1862 November 24 Fauquier County, Va.

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Monday, November 24, 1862 

Arose as soon as the fire was made: Margaret

improved & came up earlier.  Was just ready for

breakfast though & much to my joy & surprise

when I went in Emma gave me two long

letters from you.  I could scarcely eat my breakfast

& went into the chamber to read them all to

myself-It makes my heart ache to think of

your privations-though you do not complain

I see how it is & I could cry for sympathy-Indeed

the tears will come. Oh, it is hard, hard to bear, but

I pray that it may teach both of us not to set our

affections on things in this world, but to lay up

treasures where neither moth doth corrupt nor thieves

break through & steal.  Oh, my own dear darling

there is but a little time left for us here, Let

us cast all of our cares on the Lord--He will

help us. He has promised & will fulfill that

promise.  Though all is darkness He can make it

light.  Trust in the Lord.  If I could only know

that you have high & exalted news on this

subject & that we are both accepted-Oh, I could

then weep for joy now all my joy is turned

into mourning. I can not be happay[sic] while

we are not safe=I may misjudge you, I hope

that I do, but it seems to me if you feel

exactly as you ought to, you would oftener speak of these

things.

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

MSS 15406