1862 February 8 Rose Dale, Va.

Rose Dale, Va
Feb. the 8th: 62
Dear Sister Kate,
If you think it so lonely since the "V.R"[?]'s left I will try
& have you forget them a few moments by reading a letter from Home for
fear if you think of them so much you will become troublesome on aunts
hands; And I now dont wonder at you for being lonely, since I have heard
that, that certain Moses is out of reach of his "Plug of tobacco", & so far away from
"his Cousin fancy". Now Kate dot go to grieving about him, for I will have him plug, by the time you get home. not worth while though to get it before as you have forbid him coming until you return "for fear he would fall in love with me".

You did not think Miss I would hear all of that but it was too good
for the boys to keep; they were still in town, last night but expected to
start this morning Frank came out Tuesday night & he John Henton & Rubing
K came out Wednesday evening, & stayed until yesterday morning. John
& Joe[?] said yesterday evening that they were coming out tonight if they did not have to leave; by the way Jno is a pleasant boy I would never known him.

Kate we got a letter from John Thursday. he is very well. is five miles from Winchester. busy making thier cabins. expect to stay there two or three
months. but I expect "Will" has given you all that information as we have not had the pleasure of reading a letter from hi; you were mindful enough to let
him know where to direct his; Capt Newton is at home expects to go back
next week. Jim, & George started yesterday. they were here Sunday night- I
believe Jim looked sadder that he did when he first went away, spoke of
having to go alone, without his comrad..."Sallie & Sue will sympathize with you".

Kate George L. is still improving but John is worse. he was so much deran
ged the first of this week that it took four men to keep him in bed.

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his Father is still with him & sais he has but little hopes of his
recovery. I am sorry, but John is a good pios boy , & God knows all
things best. I have something sad to tell you. Andy McClure's little
boy Frank, fell in the fier last Friday & was burned so bad that
it died Saturday evening. Sue S. wrote to me that she would never
forget its screams so severe was its suffering. its little head was burnt
very bad & one arm nearly burnt off. Sue said May McClure is almost
distracted about it. there was no one in the room except little
Phebe & you know her helplesness. the nurse had just left the
room, & he got up to walk across the hearth & fell. Dr. Tate
also buried his little boy, last week. it died with the diptheria.

Miss Jinnie's school closed yesterday. none of us was over. it was
late before Doc John & Rubing left & I did not feel like going. Hetty
has only went once week since you went asay she had such a bad
cold & pain in her head that Ma told her to bring her books home
& you know that peased her very well:

Cousin George Armentrout is at home. he came home Thursday,
George Kiser has gone to his company again. Tom brought Sue
up Thursday. George started from home: I have not seen Meag or
Rachel, nor Sam, since I got your letter but will deliver your mess-
ages when I see them. Mr Shields was at Strawsburg last week did
you see him pass by the Springs. he went with the waggon I would
have written to you that he was coming in my other letter but
Lizzie & Ma told me I had dreamed it & I thought-perhaps I
was mistaken but the next day I saw Mary Catherine at the school
house & she said he had started on Friday. he took Soldiers cloths
down. Cib got home last Tuesday I have not seen him
yet Father sais he looks tolerable well:

Kate, I have a notion to make me a muslin quilt. I want you

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to ask Ginnie Tincorn & Jany, Eliza Koontz, Mag & Kate C cous A all my acquaintances for a piece of their dresses to put in to it to remember them. if you get any you must send them by Pa he still talks of coming but I dont know when. Ma
sais the weather is too uncertain to leave home with Flossie now.

Flossie was delighted to think that letter was directed to her she had just been wishing to (Ellen) that she would get a letter from the post office directed to her & Ellen told on her after she got yours: she wants you to tell her how you
stewed your fruit. said I should tell you John wrote he was going to make
her a ring out of Laurel root, & that she had broke Lillie's other arm off,
& Strawberry was married to Mr. Wood: sais She wold like to see Cous Amanda;
Mary & Etta. you must bring Amanda home with you:

Misses Freeman & Mr Hultz was married last Thursday a week. I heard last
Sunday that she was taking the fever. I dont know whether it is so or not
she was down at Mr Shovers he married Dave's sister: Kate I reckon you
saw, that piece in the register that spoke of hanging those traitors from
western Virginia. among them George Awbry: I dont pitty him much for he
had taken up arms against our boys; out there & was orderly sargent in a Tincorn company; so Jim Hawke told me.

Well Kate I have some work to do today & must soon close Uncle Peter's
are all well. Bell & John were in town to see the boys last week. Kate tell
Mag & Kate C. I wold like to see them give my love to then[sic] Fannie & Eliza
Jany; vine, S. & all my acquaintances Mother sad tell Aunt she would like
to come down but the weather is so bad & the roads so muddy that she cant
this winter: but I will try to get Sam to come, if the Malitia dont get
him Jake talks of joining a Cavalry company, if he goes in the Spring.

Now I must stop dont forget to answer soon all join me in
love to you & all kinfolks Lizzie sais she will write soon take good care
of your health & tobacco:

Be good goodbye
Your Aff Sister Annie Trout

[written in left hand margin of page two]
P. S. Oh Kate I forgot to tell you that Rubing is so smitten with you too. he was
looking in evry corner to see your name or something that resembled you: now if you dont do some
thing for yourself this trip as Lizzie Pilson) sais you need not try any more- Kate you have
got to let me know when you hear from Moses & Rubing--Kate you will think I have
got right funny since you left after you read this. will it's no use to be always sad
Write soon Annie

Miss Kate C. Armentrout,
Lacy Spring, Va
Care of Miss Jannie-Henton

MSS 11332