PRIMARY DOCUMENT

Letter from Robert E. Lee Jr. to Mary Randolph Custis (October 30, 1862)

CONTEXT

In this letter to his mother, Mary Randolph Custis Lee, dated October 30, 1862, Robert E. Lee Jr. gives her news of his time in the military and mourns the death of his sister, Anne Carter Lee.

FULL TEXT

Camp four miles from

Bessville Clark Co

Va

Oct 30th/62

 

My Dear Mother

Pa sent me by a courier night before last your letter of the 25 inst, announcing the death of my darling sister Annie, I could not then nor can I now realize that I shall never see her any more in this world. It is a sad blow to us all ; but God in his mercy Knows what is best for us all, and if we recognize in all our misfortunes his omnipotent hand, we would feel more content with our lot in this world. I never even heard of poor Annie’s illness until I heard she was dead. Even in this case we can recognize God’s great mercy, for in taking away your beloved daughter He gave you a little Grand daughter who might comfort you in your affliction. The Army is doing nothing at all now but drill! drill! We moved day before yesterday from our camps near Winchester & Martinsburg down here around Berriville & Charlestown. Our camp is within about four miles of Berriville, but I don’t know whether Odley is this side of the town or not.! But if possible I am going over to see cousin Hester. Custis took a list of what I wanted, & in addition to what I set down I want you to make me a nice overshirt, to use as a vest.

I am in very good health now & am enjoying myself as much as oen can in this terrible war. You all must write to me sometimes. Our Battery has been put into the 1st Regt of Va Artillery

Give my best love to Agnes & Milly & Mary & Charlotte & my little niece & remember me your loving son R E Lee Jr

Dear Custis please give this to Ma. I do not Know where she is

R E Lee Jr

Roxbridge [sic] Artillery

1st Regt. Va. Arty

Jackson‘s Corps

CITE THIS ENTRY
APA Citation:
Lee Jr., Robert. Letter from Robert E. Lee Jr. to Mary Randolph Custis (October 30, 1862). (2020, December 07). In Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/letter-from-robert-e-lee-jr-to-mary-randolph-custis-october-30-1862.
MLA Citation:
Lee Jr., Robert. "Letter from Robert E. Lee Jr. to Mary Randolph Custis (October 30, 1862)" Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Humanities, (07 Dec. 2020). Web. 29 Nov. 2023
Last updated: 2020, December 07
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