Richmond Oct 27th [1862]
Your letter, dear Sister, was given Mamma on our arrival Saturday. I do indeed wish you could have been with us, but the telegram could hardly have surprised you more then the knowledge that she must die did me. that was Sunday night & Monday morning before seven she died. Sister you cannot, yes you may have some idea what this was to me. I could not believe it possible then & now it is only at times I realize what this loss is to me a loss that each day seems to sink deeper into my heart, telling me it is for my whole life. There were several persons before our eyes at the Springs sick with typhoid fever they became very sick & then recovered. I took it as a matter of course with Annie it would be the same thing. Her symptoms were all good the Dr. said, but since he has told us he was very uneasy about her but as we did not ask particularly he did not ask particularly he did not like to tell what might be only fears. Her fever was so high nothing seemed to make any impression. She seemed to think of nothing but her personal suffering & comfort. Never once alluded to death, that made me feel so secure. She did seem to miss anyone in fact all night she was unconscious of anything I wish I had time to tell you all about her but can not now as they will take this to the office in a few minutes, so I must write at once what I wish sent for as Cous. Julia may go. The first thing on the list I wish particularly & I would like very much for her to get me a grenadine if not very expressive, or at least a barège & lawn for next summer as it will be still more impossible to get things then. I would prefer grenadine or something rather stronger than barège unless they are very high. The same way with the linen it is for chemises I want also six pr kid gloves for the Seldons, they were so very kind to us. black the no. I have written I would also like to oblige Sallie Warwick, who wants what I have written the linen for chemises the cambric for skirts. She would also like the dress & vail, but of course feels badly about giving Cousin Julia so much trouble. So do I & I am sure she will understand that any thing that is trouble she may leave undone. I suppose it is useless sending our money now I thought she had money in Balt she used there any expense of transportation she will of course let us defray the trouble we can only thank her for Mourning is so high here & it is almost impossible to obtain anything. The Warwicks & Seldons I should like to oblige to oblige though they beg me not to ask her to do it unless perfectly convenient. Give my best love to all. Thank Mary for her sweet note. In great haste
Agnes
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 397, Section 20, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 October 26
