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This transcription has not been verified by Special Collections Research Staff. Please also consult images of the document. [Fort Roy?], Smarts' [Mill?]
Matthews Co, Feb 5th, 1862
Mr Galt
My Dear Sir
[James?] having grown [?]
to a considerable extent since we last
met, being desirous to hear from your
family & yourself, & flattering myself
that a few lines acquainting you of
the changes that have overtaken me since
my departure from Norfolk, would not
be unacceptable, I have undertaken to
write you, tho' I have never received
your promise [of?] letter. I can excuse you
perhaps on the [plea?] of the lack of
stirring events in Old Norfolk, & the
monotony of a pedagogue's life, which I
presume the condition of the times still
permits you to enjoy. Yet you should
consider that I can appreciate any little
interest that would [conduce?] to the
kindly interchange of our [wonted?] friendship
& especially that pertaining to the domesticity
of Mrs Galt 7 yourself. I was first ord-
ered to Gloucester Point, a place full of
the memories of a renowned past, & enh-
anced much in interest to myself by seeing
the numerous relics of old, which have been
excavated by running our new works through the
old fortifications, thrown up by the Brit-
ish. I remained at this Post about one
month, growing fat on the fine oysters
of the noble York, until I had reached
the dimensions to justify my weighing 165lbs,
and, thanks to yourself & Mrs Galt for
forcing me through [that?] Typhoid fever,
which among its visible blessings gave me
a more [impressing?] [physique?] through the
influence of an enormous appetite, which
however has fortunately subsided to suit the
[larder?] of my present quarters. I was ord-
ered to take charge of a work in the
Northern extremity of Matthews County
about two months ago by Gen Magruder, & I
have succeeded up to this time in making
a lengthy & imposing impression upon
Mother earth. The County of Matthews as you
will see from the map is a peninsula, &
the only fortification that could be thrown
up in this quarter, was to run a line across
the narrow dividing line, thus cutting
off Matthews from the aristocratic county
of Gloucester, an end most desirable to
the important ladies of the latter Co, who
want as much impediment as possible to
the intercourse. I am, however, so fortu-
nate as to be in the good graces of both
sections, & have in consequence enjoyed the
entertainments on both sides of [me?] Pasties
were numerous during the Christmas holidays,
given to compliment the Crescent Rifles from
[N?], [?], & myself; we had the pleasure of
meeting with some very pretty & intelligent
young ladies, accompanied with plenty of
egg-nogg, made of the old liquors from the
cellars of a preceding generation. Old fami-
lies there are here, Sir, whose genealogy can
be traced far back, to Duke somebody, & perhaps
to Jack Cade. I have seen in one house a veritable
commission from O. Cromwell in his own hand
writing, & these people were, I can assure you,
loth to give up the old Union. Tell Mrs Galt
I am often deeply sensible of her kindness, & would
like again to gossip (if the word don't [sic]offend her,
about the pretty Norfolk girls. My kind regards to
your family, & let me know how you are weathering the
times & give me the news generally. Yours truly,
Wm. H. Clarke
P.S. For the edification of Mrs. Galt, I will
mention the fact that I have just returned
from a marriage at Old Dr. Tabb's: his
daughter Lucia, a fine lady & lately returned
from Norfolk, having been a bridesmaid to
the late Miss Fisher, now, Mrs [Cau?], & a Dr.
[Williams? Wilkins?] being the parties. [It?] was a [dry?] wedding
[earning?] the tears shed, there being no cake or wine
& the couple leaving immediately for Richd .
I am boarding at Mr Smart's, North [End?],
which is the Post Office for this part of the
county. When I get through here, I shall try &
visit you all in Norfolk.
W. H. C.....