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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.