Petersburg 30 Nov ‘64
I recd yesterday dear Mary your letter of the 27th & am glad to learn that your supply of socks is so large. If two or three hundred would send an equal number, we should have a sufficiency. I will endeavour to have them distributed to the most needy. I enclose $30 for the repairs of my overcoat. Please ask Major Cox to add to my obligations to him to paying for it. If it is more, will you make up the deficiency. I am anxious to get it & will send for it, for although the weather is delicious now, it will change soon, & if the army moves, I shall be at a loss, as it is my home & bed when in the field. I wish you could go out & enjoy this charming weather. You can however appreciate it in the house. The bright sun & balmy atmosphere pervades every where. I am delighted to hear that my poor little Agnes is well. Tell her she must not get sick again. It makes me too sad. Robt will tell you of everything. He is going to try to get to Romankoke. I hope he will be able to regulate matters satisfactorily. Tell him he must go to Chelsea & remember me to Mrs. Moore & Mrs. Robinson, &c. The latter has some pretty daughters. Thank her for the gloves & socks which I wish you would [words missing] first opportunity. Whenever you desire to send anything to me, put it up securely, direct it clearly, & send it to Major Wood’s office, QrMr in charge of transportation. My couriers always go there & start from there. In fact that is their abiding place in Richmond. Ask the girls to recollect it. I should be glad to gratify Mr. Eaches, but you know I am the worst sitter in the world & am a very poor subject to take. I am not in my quarters longer than necessary to transact the business of the office, when I go on the lines. If he chooses to come down & take the chances of catching me disengaged. I have no objection, but I Can make no promises or engagement, & perhaps the very day he might come, I should be obliged to be in the field. He had better wait until the weather is less favourable for outdoor operations. Give much love to every body & believe me always yours
R E Lee
P.S. I send a letter which I recd a long time ago, & have preserved that I might retain the writer’s name. I think it will be safer with you or one of the girls.
REL
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 556, Section 28, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 December 15
