Camp near Culpepper Ct House
10 Nov 1862
My precious daughter
I have just recd. your letter of the 26th. I sympathize deeply in your lonileness [sic] & grief. God only knows how sad & distressed I am. But I sorrow for those left behind, not for the happy angel in Heaven. It is all bright & peaceful with her & we should rejoice at her transtation [sic] from this world of sorrow to the presence of her Creator who has ordered it in wisdom & mercy. His will be done. I am glad you are pleased with your school. I hope you will be happy & endeavour to improve yourself. God grant that we may one day be all again united in this world, when we must the more love each other & remember affectionately the dead. I wrote you from Richmond & hope you got the letter. I have given you love & messages to Rob & Fitzhugh. The former is in the Valley & the latter near me. I wrote to Rob today. My hand is still painful & I cannot write much. God bless you my dear child is the constant prayer of your affectionate father
R E Lee
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 402, Section 20, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 October 31
