Friday, November 23, 2012

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














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