Dabbs Farm
9 June [sic]1 ’62
I have returned to my old quarters dear Mary & am filled with gratitude to our heavenly father for all the mercies he has extended to us. Our success has not been as great or complete as I could have desired, but God knows what is best for us. Our enemy has met with a heavy loss from which he must take some time to recover & then recommence his operations.
I hope you are all well & that Custis is recovering. I send in some clothes, please have them washed for me.
I also want my trunk, left in Custis’s room, to see if I have not some thinner clothes. I have also a pair of spectacles in it which I wish to get. Having lost my other pair. I shall come in when I can but I have much to do & do not know when that will be.
In the mean time I am with much love to all always & as ever
Yours
R E Lee
1. Lee still thought it was June, but his letter is clearly talking about the conclusion of the Seven Days fighting, which ended on July 1 at Malvern Hill.
Source: Transcribed from photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 356, Section 18, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 April 7
