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Clarksville October 3rd 1864
Monday-Mecklenburg County
Dear Charley, I do wish you could
see him making biscuits, and dancing with delight.
I feel so sorry for you that you cannot see and enjoy
your boy when he is so interesting. I have thought of a
good many things since my letter of Saturday that I
wanted to tell you about him. Our poultry yard
has now a name sake of Genl: Beauregard, in the
shape of a large white goose, a fine dashing bird
carrying all before it, and spreading terror whenever
he swoops down with his out stretched wings on any
point at which his enemies have concentrated. Geese
saved Rome, it then should be no reflection on
our Beauregard to name one of the same saga-
cious breed after him. But to return, Charley would
astonish you could you hear him call "Beaugard"
in true New Orleans accent. Very often Charley drives him
to seek shelter behind his fortifications- the hen house- for
Charley delights in trying to catch him. Last Tuesday
we all spent the day by invitation at Sunnyside. Charley
never appeared to such advantage. He was dressed beauti
=fully, in a white frock and crimson scarf tied across
his breast and around his waist in a soldier knot.
The bright [?] was very becoming to him, and Becca
[Lugh's?] dark skin showed off the pearly whiteness of his.
He knows how to "go [accounting?] already, and you would
have been amused to see him handing Becca [around?]
[?] the first one and then the other of [?] Grand Parents as
if he was asking for her. He seemed to be perfectly happy
that day. In the afternoon as we were coming home,
he insisted upon my carrying him, soon falling
asleep in my arms I found him very heavy, but
managed to get to our gate with him, where Sarah
met and relieved me. I know this letter is making
your [?] beyond expression to see our darling-and
do so desire for you to see him-before he grows course
and ugly as all boys do. he has brought one of his biscuits
for me to "send to [Fhr?]" for him. He has located you suf
=ficiently to say that you are in "South Callina." I have
not weaned him, and as I [with?] you I find him pretty trying.
His Grandma told him one day to "throw away his good
[drops?]", at which he was exceedingly indignant, and now
refuses to ask for them before her. It is very funny to see
him trying to get [one/me?] off in another room, and how when
he is on the point of calling out "good [drops? ]", he wheels round
and looks at her, and says not a word. I think she is
a little annoyed that he should seem to be afraid of
her. I think I shall have to break him shortly of this
infantile habit for I am growing as thin as a [?].
I sent you two newspapers yesterday. We have stirring tidings
from Richmond, and I confess I do not like the [taking?]
of Harrison [?] if it is a mile below Chaffins
Farm. I do feel most anxious about our situation, and
regard the Presidents speech in Macon Georgia, as
rather a gloomy effort to restore confidence. The idea
of two thirds of the army on which so much depends
being absent and most of them without leave. The tone
and spirit of the army must be changing or this could
not be the case. I did not like the Presidents address at all
and think it very unlike his [state?] papers.
Helen was to have gone to Dr. Paul Venable's yesterday,
but the [pressing?] rain of Saturday made the roads too
heavy. I hope, she may not be disappointed in her trip
altogether. I had a long letter from Cousin Lizzie
Paine a few days ago. She is up at the Farm making
Apple and Peach butter and is interesting herself in
[letter continues across and down the side of the first page]
Country matters. She says she intends to send me some Vinegar and
Sorghum. The latter is, I presume, very fine as they boil it down one
tenth. The sugar
cane does [not?] yield
this year as it did
last. I have not
had ours
cut yet. I
fear, I
will have
much
trouble
before I
am done
with it.
Toby appeared
on Saturday afternoon
[letter continues across and down the side of second page]
driven home I suppose by the rain, and the hope of a good Sunday
dinner. He looked
much
ashamed
of himself,
at which
idea Helen
laughed,
saying
that to-day
would
find
him as
bad as
ever, but
I have kept him pretty [well?] up to the mark so far. I wonder
[letter continues across and down the side of third page]
how often I have been up and down stairs to-day. I got up at day
light to
see about
the bread
and am
[now?] at
eleven o'clock
in the
morning
pretty tired.
What are
the prospects
for candles?
We can't
get them
here. Do pray write to me often, your letters are my only real comforts
[letter continues across and down the fourth page]
besides the precious boy. He came in just now, opened a book &
said,
"here B
with two
eyes."
And sure
enough
it was
B.
Don't forget
to send
your
requisition.
If you
can do
no better
send your signature
on two blanks & Capt : W-
can fill them up. Your
own devoted wife.