29th Septr 1870
Many thanks for your long sweet letter my dearest Belle but I am quite provoked with you for undoing all that shawl again. It was so nice & no larger I am sure than all Maggie has made. You have given yourself too much trouble about it, & that is what distresses me. with regard to the border I thought there 6 oz & even if there is a very slight difference I should think that would answer, tho if you have a chance of sending to Richmond for the shade you want, get it & charge to the society it is very doubtful if it can be found here. Did you not leave that black crochet needle for Miss Maury or was it Mrs Ship I am not certain. Dear Belle we all miss you more than I can tell you & all send a great deal of love at least Custis & the girls but your greatest pet the old genl is not able to send you a message. He came in last night late & was taken suddenly very sick as he got in the house but slept comfortably & I hope is better to day. the Drs seem to hope that perfect rest will restore him & we are keeping the room dark & the house quiet. This enables me to write some letters as he is sleeping nearly all the time & cannot enjoy my company. He was getting so much better but will always over work himself when he is able to go out at all. We were perfectly flooded with rain all night & all to day. It is now 1 oclock & I write at once as you might hear an exaggerated account of the Genl’s illness. if you hear no more from me for a day or two you may conclude he is getting along comfortably. I shall write to both Fitzhugh & Rob to-day who may also hear alarming accounts. I pray god that a life so dear to his family & country may yet be spared many years. Give much love to Mrs Caskie I will not ask any of you to come & see me ’till the genl is decidedly better but I hope after that you will all be able to come. I felt for you deeply in the loss of your deal Uncle, yet after that terrible accident, death was I should think far preferable to an increase of suffering the good god did what was best for him & we may trust His love & wisdom for ourselves & all most dear to us. Agnes is writing herself & will give you more details probably than I have done. The Hotel is quite filled with strangers& I have seen many of them but now shall be entirely quiet at least for a few days. What a comfort it is to have two good physicians at hand yrs most affectionately
MC Lee
Source: Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 g, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 October 3
