1861 Nov[ember] 14 Richmond

My own dear Mother

As you requested me to write to you before our
leaving Richmond & as we are confined this evening on
account of bad weather I think it a suitable time
for writing, & indeed the only time that I shall have
if tomorrow is a pleasant day. It might be inter-
esting if I should first tell you of our trip down.
We had quite a pleasant ride to the depot the only
and but for a little accident that happened, it
would have been more so. As we were going up that
long hill Father got out to walk, instead of giving
me the reins he kept them himself & in trying
to keep up with the buggy over a very rutty
road his foot slipped on a large rock
and down he cam float on his back, the wheel came
very near running over his hat; he got up di-
rectly, gave me the reins and walked on the behind
until we got up the hill. Very fortunately he
escaped unhurt! Rita came out at Woodville
and as she had a bundle of apples with her

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we had quite a nice snack. Both of us unfortuna
tely suffered with headaches all the way. Saw
no acquaintances. Mrs. Jourdane, mother of that
little boy that roomed with [Leffer?] in Ashland was on the
train, brought her daughter on here to school.
We had plenty of room on the cars, until we got
to Gordonsville & then we were crowded, mostly
with soldiers, good many sick ones, poor things
it made me feel so sorry to look at them.
After we got here, were on our way to Mrs W's
when a boy ran up with a note from her, saying
that her house had been full ever since Mr. W.
left & was very sorry she could not entertain
us. Father told their man to drive us to Mr.
Grey's where we are now staying. father is
at Mr. Ayers'. We are very pleasantly fixed.
Helen Grey & Lucy Royal are both here. Rita
has gotten acquainted already. There are three
soldiers here, one of them from Georgia is very
ill, not expected to live, he is about 23, single
has had measles, phneumonia & now the doctor
thinks he as the consumption, his family knows
nothing of his sickness yet. We just missed

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seeing Bishop Andrew, left here yesterday mor
ning to visit his son at York Town. Well I am
just out of the parlor and although it is going on to
twelve o'clock I will write a little more; cousin Ben
has just left here. Last night notwithstanding we had
traveled a good part of the day one of Helen's beaux
came and kept us up until 12 o'clock. We have
had quite an ugly day so much that we
could not walk about at all, we did go to cousin
Betsy's this morning and saw aunt Mat off, indeed
I say this morning, I mean just before dinner. Of
course I have not been able to do any shoping.
Indeed they say that it is exceedingly hard
to get any thing that you want, shoes are
$5.00 a pair at lowest price. Mrs. Grey says
you can't get any pins in town, so I will
put off my shoping until we go to Norfolk.
Have not seen any body yet, cousin Ben told
me to night that Ella Richardson had been
to cousin B's to see me, as she did not find me
there she is coming here in the morning. I
saw the President; house this evening and have
the pleasure of staying at the house with General

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Beauregard's photograph, which is said to be ex-
cellent. The president has a son 3 days old,
he also has a little son named Jeff and a girl
(Maggie). Jenny did not come to day, we left
the box & letter at the Junction. As Rita is
in bed I will put off until tomorrow to close.

(November 15)
Another gloomy morning has dawned upon us
and as this is the day we are to have, we won't
see much. Five regiments left here yesterday
for Manassas. Mrs. Grey uses as a substitute
for coffee something which I don't drink. they
use such up & in a way I think it is
just as good substitute; it is Roasted[?] wheat;
she uses it when there is not any coffee.
Yesterday there was a large herd of fine large
hogs that passed by us and just now
a herd of cattle. Well as it is nearly church
time I will close, if I have time after preaching
I will tell the latest news. All of the
family here is well as are we.
Love to all inquiring of us, accept a
large portion for your self, brother & sister.
Olive
Love to crip, take good care of him.
Just from church heard Mr. Durchen preach

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saw Mr. Arness Jonny is in town.
I have not seen him yet.
It is now after
one o'clock, we
will leave for
Petersburg at
3. Your aff.
daughter
Olie Jonny is
down stairs
now is going
over to Peters
burg with us.
All our folks
are well at
Aquia--are
expecting to
march for manassas at
any time.
Olie

MSS 14516