Thorn Hall, December 27.
My precious Nate,
Tis Friday morning and yet not one letter have I received this week from my darling boy; I wonder what can be the matter? There must be a letter in the office from you, or something must have happened.
Yesterday I rode over to see if your uncle had brought me a letter but no, he did not bring one. Well, I did not much expect one by him, knowing how careless he was about delivering documents, but if he comes by here today as he said he would I will intrust these few lines by him. The poor fellow seems very tired of the Island, said he wanted to resign on account of his health, etc., "In fact Nate told him if it were he that he would resign, you see Nate knows how poorly I am, and the only thing that keeps me from it is that I promised the men to stick by them." I like to have told him that the men would release him from that promise. I know they would. I never saw anybody so much changed by anything as he is by his face covered with hair. I think it an improvement to his style of beauty.
He has got permition from Dr. Byrd to bring up to Waynesville the sick of your regiment, he says you, and he, and other officers would then have an excuse to come up everyday or so to see after the sick. So I hope after this to see more of you, my dearest, sweetest boy. Just write me word when you will come and Eula and I will meet you in Waynesville or anywhere else that you would like, i.e., if we are well enough.
Before breakfast I began this letter, but she cried for tea, so I had to put my pen down and get her some tea. Isn't there any chance of your having some of your empty boxes filled up with some nice oysters and sent to Waynesville for us. I know Pa would enjoy them much for Witter had a barrel sent back, which has been the only thing that he has relished. You made a mistake about the syrup you carried with you, Pa intended it all for you; not, as you thought, a part for Witter, twas all for his son Nate, so you ought to have kept it all.
Your Captain told us that Mr. Mathews had a shocking cough, so you must spread some of that mutton sewit and pine gum [1] on a piece of rag and put it on his chest. I hope you have entirely gotten over yours by this time.
Pa came down yesterday for the first time, he looks quite badly and has a very sore mouth. But I hope he will now recover. He has sent on to get Henry to come home for a week and attend to his business for him for he is not able to attend to anything now. He wants to discharge Bates and get Cooper, and also wants Henry to carry the girls up to Louisville.
Darling, you must excuse me for not writing you a long letter this morning, for I really do not feel well, I am nervous, and feel badly in every other way. Eula is not minding what Papa says to her, but don't scold her for the poor little thing don't know any better; she is tired of bing shut up so long and then too she wants her dear Papa to come home and pet her. She misses you almost as much as her Mama does, but not quite so deeply.
I am told that the soldiers gave the Ladies of color a large ball at the new wharehouse in Waynesville last night. I suppose they danced with them too. Don't you think they must be very bad off for wives, to take the negroe girls to carry on such a caper with in public.
Dr. Atkinson did not remain but two days, after coming by private conveyance which took them four days on the road. So they spent Christmas on the road.
Well tomorrow the Christmas holidays will be over and I for one will be very glad. I have never spent such an unpleasant Christmas. Day before yesterday, Mamie and I walked over to your cousin Edmand Atkinson for the mail as well as for exercise. I feel so much better when I walk about, and would you believe it, I have not begun to make Miss Eula anything yet to put on and she may be here by the first of March. Well let her come, if she gets here too soon, I will have to wrap her up until something can be made.
Have you finished your house yet? Give love to Witter and Tossie for us. All join me in much love to my own sweet Nate. Give my love to Johnnie and regards to Mr. Mathews and Hull. Eula sends a kiss to dear darling papa.
Your own true loving wife,
L
[1] sewit (suet) and pine gum - a common remedy for chest colds was a plaster of lard (here mutton suet) and pine gum (sap) applied to the chest. Pine gum has medicinal properties - it is antiseptic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory, and was also use to treat wounds to stop bleeding.