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Mrs. James Barron Hope,
Warrenton,
N.C.
My dear Clay Yancys’ July 10th 1861
I have intended writing to you
For sometime but the uncertainty of getting it
to the office has prevented me, I am so sorry I did
not know that you were at your aunt Martha’s
yesterday, I should certainly have gone over
it would have been dangerous for you to have come
over here, as we frequently have the Yankee’s here
sometimes 20 at a time, but they are always
polite and since the first set have taken nothing
but the horses, we have made the acquaintance of
a Lieut. Chamberlain, who upon finding Father
was related to Col Fremont seems very much
pleased, said he traveled through California with
him, and the very fact of our having him hang
ing up in the house, ough to be a protection
but nevertheless some of them finding a small
drawer locked in Lou’s bureau took a small
pair of tongs and battered it until the
got in it, but found nothing for their pains.
Aunt D sends her love to all of you
I suppose you know that Wilson went to them
And finding they were not allowed to go off in any
of the steamers, he came back and is at the farm
But I think they will be almost worthless after
This, as he seems very indifferent about his work,
Walker went to town nearly a fortnight
ago, and is just knocking about doing
nothing, and we carried him to Mr. Loury and
Mr. L had to order him off of the field he would
do nothing but play, since Col. Wandopher?
Quartered in the town he will not let any that
goes in town return, saying they carry news
So Paul went in to carry some middling
meat for them in town, the very day the order
was given, and he has been detained there ever since
I think George Washington and Joe are the only
Two reliable servants Father has left, even Kent
At first refused to come out to help to cut the
Wheat, and when he did show himself very
Independent, and ever since the wheat was
cut George Andeson has taken himself off
shucking wheat for other people, although
Father had a large fill of oats to cut, and
Is short of hands, Wilson took himself in
town and spent the day the 4th and never
said by your leave, and did not come home
---- until 10 o’clock
and I think Father does not like to speak to them , I think
if he showed himself moderately positive, and let them see he
notices them carring on, it would be better, but he seems indiffer
ent, almost everything, Julia and Sampson is with
them, the Yankees, and I think if Father can dispose some of them after
this, and put it in stock of some kind, it would be best, I
was glad to get a letter from Julian, and sorry to find he is so
dissatisfied, I am afraid if he should come here, his positive?
would not be so good as the one he is in, I wrote to him today
begging him to have patience, and work his way to fame and
not be in too big an hurry to arrive at distinction, as it takes
time to build up a character, but if he could not get off
honorably, to take every precaution about his health, I
wrote a letter to Annie, and directed it to Richmond, not
knowing at that time she was in Warrenton, N.C. I wish
you would ask Mr. Hope if she ever got it, I thought may
be he might have gotten it, and redirected it, I also wrote
one to Mattie, and am inclined to think that either John
Segan, or Jess Jone, may have forgotten to give it to Mr.
C. as I heard at that time she was expected at Wmburg
Father seems inclined to stay here for the present,
But he changes his mind very suddenly, sometimes and
Certainly will never take any advice I give, so I have to make
The best of every thing in order to keep up his spirits, we can
not go to town, and cannot go over to sisters, so we are in
prison bound, aunt Di is with us, and really I do not know
what I should do without her as she is both company and
councillor for us, we are so lonesome, I would give the world
to have Segan with us sometimes, and indeed all of you
Mama is constantly sending out messages, enquiring
When I hear from you, Mother, and the children, I must
Now conclude by telling you that although you have
Met with great ---- , yet energy and self denial, will
Set you up again, and remember the motto that employ
ment is enjoyment, keep up your spirits and thank God
For your health and strive again with love to Mother &
Children your devoted Maria