Culpepper [sic] 11 June ’63
I recd yesterday dear Mary your letter of the 7th. I am grieved to learn that you are confined to your room. I would that my prayers, or anything else I Could do, could bring you relief! My trust is in our Heavenly Father to whom my Supplications Continually ascend for you my children & my Country! I Know if uttered in faith & truth they will be heard. Oh I pray they may be answered. I do not Know where Willy Deas1 battery may be now. If at Guineys as stafed by Burnie, he has probably recd her note to him. He is So far from me I Can do nothing now. When I last wrote I did not suppose that Fitzhugh would so Soon be sent to the rear disabled. I hope it will be but for a short time. I Saw him the night after the battle. Indeed met him on the field as they were bringing him from the front. At night he appeared Comfortable & Cheerful. Neither the bone or artery of the leg I am informed is injured. He is young & healthy & I trust will soon be up again. He Seemed to be more Concerned about his brave men & officers who had fallen in the battle than himself. God takes Care of us all & Calls to him those he prefers. F. was sent to the rear yesterday with the other wounded. He thought of stopping at H. Hill if the Drs thought well of it. He had better not go to Richmond. I wish to separate the sick not to Congregate them at any one place. I send you a note recd from DrSmedes in reply to one I had written him. I agree with the Dr in the importance of Mildreds Continuing her studies, believing it but for her morally & intellectually. If there is any thing better she Can do, I am willing. You & She must judge. I am very Sorry. I Cannot See her. I grieve I fear too much over my separation from you, my children & friends. Tell Mr Caskie I gave directions for the man he wrote about to be sent under guard, & to be delivered to the sheriff of Richmond. I hope it was done. I sent a message to him to that effect in a letter to you. I fear it has miscarried. The hat you speak of was sent me by an Aunt of Major Venable & forwd to him to have it done up. It reached him just as he was leaving R & he Could do nothing with it. If it is a handsome one have it done up to fit Mr C & present it to him. I Cannot use it now. I requested Custis to settle with the artist for the Photographs. A dozen were to be sent to you. I spoke to Mr Minnis myself on the subject. A note to him will set it right. I want none myself. Kiss Agnes & Mildred for me. Love to the Caskies & kind regards to all
Truly & affecty yours R E Lee
1. A native of Virginia, William Allen Deas (1838-1920) served in the Orange Light Artillery. He was wounded at Antietam and captured at Spotsylvania. He was the son of Fitz Allen Deas (1805-1849) and Lavinia Heth Randolph Deas (1815-1862). His father is buried in Charleston, but his mother was laid to rest at Shirley plantation. Deas and is wife, Lucy, died in Petersburg, Virginia, where they are buried.
Source: Transcribed from photocopy of the original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L 51 c 458, Section 22, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2022 February 15
