My Dear Cousin
Your kind letter in answer to
my inquiries respecting Charlie was received yesterday.
it is indeed a relief as well as cause for thankfulness
to the Great disposer of events that his life is spared
thus far that time has been given him for reflection and
it may be preparation for the solemn event that so cer-
tainly awaits us all sooner or later, instead of being transferred
from the scene of strife to the presence of the Judge
of all the Earth.--I wrote to Charlie about the time of
the engagement, which letter I presume did not reach him
as he must have been an inmate of the Hospital before
it arrived in Richmond, it was not until I learned
that he was wounded that I applied to the Col of his Reg.
(knowing that his Capt was wounded at Williamsburg)
and as more than a fortnight had elapsed, I believed
him dead, until yesterday.
I am pained t hear of the death of our estimable
Cousin Willie Richardson, how the hearts of his doting
Mother and Sister will be wrung and pained at the
sad intelligence, feel thankful that he was int he care
of so kind and pious a gentleman as my esteemed friend
Rev Thos M. Ambler, who was our minister here two years
ago, it is indeed a comfort to believe that he had a
Christian burial & a spiritual guide through the dark valley.
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Willie Chrisman was a near cousin and many hearts
are bleeding at his untimely end, he was the eldest
son of my only maternal uncle and I have heard that he is
in a low state of health, brought on by his imprisonment
though he had been released several weeks, when I heard
from him, but was not much improved.--From my Fa-
ther and family I have not had letters since the evac-
uation of Winchester by the Confederates, but a gentleman
went down while Jackson was occupying the Valley
a month ago, called at brother John's and reported all
well. I am as entirely cut off from my friends as any
one can be and you can not imagine what pleasure it
gave me when I found at the close of your letter the
name of the son of one of my earliest and dearest
cousins. As you know I have known you very little
since you were a little child, but having known and
loved both your parents as fondly as I have, I cannot
fail to feel the tenderest solicitude for yourself, so if
you can possibly get a leave of absence, I entreat you to
come up and spend some time with us, and we will in
sure you a cordial reception, hope
mighty power that has preserved you thus far will shield
you from every danger, and in his own good time restore
you to your excellent parents. When you write as I hope you
will shortly let me know where your brother Walter is--
love to him. You will further oblige me by seeing Charlie
or writing to him and letting him know that I feel
the most anxious solicitude on his account and wish
him to come to my house as soon as it is prudent for him
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to travel so far. could you not come with him, it will
be so pleasant to have you both, if you are sick you might
get a transfer to the hospital at Buchanan and come
out to my house and I will make you as comfortable as
I possibly can. A young lady who is visiting me requested
me to ask you where Scott Roy is now, think he was in
your company at first--since so many have been driven
from their homes I have had the pleasure of seeing Mr
Tipping's family under my roof one of the young la
dies is still with me, the others are in Staunton, their Fathers
business is there, Through a letter from one of them we learn
that Jackson's Army was at or near Charlottesville en route
for Richmond, my brother Marcus is with them if still
alive and you may possibly see him. present me very affection
ately to him if you should. With best wishes for your
health, happiness and prosperity--I am
Your fond Cousin
E.R. C. Finney
It is several weeks since I had a letter from Mack,
he was then in Powell's Valley Tenn, since then they
were ordered to Chattanooga but had returned to the Valley
I learned through letters received from other members of
the Battery, I wish to write to him very soon
Again my Dear Cousin
Good bye
E.F.
MSS 3064
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