1862 June 16 [Baltimore, Md.]

                                                    Monday June 16th 62
My dear girls,
I was disappointed in not having a moment of time to write
you by Capt. Robertson I sent off my trunk in such great haste by
him on Friday eveng last--then yr Pa & I went directly up to Sudbrook
we returned this evening (I mean morng) & I find yr poor cousin Jane did
not as I had been told she wd go down in the same boat with the Capt. &
that she is still in town--I will ask her to take an open letter for me.
Louisa has just come in & says she does'nt think Jane wd like to take a
letter--I will send it to W. I........& get him to send it by one of the officers.
All are well at Sudbrook. We are all miserably anxious to hear if any
of those we love have suffered near R-----d or in the Valley--not one
word from Jackson since his engagement with Fremont first--& then
Shields--all our dear Balt: boys there!  My own dear boys near
R---d. Sidneys- & Jane R's--My heart is agonized about them all!
Did you know that Lennox Smith & young Governeur Morris are both in
the Federal army? passed thro' about two weeks ago with the New York
71st gone to Wash:n 8 months men.  Your uncle Governeur & aunt Jane
are Black Keys]?] -- Pat is only for the Union I believe on its old basis.
Ere this you have recd yr trunk--I hope you thanked Capt Robertson, he
was so kind & polite about it & I did not see him at the last--I like him
so much & wd have loved to see him every day.  Have you recd my long
long letter by Mr T.?  Is'nt he a charming fellow?  I cd cry now at not
getting all those letters entrusted to Mr D. but in was a comfort that he
remailed them & did not burn them up, maybe we'll have better luck
next time.  How I sd love to know how you like yr things--if the
gloves, the cor: the boats & shoes fitted--If the boys needed the things
I sent them &c &c &c ad infinitum.  If the gloves did not fit
write me word by some of the return prisoners & I may be able
to get you some more--perhaps you cd return those I sent by
some Fed: officer.  I suppose you are both aiding your dear
Aunt Minnie in her work of mercy--I wish I cd help too!
How about coming home?  I am afraid of a southern summer
for dear Jennie she is of such a bilious habit--Lu Lu
says she does believe aunt Het & aunt Jennie will ever


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come home--I think when they do she will lose her senses.

We expect yr aunt Ellen & Esther in two weeks--school
here breaks up & we go to Sudbrook--yr cousin Louisa &
the two girls continue here & will keep house on their own
hook.  When we go up Mr M intends escorting his aunt
Eliz: yr cousin Clara & one or two others to Boston on
a visit to their friends.  I must not make my letter
longer--Goodbye my beloved children.  May God bless
& protect you all prays yr devoted Mother.

Miss Hettie Cary
Richmond Va

letter postmarked Petersburg June 24


Letter sent across the lines to Hettie and Jennie Cary from their mother in Baltimore


MSS 1415