Hd Qrs Culpepper C. H.
(Sunday) 17 May 63
My dear Ma,
Charlotte got up last night & I was much grieved to hear that your health has not improved. I had hoped that your visit to Shirley would have restored you. You must take good care of yourself & be strong & well as you will have a plenty to do on your return to Arlington, which will be very soon, I trust.
We are all very well & doing very well. Jackson’s death has been deeply felt through the whole army. The Enemy, as usual, are trying to cover their defeat by falsehoods &c. Surely such policy can not succeed. I suppose of course you have heard of Washy Stuarts death. Rob tells me it was his first engagement since he was wounded. Hilly Carter also was killed
We are gradually being thinned out. Whose time’s next?
I am glad you have been able to see Pa. I wrote to him a day or two ago. His present is a very handsome one. I am much obliged to him for it.
When will Mildred come on & where do you intend spending the summer?
Miss Agnes is I suppose with the Warwicks’. I hope she has been able, tell her, to bring the old Gentleman to terms.
I think of you, my dear mother, very often & pray God that he may restore you to health.
Remember me to Mr Caskie & the Madams & Miss M
Write to me sometime. Rob has written & I enclose this in his.
You devoted son
W. H F Lee
1. George Washington Stuart (1838-1863). See Robert E. Lee’s letter of 1863 May 14 to his wife concerning Stuart and Hill Carter.
2. Bernard Hill Carter (1835-1863).
Source: Transcribed from original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 447, Section 22, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 May 9
