Scope and Contents Encloses a check for $25. Promises to send more. Disturbed that they can’t find fresh provisions and fears they will become scarcer. Prices for board are rising. Heavy rains and thunderstorms. Minnigerode received a letter from his daughters. Sending letter by Gilmer or Semple and will try to send some sugar via Gilmer soon. Mentions Georgy, Breck and “darling Lucy Page.” Offers remembrances to Dr. Martin and the Visitors {?}.(?). Mrs. Coleman servants, Bella, Mira and Beverly have run off....

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Sending 10 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds of rice, some paper, spools of cotton, shoestring, and candy for the grandchildren. Encloses a $25 check. Went to see Lizzie Ewell. She wasn’t at home. Weather cold and clear expecting snow or hail. “I have not heard from Bob, have you?”

Scope and Contents Weather is bad. Has not gone out, not even to church. “… the devil has been permitted to rule the weather for 6 or 7 weeks.” Wrote Bob and received a reply. He had been suffering from diphtheria but has recovered entirely. Treated by Dr. Robert Madison of “the Institute” who was formerly a student “of the first order.” Upset that Breck is sick and his hearing is affected. Gratified to hear of Col. Martin’s promotion and marriage. Has seen Mr. Semple. He would love to visit them, but wants to...

Scope and Contents Snow storm, nearly 12 inches deep, the deepest in 20 or 30 years. Offices are closed. Sorry to hear that Ann and Mary are sick. Col Randolph Harrison who told him, according to Mr. George Wise, that Lelia was very sick. Has not heard the same from Mr. Wilmer. Assumes Wise is mistaken. John Gilmer to carry a shirt in need of repair next trip. Sending 4 pairs of summer stockings for darling Lucy Page. Cannot get the eggplant seed she requested...but will keep trying. Dr Coleman has resigned,...

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Distressed to hear that Ann and Mary are still sick. Sending 5 pounds of sugar, some soda, and a few “dough nuts for the darling children” and a harmonica for Georgy and Breck and a fan for Lucy via Mr. Wilmer. Not been able to procure the egg plant seed. Reports no news of consequence from Williamsburg. Heard a sermon from Minnigerode and saw Bishop Johns confirm people at St. Paul’s. “I hope you have heard from Bob.”

Scope and Contents Mr. Patton. Purchased 31 yards of unbleached cotton (at $1.75/yard) and will send to Mr. Pollack. Has little to do in the afternoon and will be pleased to hunt for articles for them. News from Williamsburg via Mr. W. H. Pierce who has heard it from others. Pierce is afraid to go into Williamsburg since he sells goods secretly. Pierce bought a letter from Mr. Sweeney. Sweeney took 5 mules from the Saunders property. The Yankees stole one, two to Isham for use on the farm, one to Gawian for...

Scope and Contents Received the shirts she sent by Mr. Lefebvre. Will be sending a package back via him to include white cotton for 4 shirts for Bob and a piece of linen. Met Martha Page. Mr. Sheldon had just come up from Gloucester with news that the Yankees had committed more deprivations in that county. Met Mrs. Peachy for the first time since leaving Williamsburg. Presumed that she was unhappy to see him looking well and in health. Heard that General Wise has gone down to Williamsburg and was driving the...

Scope and Contents Diphtheria epidemic. Concerned that Lucy is tired caring for the sick especially the servants who don’t know how to “attend to each other.” Sending a plate to Lelia as to replace one of Mrs. Lefebvre’s broken at the Rectory. Inventory of what box he has sent. An old towel, shirts, small quantity of Passover bread from Mrs. Heller, a doll for Lucy Page, caps for Georgy and Breck, 31 yards of unbleached cotton (at 1.75/yd), shoestrings, 20lbs sugar, 20 lbs of rice, 6lbs coffee (at $3.50 which...

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Sending a sample of fabric ($5.50/yd). Sent Lelia a box of Beckwith’s Pills. Jim and Cyrus have been hired at a tobacco factory. Relieved Wilmer is free of their support. Heard accounts of deprivations of Yankees in Gloucester and of people fleeing.

Scope and Contents Happily hears of Lucy’s recovery from Mr. James Semple. Paid broker $105 for $21 in gold to purchase article for Lucy. Semple hired out his slave, Jim, in Danville. Jim had run away once and was with the Yankees. Glad Jim has not the chance to tell other slaves of his escape. Heard nothing of slaves Molly and Elia. All their servants in Williamsburg, except Sam, who was hired at the lunatic asylum, are still in place. All slaves at the farm, except Jacob, are still there. Jacob ”enticed...

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Suffering with acute diarrhea. Misses Lucy terribly. Spent an evening with General (Richard Stoddart) Ewell. Ewell ’s been promoted to Lieutenant General a day or two after being married to Mrs. Brown. Ewell has gone to join General Lee’s army and take command of Gen Jackson’s old command. Mr. Botts lost his slaves.

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 Discusses travel plans. Very busy and doesn’t have time to write. Suggests that several routes from Lexington to Danville and asks that she inform him of her travel plans. Concerned the Bob “must get some certificate from Gen(eral) Smith to keep with him until he gets back to Lexington, to avoid possible delay by enrolling officers.” Asks that Lucy not spend any time with Lizzie Nelson who has “come all the way from the South” and wants her full attention adding “Circumstances force one to...

Scope and Contents Happy that she will go to Botetourt and will be comfortable there. Will be traveling all month. Sent her a check for $100 and hopes she has received it. Lelia wrote of the death of poor Mrs. Munford. He has written to Bob. Details recent travels and is now staying in Liberty for two or three days with Captain Mallory. Intends to go to Wytheville when he leaves Liberty, “if the Yankees are not about,” and then to Carroll, Franklin, Henry and Patrick counties. Will try to meet Bob at the...

Scope and Contents Sent a “passport” to Mr. Wilmer. Hopes he has received it. Rode from Danville to Henry Court House by stage. Stayed “in a fine large room in an old fashioned tavern built of logs.” Is comfortable there as opposed to not being so in his other travels. Dined with an attorney Mr. Wootten, an old student at the college, and acquaintance. Wootten helping him with his business. Will resume his travels to Patrick and Franklin Counties before returning to Danville. Hopes to be reunited with Lucy...

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Finding it difficult traveling from Henry Court House to Patrick Court House. “There are no horses to be hired…and there is no public conveyance to Patrick Court House from any point on the globe." Travel has generally agreed with him and he is “entirely well.” Not suffering from gout and neuralgia he has endured in previous years at this time of the season.

Scope and Contents Lucy Page at the home of Mrs. Michie in Staunton. She has a beaux there, a Dr. Rush. Considers him “an entirely respectable young man at his position & and has the reputation of being a very worthy one.” Has traveled more than 1000 miles from end of July to 26 September. Has used more than 200 stamps on letters relating to official business. Regrets not having written her but uses the large amount of official correspondence as an excuse for not having the time to do so. Has a fond...

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Is as busy in Richmond as he was previously. Disappointed to hear that Colonel Rawley Martin was not among the exchange prisoners. Bob has asked for information on how to join the army. Richmond at this time is “very disagreeable and every thing is awfully high & things to eat are scarce.” He manages, thanks to his friends. Mr. James Lyon’s house in Richmond has burned to the ground.

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Bob’s division is expected to be ordered to Gordonsville. Hopes to see him before he leaves. Major Baker P. indicates that Bob is well and that Pickett’s Division, was to be reviewed by General Lee. Colonel Benjamin S. Ewell, has been by to see him. Expects to join Lucy on Saturday, but travel is uncertain.”

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Informs Lucy that he is well at the home of Charles Waller in Williamsburg. Traveled from Danville to Richmond, stayed with Mr. Sweeney, then to Williamsburg. The Waller invitation to lodging was one of many invitations he received. Has seen many friends and they are well. Has many things on his mind and cannot express them in a hastily written letter. Saunders Expresses his love for his wife, children and grandchildren and old friends and writes “servants very kind.”