Turnbulls 12 Feby ‘65
My dear Mary
After writing to you yesterday by the bag, your note (without date) about the dog arrived. I know nothing about him except that he would be very out of place following me in a Campaign. He would be exposed to danger, hunger & thirst, & I think he would be equally miserable cooped up in Richmond. I therefore purpose, if you think it would be agreable to him, to send him to Dr Cocke where he could roam in the Country & sport in the James. Has the Dr any dogs, or does he like them? If you Can do nothing else with him I will take him here & let him take his chance. I enclose a note recd from kind Kitty Stiles, who has sent me another sett of jackets, some catsup & other things which I have not yet examined. It will give you some information of our friends in S. I also send for your perusal a letter from a Mrs Yeatman whom I do not know, that you may know what brave patriotic women are in the Confederacy. The latter part of her letter is a pure mistake into which she has been good naturedly led by some quizzing soldiers. Burn the letter after perusal. Love to all!
Affly & truly yours
R E Lee
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 568, Section 29, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Katie Gibson, 2017 July 18