1862 August 21 Orange C H Va

Aug 21  1862
Orange CH Va
My dear wife
I reentered our home
on yesterday and found every thing
right & that the enemy had left
the day before.  Our Army crossed the
Rapidan on Thursday at the Raccoon ford
& was following after the enemy who were
in retreat towards Fauquier.  Longstreet
had a skirmish with their rear in [front?]
Mrs Willis I could see the clouds of
dust in the direction of the Army
I have a hundred pounds of bacon at
Mr Halls behind Palmyra send me
my horse team & wagon by Carter & put
in three middlings of bacon & direct him
to call at Mr Halls for lot of bacon above
named. Send over with him some of the
soap.  I sent by the ox cart& also my brown
coat & an umbrella. a shirt & my thing gray pants

[page 2]
tell carter to grease the wagon & to wet
the wheels if dry before he starts.  the
ox team should also be sent by John &
[Bose?] with him Jim can go with Carter
& ride up  brothers horse & report to him  in
Gordonsville if brother dare not waste his
horse he can carry him over.  I wish to
thresh out my wheat as soon as possible
& to avail myself of the present opportunity
I am not well enough to follow the army
I may send my teams all back but
cannot tell yet--If G[?]s  Father can spare
a bag or two of meal it would be a
convenience as it is hard to get here
The teams should take enough feed & provender
enough to last all the way through.  Carter can put
the two carriage horses & Mike the wagon.
The ox cart cannot travel over fifteen miles
a day but the horse team can come through
in a day & a half

[page 3]
Tell Carter that they can come the old Maine
road from   [hole in paper] Orange & need
not come    [hole in paper] I do not want
the team     [hole in paper] Sunday
              My best love to all yours
              most affectionately  A.G. Grinnan
Charles can continue making shingles & if you
can get leather he can assist in making my winter
shoes if old Jim[?] is not busy--Charles
may wish a boy to help him to saw blocks
Tell Charles to have all shingles hauled out
of the woods--

Mrs. A.G. Grinnan
      Palmyra
          Fluvanna

Dr. Andrew Glassell Grinnan, 1827-1902

MSS 2118-a