1861 December 22

[letter of Edwin R. Page continues]

Sunday evening I went to church this morning
my darling, and heard a right good sermon from
Mr Williams, it is the first time I have heard
him preach, last Sunday I was out on piquet
duty and did not get back to town until after
church. I went this morning with Lizzie Lee,
passed by Mrs Lee on my way to church just as
they were getting ready and went with her and
the old lady, I have done but very little
visiting since I have been here, indeed I
have been so constantly on duty that I have
not had an opportunity, I was invited to a great party

[page 3]

at one of the Hotels in Leesburg one night last
week but did not go. I was tired and did not
care about it any way, the truth is I
never feel like visiting any body, I can
take no pleasure in any society whilst I
am away from you and my children, there
are a great many ladies in Leesburg, but
I have not visited these more than about
twice, I believe, since I returned, I had just
as soon, and indeed rather be at my post,
for I feel then that I am doing my duty,
Would you like to see me at home on Xmas
day my darling? When did I ever spend my
xmas away from my wife before, but I shall
have to do it this year, I can make no cal-
culations about coming home yet, I have
spent so much of my time at home, and
there is not wanting at least one to make
a fuss and complain about it, although
constantly absent from camp and shirking
all the duties, whilst I am doing the
work, but still I think it is my duty to
stay here as long as my services are needed,
it comes very heavy upon us now, we have
a piquet line of about sixty miles to defend,
and only four companies of cavalry, with
not more than 120 men for duty, to do it,
and these are scarce of commissioned officers
which makes it harder upon those that are
here, Col Munford left here last Thursday
for home on a leave of absence for 10 days,
he promised me to go and see you if he
could possibly do so, but his time is so lim=
ited, I fear he will not be able to do it.

[page 4]
I suppose Sam will give you a plenty of news, but
he generally draws pretty largely on his imagination
for his facts. I was somewhat amused at your ap-
prehensions in reference to him and the Lynchburg
man you spoke of, I could have told you before hand
how it would have terminated, he is a very well
disposed boy however, and that covers a good many
of his faults. I believe it is a safe rule not to believe
any reports from this part of the country unless
authenticated by some reliable person, the tale
about Genl Evans being angry with Jno. Alexander
and myself about going over the River under a flag
of truce is without any truth, in the first place
John was not with our party and has never been
over the River at all, and then the Genl. was not
angry about it as all, he scolded me a little about
it but it was done in a jocular and good humored
way, he scarcely thought it was rash and incon=
siderate, -- I had an invitation today from Dr.
Clagett to dine with the Genl at his house on
Xmas day, I promised to go it I was not out on
duty, but I do not expect to enjoy it, it will
be a sad and unpleasant day to me my darling,
for I shall be thinking about you and home
all day. it will be the first Xmas that I have
spent from you since the blessed day we were
married, it is a hard fate, but it is what we all
have to endure. Tom Randoplph one of the
Lieuts in the Albemarle company here with
us has a daughter more than six months
old that he has never seen, my darling I
am very sorry to hear about your complain=
ing so, don't you know I asked you to prom=
ise me not to expose yourself, and especially not

[page 5]
to get your feet wet, I want you to remember this
and bear it in mind, I don't ask you to do this
on your own account, but I ask it for my
sake, for just imagine my own darling what
would become of me if anything were to hap=
pen to you, and our little children too, God know
it is hard enough for me to bear this separation
which I trust is only temporary, but if I were
deprived of the hope of meeting you and being
in sweet communion with you again I
should never wish to see the light of heaven
any more but there are those my beloved wife
dear to us both and doubly dear to me because
borne to me by the wife of my bosom and the
darling of my heart, whose welfare and future
destiny should be a paramount consideration
and I think it is a very important duty for us
both to take care of ourselves on their ac=
count as well as for the sake of each other
don't you think so my darling. I wish
you would reflect upon this and act ac=
cordingly, I am sorry to hear that your ser=
vants are behaving so badly, I wish I could
get home for a short time so that I could
have a opportunity of bringing them to
their senses. I promise you when I get
back you will not have cause to com=
plain of them long, it never was my
intention for Tony & Lankford to keep the
hogs that they raised, I intended t follow
your mother's plan, which I think was a
wise one, and pay them for raising the hogs, and
than put them in the smoke house. I desire
that they shall not be permitted to raise anymore

[page 6]
I don't object to some of the negroes about the
house raising a hog or two, but they must
go into the smoke house, this is my law
and it must be obeyed. I intend always to judge
what is best for my negroes or any that may be
under my control, I know that I can judge
better for them than they can for themselves,
but I hope you will be able to get along with
them until I come home, i don't think they
will trouble you after that, I see and know
every day the importance ofmaking those
under authority obey, Joe is very anxious to
go home about xmas, and I have been thinking
of sending him. I don't know when he will
go, but it may be tomorrow or the next day,
my darling I can see no prospect at this time
of getting home. I would greatly prefer going
if I could get off, to your coming here, but if
I shall not be able to go,you must come to me
here, that is after things get quiet here I wd
be afraid for you to come just now, but I
think the campaign will be closed in a few
days now, we have had some very nice weather
lately, but now it is raining and sleeting pretty
hard, and winter must be close at hand, several
of our Leesburg friends enquired to day when
you were coming. I have $100 I wish to send
you if I can contrive it to you safely. I was
very near buying a mare for you a day or two
ago, and if I had I should have sent her home
by Joe, I may get her yet, though it is doubtful.
Kiss my little children for me. What a joy it would be
to me, if I could sit down at home among you all
to night, good night my own wife, remember me kindly
to Tom Cobbs and his wife, Your devoted husband E.R.P.

[across top margin of page 6]
I hope to
see you
sometime
next month
either here
or at home.
Edmund
Early talked
of coming
over again
as soon as
we were
permanently
fixed for the
winter, &
promised
to bring you
with him
if you wish
to come, if
he should not
come you
will no
doubt find
some other
opportunity,
but I don't
wish you
to come unless
you are well
protected.
good night
god bless you
my darling
this is the
constant prayer
of your husband
E.R.P.

Edwin R. Page, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Virginia
Cavalry

MSS 8937