Camp Fredg 11 May 1863
I recd yesterday dear Mary your notes of the 3rd & 4th. I Can only reply to Dr W that knowing nothing of his qualifications it is not out of power to recommend him & suggest that he gets letters from those who can speak Knowingly & specifically of his fitness. I forgot to mention in my last letter written since the recent battles that I told Mr Cowle1 on his arrival here, that if he would notify me of the time & place of his taking Genl Jackson’s likeness that I would attend, should nothing prevent. I heard nothing of him for two days, on the third morg I rec a note from Genl J. written at the request of Mr C that he was at the house of Mr Yerly for the purpose &c & that unless I was there by 11 ¾ that I need not Come, as he would not have time to take my likeness. It was 11 ½ when I recd the note, my horses were out troughing on the hill & I was more than a mile distant. I thought it useless to attempt to reach him. It is all well as it is, you would not have liked his representation it made. You had better pay Mrs. Sue $25 in Confederate notes. I believe that is about the equivalent for $5 in gold. Probably it [may be worse?] But you can learn the difference in exchange. I am very sorry the Drs medicines afford you no relief. We can only therefore trust in the mercy of an ever Kind father in Heaven! I fear you will be unable to visit the Hot springs. I doubt whether there will any accommodation there for visitors. But if you Can you had better go & take the girls. It may benefit my poor little Agnes. In addition to the death of friends & officers Consequent upon the late battles, you will see we have to mourn the loss of the good & great Jackson. Any victory would be dear at Such a price. His remains go to Richmond to day. I Know not how to replace him. But Gods will be done. I trust he will raise someone in his place. The papers will give you all particulars of the battle. I have no time to narrate them. Give much love to Chass & Agnes. Tell the former she will have to come & see me that I may tell her what I would write in answer to her letter if I had time. Remember me to Cousins H & M & all at Shirley. Wms Wickham was to see me Saturday. He is very well & so were the Cavy Lees when heard from. Tell Smith if you see that his boys are well.
May God have you all in his holy Keeping
Truly & affy yours
RELee
1. Daniel T. Cowell (1831-1890), a Civil War photographer. He and his partner George W. operated Minnis & Cowell in Richmond. Cowell was a native of Connecticut, who lived there after the war. He was the son of David and Sarah Cowell, both natives of Woodbridge, Connecticut. He was married to Rebecca K. Cowell, who died in 1875. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut.
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family papers, Mss1 L51 c 450, Section 22, Virginia Historical society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 June 12
