Richmond 26 Apl 26 ’62
I have just recd My dear Miss Mary, your letter of the 24th. I am my very obliged to you for writing & I am Sure you must have felt every evg that I was thinking of you. I never reach my quarters without doing so & wishing to See you. I hope there is no possibility of the Federal army reaching Richmond. They are certainly not here now & every man I trust will do their best to prevent them. I think you & Misses Lizzie & Lou might pay us a visit. Mr. Keith & I are getting very melancholy & I do not know what will become of us. If you remain absent I fear we will not object to being captured. Tell Miss Lou her house looked very sad & dark last night as I passed in the rain. Not a ray of light Could I discover. When are you Coming back? It is like throwing pearls before Swine to Keep you there in the muddy streets of Danville.
Please give my love to the three & in your Share I am cordially joined by Colonel Lee with best wishes for the happiness of all.
I am very truly yours,
R E Lee
Miss Mary Triplett
Source: Facsimile of original, vertical files, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 January 28
