My dear daughter
I enclose a letter that has been here over a week for Miss Ada.1 I do not know where she is, or whether she is coming to Richmond. Set some of her beaux to work to continue it to her. They will carry it through the enemy’s line to serve her. I am too old. She would not receive me when I arrived. I hope Mrs. Caskie is better. Tell her she must soon get well. I have reported her to Mrs Lee, who will be sure to give her a little dose of blue mass if she catches her sick
Your father
R E Lee
Dabbs 10 Aug ’62
Miss Mary Lee
1. Likely referring to Ada Stuart (1841-1914), the daughter of Dr. Richard Henry Stuart (1808-1889) and Julia Calvert Stuart (1814-1888) of “Cedar Grove” in King George County, Virginia. She married Captain William W. Randolph (1836-1864) of the 2nd Virginia infantry and who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. She later remarried.
Source: Transcribed from original letter, Mary Custis Lee Papers, Mss1 K5144 a 884-895, Section 14, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2021 November 19
