1862 August 9 "Clifton," Fauquier County, Va.

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Still warm.  No rain yet----I will begin
my letter to you to day.
Both of my little ones are asleep though
it is not nine A.M. & I will take
advantage of the quiet to write--
The Yankees are bathing in the run.
I am afraid the water will change
colour after their bodies are cleansed
in it--However I must say there is a very nice
looking Co. to the Dept. under a German
Capt Senback.  He was very kind to Pa too--One
of our neighbors told him that Nat was at home
& had been here for several days, though he said that
he did not believe it-he thought it his duty to come
& arrest him, & came himself, for fear it might be
done unkindly- Willie Ryland was here & when he
saw him-he looked disappointed & was quite
relieved when Pa told him that it was not Nat, He sat
down & conversed very agreeably for an hour--said
he was happy not to have such a disagreeable
duty to perform--This happened the
night before we came home.  I am quite
anxious to see a gentlemanly Yankee, as all
that I have seen were any thing else--
For two morning Emma & I have gone to the
Spring for water--We want to accustom
ourselves to labor, before we are compeled---
I think the servants are fixing to leave, though
they are polite, & respectful, as ever.....

[partially transcribed by her granddaughter, Anne Madison Wright Baylor in 1972]

MSS 15406