1862 October 11 Charlottesville, Va,

                                  Charlottesville
                                Oct 11th 1862
My dear Henry
                                  I arrived safely home
Saturday--my general health is improved
but my arm & leg is ever worse--I have
been advised by Dr. Doaghe, Waddell &c
to try the use of the Battry[?] & Strichine[?]
but yr Pa feels timid about it, and
so I have made no experiments--I
have lost all hopes of ever being able
to use my and & leg, but yet am
willing to try any & all remedies for the
prospect ahead, if my Life is spared, is
a gloomy one--I feel so disturbed
at the idea of being a burden all
my days--whilst yr dear Father lives
Life to me is tolerable even situated
as I am -Yet when the idea crosses
my mind, that I may possibly
outlive him--dark & gloomy are my
forebodings--his Love & affection in=
creases with my infirmities--his patience
& kind attentions knows no bounds--on his
account do I feel most sensibly my mis-
fortune--and at this time most especially

[page 2]
when his mind is so harassed and torn
asunder by the direful situation of
our country--clouds & darkness are
thickening on every side--we can see
no cheering light ahead--our state
is covered with blood the dead & wounded
lie all around turn which ever way
you may nothing meets your eye, but
naked, maimed & bleeding soldiers in
rags & want--yes suffering for the very
necessaries of Life--I have seen with
my own eyes sights that ought to melt
hearts of stone--thousands coming up
from Winchester & lying on the McAdimised
road-worn out soul  & body--some weeping
bitterly, others just ready to die for a cup
of milk or slice of bread--500 ambu
lances came in one day whilst I was
at Mr Crawfords with those so badly wounded
they could not walk--hundreds had
their wounds dressed in the streets by the
negroes, & women--even the Crawford
girls & Mittie took a part in trying to
cleanse some of their wounds from the dust
flies  & dirt which had accumulated on
their 3 days journey up--lately  we have
had several letters from [?] & G M
Winchester is being evacuated by our
armies as provisions have run out, &
the suffering for food & forage is immense
one half are moving towards Gordonsville

[page 3]
& the other towards Augusta County--all
they get to eat has to be carried by wagons
so you may guess how scarce things
are--and the prices are beyond belief
butter in Staunton last week was selling
for 80 cts Bacon 50- lard 50- Honey 75
sugar $100--Coffee $2--& no corn meal
what think you of that? Our Bacon is
out & we now have to give the negroes beef
at 1 [$ per lb?] our expenses are enormous-
our family is large - John M is here
and anxious for a consummation of his
affections--which I wrote to you about
& asked yr advice, as to whether it
would be best for the matter to come
to a speedy close or wait until a
more propitious time--you have not
giving me yr [?]--I dread giving up
Va--so much it will be a great trial
to me--she has been a wonderful
comfort to me since my sickness-
in deed you all have shown me a
degree of Love & affection I had never
flattered myself with having therefore
I feel overwhelmed with love & gratitude
not only to you all, but to God who
has put such virtues into yr hearts-
he will reward you all for it in his
own good time--do write me and
if you could get the Linen & gloves &
what is the price of those articles

[page 4]
Many deaths from S Fever have occurred
here--Mr Halback Gentry of the Firm of
Wertenbaker & Co died this morning--
Yellow Jaundice is very prevalent--Nannie
& Howe stay very [?] at the Hospital
about 15 lads at the University--I
reckon the book stores are doing a fine
business & I am not sorry for any loss
the great secessionists may meet with--
Carroll has a good school--Mrs Carroll
is still with her relations in Bath and is
feasting so richly dont intend coming
home for a long time--We have just learned
that Dr Bledsoe had died suddenly yester
day in Richd  Cam Gatewood had a sever
sabre cut on his head--Jas M. Leitch Polk
Points[?] & Charly Wood have been released
as Prisoners & arrived yesterday--Henry Massie
had gone to Danville to see about Mrs Stanly
Mr Stanly died very suddenly with Paralysis
yesterday week--Letty Cocke is in exactly the
same state of health she was two years ago
if not worse--Sue & Frederick has come in to
live for good, and Ellen & Ann will soon
follow--Goddard is in Columbia in very
wretched health--several of sister Carrie's
nephews were killed at Sharpsburgh
[3 illegible names]--do write
soon & believe me as ever yr devoted
                           Mother

Letter to Henry Cochran
MSS 9380