Jan 10th 1861
My darling Sister
A letter from brother reached me to day telling me that you had left for school & I suppose you are there by this time. I need not ask you whether you had a pleasant time or not for of course you did & I suppose you are pretty well knocked up by this time from eating those cakes with which your trunk was so well paked [sic] so brother tells me; and now I will write you a few lines to cheer you up, for I expect you are pretty home sick by this time. I can assure you I am. Ever since I came from the White House, where I spent a delightful quiet Christmas, I have been confined to my room & partly to my bed with the mumps.
But I am nearly rid of it now, an [sic] I feel very thankful that I escaped with out any serious sickness. I enjoyed my visit to the White House exceedingly. We often wished you down there sister C. especially. You have know [sic] idea how nicely Fitzhugh is fixed up his house his servants & culing & baby are perfectly charming
The little baby is too sweet for any thing. I wish you would see him. How are you getting along with your studies now I hope you are studying hard & taking the lead in your classes. And how are you getting along with your God. O! my sister neglect not him. I have suffered much from neglecting him but I am glad to tell you that now my heart is comforted much by him, & I am trying to live closer to him. Millie it is hard but consider what we are working for it is no temporal honor no laurel that can wither away but an everlasting abode with the blume beyond the tomb.
We may not dear sister meet again in this world, but we can meet in a month, & shall we not? O Pray! God heareth. That is what you must do, go to your savior in earnest prayer, and continue near him in prayer all the time, he is your only help he died for you & it is your right to go to him you belong to him. O may you make good use of your nights and may you be his only child do not give up, but keep on. May God Almighty bless you is the constant
Prayer of your loving brother
Rbt E Lee jr
PS write soon
