Spottsyla CH
16 May 1864
My dearest Mary
I recd your note with the 20 prs socks. The latter I have distributed. Just before leaving Orange the QrMr recd thirty thousand pairs which are sufficient. The ladies had better therefore retain for the present the socks they manufacture. I have thought of you very often in these last eventful days & have wished to write to you, but have found it impossible. As I write I am expecting the sound of the guns every moment. I grieve the loss of our gallant officers & men, & miss their aid & sympathy. A more zealous, ardent, brave & devoted soldier, than Stuart, the Confederacy cannot have. Praise be to God for having sustained us so far. May his blessing be continued to us. I return the bag, napkins & towel. Give much love to all. God bless & preserve you.
Truly & affly
R E Lee
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 519, Section 26, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Katie Gibson, 2017 June 29
