Robert E. Lee to Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee, 1859 December 1

Harpers Ferry

1 Decr 1859

I arrived here dearest Mary yesterday about noon with the four Comps from Fort Monroe, & was busy all the ev^g & night getting accommodation for the men &c, & posting sentinels & picquets to ensure timely notice of the approach of the enemy.

The night has passed off quietly. The feelings of the Community seem to be Calmed down & I have been rec^d with every kindness. Mr Fry is among the officers from Old Point. There are several young men, former acquaintances of ours as cadets. Mr Bingham of Custis’ class, Sam Cooper &c but the Senior officers I never met before, except Capt Howe, the friend of our Cousin Harriet R. I presume were are fixed here till after the 16^th. Tomorrow will probably see the last of Capt Brown. There will be less interest for the others, but still I think the troops will not be withdrawn, till they are similarly disposed of.

Custis will have informed you that I had to go to Baltimore the ev^g I left you, to make arrangements for the transportation for the troops. After which I went up to see our poor Sister. She is better I think & Florence¹ too, though both were in bed. Returning I called at our nans. Her Robert had gone to hear a Mr Henry Grattan Guinness,² said to be a great sacred orator, but returned before I left. They both seemed well & happy. But Agnes will tell you all about them. In addition to the sorrow I felt at leaving home was added that of her leaving B[altimore] unnecessarily where I was told she was enjoying herself.

I heard in B with great sorrow of the death of Charles Turner. He died just after landing in Liverpool. It is now supposed of Cancer in the stomach. No friend was with his wife. May God have mercy on them both!

This mor^g I was introduced to Mrs Brown, who with a Mr Tyndale & Mr & Mrs McKim,³ all from Phil^a had come on to have a last interview with her husband. As it is a matter over which I have no controul & wish to take none, I referred them to Genl Taliaferro.⁴

You must write to me at this place. I hope you are all well. Give love to every body. Tell Smith that no charming women have insisted on taking care of me, as they are always doing of him. I am left to my own resources.

I will write again Soon & will always be truly & aff^y yours

R E Lee