Camp Orange Co: 3rd Apl ’64
My precious little Agnes
The storm of yesterday retarded the train so much, that it did not reach Orange till late in the night, & I did not receive your letter of 31 March till this morg. It was a welcome harbinger of a brighter day & has turned my thoughts much to you & those with you this holy morg. If you have missed me how much more must I have missed you? I wish indeed you could pay me a visit. There are plenty of houses as you say, whose owners no doubt would receive you, but I know their Condition, few or no servants, little or nothing to eat, want & devastation around them. How Could I ask them to augment their troubles. Besides the time has arrived when we may become actively engaged any day, & for those in the army to have not for those out of it to Come. It is not a time for reviews or merriment but for hard & serious work. As there is no place near me where you could obtain accommodation I should be able to see but little of you, & you would see not more of the army than you do at present. I hope however the time may come when you can see the army as you desire & I can see you as I wish. I shall in that case surely take advantage of it. During winter when we are more apt to be quiet, the weather keeps you housed, & in more favourable weather the army is “not at home.” I am very much obliged to you for your attention to my shirts. Those now with me elicit my tenderest care & like the snows of winter are fading from view. I must send you my pipe to keep for me. I infer that Bertus does not recommend my indoctrination into the odorous art, as he has withheld his desired advice. I fear it is rather late for me to learn anything good. Remember me to my Cousin Lavinia & tell sweet Annie Leigh I want to see her badly. I hope Fitzhugh got down comfortably yesterday. I Could see but little of him when here. Give my love to your mother & sisters & kiss Maggie for me. I shall have no cake to give you when you come. We have consumed three larger pound cakes, besides smaller choses,[1] all from over the mountains. My staff are all so devoted to the ladies, that it takes a quantity of sweets to satisfy them. You must give to Miss Mary Lyons my sincere wishes for her happiness.
With earnest prayers my dear child for every blessing to you. I am as ever your
father
R E Lee
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 510, Section 26, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 July 7
[1] Lee apparently is using the French word for “things.”
