1862 August 6 Jackson Miss

                                    Jackson Miss
                                  Aug 6th 1862

Hon. & Dear Sir,  [Edmund Ruffin]

                       Yr kind reply to my last
letter was duly recd., &, in conformity with
yr. generous desire that I should wait
still longer before transmitting the
loan due you--I have delayed this
long, when, altho' still unsettled as to
my future destination, I am so far
relieved as to pecuniary matters as to
make it no longer necessary to infringe
upon yr. kindness
   I will therefore send the check, as
directed, by the next mail, & will be
obliged to you, to inform me when recd.
  I learned with grief & indignation
in the papers, that yr. loss by the depre=
dations of  yr. invaders, has been con=
siderable, but trust that it has been

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magnified.  I shall be pleased to hear
particularly from you of the real state
of affairs, both with you & my old
friends, the Braxtons-
  I am waiting with great anxiety
to hear from my sister--whose silence
for the last 7 weeks, & during so mo=
mentous a period, causes me much
uneasiness, especially as I have never
been able to hear of the safety f her
husband & son since the fearful
battles of Richmond--Until I hear
from her, I can not decide whether
I shall join her or Mrs Twomey.
One of the other I suppose I shall do
in the course of a few weeks--Any
arrangements, however, during these
unsettled times, must of course be
only temporary---
Do you see the blue sky thro
the heavy clouds that darken our
countrys horizon?  or any prospect
of a peace at hand?  Particularly
for Maryland? do you think

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it possible that a peace could be
settled that would leave her
under northern rule?
  That you yourself may be
sustained & strengthened, body &
spirit, thro' this fearful crisis is
the sincere desire
       of yr. obliged & grateful
                    friend & servt
                         Rebecca Hewitt

P.S.  Since writing the above I learn that
my check can be drawn between here
& Richmond--but Bp. Green is kind
eno' to undertake to have it forwarded
safely- - When rcd I shall be glad
to hear at once, not only on that acct
but to have tidings of yourself & affairs
in dear Old Virginia----
                 Yrs & &
                         R. H.
             
MSS 3026