Camp near Richmond
11th July 1862
Your two letters, my darling wife, reached me to-gether on yesterday, just before starting for this camp. Its news was overwhelming. My precious baby, how his Pa mourns his loss!! I had had no news of his being sick. I would, my darling, that I could be with you to share your grief!
If you say it is God’s will & I rejoice that my boy is happy in the arms of his savior. That he has been spared the trials, temptations & sorrows of this wicked world. I feel too that it is a just punishment for my many & daily sins. That is a thought which ways [sic] heavily on my heart. It always makes me feel that I am the murderer of my boy. How I loved him! How I looked forward to see him walking and talking!!
We must never forget him: nothing can fill in my heart, the place made vacant by his death. I loved my first born, as I can love no other. My hopes, pride were centered in him. But it has pleased our Heavenly Father with all our other afflictions, to visit us with this & we must bow to his will.
You must not let it bear too heavily upon you, my darling, especially in your present situation. Think of him as a bright Cherubin in the skies above.
Recollect that you are everything to your husband & you must take good care of your health for his sake.
Thanks to Almighty God I have been brought in safety through the dangers of the last week.
Our house is in ashes & the whole plantation a wilderness. Hardly a servant left. I will write your more another time. My heart is heavy now.
I should like you to come on to me, if you could, but I do not wish you to run any risk of your health. The cars I understand will be all taken up in transferring soldiers from the South.
Write me, my darling, & recollect that when you do not hear from me, it is because I am not in a situation where it is possible to write.
God be praised for our great victory.
I hope that this summer will bring us peace.
God bless & protect you, my own darling wife, & may we be soon re-united.
Your devoted husband
W. H. F. Lee
Source: Transcribed from photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 365, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 April 20
