to get shoes the girls asked for but “the importation of blockade goods is expected during the present week. “ Rumors from Vicksburg are not good news. Has seen a dispatch from General Johnston, but the information it contains cannot fully be...

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Sending unbleached cotton on Tuesday. Mr. Custis daughters had seen Lucy and Page. Sent the shoes they asked for. Has not heard from Bob. Miss Judith Carter Nelson says all servants from Shelby are gone had gone except the carriage driver and wife. Has not seen Lizzie Ewell. Has seen I. Custis and Mrs. Miles Selden. Yankee commander has given Dr. Garrett permission to return home.

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Accepted a position as quartermaster of the Pittsylvania District and will be relocated to Danville. Will stop at Pittsylvania on his way to Danville. Was offered a higher paying position but turned it down to be able to go to Danville and be close to the family. Eventually he will hold the rank of captain and that will reward him with a higher salary. Then he can buy from the commissary “sugar, bacon, flour, salt, etc. and this not for myself, but for my family.” at government prices.

Scope and Contents Preparing to leave Richmond to assume duties in the Quartermaster Corps collecting the tax in kind. Believes new position will be anything but sedentary, but “rather laborious” and require a great deal travel. for a month Feels ready for the task. Happy she received bundle and Mr. Wilmer liked the shirts. Sends regards to Miss Lizzie who he hopes to see again soon. Will try and get things Lucy requested, but he believes the blankets and the “iron things” will be difficult to procure. Has not...

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Salutation to “My beloved wife.” Send subsequent letters to Danville. Wants to hear from Bob. General Pendleton has not been injured. Mrs. Gilmer lost brother, Col. Henry Carrington, Col. Rawley Martin is wounded and a prisoner, Col. Whittle and James Poindexter are wounded again, Col. Tazewell Patton reportedly killed or wounded.

Scope and Contents Setting up districts in Pittsylvania County for the administration of the collection of the tax in kind. Has no clerk. Offered the position of county agent to Mr. Gilmer, but he declined. Then offered it to Mr. Johnson. Will travel, go to Franklin and Bedford Counties next week to organize them Lucy is to direct her next letter to Bedford County, in care of Captain Charles Mallory. News of Pittsylvania Court House relatives and friends at Pittsylvania Court. Colonel Carrington wounded in the...

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This collection consists of 66 letters written by Robert Saunders of Williamsburg, Virginia to his wife Lucy Burwell Saunders (60 letters) and his daughters Lucy Page Saunders (three letters) and Roberta P. Saunders (two2 letters) from 1829-1867. There is also a letter written on May 4, 1847 to Overton Bernard, the father of College of William and Mary student Jesse Talbot Bernard.