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Richmond 16 Nov. 1862
I wrote to you, my beloved wife , on the day before
yesterday & on the evening of that day received your
letter of the 12th - most welcome it was - like a stream
of fresh air or a ray of light into a murky apartment.
Altho' I wrote so recently I write again to day be-
-cause you speak of the hurt which I encountered.
and I fear lest you be needlessly solicitous concerning it.
It was at first quite annoying - chiefly at night
which was the worse because it renders my sleep
unrefreshing after the fatigue of walking about all day.
During the day I have gotten along with very little -
generally with no inconvenience - and last night
it was so much better that I slept entirely well. I do
not doubt that its effects will disappear altogether in
a day or two.
You seem to have guessed, my dearest
wife, what was the chief object of my visit to Richmond.
It was, & still is to obtain some employment by which
I can be relieved from the uncomfortable reflection that
I was doing nothing, and at the same time put my work
in the place of unproductive property, for the purpose of
assisting in the support of my family. I fervently
thank my beloved children for the evidence which they
have given of their willingness to devote themselves.
I never doubted it - nor did ever doubt their and your
cheerful acquiescence in the privations which the storm has
caused us; this however only renders it the more imp-
-perative upon me to do what I can whilst I am able.
I am getting old and it may not be very long whilst
I am the able; and if I make no effort, even, to put in
requisition my ability to work, the gloom of old age
will be deprived of at least on enlightening ray of
memory - the reflection that I had at last tried to do my
duty in difficulties. So I shall. I remain here a few
days longer, continuing to strive to procure some situation.
under government either present or prospective. I fear
indeed that your kind & affectionate desire to have me
with you during the winter will be accomplished in spite
of me, in consequence of disappointment in my views;
or rather I should say failure ; for there cannot be dis-
-appointment where there is not much expectation.
I thought beforehand that the prospect was a dreary one
as it is. However I shall bear up whether suc-
-cessful or not. I shall come up to you this week
unless my staying a day or two longer shall, in my opinion,
may materially advance my object.-
I have just returned from church where I heard Minnigerode
preach a fine sermon. I believe that Dr . Mc Cabe read the ser-
-vice tho' really I was very near the reader I could not
well make him out thro' his mustache. With kindest regards
& affectionate love to all & kisses for my little darlings I am my
beloved wife. Ever devoted RS.