.MTE2NA.MjEwMw
May 14, 1862
Powell Papers – 65 P875, Box III, Folder 1
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The Wilderness May 14th /62
Direct to me Care of Mr. C_____ Prince Edward Ct. House, Va
My Dearest Charlie
I received a letter
from Va a day or two since in which
he tells me you left about a week
ago for Staunton to make arrange
ments to join Gen Jackson, & though
I hardly know how to direct this
epistle so that you will get it, yet
I have determined to write at once
fearing lest communication may
be cut off between us. I reached
my place of destination about ten
days ago, & for a few days felt lonely
____ ___ entirely among strangers,
but my hosts & has less ____ plain
people are very kind, my five little
scholars obediant, reasonably studious,
& not so very dull, & I am now
very comfortable, buzy, & contented, &
very thankful that God has provided
a home for me where I may be
safe & comfortable & support myself
by my own ____________ in these trou
-bled times. Even should the
Yankees take Richmond I do
not think they will even find
this places its so completely
surrounded by woods that I think
that they would be afraid to venture
[2]
here. I have not seen many people
since I came except at church
on Sunday, there is very little vis-
iting done especially now when
all the young men of the neigh-
borhood are in The army. I have
had to change my hours considerably
since I left Uncle Gordon’s; what
do you think of my getting up
every morning at ¼ past 5 O’clock.
It is actually fine. We breakfast
a little before 6, then I busy myself
with my reading, writing, sewing, or
painting till ¼ before 9 when I
call my scholars & teach them till
12. Then we stop an hour, have
dinner, & I teach for 2 hours
more, & then dismiss them & come
in & take a nap, & after that
finish off the day by a ramble
in the woods. A picture of a quiet
country life is ____ it! In Pa’s letter
written last Sunday he tells me
that Ma & Niece came down from
Uncle Gordon’s on Wednesday, & went
on Friday to Petersburg; what’s their
ultimate destination was I don’ts
know, & I have not had a line from
Ma since we parted. Minnie Lloyd
has gone to Gloucester, & they are all
now doubtless in the hands of the
enemy. I am very thankful for our
[3]
victories at ____burg & McDowell & hope
they may be the presage of more impor-
tant ones to come. Pa says some of our
boys were in the fight at ____burg except
Hugh Powell who was unhurt. And now
dear Charlie about yourself, what have
you done! Did you get your money from
Mr. Martin, & have you succeeded in
getting into the Battery. I hope so
most sincerely, for I think you will
have so much pleasanter & better
companionship there than in any
company I know. You can well imagine
how my heart sinks when I think
of the dangers to which you will
be exposed, but I trust you will
be enabled by God’s help to do your
duty to your God & your country as
a good soldier of Jesus Christs, &
if it should be Gods will that you
should fall, I trust that you are
a true believer in & disciple of our
precious Savior, & as such we have
His own promise that you shall
be safe forever in life or death. Keep
near to your Savior dear Charlie,
watch & pray & strive to set such
an example to other as may lead
them too to the same refuge. I
hope you will find the little book I
gave you a help now as it has been
to you before. When you write, which
you must do at once won’t you be
nice and tell me all about who a[re]
your messmates, & your favorite
[4]
companions. Don’t you like Robert Lee
I shd like you to be friends, I think
he seems to be a very fine fellow. Where
is George Bedinger? Is Lantz Blackford
still in the company & do you see much
of him? Be nice & supply yourself with
paper & a pencil in Staunton so that
you can write to us often, & remember
especially after an engagement we shall be
very anxious . May God bless & keep you
your devoted Sister Rebecca Powell
[1 - diagonal]
This is such cold damp wea
ther I feel anxious
for fear you have not
good blankets. If you can-
not get good ones in Staunton
ask David Barton[?] whether you
can’t get a pair from his sister
Miss John Baldwin who is going to break
up house keeping & will most likely desire to
part with her things. I have just had a
letter from Nina. She & Mia were at Mr.Garlands
well & comfortable
“Folded into an envelope”? and addressed to:
Charles S. Powell Jr
Rockbridge Artillery
Gen. T. J. Jackson
near{ Staunton, Va
attention
Mr R. E. Lee Jr{