Hdqrs: Near Richmond
28 July ’62
My precious Life
I have just recd. in a letter from your mother your note of the 20th. It is as you state very short & little. But in that it is like you. And like you it is very sweet, & like you it has given me much pleasure. But I cannot see what you are proud of & advise you against all such feelings, for you know what is said in that good book about a proud spirit going before a fall. I can join you in your gratitude to our heavenly father for preserving the members of our immediate family, when so many others have suffered. I hope you are well & happy. How are my Annie & Agnes? I wrote a letter to you all some time since, which probably has not reached you. Your mamma & Charlotte are at Hickory hill & quite well. I do not know how long they will remain. They seem to enjoy the quiet & affection they experience. Custis & your sister are at your Uncle Carter’s. I have only heard once of the former since he left. He was getting along very slowly but I hope surely. Rob is off with Jackson & I hope will catch Pope & his cousin Louis Marshall.1 I could forgive the latter for fighting against us, if he had not joined such a miscreant as Pope. Love & kisses to you all from your father.
R E Lee
1. See Lee's letter to his wife, also written on 1862 July 28.
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51c 372, Section 19, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 April 11
