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Letter from Catharine Powell [Locust Hill, Va] to Charles Powell, Sr. [Richmond, Va]

25 September 1862


Powell Papers – 65 P875, Box III, Folder 2


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Locust Hill Sep 25th / 62


My very dear Son


Your letter to Mr. Gray


has just given me the information of


dear Charlies removal from this world


of strife & blood.  I trust to one, where there


is no more war; neither sorrow nor crying.


In the midst of grief for our sad bereave-


ment I find myself called on to sympa


thise with another of my unfortunate


family stricken in every branch.


Feathered like autumn leaves,


How desolate this house seems since its


head & ornament has been removed.


For ourselves we mourn for the loss of a


precious jewel, the beloved daughter, the


cherished wife, the invaluable mother.


When I first saw her released from the tor-


turer of her long suffering body, lying so calm


and beautiful in death, I could not lament


that the pure spirit had winged its flight


[2]


to realms of peace, never more to be dis-


turbed.  Her illness was long and ago-


nizing, but not a trace of pain remains


today on his features, her fine forehead with


out a wrinkle, not a grey hair on her


head; her composed & checked counte-


nance, bore the impression of sweet and profound


sleep.  She was surrounded by friends & every-


appearance of refinement her delicate


nature required, As she said, "It was a good


time for her to die."


 


A few months, or a few weeks, may change


all, the prospects are gloomy, & Mr. Gray


is very despondent, & he certainly is very


unlucky. Alice & Jane are here with me,


but it is uncertain how long we can remain


together, we may soon have to disperse again.


I am very unequal to the emergences of the


times, unable to move without assistance.


Ann's health is very precarious.  The hus-


band in bed for several days, with a very bad


cough & fever, I shall continue to board with


[3]


Mr Gray as long as it is convenient


to him.  I regret your separation from


your family very much knowing how necessary


the domestic circle is to your comfort.


My health continues as it was when you


saw me last.  The feebleness of extreme


age, gradually increasing, but no acute


disease intervening. 


 


I write with difficulty & feel fatigued


with the exertion, consequently never


____ ____ occasions.  When I last heard from


Cuthbert he was in Washington very much


elated with his possition as Chaplain of a


hospital, proud of his zeal in the federal


cause & magnanimously offering to use his


influence with the higher powers for Mr


Grays benefit, He says he had seen Leven, but


his visit was not satifactory, L, shewing no


disposition to converse, apparently in good health


& in acquiescent state of mind.


 


Remember me affectionatley to Selina and


my dear grand daughters God comfort you


& have you in his holy keeping, Your Affectionate


Mother


(ed:  This letter mentions the loss of her grandson, Charlie but


mainly the focus is on the passing of Ellen Powell Gray who is


her daughter and the sister of Charles, Sr.)