1862 February 14 [Baltimore, Md.]

Dear girls [Hettie and Jennie Cary] Febry 14. 62

I have just read a Sun Extra & feel
too sad almost to write, but I have just heard
that Mrs. Myers goes tomorrow & I hope will
take a few lines for me & that as she takes it
it will not be lost at the Fortress for weeks.
I recd. Jennies few lines of the 4th Jan. enclosing
one from Johnnie to her. She says it is to be sent
with a long one from Het. Where is that I wonder-&
did the same person have both for Jennies was
put in the P.O. here & had evidently not been opened, why
then did Hets have had a different fate? We are all
very sad & of course you all in R___d as we hear
that the R____d Blues were terribly cut up in
the Roanoke battle as yet we have only
had Federal accounts--But Oh it is so dreadful
to feel that Virginia is to be subjected to
this further outrage. Oh may God in His mercy
spare her! I do not fear the result, but my
heart sins with agony at the sufferings &
death of our noble brave--& then swells with
indignation against the despoilers of the
dear old State. I hope you have by this

[page 2]
time recd yt trunks-but in the
midst of all the present confusion
I fear you have not--my only hope
is of getting Mr K to see about them
when he goes there. He is still in W
but I heard had succeeded in getting
a passport; I wish he wd make haste
& come on! I cannot tell you how
happy it made me to hear of you all
thro' W M--It was such a comfort
what he said of the boys being
retained--it was certainly a great com
=pliment. I cd not get to sleep that
night until near daylight I was
so excited by all I heard. Oh for that
lost letter! Do you get mine? I write, & write
& write eternally. Yr Pa is quite well
again & the children & myself thro' the
measles. We are to go up this evening--Oh do
try to get a letter to me--except these few lines
from Jennie I have recd none since Mr. K. came; the
date Jan 2- & this lst is only 2 days later. Oh I'm sad
& weary. That God in His mercy may watch
over you all my children is
the pray of yr Ma

[cross hatched on page one]

This letter sent several
days ago has just been returned
to me Mrs M having promised
to take no letters

Mrs. William Cary
MSS 1415