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Latest revision as of 13:49, 28 July 2017
Letter from Selina Powell (Prince Edward Cty., Virginia) to Hattie Powell ("Rome" – Brunswick County, Virginia) her daughter16 September 1862
Powell Papers – 65 P875, Box III, Folder 2
- - - - -
Pr Edward, Sept 16 –
My precious darling,
How my heart grieves
for the blow I must inflict upon you,
but I cannot stay it, darling, for our Hea
venly Father has sent it – He has taken
our precious Charley to himself and we
must try to bow in submission to his
will - My soul is bowed down my child
and I cannot yet say much to
comfort any one – but our Father will send
comfort in his own time – submission is as
much as we can expect to feel now that
the stroke is so recent – I will enclose these
letters which I recd last night – one from
your father and one from R. Chilton and
a copy of Capt Braxton's letter – I would
send the original, but your Father desired
me to send that back to him –
You will see the Christian spirit in which
your dear Father writes – We must bear
up for his sake – Darling, I wish I had
you near me – Dont you think you had
better come here to me for a little while?
[2]
If you conclude to do so – write several
days before, telling me what day you
will be at Meherrin Depot on the Richmond to Dan
ville Road – You may meet with some
delay at the Junction and the difficulties
seem so great of making any certain ap
pointment that I hesitate to propose it to
you for fear of the difficulties you may
meet with in coming on alone – and I
feel a good deal afraid for you to
undertake the journey alone – If you
should not come I will try to get to you
this Fall – I sent for Rebecca this morning
and she is here now – God's will is best –
dearest – best for him – best for us –
This life is not all and it will not last
long and after we have done and suffered
His will on earth, He will unite us in
Heaven. Precious child, do not grieve too much
Bear up for your mother's sake – You know
how I have leaned on you in former times
of trial – Let me have you still – God bless and
support you darling – Your sisters send tenderest
love – Your devoted mother S. Powell.
(ed: Meherrin is located on the Danville Railroad on the very southern edge of Prince Edward County, Virginia. The Moore's Ordinary Depot and Post Office is located in Meherrin. Farmville, the largest town in the county, is located on the northern edge of the county.)
(copy of Capt. Braxton's letter as transcribed by Selina Powell)
Near Leesburg Sept 4th 1862
Dear Sir
It becomes my painful duty to inform you
that on the 24th of August, while engaged with the
enemy near Warrenton Springs, your Son was killed
[3]
while bravely serving his gun – He was killed instantly
the fragment of shell striking him on the left side
& passing through the heart. I was near him when
he fell, but before I could reach him his spirit had
gone to the place prepared for it.
Although he had been a member of my Battery
but a short time by his uniform good conduct
& constant attention to his duties he had se
cured the good opinion & esteem of his officers
& had won for himself many friends in the com
pany. I had him buried near the spot where
he fell & it may be some comfort to you to
know that all was done for him that
kind friends could do under the circum
stances, not knowing whether we were
going to hold the field. I thought it best
to bury him as soon as possible. I selected
a place which could be easily identified
should you or his friends wish to remove
his remains before I could point the
spot out in person. Allow me to say that in
your son our bleeding country lost a
brave & noble defender. I believe he
died a true christian. Mr Millers house
is northwest from your son's grave he could
direct you to the spot. I have had to
write in great haste as I am on the road
should you wish for more explicit in
formation I will endeavor to give it at
another time. With great respect I remain
yours very truly
Carter M. Braxton
- - - - -
Capt Braxton is a Christian himself, dear Hattie
and you see what impression dear Charlie
[4]
made on him as a Christian, even in the
little while he was under his command.
Oh is it not a blessed thing to know that
he was a Christian and that by his uniform
good conduct & constant attention to his
duties he had won the esteem of those nearest
to him and who had most opportunity of observing
him – Take care of your dear Fathers
letter – so that I may get it again.
