Lexington Va: 22 March 1870
My dear Fitzhugh
Your letter of the 17th Inst: has been recd. Lest I should appear obstinate, if not perverse, I have yielded to the kind importunity of my Physicians & of the Faculty to take a trip towards the South. In pursuance of my resolution I shall leave here thursday next in the Packet boat & hope to arrive in Richmond on friday afternoon. I shall take Agnes with me as my companion who has been my kind & uncomplaining nurse, & if we could only get down to you that evg we would do so, for I want to see you, my sweet daughter & dear grandson. But as the Drs think it important that I should reach a southern climate as soon as practicable, I fear I shall have to leave my visit to you till my return. I shall go first to warrenton Springs N. C. to visit the grave of my dear Annie, where I always have promised myself to go, & I think if I am to accomplish it, I have no time to lose. I wish to witness her quiet sleep with her dear hands crossed over her breast as it were in mute prayer, undisturbed by her distance from us; & to feel that her pure spirit is roaming in bliss in the land of the blessed. Then there, according to my feelings, I shall either go down to Norfolk or to Savannah & take you if practicable on my return. I would ask you to come up to Richmond but my movements are unknown to my self, as as I cannot know the routes, schedules &c till I arrive there; but I have promised not to linger there longer than necessary, so I must avoid temptation. We are all as usual. Your mother still talks of writing you & when I urge her to make preparations for her moving, she replies rather disdainfully she has none to make, they have been made years ago. Custis & Mary are well & Mildred writes that she will be back by the 1st of April. We are having beautiful weather now which I hope may continue. I am so tired sitting at my table that I must conclude. Love from your affectionate father
R E Lee
Source: Transcribed from original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 5114 d 1-26, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2019 June 14
