Thursday, October 25, 2012

1862 October 26 Richmond, Va.

Richmond  26th Oct. 1862.

My dearest wife,
I wrote you a few
hurried lines the day after I got here
to let you know of our safe arrival
& that I was doing very well.  I dined
yesterday with Mr. McFarland in his
usual luxurious style of fine viands & fine
wines, notwithstanding the hard times.
I am, nevertheless, quite well.  It has
been a very agreeable relief to me
to take a quiet Sunday dinner with
Mr Macmurdo & his family to-day.  We
went to church, where, as the weather
was rainy, we had a very thin congrega-
-tion.  the President & Mrs. Davis were
both there. The latter lingered, appa-
-rently to speak to me, & was very gra-
-cious & kind.  I must, therefore, call
to pay my respects at the great House--
I yesterday saw Mr. Heath.  He seems
to be in feeble health, & demoralism.  It
is evident he has made up his mind
to nothing but to occupy his own
house this winter.  I set Will's

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house before  him in the most
attractive lights, but it seemed to
make no impression.--Nobody
knows what Mr. Cary is going
to do with his house.--I shall
to-morrow go, & see Miss Agnes
Nicholas, & look into the prospects
for us there this winter.--
   My pen  & ink are so
impracticable that I am
compelled to "rein in my muse,"
who might have been other-
-wise very garrulous.  I hope
to return to you, my dearest,
on Wednesday or Thursday, and,
in the mean time, with best
love to Ella, Sadie & Miss Mag,
remain most tenderly yours
                         W C Rives
Mrs Rives
                Castle-Hill

William Cabell Rives, 1793-1868, U. S. Congressman, Senator, and minister to France, to his wife Judith page Walker Rives, 1802-1882.

MSS 2313

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