1862 January 1 Warrenton

My dear Children,

What can be
The matter that you have not written [-]re-
ply to my letter sent immediately upon
my arrival here more than ten days ago?
I take it for granted that you are both
well or there would have been some comun-
ication from some one, and I presume
that you all are or have been so taken up
with Xmas that you haven't found time
to think of me much. Remember I am
disposed to be a little jealous of y'r affec-
tion and can't afford to give it up on
any terms. It may be that my letter
has not reached you. I wrote it in Lou-
doun and would have sent it next day
but it escaped my memory while in
Leesburg, and on reaching this place
handed it to a man to put in the

[page 2]
ofice and he may have neglected it
But you ought to have written any how
I have been anxious to hear whether Mr
Brown has written to cous: John about
the school or not. I gave a description
to this friend of the neighborhood and
requested them to write at once, stating
qualifications &c. I have seen no notice
of any one else, and presume if he is
willing to teach under the circumstances,
it will be the best that Cousins J. & L.
can do. So far as I am concerned I
am well satisfied with Cousins Lizie &
Mollie's teaching from the evidence I
see in the improvement of you both
If they can stand the confinement I think
all of you are doing finely I am truly
glad that you have such a friend &
manager in Cousings John & Lizie, and
hope they will not become tired of you
this year. And I trust that both of you
will try to render y'rselves agreeable

[page 3]
& obedient ot every command, as you
know nothing will be required but for
y’r good. This is decidedly the most
crowded place of which I’ve ever lived
and there is no school here of any
note except a Baptist seminary, which
is not suitable for you two. Another
year perhaps you & Cissa & Sallie & ^ ‘& Mollie’ may
be able to go to school together, all
boarding with me. I shall not occu-
py the parsonage here as it is right
much out of repair and surrounded
by hospitals of sick soldiers with all
sorts of diseases, and consequently am
boarding at a very nice place, having
a good room, & the stable of the par-
sonage for Billie. Miss M. seems to
be desirous that we should keep house
so that you both might be with us but
this I find to be altogether impractical.
She expects to take leave [?] here in
April and if there be no difficulty

[page 4]
it is possible we may room together
If my business will allow it, I want to
Slip over & see you before that time, but
Cannot now tell. I have more preaching
& more pastoral visiting to do than ever
before. This place has nearly the work
of a full station, and if it could, ought
to have a stationed preacher. Have you
both commenced the Latin, and did you
receive the music I sent you? Try
to apply y’rselves & thus make the
most of y’r times, and don’t neglect the
fundamental studies such as Arithmetic.
Would like for you to commence Alge-
bra, and if no teacher is obtained, why
Ciss can teach you. I reckon she can
find the time. Tho’ this I leave to Cous:
Lizie. I have never seen as much of
death before, except on the battle field,
since I’ve been here, some times as many
as seven or eight a day among the sol-
diers, besides the citizens. The scarlet

[This next section is written perpendicularly over the beginning of the letter on page one.]
fever is here among
the grown people. I
buried a lady who died
with [it] soon after getting
here, and now the
under taker is down
with it. His sister is
very low also, and I had
to visit her the other
day as she sent for
me. I have had it, but
they say here, one can
have it twice. I am
sorry that Mollie Watts
took the fever and was
disappointed about her
visit to you all. I told
y’r G. Pa he better not send for you, as there
were new cases every wk
I hope the fever will all
be gone before I come out
and then you can go there
Tell Cousin L that all of
you must go up to pa’s
in the Spring –

[This next section is written perpendicularly over pages two & three.]
There are three very pretty, well behaved girls boarding or rather
belonging to the family here, and they make me think of you
all any time I look at them. The other day little Jose came trip-
ping up the steps and rapping at the door said very sweetly, Here’s
a letter for you Mr. Watts,” and then modestly retired. I love her
very much – Well this is New Year’s day, my children, the first
day in the year and we ought to resolve to consecrate the year
to God – Begin it rightly and see if you can’t improve it more
than the year now gone forever – Think of all the misdeeds you
have done in the past years and then think of the Goodness
of God in sparing y’r lives, and giving you such kind friends
to care for you and see y’r best interests. Think of the many
who commenced last year with hopes as high as y’rs are now,
who long since were laid in the cold & select grave. My dear
children; may God impress these things on y’r minds, and make
you just such Christians as may be acceptable in his sight.
I hope you & Lizie & Jimmie & Mollie & Sallie & all the
cousins may dedicate y’r hearts to God, and all be made
happy trying to do y’r duties faithfully – Then you may be-
come useful & live to purpose. Thus alone can you fulfill
the destiny for which God has created you. “Remember now thy
creator in the days of thy youth, before the end days come”
and then none of the days will be evil, there will be good
in every one of them. Bettie my child wrestle with y’r temper
and seek for grace to bring it under command, and it will be
a great benefit to you. Pray often my child, and be regular in
reading y’r bible. Winkie, dearest do the same, and try to be
employed in something useful every day. God grant that my
tow little girls may grow up to be useful, pious women, living
to exert a good influence upon every one around. Give my love and a Happy New Year to Cousins J. & L. T. & M., Uncle
Wm & Aunt Sallie & to all the children of both families.

[The following is written upside down at the bottom of page four.]
Yr affectionate father –
R. W. Watts

Robert William Watts, 1825-1910, Methodist minister in Loudoun County, Va., served as chaplain in the Confederate Army.

MSS 809