1862 September 20 Helmswood, Va.

  Helmswood, Sept 20th 1861.
                                      My dear Bettie,
                                                        I have been expecting
to find a letter from you &Olga since my arrival here,
in answer to mine sent from Upperville, but thus far
have been disappointed – Hope it may come to-morrow!
I know of nothing particularly interesting to write,
yet must do so in order that paternal restraints &
love may not be forgotten.  I read a letter from y’r
G. Father  J.D.
Watts to-day in which he informs me
of the death of young S. Turner, and the continued
illness of Charlie.  Oh! It is sad to see & hear of so
much sickness among the soldiers!  They are scattered
all thr’o this neighborhood among the private houses
Here at Helmswood there are four Mississippians, one
of whom has been very low with Typhoid fever: the
others are convalescent – Lees burg is [-] with them
and there are deaths almost every day – But it is not
as bad now as it has been with them, for the No.
of sick is decreasing.  There seems to be no movements
among our armies at present, and all is expectation
of a grand move in all parts soon, tho’ every thing
is in the dark to us.  I think Loudoun is pretty
well defended now as we have a Brigade of soldiers
among us, sufficient to hold the enemy in check
About a month & a half from this time, I expect

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to leave Loudoun for Amherst, and shall be
most glad to see you all and find you both
much improved.  I have many warm friends here
whom I dislike very much to leave, but thus it
must be, and I must seek new ones in a new field
I hope you are both striving to make good use of
y’r time knowing that it is very precious, and ought
to be treasured & improved more than money.  I expect
much of you both, knowing that you have good minds
and advantages, which if rightly used, must make
you useful women.  How are you feeling Bettie
in y’r religious experience?  I want you to tell me
of that – What are y’r greatest besetments & tempta-
tions; for I know you have them as they are common
to every body.  Struggle to be a good Christian, perform-
ing all your duties; and trust in God for help.  Be kind
and affectionate to Olga, and don’t allow y’rself to be
fretted.  Be kind to all around you and respectful to
all persons older than yrself.  I want both of you
to mind Cousins Lizzie & Mollie in every thing.  Be
particular in keeping yr’selves neat & clean, washing
y’r teeth & feet and combing y’r hair.  Don’t be rude
with boys, & when y’r spirits get too high, stop and
think a little.  Olga, my child, you must not contend
with y’r sister, nor with any of the girls.  When you
rise from y’r bed, don’t be the first to rush at the
water but wait for others, and learn to be gentle & polite
Give my love to both families.
                                          Yr affectionate father
                                                             RWW

Robert W. Watts, 1825-1910, Methodist minister who served several parishes in central Virginia

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 809