Transcription

...Be not discouraged by disappointments & difficulties but on the contrary let each stimulate you to greater exertions for attaining noble ends & an approving conscience at least will be your reward. Please write to me soon. My health is as good as usual. During my furlough I was made an officer consequently my duties are lighter than usual. You may rest assured of my ....(section of letter missing)

....what I have formerly... friend & brother Thos. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Letter fragment regards Stonewall Jackson's health and furlough.

Transcription

...difficulty in obtaining them from the post office on account of another cadet's name being Thomas. R. Jackson.

I am at present living in a room by myself my room mate having resigned in consequence of his father's ill health. The weather has been extremely cold & stormy here for the last few days though at present it is moderating. My studies for the approaching June examination will include Optics Mechanics Astronomy Magnetism & Chemistry together with drawing. I expect to commence taking exercises in riding in a day or two. At the examination last I rose in each of department of my studies.

A few days since I was called upon to pay the last token of my respect to a friend & fellow classmate in whom were combined both shining talents & the characteristics of a gentleman. His death was much lamented by his class mates who a few days subsequent to his death assembled & appointed a committee to attend to the erection of a monument to his memory. My health is at present as good as usual & I remain your well wishing brother T.J. Jackson

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Letter regards daily life at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.

Transcription

U.S.M.A. Aug 2nd 1845 Dear Sister Actuated by a sense of duty I proceed to writing you a few lines hoping that they may find you enjoying the blessings of health and prosperity generally which I have some reason to expect.

You may infer that I am well and enjoying myself very well considering that I am deprived of the blessings of a home the society of the friends of my child-hood the cordial welcome of relatives and above all the presence of an only sister. Times are now far different from what they once were. Once I was in my native state at my adopted home none to give there mandates none for me to obey but as I chose surrounded by my playmates and natives all apparently eager to promote my happiness. But those were the days of my youth they have fled never again to return. They have been succeeded by days of quite a different aspect they have brought forth manhood with all its cares.

I have before me two courses either of which I may chose in case that I am blessed with health and long life they are widely different in their natures and consequences. The first I may say would be to follow the profession of arms the second that of a civil pursuit as law. If I should adopt the first I could live independently & surrounded by friends whom I have all ready made have no fear of want, my pay would be be fixed. The principal thing I would have to attend to would be futurity. If I adopt the latter I presume that I would still find plenty of friends but my exertions would have to be great in order to acquire a name. This course is most congenial to my taste and consequently I expect to adopt it after spending a few years in pursuing the former.

I have forgotten the contents of my former letter consequently I will mention my standing as it exists at present . In Drawing it is 59th, in Chemistry 25th, in general standing 20th, in Philosophy 11th, in conduct 1st. There are 60 members in my class at present nineteen above me and forty below me.

I propose on coming to see my friends and yourself in July next.

A member of the Corps was drowned a few days since his body was recovered about 5 days subsequent to the fatal stroke and interred with the honors of war. I had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was a youth of promise stood high in his class and bid fair for long life. The news must have inflicted a sore wound on the hearts of his parents for he certainly was a favorite child. The corps is at present in mourning for him.There have been a number of distinguished men on the point for some time back among whom was Major General Scott. Many visitors favour us with calls among them are a number of ladies but they are not so fair as the daughters of western Virginia.

Write to me frequently as your brother T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Letter regards daily life at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.

Transcription

West Point U.S.M.A. Nov. 25th 1845 Dear Sister It has been but a few moments since I had the pleasure of receiving your affectionate & sister like letter with it came the blended feelings of satisfaction sorrow and remorse. Satisfaction to think that I still have an existence in the heart of an amiable and admired sister. Sorrow because of your delicate health. Remorse for the misfortunes of an uncle who has been to me a true friend.

As to your health it is my sincere wish that you may again recover it and of which I continue to live in hopes. My constitution as well as your own has received a severe shock but I believe is gradually recovering from its debilitated state. My exercises this year with the broad sword as well as the small are well calculated to strengthen the chest & expand the muscles so that I have some reason to believe that they will have the desired effects of restoring me to perfect health. And I hope that the same kind providence which has preserved us as the remnant of a family up to the present period will again favor us with an interview although in its wisdom it has marked out for us (at least for a period) widely different spheres of action and different places of abode. But I look forward with no small degree of satisfaction to the period when my circumstances will allow me to settle down near you & among my relatives in order to share with yourselves the ineffable pleasures of domestic circles. For your kind advice, and well wishes, you have my hearty thanks.

Since my last letter I have been transferred to the first section in Ethics & I think that I have probably a mark in it which will place me among the first five in my class in this science & which I consider as preferable to any other in the course.

There is a young gentleman here by the name of Withers who is from the south he has told me that his father was formerly of Virginia & that he has relatives still living there & that one of them who is a doctor visited his father two or three years since.This youth is an associate of mine & I would be glad to know whether or no he is a relative of mine which I could do probably if I knew the given name of doctor Withers of Fauquier who I know visited the south sometime previous to my coming here. If you recollect the time of his passing through Weston as well as his name I would be glad if you would insert them in your next provided it will be convenient to you though I do not wish you to put yourself to the least trouble on that account as I can obtain them otherwise.

It is probable that you think hard of me because of my not writing more frequent. But I hope that the strict requirements of many duties as well as want of information & [_____] will prove a partial if not a complete excuse. Give my respects to Mr. Arnold & rest assured of my immutable attachment.

Scope and Contents

Letter regards daily life at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.

This letter fragment has sustained damage at the edges. Some words are completely missing.

Transcription

...is a little excitement owing to the proximity of Furlough & graduation.

I have been expecting a letter from you in answer to my last but not knowing what might have occurred I have deemed it best to attempt another hoping that it will meet with better success than the former. [Futile?] may be the effort and feeble it must be [missing word or words] -ation that I but seldom turn my atten[tion] [missing word or words] elegance of [missing]. I hope that you will [missing] it to pass unnoticed. Thought it be divested of ev[ery] artificial merit yet it [be possessed of] a natural....

Rumor appears to indicated a rupture between our government & that of the Mexican. If such should be the case the probability is that I will be ordered to join the army of occupation immediately & if so I will hardly see home until after my return & the next letter that you will receive from me may be dated Texas or Mexico. But be the decre[e?] [missing] all knowing God as they may I hope that [missing] [s]hall ever continue to love you with a [missing]..... T. J. Jackson

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Written on board the ship James L. Day. Letter regards travel to Point Isabel, Texas and general news about the Mexican War.

Transcription

On Board the James L. Day September 22d 1846

Dear Uncle I have often thought of writing to you but have deferred it until the present which is the latest news which I will be able of give you previous to leaving the United States. I found after arriving at Fort Columbus that Capt Taylor had left that post from that place. I proceeded to Fort Hamilton where he had taken up his quarters. Leaving there about ten days afterward, I traveled by land about 410 miles to Pittsburgh at which place I embarked on board the steam boat Suatara which conveyed me to Cincinnati. From that city I came to New Orleans on board the steamer Hendrik Hudson. I have just left New Orleans Barracks and am now being transported to Point Isabell which I expect to reach in about 2 or 3 days. I am at present with Captain Taylor (who is a Virginian and a very fine man) 27 men and 84 horses. The principal part of the company is in Mexico at present. I belong to a company of light Artillery which is frequently called flying artillery. In an action if all the officers of the company should be well I will have to carry dispatches being unfortunately too low to have a command. It is possible that before this time General Taylor has had another battle. If he has not already had one it is thought by men of experience that he will have before entering Monterey.

I sent uncle a few days since tell him if it is not there it to Clarksburg and tell (the merchant) that I wish him to give for it. It will be more to him than. (Note: the sentence contains several words that have been blacked out with ink, thus making the full meaning difficult to determine)

The weather here is more pleasant than it was in the north before I left there. The city of New Orleans is very healthy and there is no yellow fever in it at present. I am enjoying comparatively good health at present and I do not believe that I have the liver complaint but am under the impression that the disease is neuralgic.

Give my respects to my friends including your family of course and write to me as soon as you [can] ascertain where to direct your letter.

T. J. Jackson P.S. I have arrived in sight of Point Isabel Texas and am now at anchor in a strong gale. The news came aboard yesterday that General Taylor would be ready for a battle on yesterday. The intelligence was by letter from Col. Whiting. I expect soon to start up the Rio Grande by steam for the purpose of joining the main body of the army as soon as possible.

TJJ

Transcription

Point Isabel Texas Sept 25th/46

Dear Sister: I arrived in this port last evening and purposed on writing to you before closing my eyes in sleep but I was prevented from executing my purpose by the impossibility of procuring an idle pen. I have availed myself of this opportunity of writing in particular as it may be the last favorable one for days to come as in this country letters are generally transmitted from one person to another through the kindness of a third person or the quartermasters. How I shall be able to get this to New Orleans I can not say but it must be through one of these channels. There are at present about one hundred vessels in port, some of which I presume will soon sail for New Orleans.

It is useless for me to attempt to give a detailed account or narrative of occurrences since I last parted with you but suffice it to say that I arrived home on the following Monday and on the succeeding Wednesday received orders to report without delay to Capt. Francis Taylor and the following day in compliance with my orders bid farewell to my uncle's family and proceeded to Fort Columbus but on arriving there ascertained that he had left. On receiving this information I proceeded to Fort Hamilton where I found him. From that post in connection with Capt. Taylor thirty men and forty horses I took up march for this place. After traveling upwards of 400 miles by land we reached Pittsburgh where we took water and have finally arrived here after a March of about 36 days.

Whilst I was in Clarksburg I learned that Mr. McWilliams was still in your house and unable to pay rent for it and I was advised to consult Burtin Despard. He told me that the house could be cleared of its occupants in a short time but that it might cost about fifteen dollars to effect it and if Mr. Arnold should desire him that he would attend to it. And if I had to employ any one he should have the preference in as much as he would in my opinion effect it in a shorter time than any other attorney in Clarksburg. The lot which you were speaking of purchasing he told me that in his opinion you could not get a good title for it if you should purchase it because it is already covered by three deeds of trust. Any further information upon the subject can be obtained by applying to Mr. Despard.

I have not yet landed but an officer of the Quartermasters Department has been aboard and stated that General Taylor had observed that he would be ready for another battle by yesterday. This news came by letter from Col. Whiting. Whether the Battle came off or not I can not say.

I belong to K company 1st Artillery which to use the common phrase is a flying company of Artillery. I could say much more but I am writing in a strong gale of wind and where things are all confusion. I am in hopes of starting up the Rio Grande tomorrow and on reaching General Taylor as soon as possible. I wish you to write to me soon directing your letter to Lieut T.J. Jackson, Comp K, 1st Artillery, Army of Occupation Mexico. It may reach me but not with certainty. My health is better than it has been for some time. Give my respects to the good people of Beverly they still occupy a high place in my esteem especially your amiable husband whose kindness as well as yours has been indelibly written on my heart and memory.

T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Point Isabel, Texas. Letter regards travel to Texas, family matters, and plans to travel "up the Rio Grande tomorrow."

Scope and Contents

Written from Veracruz, Mexico. Letter regards news of the Mexican War, daily life at camp, Stonewall Jackson's health, and family matters.

Transcription

Dear Sister I now send you the long delayed letter and hope that you will pardon my procrastination since I last wrote to you. I have been at Matamoras Camargo Monterey and Saltillo and the intermediate towns. At present I can not conveniently give you a general idea of the portions of Mexico which have fallen under my observation but hope to do so at some future day when things are more settled than at present and I also purpose on writing to you more frequently.

It would have [afforded] me much pleasure to have been with the gallant and victorious General Taylor at the battle of Buena Vista in which he has acquired laurels as imperishable as he history which shall record the invasion of Mexico by our victorious armies. But I was ordered away from Saltillo in January last and I believe for the best inasmuch as I am now with the most important portion of the army and on the most important line of operations.

I am now encamped on the road leading from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. Our troops landed about two miles from the former city on the ninth inst and on the same night were fired on by the Mexicans. On the following day we commenced surrounding the city and operating against it. The operations after the [investment] was completed consisted principally in bombarding and cannonading which were continued until not only the city but the castle of San Juan Dulloa agreed to surrender. The capitulation occurred yesterday. The terms are that all the public property falls into our hands, the troops march out under the condition of not serving against us during the present war unless exchanged. The troops marched out yesterday and surrendered their arms and we took possession immediately. This capitulation has thrown into our hands the strong hold of this republic and being a regular [siege] in connection with other circumstances must in my opinion excel any military operations known in the history of our country. I approve of all except allowing the enemy to retire that I can not approve of in as much as we had them secure and could have taken them prisoners of war unconditionally.

Our loss is not accurately known nor that of the enemy either yet but in my estimation ours can not exceed twenty men in killed, we lost only two captains (Capt Vinton of the artillery and Capt Alburtis of the infantry). I have been in the city and was much surprised at its strength. It is surrounded on the land side by a wall about 10 feet high and a series of forts and on the other side is protected by the castle.

You asked me whether I belonged to General Worth's division. I had the honor of being in it so long as it existed but it has been broken up during the past siege. I was part of the time with him and part of the time with General Twigs. Whilst I was at the advanced batteries a cannon ball came in about five steps of me. I presume that you think my name ought to appear in the papers but when you come to consider the composition of our army you will entertain different views. Its composition is such that those who have independent commands only are as a general rule spoken of for instance Ridgely May [Bra--] Duncan Ringold Smith all commanded companies. If an officer wishes to distinguish himself he must remain long in service until he obtains rank then he obtains the praise not only for his efforts but for the efforts of the officers and men under him. That portion of praise which may be due to me must of course go to those above me or be included in the praise given to the army.

My health is extremely good. I probably look better than I have for years. I expect to remain in Mexico for the remainder of the war and expect to move forward with the leading Brigade. I expect to be promoted in a short time to a second lieutenancy. This will probably occasion me to leave the light battery but it will give me more rank which is of the greatest importance in the army.

Remember me in the warmest terms to Mr. Arnold and all my other friends. I rejoice at your prosperity and hope and doubt not that it will continue. I hope soon to march forward towards the city of Mexico. Vera Cruz continues healthy. I intend writing soon and more frequently as my feelings incline me to and as a brother ought. Your last letters coming in such quick succession served as a just rebuke but my means for writing are poor. Even now I am using a box for a chair and my camp bedstead as a writing desk and think myself comfortably situated. You have all the conveniences necessary and I hope that you will use them to write often to one who esteems you above all.

Transcription

Camp near Vera Cruz Mexico March 30th 1847

Sir: Having in compliance with written instructions from Capt Francis Taylor 1st Arty performed the duties of QrMaster from the 14th of August 1846 to include the 22d of the same month and from the 16th of Oct to include the 28th of November of the same year. The above duty was performed whilst on march from Fort Hamilton NY to Monterey Mexico and I have the honor to request that I may be allowed the usual compensation for the same. Very respectfully

Your Obt Servt T. J. Jackson Lt 1st Arty

Scope and Contents

Written from camp near Veracruz, Mexico. Letter requests compensation for quartermaster duties.

Transcription

Jalapa Mexico April 22d 1847

Dear Sister I promised in my last that I would give you a more detailed account of Mexico in a subsequent letter. I will now endeavor to comply with that promise. In doing so I will first state in general terms that the portion of Northern Mexico which has fallen under my observation is mostly a vast barren waste cities excepted. There are but two seasons in Mexico wet & dry. In consequence of the drought there is but little vegetation in the north. A person in traveling through this sterile portion of country would not suppose that the country inhabitants were able to pay their taxes. But in the cities it is different. There wealth is frequently found one person residing in Saltillo is said to own a larger area of land than the state of New York.

But passing to the south the aspect of things change. You frequently {see} elegant buildings in the country. Genl Santa Anna owns between this place & Vera Cruz 5 beautiful houses and a tract of land about fifty five miles in length. The country in the south is very similar to our own. Whilst I was in Monterey my quarters were in the outskirts of the city having a large back lot attached which contained beautiful orange orchard. Also in this lot was a fine bathing establishment the dimensions being about 25 by 30 ft. Monterey is the most beautiful city which I have seen in the North of this distracted country.

About 50 miles farther west is Saltillo the capital of Coahuila. Its [height] is about 2000 feet above the level of Monterey on an inclined plane at the edge of the table lands. The houses are generally built of sun dried brick as are most of the houses in that region. The church is the most highly ornamented on the interior of any edifice which has ever come under my observation. On entering this magnificent structure we are struck with the gaudy appearance on every side but most especially the opposite end which appears to be gilded with gold. At the bottom is a magnificent silver altar and on each side are statues which can not fail to attract the attention of the astonished beholder. The music is of the highest character. The priests are robed in the most gaudy of apparel. The inhabitants take off their hats on approaching the church and do not replace them until past it. One day whilst I was near the building I observed a señora (lady) gradually approaching the door on another occasion I saw a female looking at a statue and weeping like a child. Such is the superstition of this race.

After obtaining a [limited] transportation for General Twigg's division it set forward for Jalapa on the road leading to the city of Mexico. But on arriving near Cerro Gordo we learned that General Santa Anna held the pass in force consequently we waited for reinforcements which finally arrived and on the 17nst we attacked the Mexicans but did not succeed in routing them completely until the 18th when we took some thousand prisoners and completely routed the remainder. We followed close on the retreating column until night and came near enough to give the retreating enemy a few shots from the battery. But they succeeded in effecting their escape for want of our dragoons. General Scott after disarming the prisoners allowed them to retire the officers on [parole]. But General La Vega who is again our prisoner refused to except of his and I presume that he will be sent back to the U.S. Our loss has been considerable but not known neither is the Mexican. General Santa Anna escaped but in his haste left us his carriage & together with some thousand dollars in specie.

General Twiggs' division has fought the battle. General Worth has again got a division but he did not get it into action owing to its being used as a reserve and General Twiggs' as the advance. Capt Taylor in his report to General Twiggs has spoken of me in very flattering terms. I am now in Jalapa which is situated about 60 miles from Vera Cruz and 195 from the city of Mexico. General Worth is now in advance and if there is any fighting at Perote he will be apt to distinguish himself. He will probably be in the vicinity of Perote tomorrow at farthest and possibly today. It is rumored here that the Mexicans are fortifying their capital if so then we may have the grand battle there. A Mexican officer came here last evening from the city of Mexico and stated that his father had written to him from San [Louis] stating that General Taylor was there & had met with no opposition.

I can say no more as I have just learned that the escort by which I wish to send this has started because I must mount my horse & over take it or miss a good opportunity. I am in better health than usual.

Scope and Contents

Written from Jalapa, Mexico. Letter regards a "detailed acount of Mexico."

Transcription

Jalapa, May 25th, 1847

Lovely Sister I have the mortification of being left to garrison the town of Jalapa. Capt Taylor used his influence to keep me with him in which event I should have gone forward. But [Col. Childs] who was made military governor of this place got General Scott to issue an order requiring me to join my company which was under the command of the governor. Not withstanding my present situation I have some hope of getting forward by-and-by when more troops get in from the states. But all this is with General Scott. I throw myself into the hands of an all wise God and hope that it may yet be for the better. It may have been one of [His] means of diminishing my excessive ambition and after having accomplished his purpose whatever it may be he then in his infinite wisdom may gratify my desire.

The army was to move at the time which I mentioned but General Scott concluded to disband the volunteers as their time had nearly expired and this so much diminished our force that we delayed the advance until a couple of days since. General Scott left on Sunday with an escort following in the wake of his troops. General Worth has been in Puebla for about 10 days. Santa Anna marched from Orezaba and commenced fortifying about half way between the cities of Puebla and Mexico but owing to some [cause] he relinquished it and marched into the capital left the army and is now in the presidential chair. As to his motives I cannot say anything further. But I suppose that he thinks that his influence will be more powerful there than elsewhere. The people here think him an infamous man. An election was held on the 15th for president and Herera was the successful candidate but will not take his seat for a few months yet.

I am in fine quarters and making rapid progress in the Spanish language and have an idea of making some female acquaintances shortly. I see many things here of interest by the way of ornament and fruits and wish that I only had an opportunity of sending some to you and Thomas. I well know that he would like to have a ranchero (Mexican) on horse back followed by some large dogs. I would be much pleased to hear from Wirt poor fellow?

Give my respects to your estimable husband. I want to hear whether the reports about Uncles Cummins & Edward are true. I think of you often and my heart more than once upbraided me for my neglect to you. But I feared to inform you of things as they were in this unholy land. Your Brother always.

T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Jalapa, Mexico. Letter regards troop movements and life at camp.

Transcription

City of Mexico Feby 28th 1848

Dearest Sister The mail came on the 26th and in vain I searched the post office thrice for a line from you and consequently sorrowfully commenced my letter to you but on leaving my desk for a few hours on business was agreeably surprised on my return to find your letter mysteriously placed on my table. And now whilst I recommence with joy inexpressible for tongue or pen at hearing of your life still being prolonged I am also most deeply affected with heartfelt sorrow at the words which say "I may not live to receive your answer." But I hope that these words imply nothing beyond what they literally state. To God this is the earnest prayer of your brother. But if he in his great wisdom has afflicted you with disease incurable then may he in his infinite goodness receive you into his heavenly abode where though I should be deprived of you here in this world of care yet I should hope to meet with you in a land where care and sorrow are unknown there with a mother a brother a sister yourself and I hope a father to live in a state of felicity uncontaminated by mortality.

Let not this letter trouble you dearest sister for I could not write one of a different cast with a clear conscience when you speak to me so ominously. But do not be [deterred] by any cause from saying to me plainly that I am sick or that I am well for ambiguity in relation to you is very painful to me.

You appear to think hard of my not writing more frequently but I have not only written by every mail but on one occasion sent by a Spanish friend in [five]. I have embraced every opportunity to say to you that I am in such or such a state of health. But for the future the intention is to send the mail by escorts twice a month on the first and fifteenth so that you may expect to hear from me by every mail until I am ordered from this city which may and which may not be at all as I am in General Smith's brigade and he is governor of the city. I am first Lieutenant and belong to Capt. Taylor's Battery. I hope the war may soon terminate but do not entertain much hope although the terms of a treaty have been sent to Washington and at present an armistice is being made or has been concluded but as yet is not public. Santa Anna has asked of his government a passport for the purpose of leaving the country and it was granted to him on the 13th inst. But it is doubtful whether he will go as several of the states have expressed themselves favorably to him and [------------] has offered him an asylum.

If we both live I expect to see you. Do not allow my words about marrying in Mexico to disturb you. I have sometimes thought of staying here and again of going home. I have no tie in this country equal to you. You speak of my fine horse as in your opinion being rather extravagant but if an officer wishes to appear best he should appear well in everything. I bought the horse having plenty of money and need of [ ] and have since been offered three hundred and fifty dollars for him, that is a hundred and seventy more than I gave and can at any time get more than I gave. My pay whilst with Capt. Magruder was one hundred and four dollars per month and I expect it will soon be the same here but at present it is only about ninety so that I have plenty of money and am in the long run economical although it would not appear to you so as here everything is dear and with you cheap. I dress as a gentleman should who wishes to be received as such. I do not gamble nor spend my money as I think foolishly.

I am very desirous of peace as it may be better for the United States & it may give me an opportunity of again entering your hospitable house & having that sight most delightful of all other earthly ones that is of my sister. My health I think is improving in this country and at all events my knowledge of Spanish is. As I shall have a better idea when the mail will start hereafter I shall try and send you more interesting letters. Remember me to Mr. Arnold & friends in the warmest terms. Your brother.

T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Mexico City, Mexico. Letter regards general news of the war and family matters.

Transcription

City of Mexico. March 23, 1848.

Dear Sister I have written a letter to Mr. Arnold and requested to be remembered to you in it but since finishing it I have concluded to send you one also. I received your letter of January 14th but the paper from Mr. Arnold did not come to hand but still I am as much obliged to him as though it had and trust that he will send others as they may have better success.

I thought at one time of writing a journal but I can not find the time as although I am usually up at six o'clock and retire to bed at ten and eleven still the day is not long enough. The morning hours I occupy in studies & business and the evening in a similar manner but generally taking a walk after dinner and sometimes a ride on the Passeo or elsewhere in the evening. The Passeo is a wide road on the south west of the city and about a half of a mile in length with a beautiful fountain in the center and is a place of fashionable resort. Families of wealth appear there in the carriages at sunset partly if not entirely for show. There is also a place of morning resort between the city and the Passeo called the Almeda which is a beautiful grove of about four hundred by six hundred yards and containing I think eight fountains. At the central one is celebrated the anniversary of Mexican independence and from this which is the largest beautiful walks diverge to the different outlets (the grove being surrounded by a wall). I purpose on riding to both these places this evening hoping to see something there more attractive than at home. When not on duty I generally pay a visit after supper or tea. Among those families which I visit are some of the first in the republic as Don Lucas Aleman Martinez del Rio and I also have the acquaintance of others of some distinction.

My studies are now principally directed to the formation of my manners and the rules of society and a more thorough knowledge of human nature and the latter I perceive from your letter meets with your approbation and I doubt not but that the former two objects will also as they are very important to a man's success in life. You will pardon me for the mistake I have made in turning the leaves of this sheet. But returning to my subject this country offers me greater advantages for acquiring graces than I will probably ever meet with again unless I should visit Europe. The book which I am studying is Lord Chesterfield's letters to his son translated into Spanish so that whilst I am obtaining his thoughts I am also acquiring a knowledge of the Spanish tongue. I have also purchased the work in English and after having read it in Spanish I then purpose on reading it in English. Subsequent to this I shall study Shakespeare's works which I purchased a few days since and then if I can obtain good histories I wish to devote some time to them.

If Uncle Cummins & Edward should leave Lewis I wish you would get Uncle Edward to box up my books which are in his possession and send them to you. I hope that you will try and write me a letter once a week. I should write more frequently to you if an opportunity offered of sending letters more than twice a month. Owing to my knowledge of the language of the country and the acquaintances which I have made I think that I pass my time more agreeably than the greater portion of the officers of the Army, but if your company could also be had I would spend my hours still more agreeably. My love to all enquiring friends. My health is as good if not better than usual. General Scott's case has been investigated. The charges against Col. Duncan were withdrawn. Also General Worth withdrew his against General Scott. General Pillow's case is now being investigated.

Scope and Contents

Written from Mexico City, Mexico. Letter describes the Passeo, a central road through the city, and general news of the war.

Transcription

National Palace Mexico. April 10, 1848

Dear Sister As three successive mails have arrived, without bringing a single letter from you, I am (and I think not without reason) uneasy about your health. As I do not know of any other reason but bad health which could have prevented your writing to a brother who is interested in everything that interests you. And I hope that if you have any regard for my peace of mind that you will write at least once every fortnight. If your health forbids your writing at any time, then get someone to write for you, if it should be but a dozen lines. I do not think that a regular mail has left this city, without carrying a letter for you from me.

The treaty has arrived from Washington, with its amendments. Many think that it will receive the ratification of this government. But some think that it will not. For my own part I hope it will. Mr. Sevier I presume will be here in a few days. At last dates from Queretaro there were wanting fifteen congressmen, and three senators to complete the quorum. We have received news here of a battle at [Chiguagua], in which we took fourteen pieces of artillery from the enemy. I am at present studying Humboldt's history of Mexico, in Spanish. The rain is quite abundant here at present and interferes somewhat with my evening visits. It is believed that our presence here is destroying the extreme superstition of this country. But not withstanding the influence of our presence, the natives still with uncovered heads drop on their knees, at the approach of the Archbishop's carriage; which is recognized by its being drawn by two spotted mules.

General Pillow's trial is not yet finished and the general opinion is that it will be terminated in the United States. We are told here that our people at home, think that the army do not wish to return from Mexico, but if such is the truth they are much mistaken. An expedition started a few days since, for [Popocatepitl] which is a volcanic mountain to the S.E. of and in full view of this city, and which still issues clouds of smoke at times. I should probably have gone my self, but as the temperature is so extremely low, resulting from the crest being capped with snow, I feared that my health might suffer.

In conformity with the armistice, the Mexicans have taken possession of their archives, and have resumed the civil administration of their government. Santa Anna at last news, was at his hacienda near Jalapa (Encerro) again bidding adieu to his country. Whilst at his hacienda he received the visits of Colonel Hews, and several other American officers. General Valencia died a few days since in this city, the news of which proved fatal to his daughter, who died a few hours subsequent to its reception. I have heard of no other who mourned his fate. The general hospital is ordered to be moved to Jalapa, and General Patterson I believe will go down at the same time, to take command of the station. This movement appears to indicate an anticipation of leaving the country.

Remember me to Mr. Arnold, Thomas and other friends.

T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from National Palace, Mexico. Letter regards news of the war and General Pillow's trial.

Transcription

City of Mexico. May 20th 1848

Sir The Secretary of War having informed me by letter of the 20th of April ult. that I have been appointed by the President Assistant Commissary of Subsistence I have the honor to notify you for the information of the war department that I have accepted the appointment.

I am sir very respectfully your obdt. servt.

T.J. Jackson 1st Lt. 1st Arty Genl. R. Jones Adjt. Genl.

Scope and Contents

Written from Mexico City, Mexico. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's appointment.

Transcription

Governors Island Aug 26th 1848

Dear Sister Finally I have arrived at this station which is in sight of the city of New York. I have had some hopes of visiting you this fall but I have not been able to arrange my affairs here for that purpose and consequently I can not say when I will be able to visit those of whom I so frequently think and so much desire to be with. I presume that I could get home this winter by making sacrifices which I ought not to make, for instance if I should leave some other officer might be attached during my absence who would rank me in case of his remaining with the company after my return. I do not believe that Capt. Taylor would give his sanction to any officers coming to the company who would rank me, so long as I remain with the company or so long as there are officers enough with it, but my absence might reduce the number of officers so much as to render another officer necessary to the company.

But I am in hopes that next summer I shall be able to see you and if so I purpose on visiting the springs at several places and visiting those parts of Virginia most remarkable such as the Natural Bridge. You will please let me know the distance from Beverly to Staunton, & the time in which the stage [visits] it, and also the distance from Beverly to the White Sulphur Springs.

As yet I do not know where I will be stationed. I hope that ere this your eyes are perfectly recovered. I am still getting better. I have been brevetted a captain though as yet it is not published. Write frequently to your brother.

T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Governors Island, New York. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's new station.

Transcription

Carlisle Barracks Penn September 5th 1848

Dear Sister I had the pleasure of receiving your letter directed to New York but the same day I received orders to attend as a member of a general court martial at this place which is about a hundred miles distant (east) of Pittsburgh {following 17 words are marked out with heavy ink}...in your own house on the 10th of October which is earlier than you even requested. As I have already given you my reasons for not coming this fall it is unnecessary to state that I may make sacrifices in visiting you. But on reading your letter I concluded that I would use my influence to do that which I so much desire to do (to visit you). But as yet, the court has not adjourned, and I have not yet got my leave of absence granted, but Capt. Taylor told me that he would not only approve of it, but recommend it, but before I can get it, I must obtain the permission of the Colonel of my Regt. and of the Secretary of War. But should I not arrive by the time specified, do not have anxiety about it. If it be unsuccessful the fault shall not be mine.

There are many very interesting ladies here, and there has been almost a soiree every day since my arrival, and at which I have enjoyed myself well. When I obtain my leave, should I get it, you must not expect me to stay with you more than a month. And I hope that your health will be much improved by that time. You need not write to me, until you receive another letter from me, as I cannot say where I may be any coming day. Remember me to Mr. Arnold, your family, and my other friends. My health I think, is still improving.

Your brother T.J. Jackson

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Written from Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Letter regards a trip to attend a court martial and the desire to visit Laura Ann Arnold (Jackson).

Transcription

Fort Hamilton N.Y. Harbor. Jany 1st 1849

Dear Sister I suppose that you begin to think it time, that I should write, but I am not certain that my physician agrees with you about that as he has been cautioning me about confining my mind too much. But at all events, I shall venture to say, that I am still living, and with the blessings of God, hope to live, for some years to come. My physician has pronounced my lungs and liver sound, and that the liver has only been sympathetically affected.

I saw about that claim of [Warren's], and it is worth nothing, the Sheriff having failed to make his certificate. Whilst in Richmond, I called on Mr. Carlisle, and was received by him, in a very cordial manner, and during my stay there, he allowed no opportunity to pass unimproved, in which he could manifest his kindness. The night after I left your house I passed out at the head of the Valley river, and the next morning was in about 17 miles of Huntersville. But not withstanding I reached the Hot Springs too late for the Wednesday's stage, and consequently had to wait until Friday.

I am as you have observed at Fort Hamilton, which is on Long Island about ten miles below the city of New York, and on the east bank of the Hudson River. Remember me to Mr. Arnold, the children & c.

Your brother Thomas

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Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's health and travel back to New York.

Transcription

Fort Hamilton. Feby 1st 1849

Dear Sister I have more than once thought of your request to write to you and give you the fashions, but such would be a difficult thing for me to do as I do not know even so much as the name of the different parts of a ladies apparel. I in the matter of dress agree perfectly with the Parisians (who not only give the fashions for New York City, but for the civilized world) that a person ought to adopt such a style of dress as is most becoming the particular individual and not that which is adopted by the greater portion of mankind, unless it should be at least reasonably suited to your complexion, height, figure &.

I have begun my historical studies having read about one fourth of Ro[bi]ns Ancient History. If Mr. Arnold can prevail on the wagoner who may bring my books to Cumberland, to put the box in the office of Adams & Co. who have an office in Cumberland, and a train of cars running from there to New York, he will secure them to me more effectually than in any other way. Let the man take a receipt for them, and forward it to me at this place. The box should be marked as follows: Captain T.J. Jackson, care of the Quartermaster in New York City, N.Y. The manner in which the company do business, is to give a receipt when any thing is delivered at the office and then to turn over the article when the receipt is presented, and if the article should get lost to pay the owner for it.

The cholera has entirely disappeared from this place (Quarantine). The weather is quite disagreeable. I caught the rheumatism in your salubrious mountain air, which is harassing me no little. I am gaining strength and flesh. If Mr. Gibson will write to Captain Arnold, who is at Fort Monroe Va I am of the opinion, that he will get some information in relation to the ammunition which was charged to his brother, as he was a lieutenant in Arnold's Company. I am well fixed here, having my rooms both carpeted and decently furnished. Remember me to Mr. Arnold, the family, Aunt White, Uncle, and our other relatives.

Your brother T.J. Jackson

P.S. The gold fever is running very high here. I have conversed with Mr. Lo[e]ser, an officer of the Army from California, who says that a person can gather on an average about seventy five dollars per day, and that the climate is most delightful, the thermometer standing at from 60 to 70 degrees. As you may not know much about Thermometers, it may not be amiss for me to state, that the higher the thermometer stands, the warmer the weather is. Fahrenheit's thermometer which is the one commonly used in this country and the one referred to above, stands at 32 degrees when water freezes, at 55 degrees the air is temperate, at 75 degrees the air is at summer heat, at 95 degrees the air is at blood heat, and at 212 degrees the air would be at the temperature of boiling water. From the foregoing you observe that the climate referred to must be charming.

T.J.J.

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards style of dress, historical studies, and that "cholera has entirely disappeared from this place." Additionally, the letter includes a discussion of a thermometer.

Transcription

Fort Hamilton N.Y. Harbor April 27th 1849

Dear Sister Owing to a desire to secure some catalogs for Mr. Arnold, I have not written earlier. Yesterday, I went to Harper and Brothers Book store; but he had none on hand; but said that he would have in a few days. I obtained one from Appleton's Book establishment and shall forward it by the same mail as this letter. It do not contain all his books, when I shall have obtained one from Harper, I shall also forward it. And if Mr. Arnold shall want any books that may not be found in either of them, let me know what ones they are, and I believe that I can find it in some part of the city.

Your request had not yet been complied with, but I rely on your generosity of character; as my strength has forbid much exercise, and especially walking on the hard pavements of N.Y. city. But I am improving in both flesh and strength and I hope in health also. I am now under the care of one of the first medical men of N.Y. city. I have lately commenced visiting more frequently, and every few evenings receive an invitation to some social party. Yesterday whilst walking through the city, I thought of the pleasure which I would derive from sharing the contemplations of its beauties and wonders with you. Naturally I recalled to mind, and applied to N.Y. what the Frenchman asserted of Paris, when he said that when a man had seen Paris, that he had seen all the world.

In New York may be found all most anything which the inclinations may desire; but peaceful quiet: every thing is in motion, every thing is alive with animation. In its busy throng, none feel the long tedious hour; even the invalid for the time forgets his infirmities, and with wondering admiration contemplates the surrounding scene.

Frequently you are the subject of my thoughts, and if you were only within reach of rapid communication would receive more frequent visits. The weather is moderating here.

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards book catalogs and Stonewall Jackson's health.

Transcription

Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Harbor, June 12th/49

Dear Sister, Doubtless you are expecting an answer to your last, and in truth, not without reason; as I have not written for more than two months. But my silence has not originated from your not replying to my former letters, but is due to other causes, such as weak eyes and pressure of business, as I have to discharge the duties of Quartermaster & Commissary in addition to my other company duties, and from such causes I have now a number of unanswered letters on hand.

I wish when practicable to write to you once every month, and I do not wish you to reply unless your eyes will admit of it without pain, because I prefer that your health should be preserved to any other Earthly consideration, and I hope that you will not strain your eyes on any account whatever. We can not appreciate our blessings unless deprived of them. My health is improving.

I forward to Mr. Arnold a catalogue of Harper's publications. If there is anything in it which he wishes, I hope that he will not fail to let me know. When you get possession of my books, I wish that you would retain them until I see you, or write relative to them.

I have not subscribed for Graham's magazine, but will do so if you desire. I merely sent a copy in order to see how you would like it. I hope to send you a copy or number(?) of the Lady's Book which some prefer to Graham's, though I can not say which is best, but when you shall have received it, you can judge for yourself.

I have received my commission as Brevet Major, and am gratified that you had an opportunity of doing Judge Lee a favor.

I sent a fifty dollar bank draft to Sylvanus White, with a request that he would pay Miss Caroline Norris a small sum, I think 2.50, 3.00 or 3.50 cts, which she let me have for the purpose of making a small purchase, which I did not make; and as I have heard nothing of him since, and as some months have elapsed, I fear that something may be wrong. I wish that you would ask Miss Eliza Norris about it, and if Sylvanus has not settled it, I wish that you would. If at any time, you should not receive an expected letter, try and make yourself easy, as in case of any accident happening to me, I have friends who would not fail to give the necessary information.

The Cholera in the city is on the decline. I have no dread of it as I believe that those who keep their system in a healthy state have but little to fear.

Your sincere brother Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's health, magazine subscriptions, and finances.

Transcription

Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Harbor, Monday, July 2/49

My Dear Sister, The morning duties ended, and through the blessings of that all Ruling Being, I'm allowed the privilege and pleasure communing with you. I received some days since, a letter from John White informing me of your visit to him and of the news of his vicinity, but which it is not necessary to mention as I presume that all is probably already known to you. I was gratified to learn that Uncle C.E. had been released from the [illegible], and had left Lewis for a more congenial clime. I also received a letter from cousin Elizabeth [Griss], informing me of the marriage of cousin Indas (her sister), of her own recovered health and of the prospects of her promising brothers Ben and William. She also stated that the health of Aunt and Uncle Williams was good. But she had not heard from you, since my visit. If your eyes should become so, as to allow of your writing without pain, then try and drop her a note for truly she is one of your friends. But I hope that you will not strain your eyes for the purpose of writing to anyone. You can at least send her your card and an occasional messages by some of the Lawyers.

I feel much concern about your eyes, for I fear you will strain them. Remember that the best physicians are opposed to straining that important organ and when it fails or begins to fail naturally that they recommend spectacles. But this should be the last resort, and should only be used when necessary : for instance, some persons can walk about, out of doors and in doors without the light hurting their eyes: but must use this auxiliary in reading. The great objection to spectacles is that when their use is once commenced, it must be generally continued through life. A person when selecting a pair should select the lowest number, which will answer the proposed end and then as circumstances require, increase it. But I would advise you not to use them as long as you can do without them (at the same time avoiding pain).

My eyes were so weak some months since that I could not look long at objects through the window and to look out of doors was frequently painful, though but for a moment, and I was reduced to the necessity of masking my looking glass on account of its reflection, and I could not look at a candle, not even for a second, without pain. I consulted my physician and he told me not to use them, and at the same time to avoid spectacles. I did so and at present can read a letter of three or four pages without feeling any inconvenience of consequence. My health is improving and my strength adhered to my wholesome diet, of stale bread and plainly dressed meat (having nothing on it but salt), that I prefer it now to almost anything else. The other evening, I tasted a piece of bread with butter on it and then the bread without it, and rather gave my preference to the unbuttered bread; and hence I may never taste any more of this once much relished seasoning. And I think if you would adopt for your breakfast a cup of moderately strong black tea, stale wheat bread (wheat bread, raised and not less that 24 hours old) fresh meat, broiled or roasted is best, the yolk of one or two eggs (the white is hardly worth eating as it requires digestion and affords but little nutrition). For dinner the same kind of bread & meat, one vegetable only, say peas, beans or this years potatoes, and for drink plain water. For tea, the same kind of bread and drink as for breakfast and nothing else, unless you choose a little butter. The great beauty of the foregoing is that it furnishes all the nutrition which food can give and at the same time does not interfere in the digestive process like other substances such as salt meats, cabbage, lettuce, desert (such as pies, preserves, nuts, and all kinds of sweetmeats). Of what I have recommended, you can eat as much as your appetite craves, provided that you take regular meals, and plenty of exercise, say not less than three hours per day. I presume that your daily duties require you to be moving probably that much. Salt meats may be eaten, but fresh is preferable, and I regard green tea & coffee so injurious to the nerves that you should always prefer water to either. Now if you can make up your mind to adopt the foregoing for one year, I think that you will probably never wish to change it, and that after using such a diet for two or three months that you may experience marked advantage from it, but you must bear in mind that your meals must be at fixed hours. If you arise at seven five or six O'clock and go to bed at nine or ten, then seven would be a good hour for breakfast, one for dinner and seven for tea. And you ought to always retire to bed before eleven. If you should conclude to adopt the forgoing, do not taste other things of which you are fond: unless it be fruits and those should be ripe. I think that a small quantity of fruit eaten when ripe and in the fore part of the day, is advantageous. You should try and forget that you are infirm and pay no attention to your symptoms as most any person can by being too attentive to every little pain.

Remember that good wholesome food taken at proper times is one of the best of medicines. I shall have hopes of your improvement when you have resolved to taste nothing of which you are fond, except such things as I have mentioned. If you commence on this diet, remember that it is like a man joining the temperance society; if he afterwards tastes liquor, he is gone. T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards family news, Stonewall Jackson's concern for Laura Ann Arnold's (Jackson) eyesight, and a new diet.

Transcription

Fort Hamilton April 1st 1850

My Dear Sister Your letter came to safe to hand, and with pleasure its contents were read. During the past month, our stables were burned. All the horses were saved, though mine, with some others, were injured a little. The damage was near four thousand dollars.

I regret to say that circumstances will prevent my return home this summer, but on the 1st of October, I expect to be ordered to Fort Washington, opposite Mount Vernon, where I expect to get a leave, and visit you during some portion of that month.

My health continues to improve. My muscles have become quite solid. My exercises are of a violent character, when the chill blain {chilblain} on my feet do not prevent it. I hope that Little Ann has entirely recovered.

When I make my proposed visit, I shall endeavor to take with me such things as your letter has specified, provided that they are attainable. Some of them may be difficult to get. My past winter has been much more pleasant than the preceding. The weather here is at present delightful; but in a few days it may be the reverse as it is much influenced here on the Sea Board, by the direction of the winds.

On Thursday last, I, in company with 18 others had a grand sleigh ride, it was the best snow of the season, but in 24 hours, there was hardly a trace of it to be found.

Sincerely your Brother Thomas P.S. Remember me to Mr. A. and family.

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards a fire at the stables, a potential visit in October, and Stonewall Jackson's health.

Transcription

Fort Hamilton N.Y. Harbor April 24, 1850

My Dear Uncle, I have with pleasure received, and read your very kind letter, but it was a pleasure mingled with pain at seeing those passages, which spoke of the death of friends and relatives. Though the rumor of uncle Cummins' death may be true, yet I cannot believe it without further evidence. I shall write to California and try to ascertain. I hope that no decree will be obtained for settling his property, but should such authority be obtained, then will not some of his friends who have means come forward and prevent its sacrifice. Certainly if he has a friend, now it the time for its manifestation. You spoke of my giving assistance, but my pecuniary affairs are so arranged that I have not ten dollars in cash which I can call my own.

There is no man on Earth, whom I would befriend sooner than Uncle Cummins. Let me know who have betrayed him and in what he has been betrayed, give me a full history of names and facts as soon as possible; and strain every nerve to prevent the granting of the decree. I expect to return home in the Fall, when I will see what can be done; though I fear that I will not be able to do any thing, but I can not tell what good luck I may meet with by that time.

I believe that I will leave my horse in the possession of McLean until then. I am in much better health then when we parted and hope through the blessings of a kind Providence soon to be restored to perfect health. I have not received a single line from California. I have a delightful station and hope to pass a pleasant Summer.

Remember me kindly to Aunt and other relatives and friends. Your nephew T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards the death of "Uncle Cummins" and family finances.

Transcription

Plattsburg Barracks N.Y. May 10th 1850

My Dear Sister, You observe that I am now on the border of Canada, it is for the purpose of trying some prisoners.

My health is still improving and in a short time I expect to return home to Fort Hamilton. In coming to this place I have passed some charming scenery. This place is on the Western bank of Lake Champlain. I should like very much to visit Montreal and Quebec before returning South, but want of time and money will prevent it. On my way here I saw the old Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. And in front of this Garrison, was fought the great Naval action of the late war.

Remember me kindly to Mr. A and Family. Your brother Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from Plattsburgh, New York. Letter regards travel to New York "for the purpose of trying some prisoners."

Transcription

Fort Hamilton N.Y. May 20th 1850

Sir, I herewith enclose an Invoice of Public Property, directed to your address, and turned over this day to Genl. H. Whiting, Asst. Qtr.Mstr. Genl.,for transportation.

I am Sir, Very Respectfully, Your obedient servt. T.J. Jackson 1st Lt. & Bvt.Maj. 1st Arty. A. A. Qtr.Mstr.

To S. Lansing Jr. Esq. Mil. Storekeeper U.S. Arsenal Watervliet Troy

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards an Invoice of Public Property.

Transcription

Fort Hamilton N.Y. Harbor

My Dear Sister, I have received yours and in reply, can say that my health is still improving. Your requests shall be attended to, but it will be necessary to wait until my arrival; as I know of no safe mode of conveyance. You speak of your fruit and flowers. I cannot indulge in the luxury of the former, but of the latter, I take great interest and I hope that you may always cultivate them. It shows a refined taste to abound in admiration for the beautiful, and it has the additional advantage of endearing children to their home. With pleasure they must through different periods of their lives look back to their garden filled with beautiful flowers. And when they see the same flowers, even in distant countries, how vividly will it recall to mind their home, their Mother, Father, brothers, sisters, and all their early associations.

I will not get home this summer, but have some hopes of coming in October, but I can not say what the result will be. How can I get through those mountains during the Winter season.

I wish that I could come and spend the entire winter with you, but such I fear will be impractical. Do not make any calculations, but expect me when circumstances will best admit of my taking a leave. I have recently received a letter from uncle John White and Aunt Catherine. The family is well, uncle Jack and Aunt Nancy are dead.

Uncle had recently received a letter from our cousins in California and they say that Uncle Cummins is undoubtedly dead. This is news which goes to my heart, uncle was a father to me.

I want to bring Thomas a good violin, if neither you nor Mr. A. has any objection to his learning to play on one. Remember me kindly to Mr. A. and family.

Your brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Hamilton, New York. Letter regards a potential visit in October and the death of "Uncle Cummins."

Transcription

Fort Ontario N.Y. Aug 10th 1850

My Dear Sister, You are probably surprised at hearing from me so frequently at different points as a member of Courts Martial. I am now about twelve hours from Niagara Falls, and consequently intend visiting them before returning home. I will leave here in the evening and be at the Falls next morning.

The Court will probably remain in session for several days.

Fort Ontario is situated on the lake of the same name and in view of the city of Oswego.

If circumstances permit me to return home to Va. this coming fall, how can I get to your town most conveniently from Washington City. My health is still improving, but is as yet so delicate as to render much regularity necessary, and it is probable that I am more particular in my rules that any person of your acquaintance.

I fear that I will be much exposed in crossing the mountains, unless there is a stage line through from Eastern Virginia. When you write, let me know what kind of flowers, plants, & are in your garden and what kind you would like for me to bring. I expect that I can obtain almost every description in New York.

I am to commence staying at a water cure establishment this evening where I expect to remain during my stay here. I have great faith in them for such infirmities as mine. I have been for some months adopting it to a certain extent, and with advantage.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. and the family.

Your brother, T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Ontario, New York. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's membership "of Courts Martial."

Transcription

West Point N.Y. Sept. 3rd 1850

My Dear Sister, I am again at my first Military station, and a very pleasant visit it is. Here I see objects which recall many pleasant & agreeable associations of my youth, but it is my lot to meet but few of my comrades of those bygone days. All other things are visible, though changed. One of my former Barracks is torn down and another constructed. But among the existing and unaltered objects are the garden of Kosciuszko, his monument, Fort Putnam, in which Andre was confined and from which Arnold escaped after his unsuccessful attempt to sell his command. Here too is the Plain, the Military works and above all, its grand and lofty mountains. I am on a Genl. C. Martial, which will soon adjourn.

I have been quite unwell and had it not have been for my judicious application of water, I can not say what would have been the consequence.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. and family.

Your brother, T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from West Point, New York. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's visit to West Point.

Transcription

Fort Meade, Fla. Feb. 25th 1851

Dear Sir, I have just received your communication of the 4th inst. containing the kind proposition of bringing my name before the Board of Visitors of the V. M. Institute as a candidate for the Professorship of Nat. & Exp. Phil.

Though strong ties bind me to the Army, yet I can not consent to decline so flattering an offer. Please present my name to the Board and accept my thanks for your kindness.

I am sir, Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt. T. J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Meade, Florida. In the letter, Stonewall Jackson gives his approval to put his name before the VMI Board of Visitors for a professorship position.

Transcription

Fort Meade Fla. April 2nd 1851

My Dear Sister, Your affectionate letter has been received, and read with much pleasure. I should think from the character of them, (the last few) that your health has improved very much; although you do not say so in so many words.

I have hopes of being able to live near you for a while. I received a letter from Col. Smith, the Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington, in which he kindly offers to present my name to the Board of Visitors in June next, as a candidate for the Professorship in Natural and Experimental Philosophy in the Institute. I have accepted his offer; but am unable to say whether I shall be elected. If I knew who would compose the Board, then I could form a better idea. If I have a few friends on it, my chance will probably be good. I consider the situation both conspicuous and desirable. I will be in about 150 or 160 miles from you, will have quarters, and receive twelve hundred dollars per year. Philosophy is my favorite subject. I hope through the blessings of Providence to succeed in securing the Post.

I have heard that the Hon. Joseph Johnson is to be our Governor. Is it Joseph Johnson of Harrison? if so I am much pleased, as he had befriended me on more than one occasion.

I believe that John Stringer will probably be on the Board of Visitors in June next. This information I received by yesterdays mail. Where does he live? I see that Mr. Carlisle has been making two speeches in the convention. I look upon him as one of the promising sons of Virginia. I hope before long to see him in Congress. I am much pleased at seeing cousin Wm. J. Jackson also in the Convention. Indeed I have some hopes that our ancient reputation may be revived.

I might have sent this letter sooner, but I designedly delayed it for to see if yesterday's mail (6th of April) would not enable me to give you some good news, but I did not receive the information which I was waiting for, but in my next I hope to be in possession of agreeable tidings for you, but I am not over sanguine.

I received a few days since, a very kind, and well-wishing letter from Genl. John J. Jackson. When I visit you, I want also to visit him. I find that I have many friends, indeed I have found that all to whom I apply for assistance are ready to give me a helping hand. The generals letter was particularly gratifying to me.

I shall not attempt a Theological discussion with you a present, hoping to see you during the present year, when I hope that you will have all of your questions and ideas prepared for the investigation of your brother.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A., to Aunt White, to Uncle, Cousin John, Uncle Stalnaker and Col. Goff and other friends.

Your brother Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from Fort Meade, Florida. Letter regards a potential position at VMI and family news.

Transcription

Fort Meade Florida April 22nd 1851

Col. Your letter of the 28th inst. informing me that I have been elected Prof. of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Artillery Tactics, in the Virginia Military Institute, has been received.

The high honor, conferred by the Board of Visitors, in selecting me, unanimously, to fill such a Professorship, gratified me exceedingly.

I hope to be able to meet the Board on the 25th of June next, but fear that circumstances, over which I have no control, will prevent my doing do before that time. For your kindness in endeavoring to procure me a leave of absence for six months, as well as for the interest you have otherwise manifested in my behalf, I feel under strong and lasting obligations.

Should I desire a furlough of more than than one month commencing on the 1st of July next, it would be for the purpose of visiting Europe.

I regret that recent illness has prevented my giving you an earlier answer.

Any communication which you may have to make previous to the 1st of June, please direct to this place.

I am Col. Very respectfully Your Obt. Servt. T. J. Jackson

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Written from Fort Meade, Florida. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's appointment as a VMI Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Artillery Tactics.

Transcription

Lexington, VA August 20th 1851

My Dear Sister I am much pleased with my situation. I have commenced my military duties and am reviewing on of my text books. My health has much improved since you heard me say good by.

I sent you a pamphlet a few days since, it was by the request of my old Physician with whom I was residing in the North. He appeared to take a deep interest in me and to be interested in those who were interested in your brother. From him I have learned many important truths concerning health. His names is Lowry Barney. I felt home sick at bidding adieu to his estimable family. Mrs. B. said that I did not appear like a stranger but like a relative, they were more kind than I could have desired.

From my present room which is in the 2d story of the Lexington Hotel. I have a lovely view of Mountain scenery. Lexington is the most beautiful place that I remember of having ever seen when taken in connection with the surrounding country.

I expect to go to the Springs next month with the Corps of Cadets. We shall leave about the 8th and return about the 25th, about the 13th we will arrive at the White Sulphur.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. & family and to my friends and relatives. I suppose that you had a fine mental feast on Miss B's notes. I designed burning them. Please save me the trouble by doing me the favor

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's arrival at VMI.

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Lexington, Va. Oct. 8th 1851

My Dear Sister, I have had the pleasure of receiving your letter and the articles which you sent to me.

I have seen Mr. Cowen and requested him to call on you, and have made a similar request of Mr. Henderson, whom I esteem very highly. He is the brother-in-law of Col. Smith. I am much obliged for the articles. An opportunity will hardly be afforded for visiting you this winter. I have received a letter from Cousin Margaret Neale: She as well as our other relatives are well.

The academic duties commenced on yesterday week.

My health has through the blessings of Providence been so much improved to enable me to enter on my duties, with which I am delighted.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. and family, and to all enquiring relatives & friends.

And say to Mr. A. that I hope to be able by his assistance to get some fine fossil specimens from his farm when I next visit Beverly. I remember of having seen some beautiful specimens of shells, near the bridge about Mrs. Bakers. These he showed me in 1848.

Your brother Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson starting his academic duties and general family news.

Transcription

Va. Military Institute Lexington, Va. Jany. 16th 1852

My Dear Sister, Your letter has like every other good, brought with it pain. But I hope that your health will again return among the blessings of Providence to brighten the remainder of your days as well as those of mine.

I have been desirous of writing at an earlier day; but our examination and other duties have prevented my doing so, and even now this pleasing task is performed during the height of the examination. It could be delayed no longer without a degree of pain, which your brother is unwilling to experience on this subject. This trying ordeal will close about Thursday next.

I hope that you will look back if you through your past life and see if you can not find some cause for your afflictions.

Now my dear sister. You are aware that I am troubled about your hopes in relation to the endless futurity. The best plan that I can conceive for an unbeliever in God, as presented to us in the Bible, is to first consider things in reference merely to expediency. Now considering the subject with reference to expediency only, let us examine whether it is safer to be a Christian or an Infidel. Suppose two persons, one a Christian and the other an infidel, to be closing their earthly existences and suppose that the infidel is right and the Christian is wrong, they will then after death be upon an equality. But instead of the infidel being right, suppose him to be wrong and the Christian right, then will the state of the latter after death be inestimably superior to that of the other. And if you will examine the history of mankind it will be plain that Christianity contributes much more to happiness in this life, than that of infidelity. Now having briefly glanced at this subject, to what decision are we forced on the mere ground of expediency, certainly it is to the adoption of Christianity.

Having made our selection of Christianity, the next point is to consider whether we can believe the teachings of the Sacred volume; if so, then its adoption should of necessity follow. I have examined the subject maturely, and the evidence is very conclusive, and if we do not receive the Bible as being authentic and creditable, we must reject every other ancient work; as there is no other in favor of which, so much evidence can be adduced. Oh Sister! do pray to God for his mercy, and eternal life through our Redeemer Jesus Christ.

I have not yet been able to procure the peaches of which I spoke in my former letter. Cousin Harriet has returned from her visit to Point Pleasant, which was to her very pleasant. Uncle Minor Neale's daughter has returned home, with her grand-father who came north for her. Talk to Thomas & Grace for me and tell them that their uncle is very much obliged to them and that they must continue to be good children, and do what their mother and father may require of them.

Remember me very kindly to all inquiring friends and Relatives.

I should be much pleased to see a literary institution in Beverly; but I cannot see how to be serviceable to it. If you will state in your next what I would have to do as agent I would be enabled to give a more definite answer.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Laura Ann Arnold's (Jackson) health and a discussion of Christianty.

Transcription

Va. Mil. Institute Lexington Va. Feby. 7 1852

My Dear Sister, Though much pressed with business and far behind in my correspondence, I can not defer any longer a letter to you. Our examination has closed and academic duties have been resumed.

Next week I hope to take up the subject of Optics. The approaching summer is looked forward to by me with no small degree of interest, as our vacation will commence after the 4th of July.

Your health I hope is completely restored before this time: mine is still delicate. When did you last hear from Parkersburg and how are our relatives and friends? Do you see anything of John White's family. The weather had been extremely cold, but at present it is lovely.

I have not heard from you in weeks upon weeks. Remember me very kindly to Mr. A & family and to all enquiring friends.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards academic duties and general family news.

Transcription

V.M. Institute Lexington, Va. February 21st 1852

My Dear Sister, Your welcome letter including that of our cousin, has been received, and with no small regret do I consider your past afflictions, but we are all the children of suffering sorrow in this world. Whilst it has many pleasures, it is not, nor will not be divested of its cares. Amid affliction, let us hope for happiness. But divest us of hope and how miserable would we be! It has never forsaken me, nor in my humble opinion, never will. However dark the night, I am cheered with an anticipated glorious and luminous morrow. May such ever be your happy lot. No earthly calamity can shake my hope in the future, so long as God is my friend, and on this subject I expect to have a long conversation with you next summer. I feel ashamed of not having written to you earlier, but even now I am debtor a number of letters in other quarters, which in time, have the preference, but my conscience will not be troubled at this species of fraud.

I am glad that cousin stopped with you. I received a letter from cousin Sylvanus White recently in which he states that his location is in Missouri, but for the future, he can not say to what quarter his steps will be directed.

My health has improved. What do you propose doing next summer during my visit. I suppose that plans you have in abundance. How is the family: give my regards to all individually. Tell Thomas that I should like to have him with me sometimes very much & that he must be at home the next time that I visit him. Remember me to all inquiring friends and relatives. How is Cousin John White and Aunt White.

Your Brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and Stonewall Jackson's trip to see Laura Ann Arnold (Jackson) next summer.

Transcription

V.M. Institute Lexington, Va. April 10th 1852

My Dear Sister I have nothing which can call for a letter from me at this time except the pleasure of writing to you and to say a word in reference to your mentioned garden seeds, & c. Tell me the precise kinds of seeds which are desirable and if you can the mode of conveyance for them to Beverly. I might possibly procure some grafts of apricots & [illegible] if they could only be sent to you.

I sent for my box sometime since, but have not yet obtained possession of it. This is a beautiful day, though the preceding few have been cold and have injured the fruit prospects, particularly the apricots and other early fruit. The plank road from Staunton to Buckhannon, which latter place is about 25 miles distant from here is now under construction, through our town. The stage travels about one third faster on it than on the dirt road.

I am anxiously looking forward to July.

When did you last hear from Cousin Margaret. She appears to have dropped me as a correspondent. I certainly gave her ostensible reason for so doing by not answering her letter more promptly. But this was occasioned by the pressure of other things.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A., the family & to all enquiring friends and relations.

Tell Thomas and Grace I am not going to allow them to see their Aunt Nancy until they both offer to love me more than her. Tell them that their Aunt does not care about them half as much as I do.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards garden seeds, fruit, and general family news.

Transcription

V.M. Institute Lexington, Va. May 1st 1852

My Dear Doctor, Your interesting letter has been received and perused with much pleasure. But my matrimonial success as you are ere this probably aware of was a hoax. I suppose that some interested friend thought that I ought to be married and that it would be well to remind me of my duty before efforts would be too late. Frequently your intended, is to be seen with all her prepossessing fascinations. Why do you not come on? Certainly you will be here on the 4th. The weather here is at present beautiful, though for months it has been unseasonably cold.

How are you pleased with Philadelphia? What are Penrose's prospects for distinction in his profession. Of all the cities in this Union, that of the Quakers has my preference. Its public squares, magnificent edifices, it's water works & c, including that universal task which strikes the eye at all its points, must make it very interesting to all, who are only consulting pleasure.

Trueheart is now in Washington city, engaged in the Coast Survey. There is only one assistant here at present (Stewart). Our appropriation bill has not yet been acted on by the Legislature.

Judge Baldwin is not expected to recover from his recent attack. Judge Brockenbrough will probably be a candidate in place of Judge Baldwin for the Court of Appeals.

Prof. Calhoun of Washington College will leave this coming summer; his successor is so far unknown. Every thing is quiet at present in the Institute and I hope will ever continue so.

There is to be strong [stage] opposition through here this season. Let me here from you whenever a spare moment will permit.

Your sincere friend, T. J. Jackson

[On verso; not in Jackson's hand]

Resolved that it is with feelings of the most profound regret that we have heard the announcement of the decease of our fellow student & associate Dr. [illegible] Weir; whose gentlemanly bearing & Christian deportment has served not only to endear him to all with whom he came in contact but to render him an ornament and honour to the noble profession of which he was so faithful a votary. Resolved that we do sympathize most sincerely with the bereaved relatives & friends of his House upon whom this dispensation of Providence has fallen so unexpectedly & painfully.

Resolved that from respect to his memory we will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.

Resolved that a copy of the proceedings of this meeting signed by the Secy. & Pres. be forwarded to the family of the deceased & that the same be published in the Richmond & Alexandria papers.

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards a potential visit from George P. Terrill and general news.

Transcription

Va. Military Institute Lexington, Va. May 14, 1852

My dear Sister, Your welcome letter had been received; but you do not give me definite instructions about garden seed, grafts etc. But I should think that it would be useless to get any for you unless they are such as I can convey in person for you may judge of the difficulty of getting anything from Lexington to Beverly from the fact that though I have used effort upon effort to procure the box which you sent to me and have told the stage driver to spare no expense in procuring it, yet from his negligence or from some other cause it has not yet come to hand.

I wish that you would either get Miss H. to take it back to Beverly on her return, or else send a servant with it to the stage office at Staunton and have it sent to me put on the way bill and directed to me at Lexington, Va. to the care of E. Porter.

I have recently received a letter from Cousin Margaret Neale, which states that she is engaged in teaching a school and that all our relations are well and that Cousin Lizzie Neale, daughter of Uncle Minor is on a visit and that she will probably remain North all summer.

I hope that by this time your health is entirely restored. Though my manner of living is very abstemious, yet health has not returned with all its blessings. Yet I am much better than when I last bid you good bye.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. & family. Tell Thomas and Grace that their aunt does not say a single word about either of them.

The weather had been very pleasant for the past few days, though the present one is not remarkably agreeable as a part of the time is sunshine and a part rainy and the balance is a mixture of both. In Beverly there is probably snow to be seen even this late in May.

This evening we are to be favored with a vocal concert. I wish that you could accompany me. I believe that as yet you had not been informed of my daily exercise. I have to walk about a mile and a half for each meal: 3/4 to and 3/4 from it. And in the morning I usually walk about a mile and a half before breakfast and in the afternoon about two miles or more before tea.

Your brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards a missing package, family news, and a vocal concert.

Transcription

Va. Military Institute Lexington, Va. June 5th, 1852

My Dear Sister, Your welcome letter has come safe to hand but I regret that your health is not yet restored though improved at present, let us hope to see the day when you will again enjoy that greatest of earthly blessings in perfection. Do not begin to look for me until the latter half of July. I may be with you in the first part but I can not speak definitely at present.

My box has not yet arrived, but I have spoken to a friend whose family lives in Staunton to endeavor to have his family to forward it. I shall try to get some grafts to take with me.

Is it a fur hat which I am to get for Thomas, if so it would be desirable to have the measure of his head.

The weather is quite cool here this morning though for sometime back it has been very warm.

The people are beginning to visit the Alum Springs.

I wish that you could see our Institute for I consider that it is the most tasty edifice in the state. We have had green peas for sometime and the strawberries are I believe beginning to disappear. But the cherries are just coming in season.

Beverly must be cold enough for all practicable purposes even at this late period. I am enjoying myself more than I have done for some years; but still my health requires much care and rigid regard to diet.

I hope that the news may be true that Uncle Cummins has returned; to meet him will be a proud day in my life. He has certainly been a good friend to me. Have you heard anything from cousin E.J. Jackson.

A bill has recently passed out state Legislature which appropriates 30,000 dollars for the purpose of completing our Barracks. We expect during the coming session to have about 18 or 20 more cadets that at any previous one and when the buildings shall be completed the accommodations will admit of upwards of 200. This past year we had to refuse admission to a large number. Remember me very kindly to Mr. A & family & to all inquiring friends and relatives.

Your brother Thomas P.S. I hope that you will not make any calculations as to the manner of passing the present summer until after my arrival at Beverly. T.

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and barracks construction.

Transcription

Alum Springs Rockbridge Cty July 12 1852

I arrived here yesterday in as good health as usual and am delighted with the waters so far. The Springs are crowded there being about four hundred visitors and the accommodations being only adequate for 275 or 300. I succeeded in procuring 1/2 a bed; there being one room for four occupants. In a few days I hope to be better off. Though we have but two beds to 4 persons in my quarters; yet the beds are good, and the servants, and proprietors, and the their assistants are attentive.

Boarding is 10 dollars per week. This water I consider is the water of waters. This place is more crowded than any other in the mountains and I have not heard of a single person who is dissatisfied though my enquiries have been many.

My appetite and digestion have already improved and I indulge rather freely. My dinner was principally bread (which was rather fresh), potatoes and green corn which is by no means digestible. My supper rich corn bread & the same for breakfast (using butter freely at each meal)

Remember me very kindly to all enquiring Relatives and friends. Your brother, Thomas

This establishment was sold a few days since for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. T.J.J.

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Written from Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virgina. Letter regards the springs and Stonewall Jackson's health.

Transcription

Lexington Va. Sept 7th 1852

My Dear Sister, A line from you has not even come to hand yet. I hope that this is not a result of ill health. An improvement of health began to reward me for my visit to the Alum Springs, within as I believe less than 24 hours after my arrival there. I remained at the Springs for three weeks and then left with regret.

The checks have not yet come to hand, has the letter containing them been received by you. Our duties at the Institute have been resumed, and things omen well.

I have for months back admired Lexington, but now for the first time have truly and fully appreciated it. Of all the places which have come under my observation in the U. States, this little village is the most beautiful.

In a few days I hope to write a letter to cousin Harriet Murdoc and I shall urge her to leave home next year. She is a lovely lady and if she were not my cousin I might ardently desire her to be my wife. She is so estimable: I feel proud of her as a cousin. I enjoyed myself very much at the springs and would have been delighted to have had her with me.

I wrote to Richard Camden and to Dr. Bland requesting them to join me at the Alum but have heard nothing from either of them.

I hope that the baby has entirely recovered and that your health continues to improve. Remember me very kindly to the family and to all inquiring friends and relatives.

Your brother, Thomas

Has Cousin Nancy returned home? How is Miss Eliza and Mrs. Hilly? T.J.J.

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards an appreciation of Lexington and general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. Oct. 9th 1852

My Dear Sister, Your kind letter has finally come safely to its place of destination. I felt concerned about your long silence, for fear that your health was bad.

I have found on my return home that the peaches here were not so abundant as I had supposed but the apples are at abundance. Though peaches are not so plentiful as I had supposed, yet I have spoken to a person to secure me two or three bushels and if he fails I will endeavor to secure them by sending to Lynchburg, which is near forty miles and through that section I have been informed that there has been no scarcity. I hope that by this time the baby is entirely well and that health and prosperity are among the number of your domestic blessings.

My health has been much improved by visiting the Alum Springs. I have been and am still using the water, but its effects are not so good as when used at the Springs.

Cousin Harriet has written me a letter which I prize very much, it speaks the purity of her character. I wish that I could be with her during my leisure moments. They would pass so delightfully under her pure and elevating influence.

Cousin Margaret is married, though of this you have probably already been informed. She is the wife of the person to whom I believe you alluded when we were at Parkersburg. Aunt would not consent to her being married at home and she was consequently married at Uncle William Neale's.

The weather here is very warm and the ground is quite dry.

What news have you from the letter containing the drafts. I wish you would let me know as soon as convenient, whether there is any hopes of getting possession of them. Let me hear from you as soon as convenient.

John Gittings is doing very well.

Remember me very kindly to each member of the family and to all enquiring relatives and friends.

Your brother Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. October 25th 1852

My Dear Sister, Your very kind letter has come safe to hand and I am glad to learn that you are enjoying as many blessings as still fall to your lot. I hope that by the time of the receipt of this that the children will all be in perfect health.

George Lurty has been here for about two weeks. He and Mr. Harrison (son of Wm. Harrison of Clarksburg) design taking a course of law lectures this winter under Judge Brockenbrough.1 George is a young man of very fine mind, and I hope that he will acquit himself with much credit this winter. A young Mr. Stribling from Point Pleasant is also here. He is brother to the Miss S. of whom I presume you have

1Now, Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia. heard cousin Harriet Murdoc frequently speak. Cousin Harriet I regard as being one of the sweetest ladies with whom I have ever met. I wish that we could be together frequently. I hope that she will make a visit next summer to this most beautiful of places. How sweet it is to meet with congenial spirits!

I wish that you would forward me the checks by the first mail as I am in need of them. The peaches have not yet come to hand but as soon as they do I will forward them without delay.

I weighed yesterday one hundred and seventy two pounds and a fraction. This is six pounds more than any former weight. My health has much improved and I hope that through the blessings of God, I will ultimately enjoy perfect health. Remember me very kindly to Mr. A and family and to all enquiring friends.

Your brother Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards course designs for law lectures and general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. November 11, 1852

My Dear Sister, Your letter has been received with its enclosures, but it had brought sorrow to my heart to learn that you health is unusually delicate. My dear sister, my concern for you is great. This concern is not restricted to you whilst in this world, but it extends into the unending future, and my continual prayer is that you will return into the fold of God. My dear sister, if you will but seek God in the bible conditions he will give you peace and comfort while all the powers on Earth can not de[liver] and the hopes of a coming immor[tality] will make all the ills of life supportable under every circumstance. Your mother prayed for you and I believe that the same may be said of your brother Warren. And can it be that the prayers of them and myself united, will not be heard by "Our Father in Heaven." I fear that you concern yourself too much about the things of this life.

I expect that you have probably been devoting too much care to the articles which you spoke of forwarding to me. Now do not think any more about me in relation to them, but bear in mind that I have plenty of everything except health and that this has much improved.

I hope that health will return to you with all of its blessings. I have written twice to cousin Harriet since we parted. I do think her one of the sweetest ladies. I wish that I could be in her society more frequently than circumstances will permit.

We have had a lovely fall in this portion of the state. My kindest regards to Mr. Arnold's family, all inquiring friends.

Your brother, Thomas

P.S. This morning I fired ten guns from the Battery of Artillery in commemoration of the origin of the Institute. This day, thirteen years it went into operation and it is now in a very flourishing condition, so much so that we cannot accommodate all the applications.

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Laura Ann Arnold's (Jackson) health.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. December 11th, 1852

My Dear Sister, Your kind letter has received the perusal of a brother and I hope that though ill health is your present lot, that notwithstanding, you will continue a buoyancy of spirits and not give way to surrounding troubles. I too am a man of trouble, yet let the oppressing load be ever so great it never sinks me beneath its weight.

I trust that this will find you improving if not well. Our session will have its semi-annual examination in the early part of the coming January. When did you last hear from Cousin Harriet Murdoc. A cadet from Point Pleasant tells me that she had been there on a visit, but that she has returned home.

Lexington has been very gay for some time back, owing to the marriage of one of the daughters of the late Governor McDowell. The weather is quite inclement at present.

You must talk to Thomas and Grace for me and tell them that their uncle frequently thinks of them and that he would be very glad to have them with him. But that he does not like bad children and always talk to them for me in such a manner as to make them better. I suppose that you have heard of Cousin Margaret Neale's marriage.

I am very busy this winter with studying and hearing recitations, having not only to prepare on Natural Philosophy and Artillery, but to be in the section room three and four hours per day additional. My spare time is given to reading and to other sources of improvement.

Your brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news and preparations for teaching Natural Philosophy and Artillery.

Transcription

Va. Military Institute Lexington, Va. February 1st 1853

My Dear Sister, I hope that ere this your health has improved and that the returning spring will reanimate your feelings, and suggest the idea that it is but the symbol of the endless beauties and enjoyments of the world to come. The passage of Scripture from which I have derived sufficient support whenever applied is in the following words "acknowledge God in all thy ways and he shall direct thy paths." What a comfort is this!

My Dear Sister, it is useless for men to tell me that there is no God, and that his benign influence is not to be experienced in prayer, when it is offered in conformity to the Bible. For some time past, not a single day has passed by without my feeling his hallowing presence whilst at my morning prayers. I endeavor to live in accordance with the above passage which means as I understand it, in all thy ways acknowledge God and he shall take care of you in all respects.

What better protector can we desire that one who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent and who hath promised that he will take care of us in all things, and in addition to all this the pledge coming from One who cannot lie.

Our weather here has been quite cold for sometime back, but at present it is very beautiful; too much so to be of long duration I fear. Persons I believe have generally filled their ice houses.

I rather begin to despair of the peaches as I have not seen a dry one to my recollection since returning home.

You remember that during the past summer I was very much reduced in flesh, at present I have more than desirable and sometimes endeavor to reduce it, but the nervousness with which I have been so much troubled and the disagreeableness of cold feet induce me to adhere to the indulgence of the palate. But my dishes are very plain: generally brown bread is the principle article for Breakfast and Tea and sometimes I probably do not taste meat for more than a month and I have not to my recollection used any other drink than cold water since my return home, and hope that such may continue to be the case.

I heard from Judge Allen a few days since: Cousin Mary is well, one of her daughters is rather ill. I met the daughter at the Alum Springs during the past summer. She is a beautiful girl.

Though I desire to hear from you frequently; yet I never wish to do so when there doing so, requires that your eyes should be tasked. To know that you are destroying or endangering the happiness of yourself, and those around you, produces more pain than the receipt of a letter cam compensate for.

Cousin Harriet Murdock was well when her last letter was written. A letter from her is daily expected.

Your Brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards health and general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. April 1st 1853

My Dear Sister, Time as it passes brings me to the renewal of the pleasant duty of writing to my sister, though there is nothing here of which I am aware that can be of interest to you, beyond what may be felt in an only brother. Let pleasure result from the mere act of writing to you. Our lives have been checkered in a most marked manner and we are still, notwithstanding all the ill omens of our youth, living even beyond the usual period of human life and I trust that before us are the brightest of our days. In taking a retrospective view of my own life, each year has opened as I consider, with increased promise and with my present views, the future is holding richer stores in reserve. Could you only believe with myself then would you also bear the present with patience and look forward to the future with a calm serene and pleasurable delight.

I too have crosses, and am at times deeply afflicted! But however sore may be the trials they lose their poignancy, and instead of producing injury I feel that I am but improved by the ordeal. But how is this accomplished? By throwing myself upon the protection of him, whose law book is the wonderful Bible. My dear sister I would not part with this book for countless universes. I feel ready to make every sacrifice to carry out the will of him who so loved us, as to give his only begotten son to die for me. How exceedingly great must have been that love!

The more I learn, the more dear does the precious volume appear to me. O Sister, if you would only pray! If you would only become religious! I derive much pleasure from morning walks, in which is to be enjoyed the pure sweetness of caroling birds.

The weather is delightful at present, and our peach trees are beginning to bloom, and in the course of a few more weeks, the forests will be clad with verdure.

Judge Brockenbrough's law school has closed its session and George Lurty has returned home; after having passed a profitable winter. If he will only make the best of his facilities, a brilliant career may be expected as his reward. He possesses talents of a high order.

I have not heard from Cousin Harriet for a long time. It appears she has forgotten me.

Sometime since, Cousin Sylvanus wrote to me, and stated that he was at home, but expected in a few days to leave for the west. Talk to the children for me as I would were I with you. Remember me very kindly to the whole family and to all enquiring relatives and friends.

Your brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Lexington Rockbridge County, Va. April 15th 1853

My Dear Sister, Our spring is opening beautifully, though it is said to be late. I wish that I could only be with you this evening, ah! Not this evening only, but many evenings. I am invited to a large party to night and among the scramble, expect to come in for my share of fun. My health is still improving and in a few months through the blessing of an all kind providence, I hope to be well, at least so much as people usually are.

I wish that you would send me by the return mail the daguerreotype which I had taken in New York after having shaved. The one with the beard on, was taken at New Orleans soon after my return from Mexico. This last one I wish you to keep safely as I prize it highly. If you remember, I gave you two others one being taken with a stern countenance, and the other with a smile, it is the smiling one which I want and don't fail to send it well enveloped, by the first mail. If you wish it to be returned, I will try and do so in a few months or else a better one in its stead; as I think your brother is a better looking man than he was when that was taken. It may be that you have not got the one which I had taken with the beard on, if not it is lost. I am anxious to get Father's, in order to have a facsimile of it taken, but do not trust it to the mail. I believe you let Cousin Harriet have the grim looking one, which I gave you, ungrateful girl that she is. I am going to write to her in a few days such a letter as such conduct in a pretty cousin merits.

I hope that you are out of bed, and able to enjoy the comforts of domestic life. Kiss the children and tell them a great many things such as their uncle would tell him were he in their company.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. and to all the family and to all enquiring relatives & friends. Should any person be coming here, I would be glad to get my Blair's Rhetoric.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

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Lexington, Va. June 6th 1853

My Dearest & only Sister, Your melancholy letter has brought tears to my eyes. Yet I would never have you conceal anything from me because of the pain which it may cause me. If your health is really as you state, I would rather know it. My dearest sister, with tears in my eyes and a heart devoted to my God, I look into the future beyond the limits of this transient life of care; and see the dark gloom which is to exist throughout infinite duration. That whilst I am "to shine like a star in the firmament for ever and forever," you are to be assigned to unending misery.

What my dear sister is this life, and all its joys, compared to that which is to come. How happy would I be did I but know that beyond this probationary life we should be together for ever more, there with those who have gone before us, to enjoy endless happiness. My sister, do reflect upon my course of life, think and see if I have ever erred since arriving at mature age, and then consider how I could ever have been satisfied of the truth of the Gospel; unless it is true. Have I ever erred in the affairs of this life? Remember too what strong irreligious influences have been brought to bear on me and yet in spite of all opposing obstacles, I am one of the most devoted of Christians.

Will you not have some faith in the prayers of a dying mother & brother? My dearest sister, do throw yourself into the hands of God. Throw yourself upon his mercy, repent of your sins and believe that the father will accept your prayers, and forgive your transgressions, for the sake of his son's merits. Remember that he hath said that they who come unto him he will in nowise cast off.

I shall leave here as soon as my vacation shall permit and hope to be with you by the 12 of July if not before. I had designed making you a visit this summer, but did not know whether it would be before or after my return from the North. I have business which calls me to New York City this summer and I was desirous of going some more distant places.

You speak of Dr. Bosworth's son. I wish that it was in my power to do him a service but being here as Professor, I ought not to abuse my trust in any way. I wrote to the Doctor in reference to his son, but I believe omitted to state that in his letter to the superintendent of the Institute he should state that he was unable to educate his son himself. When he calls to see you, I wish that you would mention this to him & also tell him that Col. Samuel L. Hayes is on the new Board of Visitors for your place.

I most sincerely hope that his son will get the appointment and if there is anything which I can do for him consistent with my duty as Professor, it shall be done with a great deal of pleasure.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and a potential visit in July.

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Rockbridge Alum Springs August 3rd, 1853

My Dear Sister, I arrived here yesterday in good health, and expect to leave for the North this evening, via Lexington. There are about five hundred visitors here at present, and the accommodations are nearly exhausted, and in a few days it is quite possible that persons from necessity will be turned off. I hope that Stark has quite recovered. Remember me very kindly to all the family, and to all other enquiring relatives and friends. Say to Mrs. [Hillie/Hellee] that I saw Judge Brockenbrough, but that as he is not a Freemason, I shall try elsewhere. I expect to be in Staunton tomorrow and hope to be able to find some influential Mason there who will attend promptly to the business. I endeavored to do so when coming through Staunton, but did not succeed. I intend to press the matter until some definite action shall have been taken upon the subject.

Say to Dr. Bosworth that I saw John1 yesterday, and that he was well with the exception of a sore leg. I asked him if he had written home, and he said that he had not done so, that he did not wish to, because of his leg being sore. I advised him to write and say nothing about his leg as it would be better to let them hear from him, though he should say nothing in respect to this. His leg did not appear to trouble him much, he was going about the encampment and did not appear much lame. He told me that he would write. If you should say anything to the Doctor about John's leg, tell him to have no concern about it. But probably it would be best to say nothing about the subject of health. I am scarce of paper. Tell Miss Eliza that she must be on the look out for something in relation to me, and in reference to which she called my attention.

Your brother, Thomas

Say to Doctor Bosworth that I did not hand in the list for John, because of its having already been done.

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Written from Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virginia. Letter regards the springs and general news.

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Lexington, Va. October 19th, 1853

My Dear Sister, Sometime since when Mr. Tanner the Daguerreian was passing through here on his way to Beverly, I availed myself of his kindness to send you and Grace and Thomas the little purchases which I made last summer and I hope that they reached you safely. I should have sent Father's miniature also, but upon reflection thought it would be better to defer doing so until a more favorable opportunity should present itself. I hope that Mr. Tanner called to see you, he is a very worthy person and one in whose integrity I have much confidence. The weather here is beautiful and I am enjoying like. To me my wife is a great source of happiness. She has those requisites of which I used to speak to you, and sends her love to you. Tell Mrs. [Hillie] that I have not yet learned the result result of the application; but that it shall be followed up until some answer shall be obtained.

In my last letter, I spoke of being in Philadelphia. We remained there from Saturday until Monday, when we proceeded to West Point where I was delighted with my easy associations: The beautiful plains, the frowning ruins of Fort Putnam, the majestic river, and magnificent scenery all conspired to enhance my happiness which had already been of a high order. The ladies1 also were much pleased with it.

After remaining there until about 12 o'clock next day, we resumed out route for Niagara Falls. This of all natural curiosities is the most sublime and imposing which has ever come under my observation. We put up at the Cataract House, which is on the American side, and the next morning crossed over to Goat's Island which separates the Falls into two parts, that point on the East of the Island is called the Transcript American Falls and that on the West side the Canadian. The latter is much the larger, by reason of the greater quantity of water which passes down on this side of the island. The Canadian falls are called the horseshoe falls from their resemblance to a horseshoe, the toe being up stream. When looking at this wonder of nature I desired to be left to my own interrupted thoughts, it lulls the mind and forbids interruption, it calls on the mind for its entire and undivided contemplation. More of this in my next. Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. the family and all enquiring friends & relatives.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards a trip to Niagara Falls, New York.

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Lexington, Va. November 30th 1853

My Dear Sister, I hope that upon the receipt of this that you will be induced to break your long silence. Do not think that because I am married that I would not be glad to receive a letter from you. I am going to the wedding of one of my old bachelor friends this evening. His name is Massie1, a graduate of the Va. Mil. Institute; the lady is Miss Sophonisba B. McDowell, daughter of the late governor McDowell.

At present my health is influenced by a cold in the head; but to such things in my own case, I attach but little importance, for with care they are dissipated in a few days. My wife is in good health, and sends her love to you & the family.

Things here are working smoothly, the weather is fine, and I am much pleased with the coming prospects. Give my love to Mr. A. and the rest of the family. Tell Mrs. Hillie that I saw the gentleman to whom I made application in her case, but a few days since, and that he that he had not been able to do anything for her as yet, but on account of the recent expenses of the lodge; but that he was certain that he would get twenty dollars at least, and that he would be in Richmond this winter, and that he would bring her case before the grand lodge of the State. But tell her not to be too sanguine about success for fear that she may be disappointed. In my opinion, something will be done for her, but how much it is impossible to say.

I believe that at the close of my last letter I was making some remarks upon Niagara, and I had probably finished them. After leaving there, we proceeded in a carriage down the Niagara River for a few miles to Lewiston, where we took a steamer and proceeded to cross Lake Ontario on our way to the St. Lawrence River, and at dawn the next morning we were around a cluster of islands called the thousand islands, which present an extremely beautiful aspect and they are probably a thousand in number, some almost covered by bare and rugged rocks and crops and the other beautifully varied with forests of Northern growth. I enjoyed the scene much! Very much! During the day, we passed through the perilous rapids of that remarkable river. In passing one of them we took on board a special pilot of large an athletic dimensions. After thus passing a very pleasant day, we arrived safely at Montreal. To be remembered to all inquiring relatives & friends is the request of your only brother, Thomas

P.S. You may form some idea of one of the rapids from the circumstance that though we were on a high decked steamer, yes the spray was thrown extremely over her prow and so as to fall upon her deck.

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

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Lexington, Va. February 14th 1854

My Dear Sister, Your long looked for letter arrived at last. I am much pleased at having another niece and hope that she may prove as pretty and interesting as Grace. I hope that you may not have a return of the sore mouth, but that better health may bless you than in past years.

It is very singular that Mr. Tanner neglected to give you the things entrusted to him, possibly he changed his route after having seen me and did not pass through Beverly.

I wish that I could get Tom some suitable books here. I may have an opportunity of getting some by the time that any person from this place goes to Beverly.

I send you a lock of Ellie's hair which she reluctantly parts with because of its color, which she hopes may prove more acceptable to your taste than it has ever been to hers. My message to you is that you must prize it very highly as being the token of a sister's love and from a brother's wife.

Send us a lock from your hair and also one from Grace. Tell her to give me the prettiest she has so that I may look at it when I am so far off that I cannot see her pretty face. Tell her furthermore that I have told her Aunt that Grace is very pretty & her conduct much as good as her face.

I have not yet heard of any money being collected for Mrs. Hillie and I feel uneasy about it; yet I have strong reassurances that something will be done, and I shall press the matter until a definite answer shall have been obtained, and the result I will inform Mrs. Hillie of immediately. Ellie joins me in love to you and the family.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the birth of Laura Ann Arnold's (Jackson) daughter and general family news.

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Lexington, Va. March 4th 1854

My Dear Sister, Your kind letter was gladly received, and read. Permit me to congratulate myself on being the Uncle of another niece as pretty as Grace. I hope that you will accept my kindest congratulations and give the same to Mr. Arnold. As yet I have heard nothing of Mr. Tanner.

I hope that Mrs. Hillie is improving in health. I am anxious about her claim, no recent account has been given me in reference to it. Should nothing be reported to me before summer, I shall go to Staunton in person and see about it. Until that time my occupation requires me to be at the Institute.

We have recently been called to mourn the death of my mother-in-law, she without any apparent uneasy concern passed in to that unseen world where the weary are at rest. Her life was such as to attract around her many warm friends, and if she had any enemy in this world it was and continues to be a secret to me. Hers was a Christian life and hers was a Christian death. She had been afflicted with rheumatism for several months previous to the close of her life and on Saturday preceding her death she had the return of hernia which had formerly afflicted her. On the 23rd of February about 3 o'clock P.M. her husband told her that her end had come. She asked how long she could live and he told her two or three hours, and although the Physicians had the same day pronounced her symptoms favorable, she appeared perfectly reconciled. She said that she was not afraid to die and that she found Jesus precious to her soul. [text at left margin] She asked us to kiss her and told her children to live near to Jesus and to be kind to one another. When asked by one her daughters what they should do without her, she replied that the Lord would provide. She was strongly attached to her family and [they] to her; yet she appeared to have no concern about what would become of herself or family, such was her complete confidence in the promises of the Bible. She felt assured that God would provide for her family and she felt that she was going to her saviour, with whom she expected to enjoy unending happiness. Her death was no leaping into the dark. She died with the bright hope of an unending immortality of happiness.

My sister, Oh! That you could thus live, then might you thus die. Do you not remember how much you are concerned about your children when you apprehend the approach of a dying hour. Do my sister turn to God and cast all your care in Jesus. I believe that you had our Mother's and Warren's prayers and now you have mine, and more than mine. My Dear Sister, do seek religion.

Remember me very kindly to each member of the family, my wife sends her love also.

Remember me to all enquiring relations and friends.

Your brother Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.

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Lexington, Va. April 7th 1854

My Dear Sister, As I received your letter day before yesterday, and was desirous of answering it by the return mail, I could only say a few words. I am not certain whether the physician mentioned in your letter, was the same I have heard of as the lecturer in the North, or not; if he is, as I before stated, I should not much admire his character, though he might be a good doctor notwithstanding. Yet I would not like such a man for my physician, if I could get a good physician whose moral character would receive my approbation. If this is not the lecturer, I know nothing about him.

I hope that by the time you receive this that your health will have much improved. But my sister, be that as it may, do turn to God, and obey the teachings of the Bible. If you do not believe its teachings at least obey its doctrines and I believe that God will give you faith. Make but the effort, and resolve to do what it teaches to the close of life, and then you may expect death to be disrobed of its terrors. Remember that you have your brother's prayers, and I hope those of several members of my wife's family, and I believe that you also received the prayers of our Mother and Brother.

I received a letter a few days since from Aunt Clementine Neale. She and Uncle Alford had been south to see Uncle Thornton and Wirt, but a short time before they reached Uncle Thornton's Wirt had gone to California. She tells me that Wirt is a very tall man, and that Uncle Thornton has a very high opinion of him. Uncle Minor's wife lost her last husband in New Orleans some months since and she is consequently again thrown upon her father's protection. I have also received a letter from Uncle John White; his health has improved and that of his family is generally good. Uncle George White's family at last account was well.

My dear sister do try and follow your Brother's council now and remember that this letter is prayed over by him, that it may be the means of your eternal happiness. Let me hear from you soon.

Your affectionate Brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

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Lexington, VA April 11th 1854

My Dear Sister, Last night I received a letter from Uncle John White, in which the states that Uncle Madison is not willing to have Uncle Cummins' property sold so far as to pay off his (Cummins) debts and that Madison is opposed to having the mills rented out again, but is trying to get them into his own hands, and he already had got the negroes from Jacob Jackson. Uncle John thinks that the property ought to be sold so far as to pay off Uncle Cummins' debts and the remainder to be divided among the heirs, and I think that such is the proper course. He offers to do the best he can for you and me provided we wish him to do so. I have offered to give him my interest as an heir because I was afraid that in going to law I might spend more than my interest would be worth. I wish you would let Uncle John know whether he shall do anything for you or not. I hope that by this time all is well with you. Ellie joins me in love to yourself and family.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.

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V.M. Institute Lexington, Va.

My Dear Sister, I have in vain waited for your reply to several letters; if you can not write barely enclose me your card or anything to tell me that you are still among the living. Doctor White left your presents for me with a friend of mine and they have come safely to hand and for which I am much obliged. I regret that he did not call and see me or at least let me know of his being in town in order to give me an opportunity of seeing him and it would have given me an opportunity of returning father's miniature. I have not seen Mr. Tanner since he passed through Beverly; but I suppose that he delivered to you some books for Thomas.

Tell Mrs. Hilley that I have not been able to get anything for her as yet, but that the necessary steps have been taken and that we must await the result which she shall be made acquainted with.

I am a candidate for the Professorship of Mathematics in the University of Va. I am well pleased with my present position, yet the other is more desirable both by reason of its being more prominent, and its being about three thousand dollars. The professor is elected by the Board of Visitors for the University of Va.

We have had some very cold weather here during the past few days but at present it is very fine.

My wife has had the left side of her face partially [paralyzed]1

Your brother, Thomas

P.S. Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. and to all the family and inquiring relations and friends. T.J.J.

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's application for professorship at the University of Virginia.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. May 2nd 1854

My Dear Sister, I chanced to be at the Hotel yesterday when Doctor White was passing through town and was much pleased at meeting him; it served to some extent the purpose of seeing you; as I thereby had an opportunity of seeing someone who had recently been with my sister. He told me that you had written to me and after the Post Office had opened I received your letter. The mass of which you speak I would send to you, had the Doctor not have procured it before seeing me, he told me that he had found it in the shop of some doctor as he was coming to Lexington. Should you wish any more at any time, let me know and I will procure it for you. I do hope that little Tom is free from that dreadful disease the scrofula. I trust that your apprehensions may prove groundless but it always best to be wide awake, and not permit ourselves to be taken by surprise.

I hope that your health may continue to improve. The poor little Babe what can be the matter with it? I suppose that it is difficult to decide in so young a child, but let us hope for the better while we continue to be prepared for the worst.

Ellie's face has not yet entirely recovered; but I am of the opinion that time will effect a perfect restoration.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. and to all enquiring relatives and friends. Tell Thomas and the other children, that I love them, and that they must be good children. Ellie joins me in love to you all.

Your brother, Thomas

P.S. Tell Thomas that I am sorry that he is sick, and that I wish that I could do something for him. T.J.J.

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. June 12th, 1854

My Dear Sister, Your sorrowful letter came safe. Your loss is one which I have never been called upon to bear up under; I can well conceive of the tender union which is thus sundered. You have my sympathy [note 1] and I wish I could point you successfully to the source of consolation. I have [entrusted?] the hair to Ellie's keeping. I am not certain that we will be able to come to Beverly this summer; though, should we do so, I will write to you before hand. I am glad to hear that the other children are doing so well. Enclosed is the ribbon. I hope that it will please you, it was the prettiest that Ellie could find. Should there be any other article that I can procure you, it will give me pleasure to do so. I am not certain about my election; but be the result as it may, my friends have acted nobly in my cause. [note 2] I am very much pressed at this time with studies and letter writing; though a few more weeks will close our session. Tell Doctor B. that his son is in good health. All of my wife's family are at home now, with the exception of one brother, who is in Pa. One of her brothers who is a lawyer in Philadelphia has brought home his bride; having married last Thursday.

I am endeavoring to get an answer about Mrs. Hilley's money: and if I do not get it soon I shall go and see about it in person, and will have the matter settled either one way or the other. Remember me to her and to all my other friends.

Your brother T. J. Jackson Remember me very kindly to each member of the family and to my other relations. TJJ

[Note 1 - Reference to the death of Laura's infant daughter, Laura Zell Arnold (b. Dec. 1853 d. May 1854).] [Note 2 - Reference to Jackson's pending application for a professorship at the University of Virginia. Shortly after this letter was written, the University's Board awarded the position to another candidate.]

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the death of Laura Ann Arnold's (Jackson) infant daughter and Stonewall Jackson's pending appointment at the University of Virginia.

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Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news and includes a portion written by Elinor Junkin Jackson.

Transcription

My Dear Sister, Ellie & myself hope to be with you this day week (Saturday).

I wish you would say to Mrs. Hillie that I have failed in my efforts to procure her any assistance. I much regret this. I do not know of any person belonging to the Staunton Lodge who would have been more likely of success than Mr. Watts, the gentleman to whom I entrusted it. Your Brother Thomas

My dear Laura, The Major is so busy with his duties at the Institute that he has commissioned me to finish this letter for him. Indeed, I have scarcely seen him today. He wishes me to say to you that he hopes you will not exert yourself by making any preparations to receive us; he does not want you to weary yourself or injure your health on our account. The weather is so extremely warm just now that we quite fear the ride in stage, but we hope to find it cooler further among the mountains. Yours affect. Ellie Jackson

Excuse this hasty note as I am much pressed with business. Mr. Bledsoe of Kentucky was elected at the University to the chair for which I was a candidate.

Transcription

Healing Springs, Va. July 24th 1854

My dear Laura, We intended to have written last week to you concerning our journey and safe arrival here, but it was postponed from day to day as such things often are. The journey over the mountains was exceedingly tiresome to me, as the road over the Cheat Mt. had been newly macadamized & the load was heavy for two horses. We had a very agreeable companion

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The Major says they did not know when they would make any mass at the Bath Alum, but he says if you want it he will direct them to send you a keg of it, but he expects the transportation will cost a good deal. companion with us, whose vivacity and intelligence beguiled our way very much. His name was Henry O. Middleton & he is a great land owner & speculator. Much of his talk was about land. It was nine o'clock when we reached Monterey and we left it at two in the morning, so we did not have very much rest-- but by lying down on the seat with my head on the Major's knees & Mr. Middleton's overcoat for a pillow I rested somewhat & did not feel the jolting so terribly as I did sometimes. At Yager's where we dined, they had according to the Major's request a fine dish of trout and I can assure you we did full justice to them. We did not go all the way to Staunton on Saturday, but stopped 15 miles short of it at Dudley's. From there the landlord brought us over to Oakland on the other turnpike. There we stayed over Sunday and on Monday evening we took the stage again. That night we slept at Cloverdale & the next day we came on here, stopping to breakfast at the Bath Alum.

The Major inquired there for the mass according to your wish but they had none and were making none. There were very few visitors there.

We reached these Springs about noon on Tuesday. A good many people have come since we did and now I suppose there are 50 or 60 here. The water is disagreeably warm to drink, but is very pleasant to bathe in. I drink about 5 glasses a day & the Major drinks more. They keep an excellent table and we get the very nicest brown bread, plenty of venison & other meat and twice they had tomatoes, but they were brought from Richmond. They have been examining my face this morning & I think it is a little improved. I let the water run over it when I was in the bath. The Major thinks the water is doing him good. He joins with me in sending love to you & the children & compliments to Mr. Arnold.

Yours Affect. E.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Healing Springs, Virginia. Letter regards travel to the springs.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. Nov. 14th 1854

My dear sister You must excuse this short letter and also my not having written to you at an earlier day, for my eyes have become so bad as to make me very careful with them. You wrote to me that should your health not prevent your coming to see me that I might have expected your arrival several days since. I went to the Hotel to see whether you had attempted such a journey. Though I would like to see you, and appreciate your very sisterly affection, yet I would not like for you to attempt coming over such a road, with all its harassments, so do not attempt it. When my next vacation vacation will enable me to leave (which I cannot do now without neglecting my duties) I trust that God will again permit me to see your face.

My Dear Ellie thought to pass over the stage route from here to Beverly was a hard undertaking for her. After she returned home she was pleased with her visit. She has now gone on a glorious visit though through a gloomy portal. Her companion are of the glorified Host. I look forward with delight to the day when I shall join her. Religion is all that I desire it to be. I am reconciled to my loss and have joy in hope of a future reunion where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. I am much obliged to you for you kind desire to come and stay with Ellie.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the death of Stonewall Jackson's wife Elinor Junkin Jackson.

Transcription

Lex. Va. Feby 20th 1855

My Dear Sister, I have learned with pleasure that your health has improved and I hope that you may not for many a day to come {need} any more medicine. I have gone to both of our book stores but in neither one could be found the books which you require. If you desire it and will let me know I will get one of our merchants when in Philadelphia next month to get them if they are to be had. The spelling book is here but the others I doubt whether they will ever be here unless specially ordered.

I have just written to Wirt I to have done so some time since but have been prevented by my eyes. He is at Mount Vernon Indiana where he recently returned from California. He saw hard times and was glad to get back even with his life, though he brought some money $340 dollars.

My eyes are improving but still I have to be careful with them, the spots continue to float before them. I am obliged to you for your kind suggestion not to hurt them even in writing to you. Maggie has been in Philadelphia for about three months for her health. Is there anything of Dear Ellie's which you would like to have, her pencil, her glasses or anything else?

Love to all. Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

[Note: the last page of this document contains a handwritten copy of a letter not in our collection]

Lexington Va January 24th 1854

My Dear Sister My eyes have improved so that I hope to be able sometim next month to write you a letter. I received your letter yesterday. Maggie is in Philadelphia.

Your affectionate brother Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards purchase of books and health.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. March 20th 1855

My Dear Sister, I sometime since received a letter from Wirt in which he stated that he was at Uncle Alfred Neales, and that he intended going to your house as soon as the weather should settle. He requested me to answer him immediately directing my letter to him at Beverly. I at once replied and I suppose that the letter has reached its destination ere this. He writes a good hand and a sensible letter. He expresses his intention of going to California or his desire to do so. This I

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here but I am unable to select for fear that you may have them or that they may not suit your taste. Remember me very kindly to Wirt when he arrives, to Mr. A., to all the family and to all enquiring friends and relatives.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

hope he will relinquish. I am inclined to the belief that he would probably do as well by making Civil Engineering his profession as at any thing else to which he could turn his attention under present circumstances. But of this I can not speak definitely. He must judge of this for himself. Try and get him to stay with you if you can, until I come and get him to study arithmetic & geography and history: and for this purpose lend him Rollin's ancient history. If Wirt will study Latin I will give him lessons during the summer and put him in the way of learning it so that he can teach Thomas.

I will also if he will consent to do so give him instruction in the different sciences, of Algebra, Geometry and in Engineering and other branches of necessary education and bring with me the necessary books. If he thinks that it will take up too much time for a perfect education, he can take enough for an Engineer in the course of a few months. He can then commence the practice on some of our internal improvements. I have an idea that he might succeed well in this sphere of life. He could whilst practicing his profession make himself a good historian, but it would be the safer plan to get a good education before he commences the practice of the profession.

I hope that for the present Wirt will conclude to teach and then he can as he progresses with his education decide on his profession. I am anxious to know as soon as practicable his determination. I think that the plan of staying in Beverly and taking up a school is the proper one for him if all things are favorable to it, so far as obtaining Mr. Arnold's approbation and a moderate school. I send you two styles of writing but I would not advise the use of but one. If you will let me know which you have selected I can send you [some] others when wanted.

I bought four papers of seed, but can only find three. If you will name the kind of seed you want I think that I can probably get them for there is a variety

[end of letter appears in margin on page 1]

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.

Transcription

Lex. Va. April 4th 1855

My Dear Sister, Your letter of the 30th ult. And Thomas' came by this days mail. I feared from what I recently heard that Wirt's mind had not entirely recovered. And as such appears to be the case from your letter, it might be dangerous for him to be closely confined. He told me in his letter that he was not qualified for any occupation except farming and that he did not have the means for this. I therefore make two offers to him. One is to purchase the farm worth a thousand dollars and let him go on it, and have all that he can make. The other is the system of education which I have already stated to you. Now if you can let him know this in such a manner as to be acceptable to him, I wish you to do so. If you think that such can not be done, then let me know it. He ought not to feel hurt at any assistance which I offer to give him, because he is my brother. Should he conclude to go on the farm, I want him to read during his spare time and having a good memory he can become a good historian. Should he prefer going on a farm, I think it would be well to select one in such a position as will enable him easily to dispose of his produce. He might in a few years be able to refund the money used. I would not charge him any interest. I have not got a thousand dollars on hand now; but expect to have in a few months. Wirt might be looking him out a place suitable farm so that when I come West we go together and see it.

I am sorry that your eyes are so much impaired, but hope that they will be better before this reaches you. I would recommend you to fill a basin full of water and put your face under the water and hold your eyes open in it as long as you can hold your breath. Just do this once whenever your eyes are very painful. This is the course which I am now pursuing. I do it about six times a day in cold water & the water should be as cold as when just drawn from the well or taken from the river. My eyes are quite bad at present. Don't write but make Thomas do it for you. I would be glad if Wirt would write to me. Tell Thomas that I shall answer his letter in a few days and that I am very thankful to him for it. Tell him that I am much pleased with his good spelling. I sent the primer and reader by the last mail. Give my love to all and the family and Wirt.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and health.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. June 1st, 1855

My Dear Sister, Day before yesterday, I received a letter from Wirt written, at Uncle Alfred's. he says that his health had improved and that he ploughed nearly all the preceding day. He also stated that there is a school a short distance below the Island, and that he wants to go to school there when his health is sufficiently reestablished. He says that he likes Mr. Arnold "very much" and that you treated him "like a brother." I am pleased with his letter, and if he continues at Uncle Alfred's, I want to visit him this summer. I should not for a moment suspect from his composition that his mind was injured. He speaks plainly and sensibly.

I hope that before this, you have recovered at least the usual use of your eyes and that all things are moving on pleasantly. How is Thomas getting along with his studies?

This a rainy day here, but is rather brighter that it was early in the morning. I have received the railing for dear Ellie's grave and this summer expect to take steps for the Tomb stones to be brought from Philadelphia. I intend to have them of Italian marble. The iron railing is neat and when I put it up it will be about three feet high.

Pure and lovely companion of my happier days, I feel that she has entered upon the blissful enjoyment of which the human mind cannot have a clear conception. Ere many long years roll by I hope to be with her, where there will be no more separation. We loved each other on Earth and shall that love be diminished in eternity I do not believe it, but on the contrary will be greatly enhanced. Had I one request on Earth to ask in accordance with my own feelings and apart from duty it would be that I might join her before the close of another day after this. I have many pleasures here, but I believe that there are greater in reserve beyond this life.

If you want me to bring any thing in July, let me know in your next.

Give me love to all the family & to all inquiring relatives & friends.

Your affectionate brother, T.J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. June 18th 1855

My Dear Sister, Your letter post marked 10th Inst. came a few days after I had written to Mr. Watts of Staunton in reference to Mrs. Hilley and he tells me in his reply that the grand lodge could not do any thing for want of Jurisdiction and that the Staunton Lodge could not give assistance for want of funds. A recent house built by this lodge has prevented any aid from this source. Mr. W. said "We have purchased a very fine lodge room at a heavy expense, and all the means we can well share must go to pay for it." So you see how hopeless the case is. Say to Mrs. Hilley that I much regret this issue of the application. I had hoped that something would have been done, but as the Staunton and the grand lodges have both failed, I don't see that any thing is to be hoped for in this section of the state.

Julia last week purchased two collars for you but she could not find a suitable belt. I afterwards went in search of one, but with a similar result. There are plenty of them, but not such as please me, so I intend postponing the purchase until I reach Staunton. I could get a bonnet but I am afraid that it would get broken. I shall think it over when I am in Staunton. The [shawl] I have had no opportunity as yet of sending for. I shall try and bring you some slips from dear Ellie's flowers.

It will give me much pleasure to teach Thomas while I am with you. I have a few old clothes which I will take with me. I much obliged for your kindness in reference to the shirts but don't let any thing be touched until I see you.

Wirt has not written since your last.

Remember me very kindly to Mrs. Hilley & to Miss El[illegible] and to other enquiring friends.

Give my love to all the family. I hope that Aunt and Cousin John's health have improved.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Uncle Alfred's August 10th 1855

My Dear Sister, The object of this note is to state that I was prevented from going on the Hall place. But I learned that she there are 637 1/2 acres to be sold on the 20th of this month. This land is composed of the Hall place, the School Croft place & the Thorpe place, none of which I wish to purchase. It is estimated that it will go at from three to five thousand dollars & is by all regarded as valuable property.

As my eyes continue weak you must excuse this brief letter. Wirt sends his love & thanks for the articles of clothing and says that he wants you to write to him, that he has only received that one short note from you though he has written several letters. Uncle's family are in usual health.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from "Uncle Alred's." Letter regards the potential purchase of land.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. Sept. 3rd 1855

My Dear Sister, As my eyes are still troubling me, you must excuse this brief note. I left Wirt on Thursday of week before last with the understanding that he would start for Missouri on the following Monday. There he designed going to farming on some land of mine which I am to purchase. He is to have some more schooling after he gets located, and I hope that he will do well. He was troubled about the promise which he made to you of paying you a visit. I advised him to go at once and select some place where he would like to live and that I would write to you. It was important that he should as soon as practicable get fixed in some pursuit. His mind was unsettled and flying from thing to thing, and it appears that the course he was prevailed on to take is the best for him. He had learned but very little at school previous to my going to the River. But with the start I gave him in grammar I hope that he will become a good grammarian. I want him to study spelling writing and grammar. I hope that you will write to me soon approving his course and excusing him from his promise. I feet well satisfied that you would do so when I counseled him at once to locate himself. Give my love to all the family.

Your affectionate brother

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. Oct. 1855

My Dear Sister, Your letter to Wirt appears to have had a good influence on him such as to induce him to relinquish his idea of returning to Indiana. Yet he has gone beyond what I authorized him to do by purchasing a farm at eight dollars per acre. I restricted him to seven at most. But notwithstanding if Cousin Wm. Neale will approve of the bargain I have determined to advance eleven hundred dollars. I well know that there is a risk but it appears to me that I ought to run this risk for him. He made the purchase without consulting Cousin Wm. and it may be that he has been cheated. I have written to Uncle Alfred to forward between seven and eight hundred dollars if he thinks it should be done, but with the condition that the contract is to be approved by Cousin Wm. and the deed to be made out in my name. Wirt says that he has paid ninety five dollars of the purchase money by selling his horse to the person from whom he purchased.

Mr. Thomas left for home yesterday and I left at the house where he was staying a testament for him to carry to Mrs. Hilley. It may possibly be that it was not delivered to him, please let me know whether Mrs. Hilley gets it. He was not in when I left the book and he told me afterwards that he had not received it, but I requested him to ask for it before leaving.

Tell Mr. Arnold that I want to get about two thousand acres of land warrant and ask him whether he could purchase me any if I were to forward the money and at about what price does he think it can be procured. I do not want to make any purchases until after Christmas as the general impression I believe is that the price will be lower about that time, but I would like to know what it is worth now. Tell him that my intention is to let the land lay after purchasing it for a number of years without selling it and that as the lands in Kansas are less culled over than those in the free states I will for the same amount of money get better land and that Kansas will almost certainly be a free state and this will give the advantage of a free state in selling should I years hence wish to dispose of them. Ask him what he thinks of these views. Tell him that I have been told there is considerable good land in Illinois still unappropriated and if so I want to lay warrants on some of it as it must ultimately command a high price.

I hope Mr. Campbell will come on and that you will be able to keep him. Aunt Clem told me in a recent letter that soon after my leaving she was laid up from

[end of letter appears in margin of this and previous pages]

Charly & Julia took prizes.

I received Dear Ellie's tomb stones today enclosed a draft of the head stone, it has a full blown rose and a rose bud on the top. William Junkin my youngest brother-in-law is to be married tomorrow to Miss Anna Anderson a lovely a pretty girl. Our synod was a delightful assembly. Your affectionate brother.

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. Oct. 6th 1855

My Dear Sister, Your letter of the 29th Sept. came safely and I am obliged to you for your advise in regard to Wirt, and I agree with you in regard to the course to be pursued. I had previously taken precautions against any such consequences as you refer to. My arrangement with regards to the purchase of land is this. That he should go out and make a selection of such a farm as would fulfill certain conditions, and previous to the purchase the transaction must be approved by Uncle Alfred Neale in the event of his being in Missouri at the time, if not then Cousin William Neale must approve of it. Upon complying with all the conditions, Uncle Alfred Neale is to forward endorse a note which I left in his hands and after getting the money out of the Bank to forward a check for it on [N. T.?] payable to the order of Cousin William Neale. And when the deed is made out in my name Cousin William is to pay the money. So the money is entirely beyond Wirt's control. Cousin Wm. Neale has advised Wirt to do as you recommended, viz. to raise stock & I suppose that he will do so.

When Wirt shall have purchased land, then I expect to furnish him some money to enable him to work it. This he may be able to dispose of, but I will be on my guard about entrusting him with it if there is any danger of [Will?/him?] going back to Uncle Thornton's

I am thankful to you for having written a plain letter to Wirt upon his conduct. I have received a letter from Wirt dated Sept. 19th in which he states that he had reached William Neale's but in going up the Mississippi River the boat was s[wamp?]ed and he left his berth to go forward leaving his purse under his pillow and when he returned it was gone. He says that the country is very healthy. But that improved land is worth from 25 to 30 dollars per acre. Cousin Wm. has advised him to go elsewhere and he is going to look at the lands of Johnson County. He expresses himself pleased with the country and I hope that he may do well. I do not want him to go into a free state if it can be avoided for he would probably become an abolitionist and then in the event of trouble between the N & S he would stand on one side and we on the opposite. Tell Mr. Arnold that next year I want to go West and make investments in land and would be glad could he go along and make some purchases for himself if he desires to make such.

[end of letter in margins of this and previous pages]

William Woodson says that he acknowledges his obligation to assist Wirt but that he is not able. I agree with him that land in a free state rises most rapidly. But I have a scheme on hand which I think approve of and which I will give in my next.

Your affectionate brother Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.

Transcription

Nov. 3rd 1855

I wish that you would not omit to let me know Mr. Arnold's views in your next and whether he thinks that he will go with me and the prospect of buying say one thousand acres of land warrant & the price per acre.

I wrote to James Dicks a few days since, and the reference to his putting up stones at Brother Warren's grave, and I wish that you would drop him a line as soon as convenient giving the days of his birth and death. If you have my letter upon the subject of his death you may find one of the dates from it.

I got Aunt Coty Williams to go with me to Father's and our sisters graves and made arrangement with her for having the graves fixed up so far as renewing the Earth over them and I hope that before a [great while?] we shall be able to erect stones.

The Cadets have been absent at Petersburg and Richmond but are expected to be home today.

T.J.J.

Scope and Contents

Letter regards family news and notes that the cadets "have been absent at Petersburg and Richmond [Virginia] but are expected to be home today."

Transcription

Lexington Va. Nov. 13th 1855

[fragment; only top portion exists]

...it as he was going West to buy land, and gave his note payable in two months. So your....

[fragment; only top portion exists]

-pects be applied as I originally designed. He wrote to me that he could get two hundred dollars for his bargain and if so will have done well by the purchase and sale of it again. I don't know what to do about him. I told him at the time that I made the proposition not to accept of it unless he felt it would be to his interest, and I wrote in reply to his letter expressing the advantages that Indiana offered, that if he was dissatisfied with our engagement not to consider himself bound by it.

Cousin Hardin Neale it appears is really consumptive.

Remember me very affectionately to all the family and very kindly to all inquiring relatives & friends.

Your affectionate brother Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter fragment regards family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. Christmas 1855

My Dear Nephew, Your letter has given me pleasure in various ways. I am glad to know that you can find time from your play to write me so good a letter and hope that you will write frequently. I am sorrowed that your mule should have been so unmannerly as to throw you off & even after doing this should kick you, but now since your Pa has sold him all such accidents I hope will be avoided for the future. I remember having once been served pretty much the same way by one of those kicking creatures. It happened in this way I went with Cousin Wm. Brake whom your mother can tell you about to bring some mules home one Sunday Morning, and as I was riding down a long hill somehow or other I not only got over the mark across his shoulders but he got me over his head and jumped clear over me and way he went & from that day to this I have not been very fond of mule riding. You know they kick out to one side like a cow.

I have corrected your letter & believing that you would understand the corrections better if I returned the letter with the corrections I have concluded to return it with this. And now I am not going to look over my letter, and I expect that there are some mistakes in it & if so I wish when you read it that you would point them out to your Pa or Ma and tell me of them when you next write, and if there are many you can just correct them, and return the letter thus corrected. I hope that you will get to a good school this Winter. I saw Doctor Bosworth this morning at the Hotel or Tavern in Town. He is up paying his son John a visit during the Christmas holidays & I wish that you would go & tell Mrs. Bosworth that I saw him & tell her also that John is well.

The Doctor told me that he thought that you would have a good teacher in Town this winter. I hope that you will get enough money to buy a calf and that you will grow up to be a good & wise man.

Give much love to your Father, Mother, Grace & Stark.

Your affectionate Uncle Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.

Scope and Contents

Fragment regards general family news.

Transcription

Jany 14th 1856

My Dear Aunt, Your letter enclosing Wirt's & its accompanying bonds came safely. And in reply I would state that I even desire that my feelings may never get the better of my judgement. And certainly from all the light now before me it would be in violation of my judgement to aid Wirt until he gives evidence of being a reliable and straight forward person. Though he promised in his letters to give a portion of each to [parsing?] as I had taught him. Yet he has not so much as attempted anything in any of his letters, and it appears

[top margin text is end of letter, see page 2] unless they are responsible persons. that though he promised you not to purchase the watch, yet he violated his promise to you and excused himself by saying that the man made him do so. For the present and until he satisfies me that it would be proper to give him aid I must decline doing it. But it will give me pleasure to assist whenever I can do so with the consciousness that he will do what is right.

Tell uncle that I am anxiously looking for the check from him on New York City as I want to forward funds there as soon as practicable. Much love to uncle and to all the family. Please let me hear from you soon.

Your affectionate nephew, Thomas

I return one of Wirt's papers and will return the others letter hereafter. The deed is to be made to Wirt & this not until is directly the reverse of his obligations & the time of making the deed is deferred until the last purchase money shall be paid & then if they cannot make it, there it ends unless they are responsible persons.

Scope and Contents

Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. Feby. 18th 1856

My Dear Sister, I expect that you have been expecting a letter for several mails as I am several mails behind my time, and acting upon the principle that late is better than never I have concluded to appropriate a portion of this afternoon to a little talk with you.

My paper you see is variegated with colors by obviously not much beautified by such acquisition. This varied appearance has resulted not from color but from the absence of color produced by spilling some nitric acid on it & it has given me about a [illegible] of the same stamp. Tell Thomas he must never give up his Latin grammar nor his English either. That if he perseveres that he may expect to find both of great use after awhile. Tell him that his uncle had to study hard for years at more difficult things than the Latin & grammar and that after he learns it, that it will all be very easy. Tell him also that I want a letter from him when he finds time to write. But he must make himself perfect master of his spelling book and grammar now when he is young and then he may expect to write correct letters, but without knowing these two books he can hardly expect to write correctly. Because all correct writing must have the words spelled correctly and written grammatically.

How is cousin John getting? I have not yet written to him, but if your next letter brings the news of his life being prolonged I think that I will try and write very soon after. My time is taken up during the day and I am afraid to write at night. But my eyes are improving. I have no recent news of Wirt at least for several weeks & I do not know where he is. The last I heard from him was through a letter written to Aunt Clem. Cousin Hardin appointed Uncle Alfred his administrator. If Cousin John is still living, give him my warm remembrances & hope that the visions of the future may grow brighter until faith is lost in reality of those joys which passeth all understanding. Much love to all.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

My Dear Sister, Your letter has come safely, and I am glad to learn that you are in such an exuberant flow of spirits and hope that such much may long continue.

I received, and answered your other letter in regard to the tombstones at Brother Warren's grave. But as I usually answer letters from recollection, thus saving my eyes from rereading, I forgot

[end of letter from page 4 appears on margins of page 1]

Thomas need not repeat his English verb when he is conjugating his Latin verb, but ask him what his Latin verb is in English. I have heard from Wirt and written a very plain letter to him like that which I wrote to you. Much love to all.

Thomas

to answer that particular inquiry, but remembered it afterwards and should have answered it. In this: I wish to put stones to his grave and also to Father's & sister's, and also to Mother's if I knew certainly the spot, but it appears to me that it would be best to put all up at the same time during the coming year. But if you would prefer having Warren's put up now, write to Jas. Dicks & ask him to do so, and pay him the twelve dollars, and ask Doctor Bosworth if it will not suit him to let you have my part of the expense and let me pay it over to Colonel Smith here the same amount for him, it will save him the risk of the losing it by mail, in the event of his sending his money by mail. But should it not be convenient for the Doctor to do so, and you can spare the money until I shall have an opportunity of getting a check I will forward it to you and should there be other expenses beyond twelve dollars I will share them with you.

The congregation here to which I belong have objects to which they subscribe of much more importance to them than your Academy can be, that I am well satisfied that your application would meet with little or no favor here, and I would advise that no effort should be made. We have six annual contributions, and then certain others which are first recommended by over session, and I am well satisfied that the session would consider other objects as more demanding their recommendation than the academy. You need not be afraid of the opposing party doing anything here if they were to do so it would give me an opportunity which I would embrace if at home of urging your claims.

[end continues margins of page 1]

Thomas need not repeat his English verb when he is conjugating his Latin verb, but ask him what his Latin verb is in English. I have heard from Wirt and written a very plain letter to him like that which I wrote to you. Much love to all.

Thomas

Scope and Contents

Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. April 1856

My Dear Nephew, Now for a letter to you, but I would much rather talk to you if you were here, but as I can't talk with you I do not intend biting off my nose by delaying myself the pleasure of writing. Thanks to you for your correction of my letter. And now let us see how many errors you can find in this yours. And now let us read your letter together, and let us number the wrong words. No (1) means to exclude, you wished to tell me to receive, just the reverse of this, and should have said accept. No. 2 should begin with the capital E because the word is an adjective derived from the name of a nation. No. 3 should for the same reason begin with L. No. 4 should be piece, look in your dictionary for both words piece & peace. No. 5 wants an e at the end. I hope that your finger has perfectly recovered. I am much pleased with your letter and want you to write often. Your little sealing wax experiment had much gratified me. And now I hope that you will put all the words which I corrected for you down on a separate piece of paper and memorize them safely so that when I next visit you they can all be repeated by you, Grace and Stark.

I am glad to see them doing so well in their studies. And if you study your Latin grammar well, I think that you will be apt to like it after you become well acquainted with it. We generally like those things best which we can do the best. We usually find that the little boy who can run faster than any other boy fond of running races and the one who can read the best of any in his class fond of reading. And the man who can talk better and speak better than others fond of talking and speaking. I want to see you a good talker, but especially a good speaker and your Latin is very important in making you a good speaker, and so study it with all your might. Besides the correction of my letter let us see if you can correct these words viz.:

[end of letter continues on margins of page 1]

Philadelfia, Pensilvania.

Give much love to all the family.

Your affectionate Uncle Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from VMI, Lextington, Virginia. Letter regards corrections to the letter and general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. May 12th, 1856

My Dear Sister, Thanks for your letter and excuse me for not having answered it sooner. I have been unsuccessful in procuring seed as our seed seller of last year did not bring them on this year. But the apothecary chanced to have a few on hand from which I have selected two papers. The assortment is very poor and small.

I wish that you would drop a note to Mr. Criss or to Cousin Elizabeth and see whether he could not see to putting up the stones at the graves of Father & Sister, and ask what they will come to including the cost of putting them up. And if you can get it attended to I will advance the money at any time for the purpose but before closing the terms let me know because if they are not as good as I can get elsewhere I had better have it done. But it appears to me that all the

[part of end of letter appears on this page]

be absorbed but I hope not, and trust that I shall get through in time to visit you. probabilities are in favor of getting it done cheaper in by Mr. Criss than I could get it done abroad from Clarksburg. I have not been able to ascertain the cost of railing for you but intend writing to Phil. about it. The railing around Ellie's grave was about one dollar and a half per foot.

Maggie left for Phil. last Saturday. I received a letter from Wirt in which he expresses his probable intention of going West again and I understand from his language that he means California; as he speaks of going over the plains or some such phraseology. I have been trying to find his letter but have not succeeded at this time. I fear that I will not get to Beverly this summer as I am very anxious to go direct to Washington City, & begin my work of finding out and locating land and as I may have much to do in the West in endeavoring to find out the best land

[end of letter in margins of page 1 and 2]

all my time may be absorbed but I hope not, and trust that I shall get through in time to visit you.

Let me hear from you soon. I hope that Thomas has received my letter.

Your much attached brother, Thomas

We have had a great revival of religion here.

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Lexington May 19th/56

My Dear Aunt, You may ere this have wondered at my long silence. And it has not resulted from not having thought of you, but this year like the past has been much occupied with my professional duties and I have not yet finished a new book which I am teaching this year on astronomy. But by the way I think that you are a letter in my debt. But with those I love I don't wish to stand on formalities, and you see from the size of my paper that you are not to be troubled with a long epistle.

And you are probably by this time beginning to think that he has not much to say or else he would commence setting about it. But such is not the case, for we have such an outpouring of the Spirit of God in our churches here as I never remember of having seen elsewhere. Your branch of the church has recently been increased though I can not say how much. The Episcopal church about a week since took in nearly twenty five and from present appearances I suppose that about fifty will join the Presbyterian church in a few days when we are to have our commission. The Baptist church is also being blest, and I think that we may reasonably expect more than one hundred from this revival. I feel very thankful to God for such divine blessings.

I wish that Laura was here. I want you dear Aunt to make her one of the number for whom you regularly pray. What answer did she give you in regard to your very kind and Christian letter to her. Pray that the Glorious work of grace here may go on. Laura appears to be blest with unusual good health this summer. I wrote to Wirt sometime since a letter of very plain talk about the same that I wrote to you in regard to him. It was the result of a letter which he wrote to me. I thought that in reply I had better be plain even though he should take offence. For he would then see that I only wish to have business transactions with persons who were entirely reliable. Please give much love to Uncle & to all the family. Remember that I attach unusual importance to your letters.

Your affectionate nephew Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

June 6th 1856

My Dear Sister Your letter came safely. And I begin my reply now though I shall not mail it until Monday. As yet I have not heard from Phil. in regard to the railing, but I may do so by the time of forwarding this. In regard to the tomb stones, I wish as soon as you receive an answer in reference to them, and shall have determined on the price & the time that they are to be put up you would let me know because in the event of their being put up before September I must make my arrangements before starting West. And I wish to know the amount as I desire to employ all of my spare funds in the purchase of lands. Doctor Bosworth will pay you fifteen dollars for me, in return for money which he wrote to me to give his son John this coming summer, but it will not be due until sometime in July as he proposed returning it to me in Beverly this summer supposing that I would visit Beverly. And if the man comes to Beverly as I suppose he does from his furnishing stones for Cousin John's grave, had I not better send the money to you and get you to pay him, getting Cousin Criss to see that he does the work properly. I expect Col. Augustus Smith here this month from Clarksburg and if you can't arrange the matter otherwise, I may be able to arrange it through him.

In reference to Wirt, I am interested in his welfare and had he followed my advice I feel that he would most certainly have been benefited by it. I wrote to him not long since in answer to a letter from him. Ask Mr. Arnold if there is anything which I can do for him this summer in the way of locating land warrants or otherwise. Tell him that my present purpose is to go to Washington from here and after finding out all that I can there in reference to Western lands, to pass into Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and probably Arkansas and say to him that I design following out Transcript his idea of locating some land in a Northern state, but that I am a little afraid to put much there for fear that in the event of dissolution of the Union, that the property of Southerners may be confiscated. I want to locate about three thousand acres, maybe a little more, and if I can please myself will probably put down about one half of it in a Northern state. I would be thankful for suggestions from Mr. Arnold if he has any to make. As yet I have not purchased This is Monday afternoon and no news as yet in regard to the railing by my next letter you may expect to hear about the cost.

Remember me very kindly to all the family. I hope that Thomas is doing well in his Latin and English grammar.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

New York City July 9th 1856

My Dear Sister, I sail in the steam ship Asia for Europe at 12 o'clock today for Liverpool. The reasons for doing so I will give in my next. I gave John Bosworth an order on the Lexington book for thirty dollars and requested that the money should be returned to you. This will do for Father's and sister's graves. Don't ask Mr. Arnold for any money, but if you have not ten dollars to pay Jim Dix [?] for Brother Warren's, you may expect me to advance it when I return next fall.

Much love to all

Your affectionate brother, T. J. Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from New York City, New York. Letter regards a trip to Liverpool, England.

Transcription

Ship Asia at Sea July 18th 1856

My Dear Sister, You have doubtless been surprised at my sudden leaving for Europe instead of going West to purchase or locate land. You may remember that in 1851 I had a nine months leave of absence for the purpose of visiting Europe, but that Col. Smith induced me to relinquish the idea for the time, holding out to me an opportunity at some future time, and that I accordingly did postpone my comtemplate[d] trip.

This year as the time for going West drew near, I became more and more discouraged in regard to investing money in such distant lands, and a gentleman with whom I conversed and who has had much experience told me that he did not think it a safe and profitable investment. Another friend told me that he had come very near losing a part of his, in consequence of his being so far off as to interfere with his giving sufficient attention to it. And I have rather concluded to keep my money invested in stocks of different kinds and thus get my dividends regularly and trust to the blessing of Providence for gradually increasing my worldly goods.

Thus circumstanced I a few days before starting concluded that an opportunity was now offered of going to Europe which would probably never again be presented to me. What should I do with the two months this before me was a question which I did not know how to solve satisfactorily. You are a very kind and affectionate sister. Yet even with you I would be reminded of the loss of that happiness which I once enjoyed with Dear Ellie. So I have to some extent torn myself away from that state of mind which I feared should my summer have been passed at home or in the W. States.

I hope that you will be able to get up the tomb stones by the aid of thirty dollars from Dr. Bosworth. But don't ask anything of Mr. A and when I return I will let you have what ever may be wanting should you not be able to get along with what you have.

I expect to visit Liverpool, London, Paris, Genoa, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Brussels, Antwerp, Edinburgh, and some other points of interest. I wish you would write me a letter to N.Y. City during the first week of October. Remember me very kindly to Mr. A. and to all the family. Kindest regards to all inquiring relatives.

Your affectionate brother Thomas

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Written from "Ship Asia at Sea." Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's trip to Europe and the cities he wants to visit.

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Naples Sept 9th 1856

My Dear Sister, You must excuse my long silence as I have been much pressed for time, and now barely hasten to drop you a line.

Since landing at Liverpool I have been at Glasgow, Sterling Castle & Edinburgh Scotland, York, London & other places in England; Antwerp, Brussels, Waterloo & other places in Belgium. Since then I have passed through Aix La Chapellr, Bonn, Frankfort on the Main,[? going] ascended the Rhine.

From Frankfort I proceeded to Heidelberg and thence on to Baden Baden in Germany, Strasbourg in France, Basle, Lakes Lucerne, Brienze, Thun, Geneva & the city of Geneva in Switzerland, and so on to the great ice berg called Mer de Glas that is sea of ice. I continued in Switzerland for about a week and crossed the Alps by the Simplon Pass as it is called through which Napoleon entered Italy. The scenery of Switzerland is very grand.

Upon entering Italy I passed on through the cities of Milan, Venice, Mantua, Modena, Florence, Pisa, Leghorn and finally to this place. With Venice, Florence and Naples I have been very much gratified. I was at the volcano of Vesuvius last Friday and went about half way down one of the active craters. The scene was truly grand this evening. I leave for Rome. Much love to all.

Your much attached brother Thomas

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Written from Naples, Italy. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's trip to Europe.

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Lexington, Va. Oct. 25th 1856

My Dear Sister, I forwarded to you after returning home a few lines, and with pleasure now appropriate a few minutes to say where I have been during my absence. As to telling what I saw a volume of several hundred pages would be required, but should I ever be permitted to see you I trust that I will be able to pass several hours in narrating my travels. I was unable to come through Beverly and see you. I was several days later returning home than I had designed.

After reaching Liverpool I passed town to the old town of Chester and then out to the Residence of the Marquis of Westminster. His house is called Eaton Hall. Afterwards I returned to Liverpool and preceded North into Scotland passing through Glasgow, Sterling and Edinburgh. After leaving Edinburgh I returned to England visiting York, the residence of Oliver Cromwell, the University of Cambridge & London city. I took a steamboat to the continent landing at Antwerp and passing on to Brussels, Waterloo, Aix la Chapelle, Cologne, Bonn, Coblentz, Frankfort on the Main, Heidelberg, Baden Baden, Strasburg, Basle, Lakes Lucerne, Brienze, Thun, Berne, Freiburg, [illegible], Lake Geneva, Geneva, Mer de Glas (sea of ice) over the Alps, through the Simplon Pass. Milan, Verona, Venice, Mantua, Modena, Florence, Pisa, Leghorn, Naples, Rome, Genoa, Marseilles, Lyons, Paris, Calais, London, Liverpool, N. York, home.

I could talk to you with much pleasure about the very many things of much interest. Tell Thomas that I intend answering his letter in a few days. I am much gratified that you are putting up the grave stones. Should you want any more funds let me know. I found two letters from Wirt waiting for me at home. I will send him a check for thirty dollars if I can get one on N. York for that amount.

[end of letter in bottom margin page 1]

Much love to all.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the places Stonewall Jackson visited during his trip to Europe.

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Lexington,Va. Oct. 27th 1856

My very dear Aunt, It is with pleasure that God again permits me to write to you from my adopted home. Your kindness and that of Uncle has not been forgotten but when you hear where I was during my short absence you will not be surprised at not hearing from me, as my time was even too short to see well what came within the range of my journey. After leaving Liverpool, I passed to Chester & Eaton Hall and from thence returning I visited Glasgow Lochs Lomond & [Katrine] Sterling Castle. Edinburgh, York, London, Antwerp, Brussels, Waterloo, Aix La Chapelle, Cologne, Bonn, Frankfort on the Main, Heidelberg, Baden Baden, Freiberg, Geneva, Mer de Glas, over the Alps, through the Simplon Pass, Naples, Rome, Marseilles, Paris, London, Liverpool, home.

I would like to have a long talk with you all about the many interesting things which came under my observation, but must forgoe the pleasure for the present and to attempt to write about it would be unsatisfactory as a long letter would hardly touch upon the subject. You were doubtless surprised at my sudden determination not to go west but to go to the "Old World." My friends discouraged me so much that about the time that I had contemplated starting as induced me not to go and as my summer was then left unappropriated it appeared as Providence had opened the way for my long contemplated visit and I am much gratified at having gone.

I have determined to send by the next mail a check to Wirt for thirty dollars and as I have not been able to get a check on N.Y. from any bank I have shall send one signed by myself on the person with whom my money is deposited. Should Wirt not be able to pass it, I have requested him to send it to Uncle Alfred hoping that Uncle will be able to get the Parkersburg bank to give a check in exchange. Should Uncle not be able to do so, please return it to me and I will write on to N. York and get a bill or check of deposit if necessary. I hope that their will be no occasion of forwarding it to Uncle. Give much love to uncle and to all the Family and remember that I am always glad to hear from you.

Your affectionate nephew, Thomas.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's trip to Europe and family news.

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Lexington,Va. Dec. 1st 1856

My dear Nephew, Thanks for your letter. I am glad that your teacher has come on and that you are hard studying amo and that you came off so well at the exhibition and I trust that by the time I get to see you that you will know a great deal about Latin and those books which you have just purchased. Remember that this is the 1st day of Winter and that cold weather is the best time for study, and also the best time for taking much exercise and that the harder one studies, the more exercise he should take for it gives him a clear head and a healthy body.

I am much obliged to you all for sending those daguerreotypes & the sugar egg. I shall have much to talk about when we meet of the find paintings & sculpture, and beautiful countries through which I passed last summer. Tell Mr. Thomas when you have an opportunity that Mr. Lyle is much better and that he can walk about some in his room. And does your Pa like the new President Mr. Buch {Buchanan}.

While I was gone I saw some funny things too as well as pretty ones. I remember seeing in England in a town called Chester about 98 miles from Liverpool which I will mention presently as soon as I tell you that Chester is a town with a wall around it, and it and the city of York are about the only cities in England that are still walled and that the York walls are more recent than those of Chester and hence not so interesting as they don't tell us so much about the ancient Britons. It appears that the walls of Chester were built by the Britons in order to protect themselves from the Welsh who lived a little West of Chester. But now for that funny thing and what so you think it was. Well I went into their largest church (called a Cathedral) which once belonged to the Roman Catholics and there among many other things I saw a representation of the Devil in the shape of him swallowing a man feet foremost.

I never knew before that Old Nick lived on men and I saw some other things which I would like to talk to you about.

Write to me soon. Give much love to your Pa, Ma, to Grace & Stark and remember me to all inquiring friends.

Your affectionate uncle, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's trip to Europe and family news.

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Lexington, Va. Dec. 6, 1856

My Dear Sister, I am glad to learn that you have secured a teacher & that she has been with you for some time, and I hope that she is such as you desire she should be. We have just been listening in our village to a series of lectures by Mr. O.P. Baldwin of Richmond. They were 4 in no., viz. "Better time coming," "Humbugs," "Spirit Rappings," & "Yankees & Southerners." As you may judge from their names they were more amusing than instructive. I heard the first three.

You would probably like to hear a little of my whereabouts during the past summer and I purpose on giving you a kind of journal should you so desire me. But should you get tired at any time just let me know. I believe that I said something to you in my last, but as I failed to take a note of my stopping points I shall again commence at Liverpool.

Leaving Liverpool the same day of my landing I proceeded to the city of Chester which is about 18 miles from Liverpool and on entering the Hotel was met by a lady instead of a landlord as I had been accustomed in at home, and she wished to know whether I would have a room & After having secured my quarters I proceeded to the Cathedral, which is a large edifice formerly occupied by the Roman Catholics. At the door I was met by a man who upon learning where I was from inquired after the Fairfax family stating that the representative of that house lived in America and that he was entitled to the succession. It was about the hour of evening service. They have 2 services there per day and this was about 4 o'clock P.M.

He turned me over to the sexton who showed me to a seat upon the condition that I should not leave it until after the service was over. After service he showed me through the building which was quite interesting. Among other things were the seats for the friars or monks which were so constructed that should they become drowsy & forgetful of their duty, their seats suddenly dropt them on the floor & recalled their wandering thoughts. I walked around the wall and saw the tower on which King Charles the 1st stood & saw the defeat of his army at Routen Moor.

Much love to all the family & kind regards to all inquiring friends.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's trip to Europe.

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Lexington, Va. Feby. 26, 1857

My Dear Sister, Your letter of the 8th came safely. I regret that you should have been the loser of so many teeth. I don't like the idea of you being toothless, but as you say another set can be furnished by the dentist.

I received a letter from Aunt Clem requesting me to lend Uncle Alfred two or four hundred dollars for Wirt to buy stock to drive to California. I did not have the money and even if I had should not have lent it for one reason among others is that if Wirt goes to California, he will probably throw himself away or be ruined.

I have recently heard from him and he asks me to lend him thirty dollars but says nothing about going to C. I think that next month when our bank gets in operation that I will send him thirty dollars. I am unable to say whether I will first visit Beverly or North Carolina.

Our winter has been very severe, but for near a fortnight we have had beautiful weather. The aspen is in bloom the and weeping willow is beginning to look green. I am still at Dr. Junkin's.

Tell Miss Eliza that if I should bring her a beau that she must not tell on me lest the old bachelors about Beverly should mob me for trampling on their toes.

I infer from your letter that I was when I dropped my narrative at the Cathedral of Chester. After leaving Chester I passed to a beautiful estate of an English nobleman by the name of the Marquis of Westminster; he lives about three miles from the city, but after driving about half a mile I came to a beautiful gateway somewhat resembling the front of a fine building. Here the porter who had charge of it admitted me and I drove through a park containing about 1800 [or 1900] deer, the race course on which he tries his horses, etc. the fences being made of iron and the grounds containing a variety of luxuriant trees. After passing on thus for near 2 ½ miles, I came to a magnificent palace covered with pinnacles. Here after ringing the bell a servant of quite a gentlemanly appearance came to the door and admitted me by my giving him my ticket of admission which I had procured before leaving Chester. The interior of the building is magnificent. One of the rooms is copied from the celebrated Alhambra of Granada in Spain which was built by the Moors.

Do you wish me to send you the old clothes of which you spoke next summer. As they are not worth much the cost of transportation may cost more than they are worth. If you wish them sent let me know in your next. Much love to all.

Your brother Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's trip to Europe and general family news.

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Lexington, Va.

My Dear Sister, I don't know whether you have yet returned from your visit to Aunt's but I will write to you now, as I have the time and might not have so much leisure in a few days hence and I will begin by stating that I have an invitation for you, and what do you think it is? & who from? For it is not often that I am authorized to send you invitations and especially pressing ones and I suppose you will begin to think or may think well what does he mean? Why doesn't he tell me at once & be done with it.

Well you see I have finished & hope I am done with the first page of my letter & am running on at a tremendous rate, so that if I don't tell you soon, you will hardly get it all from this sheet. Well now having cultivated your patience a little as all women are said to have curiosity I will tell you that Miss Mary Anna Morrison, a friend of mine in the Western part of N. Carolina and in the Southern part of the State, is engaged to be married to an acquaintance of yours living in this village & she has requested me to urge you to attend her wedding in July next. To use her own words she says "I hope your sister will come. You must urge her to do so. I should be very glad if she could come." The wedding is not to be large. I told her that I would give the invitation & having done so, feel that I am free from all further responsibility in the matter. I told her that I didn't think that you would be able to accept it, and if you can't just let me know in your next & transfer the invitation to your humble servant, and he will not decline, for he is very anxious to go as he is much interested in the ceremony & the occasion & the young lady is a very special friend of mine.

I hope that you have had a very pleasant trip to the River. I deposited in our bank a few days since twenty dollars & transferred the evidence of deposit to Wirt & forwarded it to him stating that he might expect more next July.

The present which you made Ellie was never made up, & if you can dispose of it in any way I think that I will send it to you when John Bosworth goes home for I suppose that Anna would feel some delicacy in having it made up. Our weather is beautiful at present & I suppose that spring will rapidly advance now.

Give much love to all. Your affectionate brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. In the letter Stonewall Jackson announces his engagement to Mary Anna Morrison.

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Rockbridge Alum Springs Aug 11/ 57

My Dear Sister, Since my last we have visited Niagara, Saratoga & immediate places. As stated in my Richmond letter, I had expected to proceed from that point to your house, but an enlargement of one of the glands of Anna's neck induced me to consult a physician, & my concern was so great as to induce me to take her to Philadelphia where she consulted a Doctor Jackson of the University, & he was unable to decide as to the true character of the case. But whilst there, I met with Dr. Graham of Lexington in whom I have great confidence, & he advised me to bring her here after making a short tour.

We reached here last Wednesday evening and the enlargement has apparently diminished considerably since that time. We expect to remain here till near the close of my vacation & then return to Lexington. I regret that we have been unable to visit you this summer but I felt that under the circumstances it was my duty to make Anna's health the first object of concern. In coming from Staunton here I fell in with Cousin [Flo?] & her little boy on their way to the Healing Springs. Let me hear from you soon & if you can write before the 25th of this month, direct to this place, otherwise direct to Lexington. Give love to all. Anna joins me in love to you.

Your affectionate brother Thomas

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Written from Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virginia. Letter regards travel to Alum Springs.

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Lexington, Va. Nov. 1, 1857

My Dear Sister, Again I am blessed with the privilege of communing with you. My duties are ended for the week, I may say, as in my department there will be no more recitations this week. But at 4 o'clock the Faculty have a weekly meeting at the Superintendent's.

Through the continued blessings of Providence, my health continues to improve. At present, I suffer more with cold feet than anything else. I have been accustomed to bathing them in cold water; but they have cracked open so much as to render the discontinuance of it necessary. I have an invitation to a party this evening, but must decline going. The citizens of this place are such as I admire.

I have tried on my shirts and they fit very well with the exception of the collars which are not long enough in the band. Accept of my thanks for the present. How are Thos. and the family.

I hope to see you next summer. I had a pleasant time at the Springs, but only visited the Rockbridge Alum, the Bath Alum and the Warm Springs. I saw the blowing cave: it is a remarkable curiosity. There is at one time a strong current of air rushing out and at another time, a strong current rushing in. There has never been but one mouth found to the cave. It is in Bath county and about eight miles from the Bath Alum Springs. My love to all.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news and mentions VMI faculty meetings.

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Lexington, Va. December 19/57

My Dear Sister, You have probably been expecting a letter from me for some days. Owing to an inflammation of the tube leading to the ear and also inflammation of the throat (chronic) and very painful neuralgia, I have been constrained to give up my correspondence for a while. I never remember having suffered so much as within the last three weeks, and now I am compelled to use a vial of chloroform liniment per day externally and am also using a preparation of ammonia. The hearing of my right ear is impaired, but I trust not permanently. I have continued to attend to my recitations, notwithstanding my suffering. In a few days I hope to be free from pain.

The eye medicine helped me for a while I think but I can't say that I have been permanently benefited, and I would advise you not to try the medicine.

Anna is quite robust again. She joins me in love to you all. I wrote to Wirt, advising him to go to some active occupation and to read standard books and thus endeavor to apply his knowledge of grammar and become thus acquainted acquainted with the construction of the language- use is of great importance. His knowledge of the grammar considering the time he has given to it is discouraging. To keep him at school with such little progress is pretty much throwing away the money and time.

Let me hear from you soon.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's health and general family news.

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Lexington, Va. Feby 8th, 1858

My Dear Sister, Your very welcome letter of last week reached me this morning and I am rejoiced to learn that you are so much concerned about "the one thing needful." I have never believed that you would be lost. I have borne in mind that our sainted mother's prayers would not be forgotten by our Heavenly Father. Though dead, her prayers, I trusted would be precious in the sight of the Lord.

You wish to know how to come to God; so as to have your sins forgiven, and to receive "the inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." Now my dear sister the way is plain: the savior says in Mark XVI chapter, 16th verse "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." But you may ask what is it to believe. To explain this I will quote from an able theologian, and devoted servant of God. To believe in the sense in which the word is used here, "is feeling and acting as if there were a God, a Heaven, a Hell; as if we were sinners and must die; as if we deserve eternal death, and were in danger of it. And in view of all, casting our eternal interests on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. To do this is to be a Christian."

You speak of having done all that you know in order to be accepted: this is too apt to be our error. We must not depend on making ourselves holy: but just come to the Father, and ask him to forgive our sins for the sake of Jesus, and rely entirely on the merits of Christ for our prayer being answered. The Father loves the Son and for his sake pardons those who plead the Son's merits. We should never think of presenting any merits of our own for we are all sinners.

Do not trouble yourself too much about not having repented enough for your sins, for your letter shows that you have much concern about the subject. But let me advise you simply to do as God enabled me to do, that is, resolve to spend the remaining part of life in His service, to obey the teachings of the Bible until death, and to rely entirely on the mercy of God for being saved, and though the future looked dark, yet it has become very bright. Never despair, even old Christians have dark moments.

Never omit of pray at regular times. For years your salvation has been my daily prayer and shall continue so. Write to me often and tell me all your trials, that I may

Do not trouble yourself too much about Were it not for my throat, Anna & myself would like very much to pay you a visit this winter. My throat & the sale of a neighbors property next week are the two obstacles. Anna is anxious to go next [week?]. She joins me in love to you all.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards religion and general news.

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Lexington, VA. May 1st/58

My Dear Brother We have a little prodigy one day old this afternoon. She calls herself Mary Graham Jackson. Anna is doing very well, & joins me in love to yourself and sister Eugenia.

Your affectionate brother, T. J. Jackson

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the birth of Mary Graham Jackson.

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Lexington, Va. May 1st 1858

My dear sister, I am very much pressed with business, but I must drop you a line to say that yesterday God blessed us with a charming little daughter, and we have named her after Mrs. Morrison, Mary Graham.

My eyes have been troubling me much lately. I regret that you have had so much suffering, it appears to have resembled my attack. I am now using glycerine which is the essence of oil. I take it through the nostrils for the purpose of curing the inflammation at the entrance of the nasal tubes into the mouth and I find it of great service. God had blest its use to me very much. I tried caustic or nitrate of silver, but with much less effect. I hope that you will soon be well. I ascertained to day that I can get a copy of "Silver Wood" in town so you may expect one when Mr. Chenoweth goes home if not before.

Anna & the little one are both doing very well for which we are thankful to our Heavenly Father. I received a letter from Wirt a few days since. His health I think is just tolerable from what he says. I have been wanting to write to Thomas for some time & and hope to do so before long.

May the blessings of our Heavenly Father rest upon you richly is the prayer of your affectionate brother. Anna joins me in love to you & the children. Remember me very kindly to Mr. Arnold.

Your brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the birth of Mary Graham Jackson.

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Lexington Va. May 22/58

My dear sister, Your welcome letter came safely, but finds our little daughter very ill of jaundice, and she may at any hour take her place among the redeemed in Paradise. Anna is doing well. My intention has & still is to visit you this summer, but I learned a lesson from last summer, not to make a promise for no one can tell what a day will bring forth, but I trust that if our little daughter lives that God will bless us all in a visit to see you & all the family. It seems like a long time since I was at your house. The children I suppose have grown much. Give my thanks to my darling little niece for her letter & tell her I expect to answer it in a few days. Give much love to all the children from myself & Anna. She joins me in love to you.

I received a letter from Wirt this morning stating that he is well but that he has lost his horse by his straying off, and that he wants me to forward him one hundred & five dollars N.Y. funds, which I want to try & do; though it will cost a premium here.

Your affect. Brother Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family health news.

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Lexington, Va. June 7th/58

My dear little Niece, Your very interesting letter reached me a short time before your sweet little cousin & my little daughter was called from this world of sin, to enjoy the Heavenly happiness of Paradise. She died of Jaundice on the 25th of April. [Jackson's error-- the baby died on May 25] Whilst your Aunt Anna and myself feel our loss, yet we know that God has taken her away in love. Jesus says "suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." Did you ever think my dear Grace that the most persons who have died and gone to Heaven are little children. Your aunt is doing very well, she is out visiting.

We hope to go & see you all this summer, but my health is so delicate, that I am disposed to go North first. I think this will give us more time to stay with you. Should we go to see you first I may have to hasten on North without staying more than two or three days.

I wish your would write to me at once and let me know which you would rather I should do. I hope that you have enjoyed your school and your vacation both very much. Remember your aunt & uncle to your Father, Mother, Thomas & Stark, and accept much love for yourself.

Your affectionate uncle, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the death of Mary Graham Jackson.

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Lexington, Va. June 7th/58

Dear Sir, In compliance with your request I proceed to give you a statement respecting the condition of the Lexington Colored Sabbath School. But in doing so, I feel it unnecessary to say more than a few words, as you are already acquainted with its leading features. The school is usually opened by singing part of a hymn, which should be announced the previous Sabbath. This is followed by reading one or more verses from the Bible, with explanations & applications; this is succeeded by prayer. After this each class is instructed by its teacher from the Bible, catechism and hymn book. At the close of the school which is near forty five minutes from the opening, there is a public examination on two verses of the child catechism, published by our Board. These verses should be announced the previous Sabbath. After the close of the examination, the school is dismissed, the remaining part of the opening hymn having been sung immediately after the examination.

The system of reward you are acquainted with, and the premiums so far have been near a dozen Testaments and one Bible. The day of their presentation is the first Sabbath of each month. Several scholars are studying the shorter catechism at the present time. Each teacher keeps a class book in which is noted each scholar's department in school. The lesson should be taught one Sabbath, with a view to examination & mark on the next. Each teacher at the close of the month give me a circular (blanks having been furnished) exhibiting for each scholar the manner in which the lesson has been prepared, the conduct in school, no. of lates, absences. From these circulars, I make a monthly entry in the record book, which contains not only the no. of lates & absences, but also the names of the teachers, scholars, owners, persons with whom the scholars are living, the lates & absences of teachers, and a weekly record of the proceedings of the school. By reference to the record book, I find 91 to be the no. of scholars there reported.

Praying that the S. school convention may be a great blessing to the cause & to yourself I remain your attached friend.

T. J. Jackson

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the Lexington Colored Sabbath School.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. June 19th 1858

My dear Sister, Your letter & that of Grace reached me this morning and for a while I thought that I might be able to visit you previous to going North, but after more maturely considering my case, & all the circumstances, I am disposed to think that I had better go North first. My disease is not understood by my physicians here and I have nearly if not entirely lost my hearing in the right ear & my left ear is diseased, and my nose is internally affected. The first thing it appears to me should be to seek relief if it is to be had.

Write to me to N.Y. City, and tell Tom and Grace that they must write to me this summer also, as soon as I let you all know where my letters will reach me after leaving N.Y. City. Tell Grace that I am much obliged to her for her letter, and that she may expect me to answer it before a great while. As to Thomas' examination, I think Mr. Thomas can judge better of his qualifications than myself, though I wish that I could be with you all before his teacher leaves. I hope to be with you in the latter part of August.

I forwarded a check to Wirt for one hundred & five dollars on N.J. I had to pay a premium of one per cent for it and urged him to refund the money on the first of Sept. according to promise. If I had known that he had found his horse, I don't know that I should have sent him so much. I have need of all the money that I can command. When you write to him, tell him that he had better sell me one of his horses.

Anna joins me in much love to you & the children. Remember me to Mr. Thomas & his lady & to all enquiring friends.

Your affec. brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

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New York City July 21st, 1858

My dear Niece, I have been desiring to write to you for some time but have been prevented. I am now under the care of a physician by the name of Carnochan who is one of the professors in a medical college here. I hope that I am improving, but do not know how long I will remain here. Probably ten days longer, afterwards I expect to start on my visit to you but will delay sometime on the way I expect in Philadelphia, Baltimore, the Glades.

Your Aunt Anna is quite well and we are seeing many pretty things here. Give my love and your Aunt's to all the family, and write to me as soon as you receive this. Direct your letter to New York City.

Your affectionate Uncle, Thomas

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Written from New York City, New York. Letter regards a trip to visit the Arnold family.

Transcription

Lexington Va. Oct. 23d, 1858

My dear sister, Your letter of the 19th inst. reached me this morning. Thomas reached here as you expected on last Saturday and has been a very good boy and we are all much pleased with him. He commenced going to school on Tuesday last to Mr. McFarland & is studying the English & Latin languages. His teacher wishes him to study arithmetic also, but I am unwilling for him to undertake any more at present, until I see what success will attend his present studies & also what kind of health he will have. I don't wish him to go over any thing without his understanding it thoroughly & hence he must not have too much to study. I regard it as a great error to require a child to study what his mind is not capable of appreciating. The tendency is to diminish his fondness for study, to give him a vague way of thinking (since he is not accustomed to see the precise points) & by overtasking the mind his health both of body & mind are endangered. I have been much gratified as seeing Thomas' mind so good; it has improved very much since I last saw him & I think it is partly due to the light course of studies which he has been pursuing.

I will attend to the directions of your letter & I am glad to see that your views with regard to Thomas' education & my views on the same subject are so much alike. I don't think that Thomas will get much home sick. I regret that I have not got some occupation for him & also regret not having some good companion for him to always associate with. I wrote to you about pocket money for him, but as I stated that probably he had reserved enough for that purpose, so I find such to be the case, as he since gave me three dollars to keep for him. Should you send him any clothes at any time, I would not send them of the same style as those he wears, as they are not worn here by boys as large as himself. I find that his dress makes him too marked, I will get him a suit, better adapted to his age.

My greatest concern about him is his eating. When he first came, he would use neither milk nor coffee, since then he drinks a little coffee; but I am a little afraid of his doing so, as he has not been accustomed he says to its use. I don't wish him to change his home habits in any respect unless there is necessity for so doing. I wish you would let me know how he lived at home. He gets his lessons well. Anna joins me in love to yourself & the children.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Laura Ann Arnold's (Jackson) son Thomas arriving in Virginia.

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Laura Ann Arnold's (Jackson) son Thomas.

Transcription

Lexington Va. April 11, 1859

Sir, From your letter of the 31 ult. I am gratified to learn that you contemplate making a European tour. You request me to send you a copy of my notes of travel. Should I do so, I fear that they would be of but little service to you as they are not sufficiently full to give you much information. Even with my recollection of places, etc. to aid me, I am not always able to make out the sense. And instead of giving you incoherent suggestions, I have thought best to glance over my notes, and send you such information as I think will be valuable. And in doing so, I would recommend you to purchase a note book before sailing, and if time will permit to keep a satisfactory journal beginning with the first day and closing with the returning one of your tour.

As soon as you reach Liverpool purchase guide books of such countries as you design visiting. If you have time to see things leisurely, don't employ guides. Leaving L. visit Chester and drive out to Eaton Hall, which is a fine specimen of an English nobleman's estate; it belongs to the Marquis of Westminster, said by some to be the wealthiest man in England. If you have time after returning to C. take the cars and visit the great Tubular bridge, and pass over to Ireland for a few days. Should you go to I. be sure if you should pass near Parsonstown, to see the great Ross telescope, and whilst there, ask for its magnifying power, and please inform me of it. Returning to Liverpool visit the following places Glasgow, Dunbarton Castle, Loch Loman, Loch Catrine, Sterling Castle, Edinborough, York, Cambridge, London, Antwerp, Waterloo. Pass through Brussells on your way to and also on your return from Waterloo. Leaving B. visit Aix La Chappel, Cologne, Bonn, Frankfort on the Main, Heidleburg, Baden Baden, Strasburg, Baste, Lakes Lucern, Brienz & Thun. Stop for at least one day at Interlaken which is between lakes B. & T. Visit Berne, Freiberg, Lake Geneva, Geneva, Mer de Glas. From Martigny, cross the Alps by the Simplon Pass into Italy. Visit Lakes Como & Majora. Visit Milan, Verona, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Leghorn, Rome, Naples, Genoa, Turin, Paris.

I have given you the tour I should take above all others, if I did not have time for a more extensive one. It differs a little from the one taken by me. I did not see the Tubular Bridge nor visit Ireland. And instead of visiting Turin I hastened to Paris by the steamer from Genoa. Knowing the stopping points you can post yourself up on your guide book in advance.

In York observe the organ especially. In Antwerp note Reubens' paintings. In Heid. observe the castle. In Strasburg is the wonderful clock. In Feiberg is one of the best organs in the world. At Verona is the most perfect amphitheater in the world. You may find it more pleasant to visit Naples before Rome. You will fine Genoa probably the most beautiful of all the cities in consequence of its elevation being such as to present its different parts distinctly to the eye when viewed from the harbor. I omitted calling your attention to the Museum in Antwerp.

In Venice, nearly every thing of interest except its canals are on St. Mark's square. In Florence give yourself plenty of time to visit frequently the statuary in the room called the Tribuna. Study the original works of art with which you may meet in Antwerp, Florence, Rome, etc. and when you reach Paris you will see a miniature of all, serving to refresh your memory but not calling for examinations, as you have already seen the originals. In P. you should give attention to the externals, visit the neighboring Royal residences, etc.

Of course you will pass some time in London and visit the Parks, Westminster Abbey a number of times. I hope that you may be able to make the tour and that you may realize more than you even anticipate

I would be glad to hear from you during your absence & after your return. Things are here in much the same routine as when you left.

Yours truly, T. J. Jackson

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Stonewall Jackson's trip to Europe.

Transcription

Lexington, Va May 9th, 1859

My dear sister I omitted in my last to answer your question as to when I design visiting Beverly. I hope to do so in July; but you must not give yourself any trouble about the vegetables you spoke of; as I am through the blessing of our Heavenly Father enabled now to live on most any thing. Don't get brown bread for me as I have ceased to use it. But when I drop in, I will just eat such things as are convenient.

I heard from Anna on Saturday, she says that she is learning to take things more philosophically. She says that the Dr. Sill finds some inflammation, she is to remain there until the inflammation entirely subsides. She sends love to you. Thomas was very anxious to go with his teacher & a number of the scholars to the Peaks of Otter; but I felt it was too much responsibility for me to take to let him go. Some of the boys might have guns with them & some accident might occur to him & furthermore I didn't know how much it might cost him; as they would be gone several days. Accordingly he remains at home & I hope that he will make considerable progress in Spanish. In consequence of the irritation of my throat, I have not been hearing him much in the last few days. But he is far enough advanced not to study considerably by himself. I hope to have a fine supply of vegetables for you when you come. You must try & bring some other members of the family with you.

Give much love to the children. Thomas is well.

Your affec. brother, Thomas.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

White Sulphur Springs August 13, 1859

My dear Sister The inflammation or irritation of my throat passed down so low as to make me afraid to let Dr. Green treat me & consequently I gave up the idea of going to him so long as it remains so low; it appears to be about the collar bone. But whilst I was unwilling to let the Dr. treat me I concluded that I would visit this place & try to get my liver right; as I was disposed to think that the state of the throat depended on that of the liver. After you left, my liver apparently became much deranged. I reached this place on Thursday last & I feel improved. It appears to me that smoking mullein has been of great benefit to me. I am fearful that I will not be an herbal remedy used for respiratory ailments able to visit you this summer & I feel it greatly.

I left Anna at the Rockbridge Baths, her health has not been so good since you left and as the Baths are celebrated for such afflictions as hers I trust that she will be improved by their use. This evening I received a letter from her stating that after bathing she had internal heat & that she was fearful that the bathing was not good for her & that if she found it not to be so that she would return home in a few days. There are about 1000 persons here at present.

I hope that I may be able to visit you, notwithstanding the present aspect of things, but don't expect me unless you hear of my coming by another letter.

I hope that your health has improved. Give my love to all. Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

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Written from White Sulphur Springs, Virginia. Letter regards family health news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va Aug 27th, 1859

My dear Sister I returned last Tuesday evening from the White Sulphur Springs, and under the blessing of Providence my health had much improved, and if I only had a week more before the commencing of the session I would visit you but I would barely have had time to ride to your house and back, which would not have answered our purpose as my desire is to make a visit. But I hope that in November I will be with you. The first visit that I pay is to be with you. I feel that a disordered liver had probably much to do with my affected throat and if I can only keep the secretions right, I hope that my throat will soon be well.

Anna's health I fear has not improved much locally, though she gained some flesh during her stay at the Baths. Maj. Preston has just returned, and given me an account of you all. I am much gratified that Mr. Arnold invited him to stay with you. I regret that Mr. Arnold's arm continues to trouble him. I trust that you will succeed in securing a competent teacher for the children. Tell them that their aunt & I were wishing this week that we could see them.

Sulphur water appears to suit my disease better than any other remedy which I have met with, and yesterday evening Anna & myself took a ride to one of these springs about 8 miles from town. I never knew of its existence until within a few weeks. The water is very pleasant yet very weak and I fear not of much benefit.

I send you by the same mail with this letter one of our catalogues. Anna joins me in love to you all.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family health news.

Transcription

Home Sept. 13th, 1859

My dear Sister Your last reached me safely and Anna delivered the articles to the servant according to your request. I regret to learn that your health continues so infirm. I am with yourself glad that you visited us last summer with the children, and hope that you may be spared to visit us again, and I hope that at your next visit we may be able to make you more comfortable than you were at your last.

Anna's health has become such as to render it necessary to send her to a physician & she left last Friday for Hampden Sidney to be under the care of Dr. Watkins.

According to your request I send Thomas' account. Look at his book and see if he got anything after the last of June. The account only extends to the end of June and he may have procured things from the store after that time. I had occasion to see Lyell Wilson's account since then & he had me charged with a pass book got by Thomas in the 1st of July. This made me think that he might have got other things elsewhere. But if he didn't get anything else, don't take notice of the book, as it was only a trifle.

Give my love to Mr. A & to all the children.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

I fear that I will not get to see you in Nov. But my first visit as I said before is to you. May our kind Heavenly Father bless you richly is my constantly repeated prayer.

1858 English Grammar.50 Copy Books .25 Blank book & sponge .18 3/4 Paper & envelopes .25 Box pencil lead, paper & envels. .50 For Fair & Christmas 1.00 Miss Howard for two months & 1 week washing 1.68 Mr. McFarland 17.00 Miss L. S. Graham 37.50

1859 Odd Fellows supper .25 Lecture at Chapel .25 57.43 [illegible] .25 Negro for mending shoe .25 Visit Nat. Bridge .50 McFarland 17.00 Not included in store accounts 77.36 3/4 6 months Board & washing 72.00 149.36 3/4

Store account 40.46 3/4 189.83 1/2 Credits 113.00 Balance due 76.83

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and Thomas Arnold's accounts, which are written on the back of the letter.

Transcription

Home October 31, 1859

My dear Sister Last week I mailed a letter to Mr. Arnold requesting him to visit me and [illegible] other inducements told him that we were to have a county agricultural Fair, but didn't mention the day, as I had not yet ascertained it; but it is to be on the 23 of this month. Urge Mr. Arnold to come if you think that he can do so safely; and during his stay, I will try & interest him in our schools & county, and see if he can be induced to locate here.

I found that the cadets designed being absent so short a time, that I concluded that I had better postpone my visit to you until next summer.

I feel that we are now greatly blessed with a good teacher for boys, he is the very man I think whom Thomas would do well under. We have a number of good schools for Grace & Stark. There is a gentleman in town who has a boy who has given him & his teacher much trouble & on Saturday he was speaking of Mr. Morgan (who is the teacher to whom I referred for Thomas) & he spoke of him in very high terms for the successful management of his boy & for the progress that his boy is making under his new teacher.

I heard from Anna on Saturday. She hoped to be at Hampden Sidney today. She feels much improved & is bringing Laura her youngest sister home with her. I hope that they will soon be here.

Let me hear from you soon & tell me what Mr. A says. I felt it would be more prudent in me not to say anything in my letter about his moving here. I would like to see him first & thus have a better opportunity of judging how he could best be approached successfully on the subject. I desired to write to you two weeks ago but I thought that Mr. A. might suspect something from the frequency of our letters.

Love to all, and trust God unreservedly in all things is my sincere prayer.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va Dec.12th/59

My dear Sister Your letter stating that you are teaching the children yourself has given me concern and I write this letter for the purpose of saying that you must never hesitate for a single moment about sending the children to me. I stated in my letter to you the conditions upon which I was ready to do for them what I could, because I felt it would prevent any disappointment to you & Mr. Arnold in the event of their coming, and I feel that I can make them comfortable & enable them to acquire a good education & to move in that sphere of life where I desire to see them move. Without a good education they must ever fall short of that position in life which they ought to occupy, and their early education consisting of spelling & reading is of great importance; if either is defective the education must necessarily be defective. But if insuperable objections lie in the way of getting a good teacher or of sending them abroad, don't give yourself anxiety but trust in our most kind & merciful Father who withholds no good thing from his children. I am very thankful to see you bear up under your trials with such Christian fortitude & as long as we lean on His almighty arm all shall be well.

I reached home on last Friday night about 3 o'clock in the morning. Anna is an invalid still, but I trust that better health is in store for her. My throat has been troubling me again in consequence of a cold contracted during my military excursion.

I am thankful to you for engaging the [illegible] but I don't know when I will be able to bring them home. You must give my love to Aunt & Uncle White. Remember me very kindly to Mr. Arnold. Anna joins me in love to the children. Should you see any of Mr. Chenoweth's friends say to them that I saw him today, & that he is well.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

...that carpeting is used for stairs instead of oil cloth. In regard to furniture I thought it best to consult you before making the purchases. As the furniture will last a life time it is best to be careful in pleasing ourselves although it may occasion delay. I purchased the oil cloth at once lest it might be sold, it is to be forwarded to Balt. directed to J. Arnold, Beverly Randolph County Va. care of R. L. Heavener & John Gephart, Jr. 320 Balt. St. Balt., M.D. I send the oil cloth as a present. As to the other articles, Rods etc. I can get the rods with concealed fastenings for $2.85 per dozen or I can get common rods with visible band fastenings for $2.20 per doz. The length of the rods is 30 inches but as you haven't the oil cloth you may not want the rods. Let me know & if the length is not right, tell me what length you desire.

If you can't get all the articles now, you can get the others if you desire at some other time as I can order them at any time by calling Madden's attention to them now. Let me hear from you soon and

[in pencil at top] If you still wish the parlor lamp let me know what kind & what is to be burnt in it.

I will order the amount of your funds and I may be able to add some but my money matters are behind hand. I have been in debt ever since I purchased my house and have to constantly borrow from the bank in order to get along. Send your money as far as practicable in drafts on N. York for they charge a premium here for drafts & it is not safe to send bills by mail. I prefer paying the premium to running the risk. I also wish that you would write to the person from whom you purchased the draft which you sent me, & get him to procure you another as I have lost that one & when you get the draft send it to me. If I were you I would try to get along without the mattresses if possible and I would then get:

Bureau $25, wash stand $10, Tete a Tete1 $18, 4 quartets2 $5, Sofa $5, centre table $9, French bedstead $15. Total exclusive of boxing $87. Should you prefer the sofa instead of [lounge] & Tete a Tete the amount will be $3 less, & if you prefer the wash stand to match the Bureau & I would get it if my means justified, the amount will be $5 more.

[in another hand the words "29 feet eight inches."]

Give my love to all. Your affec. brother, Thomas.

Scope and Contents

Letter fragment regards discussion of purchases.

Transcription

Lexington, Va Jany 28th, 1860

My dear Sister Your last very welcome letter came safe to hand and I am glad that you have succeeded in procuring a teacher and I hope that the children will learn well under his instruction. I am glad to hear of Mr. Arnold's improved health & trust that it may continue to improve. Through the blessing of out Heavenly Father we have been spared from the small pox thus far; & I hope that we may entirely escape it. There are but few cases now amongst the whites; the servants have taken it; though it has not spread much.As soon as a servant takes the disease he is carried to the hospital and they appear to be greatly afraid of the disease in consequence of their being sent to the hospital in case of taking it.

I hope that Anna's health is improving, but very little throws her back again. I wrote to Aunt Clem a few days since. On my return from Harper's Ferry, I came through Richmond & saw Wm. L. Jackson & his wife, Jonathan [Bennet, Burnet] & his wife and Wm. E. Arnold, Ben Bassett, John Hoffman & other friends. I wish you would write to me when are the given names of Wm. L. Jackson's wife & Bennett's wife & what relation there is between them & us, and give me a letter full of such things; as I am asked from time to time what is the Relationship me & such persons. I think Mr. Arnold knows a good deal about the subject. For example I think he knows what were grandfather's brothers. I remember having a talk with him once on the subject & I found that he appeared better acquainted with such things than myself. Who was Dr. Edward Jackson?

Anna joins me in love to you all. I hope that your health is better than when you last wrote.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Home February 25, 1860

My dear Niece I was much pleased to hear from your Mother's letter that her health and your Father's have been so good and to hear that you have so faithful a teacher; and as you can not always have him, I hope that you will do all you can in order to learn as much as possible whilst he is with you. And first of all I want you to learn to spell well; give particular attention to spelling; for I don't care how much you know about other things, if you don't spell well, you will be laughed at by educated people. I desire to see you have a good education, and the first step towards a good education, after learning the alphabet, is to learn to spell well. If a person commences reading before learning to spell well, he will not be apt to ever learn much more about spelling, because reading is more pleasant than spelling.

When I was young I committed the blunder of learning to read before I had learnt to spell well, and though I am now 36 years old, yet still I am mortified by my spelling words wrong; in writing this letter I have had to look in the Dictionary to see how a word was spelt and so I expect it will be all my life because I didn't give enough attention to my spelling when I was young. As your memory is better now than it may ever be, you can learn to spell more easily than when you become larger. When we are young we can recollect much better than when we are grown up.

I desire to see you an educated and accomplished lady, one that your Father and Mother will be justly proud of. After learning to spell very well then I want you to read histories, and travels and biographies, and such other books as will give you valuable information. I also hope that you will learn your Geography very well.

My Father and Mother died when I was very young, and I had to work for my living and education both; but your parents are both living and have given you a kind teacher and I trust that you will show them how thankful you are to them by studying hard. If you ever wish any information which I can give, you must ask me. I haven't written to your Mother for some time as I was afraid that I might send you the small pox, but I don't think that there is any danger now, as all are well here or about so.

I heard a student of Washington College make a beautiful speech on last Wednesday and as he is of the same name and county as your teacher, I expect that they are Relatives.

Give my love to all of the family & write to me soon. Your affectionate Uncle Thomas.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news and Grace Arnold's education.

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Lexington, Va. April 16, 1860

My dear Sister I have been desiring to write to you for some time, but have been prevented from doing so. I am sorry to learn that your eyes trouble you so much. I wish you would try the simple remedy of washing them with cold water, lifting the water to the face in both hands and washing the face until a little water gets into the eyes and they commence smarting. Do this at night just before going to bed, and again immediately after getting up. I hope that you are improving, and that Mr. Arnold is likewise. Anna is suffering from a very bad cold. She has been confined to her bed for nearly a week, but is up this afternoon.

I don't know how Mr. Arnold thinks Wm. L. Jackson would do for a judge, but if he would like to see him elected over Edmondson and can do anything for him I hope that he will do so. I thought that probably there might be some person or persons living near his Father's old place beyond Weston with whom he might have influence; if such is not the case, do not say anything about the subject to him and probably you had better say nothing anyway to him upon the subject. From what I have heard, Wm. will very probably be elected.

I hope that the children are all doing well. Anna joins me in love to you all.

Your affec. brother Thomas.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

April 21/60

My Dear Sister I intended writing to you today but as Anna has done so, I will only say a few words & those with respect to Grace. I have not mentioned the subject of Maj. Preston and I don't think it necessary to consult you upon the subject but if you still desire me to do so, let me know in your next letter and I will give you his opinion.

My mind is clear in making Grace familiar with the English grammar as soon as practicable; let her commence it at once. Let her not only study the principles of the language, but require her to parse a great deal, so as to make her familiar with the application of the principles of the language. Let all her studies be English until she should become a finished English scholar. I don't attach much importance to Latin for females, it is of value to every educated person but mostly to professional men. I am glad that Mr. A. is obtaining Mr. McCuchin. You may expect another letter from me in a week or so.

Your affect. Brother Thomas

[postscript in hand of Mary Anna Jackson] P. S. Maj. J. requests me to say to you that he will attend to any commissions for furniture in the North that you may wish - as ever your Anna

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Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Home May 1st/60

My dear Sister, Tell Grace that I have received her letter & that I am glad to see her spelling so good. I will write to her in a few days & will send her the pattern desired. When ever you desire furniture from N.Y. let me know & I can order it from either of two establishments. One of them makes first class furniture, but I think that his prices are too high for you. I purchased nothing of him but ½ dozen parlor chairs. The rest of my furniture omitting piano & a few other articles were furnished by another house & I was very well pleased with the articles; but when I was last in N.Y. I purchased a few more articles of the same house but am not pleased with them so well so I would advise you to order but a few articles at first in the event of your intending to purchase much. I am writing in great haste holding the paper in one hand and writing with the other. Anna joins me in love to you all. Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

[from Mary Anna Jackson]

My dear Sister, I would gladly send the pattern to Grace, but I think it unnecessary, as I can give you directions without it. The girls of Grace's size here wear black silk tunics made exactly like those Grace wore last summer, except they fasten in front, & the skirt reaches nearly to the knees. They are very pretty, & black silk is all the style now. All the ladies mantles this summer are made of black silk. Some of the girls here wear circular capes or talmas, that reach a little below the waist, they would be pretty for Grace, but it think the black silk tunics are the most fashionable.

Write soon. Much love to all. Your affectionate sister, Anna Jackson

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards purchases for the house. The letter also contains a portion written by Mary Anna Jackson regarding a clothing pattern.

Transcription

Lexington, Va May 7, 1860

My dear Niece Your letter came safely and gives me much pleasure to see how rapidly you progress in spelling. Every word of your letter was spelt correctly and I hope that all your words may always be treated as well those contained in your letter; for it is treating words badly to steal a letter from them, or to impose on them a letter which they don't want. You must look at Stark's letters when he writes them to his sweetheart especially. And to be more serious it would be a good plan for my sweet niece and nephews to examine each others letters when they contain no secrets, and in that way you will be very apt to find out all the counterfeit words which may be passing themselves off on any of you. Remember that there are a great many ways of spelling a word wrong, but there is only one way of spelling it right.

I intended to send you with this letter the pattern which you requested, but your aunt wrote in my last that you have the requested pattern at home. The weather is quite warm today. My peas are in bloom, they commenced blooming before the end of April. I hope that you have a fine garden. Write to me when ever you have leisure time. I am glad to see your teacher remaining with you. Your aunt joins me in love to you all. Your aunt's health is much improved.

Your affectionate uncle, Thomas.

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Grace Arnold's education and general news.

Transcription

Home June 4th, 1860

My dear Sister I have not heard from you for so long a time that I am fearful you are sick, and if so you must make the children write to me. I hope though that your health is unusually good.

Anna is unusually unwell but I trust that she will soon commence improving again. My eyes have improved greatly, through the blessing of Him who withholds no good thing from me, but in some respects my health is more impaired than it has been for some years. If I don't improve, I hope to leave for a Hydropathic establishment soon after our Commencement in July. And my plan is to send a servant with the carriage to meet me at the Depot nearest Beverly. What is the name of the Depot. I want the servant to get to your house a day or two in advance of the time, so that he will be certain to meet me. Anna and I will then return by Beverly in the carriage & send the servant home by the Rail Road. All this plan may be frustrated, but I am resolved to pay you the first visit which I make, so you may be satisfied that if I don't visit you that my health is such as to render medical treatment necessary.

I send some early Silesia Lettuce seed which I hope you will sow at once, and after it gets a few leaves on each plant, set the plants in rows so that the plants shall be 8 inches apart, and water them occasionally so as to keep the ground damp. I never was fond of lettuce until I tried this. I regard it as the largest, tenderest and finest flavored that I have ever tasted. If you wish any more seed let me know & I will send it. I am greatly gratified at the election of Wm. L. Jackson. I fear that I have a disease of the kidneys, the disease gives me pain every day. I experience unusual pain whilst riding in a carriage. Anna joins me in love to you all.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards a trip to visit Laura Ann Arnold (Jackson) and general family news.

Transcription

Lexington, Va. June 30th, 1860

My dear Sister Your letter enclosing the check came safely & relieved my mind from apprehensions of your health being seriously ill. We have closed our examinations and I hope that on Thursday next I will be able to leave. I have some concern about getting from home to Goshen, but I trust that I will not experience much pain as I design going in my carriage.

I don't feel so well today as usual, but I have been exercising probably too much as I am at the Institute for the 3rd time. I think that my general health is better than it has been for a year or two at this season of the year, but much exercise appears to bring on increased trouble and pain. If I do not improve greatly between this time & the time that I reach N.Y. I will pass directly through and leave your purchases til my return.

Write to me at Brattleboro Vermont as I design going to a Hydropathic establishment there. If I should not stop as I go through N.Y., I will write to two different establishments there and find out on what terms they will furnish the furniture, so that on my return it will only be necessary to examine the furniture & make the purchases. In your next letter, tell me to whom I must direct your purchases. I expect that it will be cheaper to send them by water to Baltimore & from Balt. by Rail Road. If so it would be necessary to send them to somebody in Balt. as well as to some one at Webster or the stopping Depot on the R.R. Anna don't know of my writing this letter as I am at the Institute, or she might have some special message. Her health is much better than usual & I trust that through the blessing of God she will be restored this summer. Much love to all.

Your affec. brother Thomas

Scope and Contents

Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

Transcription

Round Hill Water Cure Northampton, Mass. July 21st/60

My dear Sister I have been desiring to write to you for some time but on last Friday week I was very ill with a bilious attack attended with high fever; but as I was with a skillful water cure physician he soon through the blessing of a kind Providence arrested the fever, and on Saturday I was again out doors and am now better than before the attack. I might have written to you last week, had I not been anticipating a change from Brattleboro to this place, and I feared that your letter might not reach me in the event of having it directed to that place in the event of my leaving there. Today I came here & am much pleased with things so far. I think that Anna's health as well as my own has improved.

The special object of writing to you at this time is to request you to furnish me with another list of the articles you wish me to get for you &, I wish that you would put them down in the order in which you most desire them, as the amount which you sent (fifty five dollars) will not purchase half of what you named and I am apprehensive that the state of my purse will not allow me to do much for you, though I think that I will be able to do something. I would not trouble you with making out another list, had I not as it appears put those you sent me in such a special safe place of keeping that when I was about to leave home I could not find them myself.

I don't think that I will get you anything at auction. I bought our sofa there & it has turned out a great cheat. If you can't give a full list, let me have the dimensions of the oil cloth. I wrote to you by Mr. Chenoweth & I think requested you to tell me to whom I should send the purchases in Baltimore & also at Grafton. Please let me know soon after receiving this and direct your letter to Round Hill Water Cure, Northampton, Massachusetts. I wish you were here with me, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Anna joins me in love to you all.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas

I am on the West Side of the Connecticut River so you can find me on the map.

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Written from Northampton, Massachusetts. Letter regards future purchases for Laura Ann Arnold (Jackson).

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Round Hill Northampton, Mass. Aug. 4th/860

My dear Sister, Your welcome letter of July 22d reached us at this place. I am glad that our sweet cousins (for such are the Murdochs) are about paying you a visit and I very much desire to meet them, but such gratification can not be indulged in at this time as our physician says that Anna will have to remain here until about the 1st of Oct. if she wishes to be cured. He says that he can thoroughly cure her. He says that he could cure me of all my symptoms of disease in from four to six months and as I am improving, I wish that I could remain here until relived of all my troubles or so long as I continue to improve. He says that I have a slight distortion of the spine, & that it has given rise to some of my uneasy symptoms. There are several ladies here who could not walk when they commenced treatment & are now walking as if perfectly well.

Anna and myself much regret that we must again be denied the pleasure of visiting you as we had hoped to do. But I know that at the right time our Heavenly Father will permit us to see you. I am anxiously looking forward to some opportunity during the coming session. I wrote in my last for you to give me a list of furniture, etc. in the order in which you prefer them, and I would suggest that you had better get a lower priced bedstead than ours. For instance, if a cottage one would answer it could be purchased at about half the price that we gave for ours. But if you could consent to lower the price of the other articles, I think that it would be best; of course you would not get things so serviceable & showy but I think that the increased number of articles for the same money would more than compensate.

A cottage bedstead would be rather small; but they are made neatly. I have merely made these suggestions & you must do as you think best & I will do the best I can for you in New York. I will not have the opportunity of stopping by in Philadelphia as my time is so precious. If you prefer the Philadelphia bedstead, I will write to the same person who made ours, & get you one. I send a list of some of our purchases. They were much lower than could have been bought in Lexington.

Anna joins me in love to you all. I wish I could stop in Philadelphia as I might get some things for you and also attend to an important matter. You must give my love to Harriet & the others when they visit you. May you have every needful blessing temporal & spiritual is my habitual prayer. Your affectionate brother, Thomas

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Written from Northampton, Massachusetts. Letter regards future purchases for Laura Ann Arnold (Jackson).

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Home Sept. 3rd, 1860

My dear Sister, I have reached home safely with my health much improved. My physician said that I ought to have remained a month longer & I tried to do so but did not succeed, and I am satisfied with the sweet assurance that all things work together for my good. Anna's health was much improved, yet it was necessary for her to remain longer. I stopped in N. York and went to Brunner[?] and Moore's and also to I stopped in N. York and went to Brunner[?] and Moore's and also to Madden's. They are persons from whom I hoped to purchase your furniture, and at Madden's I have been able to get a better bargain than Anna & I got of him. The prices are as follows, center table with marble top $9, French bedstead $14 (width inside 5ft 1 inch), Elegant bureau $25, corresponding wash stand $15. The bureau is under its regular price which is $30. There is another bureau at $23 & corresponding wash stand $10. Wash stands have marble top& back. Sofa inside length 7ft at $25. Another sofa inside length 6ft 8 inches at $20. Nice tete a tete at $18. Shuck mattress to fit bed $6. Shuck and cotton mattress mixed at $9. Lounge opening out or not at $6. Also another kind of lounge opening out or not at $5. Colors of lounges black; green & brown[?]. 4 quartets at $5.

Boxing of table .75 " " Bedstead 2.00 " " Bureau 1.50 " " Wash stand 1.00 " " Sofa 1.50 " " quartets .50 " " lounge 1.00 Bailing mattresses .75 Total 9.00

All the articles are mahogany, and I like them except the $23 Bureau. I would get the $25 bureau as it is only $2 more and if the elegant wash stand is too expensive I will get him to make you a neat one for $10. I would advise you to get the $20 sofa, but if you prefer you can instead of the sofa get the tete a tate & $5 lounge which will come to $3 more than the sofa. But if you prefer the sofa, you can make a lounge of it by spreading a cloth over it. The tete a tate is handsomer than the lounge though much smaller than our tete a tate. I purchased oil cloth for the square & rectangle but didn't succeed in getting any for the stairs as it is not now fashionable for stairs. I got the oil cloth at Stewart's & they told me that they didn't know where any could be had for stairs.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards furniture purchases.

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Home Sept. 24th, 1860

My dear Sister, Your very welcome letter reached me on Saturday and I was enabled to borrow the necessary money from the Bank, and I forwarded a draft this morning in a letter to Mr. Madden requesting him to purchase the carpet & stair rods and to forward all by the 1st packet to J. Arnold, Beverly Randolph County Virginia, to the care of R. L. Heavener & John Gephart box no. 320 Baltimore Street Baltimore, Maryland. I told him to send the lounge opening out at $6. I also specified green as the color. You did not mention the color in your letter, but I thought that you were pleased with ours. I regard it as very cheap, it is not so showy as ours, but I would much prefer it, as I think it is a serviceable one; whereas ours has proved to be a great cheat' having been bought at a N.Y. auction I might have expected it to turn out badly. As you request a Bible instead of the oil cloth I conform very willingly to your wishes and the account will then stand

Centre table 9. Boxing table .75 Bedstead 14. " Bedstead 2.00 Bureau 25 " Bureau 1.50 Wash Stand 15 " Wash Stand 1.00 Tate a Tete 18 " Sofa 1.50 Lounge 6 " Quartets .50 Quartets 5 " Lounge 1.00 10 yd Carpet 8.25 at 62 ½ 6.25 18 stair rods 4.28 Boxing 8.25 110.78

In order to get a draft on N.Y. I had to pay one dollar and eleven cents making in all one hundred and eleven dollars and eighty nine cents. Deducting from this the amount you sent me fifty five dollars leaves fifty six dollars and 89 cents adding to this the price of the oil cloth 7.50 makes the total amount sixty four dollars & 39 cents. There are 10 yards of oil cloth at 75 cents per yard.

In order to get a new draft from a Bank the person to whom the Bank gave the draft had to inform the Bank that the draft has been lost or mislaid as the case may be and satisfy the Banking officer that he is acting honestly in the matter. If our Bank were to give me a draft & I should lose it all I would have to do would be to go to the cashier of the Bank & tell him that the draft was lost & request him to give me another which he would do and he would then write to the Bank that was to pay the draft & tell it not to pay the first draft. If he thought it necessary. So if the draft sent me was given to Col. Goff ask him to write to the Bank & request another draft stating that the first has been lost or mislaid. If the cashier of the Bank does not know Col. Goff then the Col. had better enclose his letter to some friend in whom the Bank has confidence and let this friend present it to the Bank so that the Bank may be satisfied that all is right. I regret to give you so much trouble.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards furniture purchases.

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Lexington, Va. Dec. 1st, 1860

My dear Sister, I recd. your welcome letter this morning. I regret to learn that you have all been ill, but trust that ere this reaches you, all may again be well. If Mr. Preston remains in Beverly much of his time, I would be glad if it could be so arranged so as to board with you, if your health would justify it, and other circumstances would justify it. But I fear that it could not be arranged so. But wherever he may stay when in Beverly you may through the blessing of God derive much aid from him by consulting him freely. He is reserved in his manners, and I think that the best way to treat him, is to be very cordial, and to evince a desire to see much of him, but after all, we must not depend too much on a man; but look up to our Heavenly Father for every needed aid. If we but live near to God, all things shall work together for our good. I regret to hear of Aunt White's blindness. Give my love to her & Uncle.

I am sorry that your furniture was injured even slightly. I expect that the expenses to Webster were not much more than customary. I didn't expect that you would favor the French bedstead as much as ours, but such a one as ours I have never seen in N. York, it is the Philadelphia style & besides it costs more than yours. I like the French and Anna would exchange it with you if practicable and says if you will send her yours she will send you hers. If you had been accustomed to Leery French Bedsteads all your life you would probably think the high ones quite clumsy affairs.

I hope that Williams will exchange with Judge Thompson and would be glad if he would do so next term which commences the 12th of next Sept. I hope if he comes that he will bring his wife with him. I did not ask Mr. Rieston to take your Bible to you, as he said that he was going on horseback.

Anna joins me in love to you & the children.

Your affectionate brother Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

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Lexington, Va. Dec. 29th 1860

My dear Sister, Among the things laid out for this Saturday is the writing of a letter to you. The weather here is such that any one who does not learn at the feet of Jesus would pronounce dismal; as it is penetratingly damp in addition to wet falling snow- bordering on sleet. How different are the views of one who sees God in all things and one who sees Him in nothing. This reminds me of of the Peasant who said that the weather tomorrow will be just such as pleases me, because it will be such as pleases God, and that always pleases me.

How do you like Mr. Thomas Preston? What is being done for the Redeemers cause in Beverly? How I would like to be with you! A visit to you is one of the pleasant things in prospect. I hope that you are all well again.

Do not have too much anxiety about bringing up your children, trust in God assistance, and it will be given. I think of our Sainted Mother and take courage from God's promise I will show mercy unto thousands (of generations) of them that keep me commandments From this passage a parent as will as children may draw great comfort. If a parent but keeps God's commandments, he or she may be well assured that God's mercy will rest upon the children.

I am looking forward with great interest to the 4th of Jany. when the Christian people for assistance, of this land will lift their united prayer as incense to the Throne of God in Supplication for our unhappy country. What is the feeling about Beverly respecting Secession? I am anxious to hear from the native part of my state, I am strong for the Union at present, and if things become no worse, I hope to continue so. I think that the majority in this county are for the Union; but in counties bordering us there is a strong secession feeling. Anna joins me in love to you & the children.

Your affectionate brother, Thomas.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news.

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Lexington, Va. Feby 23rd, 1861

My dear Sister, Your kind letter reached its destination after Anna had left for North Carolina to visit her parents and be present at her sister Sue's wedding. She left last Monday morning. I heard from her in Richmond. She wrote that Providence had greatly blest her. She went as far as Richmond with a lady from this place. From Richmond she was to go to her destination with her Brother William who was to leave Washington for the purpose.

I feel very lonesome & greatly wish that I had you as next door neighbor. Today is raining & I stay pretty much in doors.

I hope that Thomas will spare no pains to get all the education practicable before coming to the Institution. He will thus be enabled to take our course to greater advantage, and will be in a position to graduate higher in his class.

Yesterday was celebrated with becoming honor, due to the memory of Washington. I trust that this letter will find you all in usual health at least. My throat is troubling me today. I would be glad to hear from Thomas or from any of the children.

Your affect. brother Thomas

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

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Lexington, Va. April 6th, 1861

My dear Sister, Your very kind letter net with a welcome reception and I intended answering it last Saturday, but was prevented. I am very much gratified to learn that Mr. A. has consented to aid the church provided Mr. P remains with you. From Grace's letter I saw that he would remain if a proper salary could be raised. Do what you all can to make up the amount & I will be responsible for the rest. I would rather pay his whole salary than have him leave Beverly at this time. I still hope that Mr. Arnold may become a Christian. I know that the change to effect this must be great, but who will limit the power of the Holy Ghost. You were once a disbeliever, but a mother's prayers have been (as I believe) answered & who can say but that your prayers & the prayers of others may be heard for Mr. Arnold: for years I have been praying for him & expect to continue doing so. how great has been the change in him to agree to aid in preaching the Gospel. Pray on for him & pray for more faith. You speak of your temptations- that you shall be a cast away: don't tolerate such an idea for a moment. God draws his sensible presence from us to try our faith. When a cloud comes between you and the sun do you fear that the sun will never appear again? I am well satisfied that you are a child of God, and that you will be saved in Heaven, therefore ever to dwell with the ransomed of the Lord. So you must not doubt. The Natural Sun may never return to the view of the child of God when once concealed by an intervening cloud but the Sun of Righteousness will. But there is one very essential thing to the child of God who would enjoy the comforts of religion & that is he or she must live in accordance with the law of God- must have no will but his- Knowing the path of duty, must not hesitate for a moment, but at once[?] walk in it. Jesus says my yoke is easy & my burden is light & this is true, if we but follow him in the prompt discharge of every duty, but we mustn't hesitate a moment about doing our[?] duty under all circumstances as soon as it is made known to us & we should always seek by prayer to be taught our duty.

If temptations are presented, you must not think that you are committing sin in consequence of having a sinful thought- The Savior thought a sinful thought of worshipping Satan, what could be more abhorrent to a Christian's feeling than such a thought. But such thoughts become sinful if we derive pleasure from them, we must abhor them if we would prevent our sinning. The Devil inputs sinful ideas into our minds to disrupt our peace & to make us sin & it is our duty to see by prayer & watchfulness that we are not defiled by them. God has done great things; astonishing things for you & your family. Don't doubt his eternal love for you.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards religion and general family news.

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Lexington, Va. April 13th, 1861

My dear Niece, I have been desiring to answer your letter for some time, but have from various causes been prevented. I wish I could see you with me again in Lexington, but as I don't expect to have that pleasure this spring, I hope to see you in Beverly next summer. In regard to those little histories of which you spoke, I will try & get Mr. Thomas to take a couple of them to you as a present. They may keep you reading until you have an opportunity of purchasing yours. Send to Harper & Brother, New York & I think if you will write to them beforehand that they will let you have them a quarter lower that the retail price which was 60 cents. When I purchased mine he let me have them at 45 cents, as I purchased a number of Books and I think he will do the same now. I don't like to ask Mr. Preston to carry anything, as he will probably not be able to take everything which he wants of his own, in consequence of his being on horseback & leaving home for several months & possibly for a year.

Your Aunt will attend to your request. I am sorry to learn that Mr. Chenoweth's health has failed: but hope that he may soon be restored.

We have had very wet weather here during the present week, but I think that it is probably about over.

Your Aunt joins me in love to you all. She spoke of writing to day, but as I wanted to answer your letter she consented to postpone hers.

You must write to me often. Your affectionate Uncle Thomas.

I am gratified to see from your letter that you are so much pleased with Mr. Preston as a preacher.

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Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.

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Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Telgraph

By Telegraph

Dated H. Ferry April 30, 1861 To Jas. M. Jackson

An ordinance equalizing taxation onproperty throughout the sate of Virginia passed the convention of this twenty seventh inst (27th). Let papers publish.

T. J. Jackson Col. Commanding at Harpers Ferry

Charge 25 cts.

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Telegram regards "equalizing taxation onproperty" in Virginia.

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Division Head Qrts. Harpers Ferry May 5th, 1861

Colonel, The object of this letter is to request that you will look our for the interests of Massie, McDonald, and Cunnningham, they are all valuable officers. Though I recommended Massie to the Governor soon after my arrival here, yet at that time I didn't know his full worth. He is an invaluable staff officer, and I should greatly regret to lose him. I hope that you may find it consistent with the interest if Public Service to give him a Lieutenant Coloneley of the Inspector Generals Department.

McDonald and Cunningham both prefer the Corps of Engineers (Regular Service).

I am colonel, Very Respectfully yours. T. J. Jackson

To Col. F. H. Smith Member of Council of State

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Written from Harpers Ferry, [West] Virginia. Letter regards military officers.

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Harper's Ferry May 25th, 1861

Governor, The object of this letter is to state that Mr. W. S. H. Baylor, late Colonel of the Augusta regiment has qualities which would make him a valuable Colonel if an opportunity were offered for their development. During the insubordination at this place, which resulted from depriving the works of their field and general offices, Mr. B. instead of at once going to Richmond to advance his personal interests, remained here until he succeeded in quelling the insubordination in his Regiment, and I was forcibly impressed with the influence which he exerted over his men. He possesses fine qualities for an officer and consequently feels deeply that the other Colonels were reinstated whilst he was only appointed a Major. I am well satisfied from what I know of him personally, that he would as a colonel, be an ornament to the Service. I am Governor, your Obdt. Servt. T. J. Jackson Col. Va. Vols.

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Written from Harpers Ferry, [West] Virginia. Letter regards appointing W. S. H. Baylor as a colonel.

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Jany. 2d, 1862

Major, I am much obliged to you for the nice lemons you have sent me. Issue one day's rations of Hd. Bd. As you suggest. I am glad to see that you are so well supplied. You disappointed not only me but the Staff by not dining with us on Christmas.

I have been concerned about your health, as I hear that you do not look so well as usual. I hope that you will take special care of your health.

Respectfully yours, T. J. Jackson Lt. Genl.

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Letter regards rations and general news.

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Hear Quarters Valley Dist. Unger's Store Jany. 13, 1862

General, The enemy have evacuated Romney, leaving part of their stores behind. Respectfully you Obdt. Servt. T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl. Comd.

Genl. J. E. Johnston Comd. Dept. of N. Va.

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Written from "Under's Store, HQ, Valley District." Letter regards enemy troop movements.

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Winchester Feby 11th 1862

My dear Doctor Your very kind and Christian letter respecting my proposed withdrawal from Field Service has been received, and be assured that it met with a cordial reception. My desire to serve our cause is undiminished, but I am in active service not because it is more congenial to my taste, but from a sense of duty. The moment that my services are not required in the field I desire to return to the Institute.

After God had restored to us the county of Morgan East of the Big Capon River and the most valuable portion of Hampshire County, and was still driving the enemy from this Military District, the Secretary of War without consulting me upon the subject, sent an order to me stating that he has information, that Genl. Loring's command is in danger of being cut off, and directs me to order him back to Winchester immediately, thus unnecessarily abandoning to the enemy what had been restored to us. If such a policy as that was to be pursued by the Secretary at his desk far removed from the theatre of war, ruin must result to our cause, and I feel called upon to utter my strongest protest against such a ruinous policy, and this I designed doing by offering to resign, rather than be the willful instrument of carrying out a ruinous policy. So far as the secretary may have shown indignity to me personally, that is not a matter to be considered in times like the present. I am satisfied that my course was a good one for our cause, the effect that it may injuriously have in the estimation of men respecting me, is of but little moment.

I say it humbly but with the hope that you will live to see that my course has been what it should have been. I am every ready to remain in the field when I can have a prospect of being useful there. Pray that I may be useful. I am sincerely your friend T.J. Jackson

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Written from Winchester, Virginia. Letter regards news of the Civil War and Stonewall Jackson's desire to return to VMI.

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Winchester Feby 18th, 1862

General I have received information that there is below Washington another Brigade besides Sickles' and that they are provided with pontoon trains by which they can cross their Art. & other force in about four (4) hours and that they design doing so with the night at three or four different points, and that the first favorable night is the time fixed upon. That the crossing is to be followed by the reoccupation of Fredericksburg.

The 1st Tennessee leaves for Knoxville at dawn tomorrow morning. Would have left this morning, but I thought it best not to move until something could be heard respecting the time when the cars could receive them, as the weather has been very bad, and the troops are comfortable in their present position, & are within a day's march of Strasburg. Tomorrow at 10 o'clock A.M. the 1st Georgia will leave, and the Regiments for Genl Humes will move in time for their R. R. transportation. As there is no evidence of an immediate move on this place, I do not attach much importance to the information respecting the crossing of the Potomac below you, but have felt it my duty to make mention of it. The information is that the crossing is to be at night. The troops for Manassas can leave at any time via Snicker's Gap; as the boats now there will transport 250 Inft. per trip, but unless I receive further instructions from you, I will keep them as you directed until after the Regiments for the Virginia District leave.

Respectfully your Obt. Servt. T.J. Jackson Maj. Genl

Winchester, VA. February 18th 1862

J. J. Jackson Major Gen. Comdg.

Reports information concerning enemy's strenght & intended operations on lower Potomac. Departure of the troops of Genl. Loring's command.

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Written from Winchester, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news and troop movements.

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Winchester 8.40 p.m. March 4/62

General My dispatch to Genl. Johnston of yesterday as well as today was important. Please let me now at once whether either of them was captured. I think that we had better send nothing more for the present via Snicker's Gap, but everything via Ashby's. I will keep a lookout for [Miss] Osborn. I will understand the [ ]1. The Yankees are in Smithfield which is about 6 miles west of Charles Town.

Respectfully your Obdt. Servt. T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl. Brig Genl. D. H. Hill Comd C. S. Forces, Leesburg.

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Written from Winchester, Virginia. Letter regards general Civil War news.

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Winchester March 7th, 1862

My Dear Colonel, I much regret that there should be an attempt at such foul aspirations against your character as named in your letter, which I received yesterday. On the 21st Inst. my mind was so occupied with the movement of troops during the Battle, that I observed but little of the minutia of individuals beyond what was necessary to see plans carried out. But so favorable was the impression of your conduct on my mind at the time of making out my report, when my memory was more fresh than at present, that I felt it was official duty to speak of you in terms of great praise. At the time of making out my report, I was suffering from my wound, and wrote but a short report, but all that is in it respecting yourself, is such testimony, as a meritorious officer successfully fighting for the Liberty of his country deserves. I see that I forwarded your report to Genl. Johnston and you had better get a copy of mine from him if you need it, as there might be a military impropriety in my sending you a copy. If the General hasn't got mine, request him to direct me to furnish him with a copy, or to furnish you with it either. But if you have any hesitation about making the request of the Genl. let me know, and I will send you a copy of the report so far as it relates to you. I did not retain a copy of your Report.

Today I will commence in a quiet way gathering up such facts and names as may be of use to you, should there be any occasion for them. Anything I can do, you must depend upon me for as it will be both a duty and pleasure to send you.

Your daughter, Mrs. [?] and Mrs. Jackson left here in the same stage on last Tuesday. Sandy is recovering from a very severe cold.

Your much attached friend, T. J. Jackson

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Written from Winchester, Virginia. Letter regards support of the Colonel in response to "such foul aspirations against your character."

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Hd. Qrs. Valley District Near Mt. Jackson March 20th, 1862

My dear Colonel, As Lt. Col. Grisby was on furlough when I last wrote to you, my second letter has been postponed until his return. I sent for him today, and he states that he probably saw more of you during the Battle, and had more to say to you, than any other officer; and that you behaved as bravely as an officer should, and appears to have been impressed with your coolness and courage, and speaks of your conduct in high terms, and says that with the exception McLachlin d of the time when you went to the rear & hitched your horse, that you were forward with your battery.

McLachlin does not appear to recollect much respecting you during the engagement as he states that his attention was given to his pieces, and that is very natural, I know that I observed but little of individuals except as duty brought me in contact with them. Though he says that you were with the leading piece when the battery went forward on the line of battle, and that his his opinion is that just before the piece went to the rear, you gave direction respecting the firing.

Should you have Brockenbrough Court Marshaled, I would advise you to have Grisby summoned as a witness.

Very Truly your friend T. J. Jackson

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Written from "Near Mr. Jackson," Virginia. Letter praises William N. Pendleton for actions in battle.

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Hd. Qrs. Valley Dist. April 16th, 1862

Mrs. M. K. Langhorne, Your note respecting you brave son has been recd. and I hasten to say that you may rest assured that I will give special attention not only to his exchange when an opportunity offers but also to his unfortunate comrades.

Yours sincerely, T. J. Jackson

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Letter regards the status of Margaret K. Langhorne's son.

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Hd. Qrs. V. Dist. Big Spring April 18th, 1862

Maj. Genl. F. H. Smith Supt. Va. Mil. Inst.

General, If you can possibly spare Colonel Williamson for a week or ten days, I hope that you will give him a leave of absence for the purpose of assisting me professionally.

I am General your obdt. servt. T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl.

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Written from Big Spring, Virginia. Letter requests assistance from Colonel Williamson.

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Hd. Qts. at Swift Run Gap April 28, 1862

Maj. Genl. F. H. Smith Supt. V. M. Institute

General, I have an important movement in contemplation and I regret to trouble you again when the subject of letting Col. Williamson join me for a few days; but if you can possibly do so, I hope that you will let him leave immediately upon the receipt of this, and join me with all possible dispatch. Should he come, let him on reaching Staunton call on Major A. W. Harman for relays of horses in order that he may reach this point or wherever it may be in the shortest time.

My prayer is that the proposed undertaking will receive God's blessing for without it I can do nothing.

Should you be able to grant my request, you may rest assured that I will not retain the Colonel longer than necessary and should you desire his services at any time before the completion of his work, you have but to notify me.

I send herewith authority for him to impress horses.

I am General your obedt. Servt. T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl.

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Written from Swift Run Gap, Virginia. Letter requests assistance from Colonel Williamson.

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Head Quarters May 3rd, 1862

Spec. Orders No. 214

Maj. Gen. F.H. Smith having brought the Corps of Cadets of the Va. Mil. Inst. into the field, Quartermasters, Commissaries, and Ordinance Officers will furnish him all necessary supplies from their respective Departments.

By Order Maj. Gen. Jackson A.S. Pendleton A. A. A. G.

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Order regards VMI Corps of Cadets joining the Civil War.

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Near Harrisonburg May 19th, 1862 Hon. A. R. Boteler

Dear Sir, According to my promise I notify you that I am going down the Valley. But I can not say that I would advise to come on as my movements mat not be such as would enable you to visit your home. Should you feel at liberty to join me, I hope that you will do so at your earliest convenience.

What is the prospect of having Lt. Cols. J. R. Jones & A. Snead appointed Brig. Generals.

Very truly your friend T. J. Jackson

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Written "Near Harrisonburg," Virginia. Letter regards troop movements.

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Hd. Qtrs. Valley District May 29, 1862 Major Genl. F. H. Smith Supt. Va. Mil. Institute

General, I am very grateful to you for your cooperation. Please call on the proper Departments at Staunton for transportation and Subsistence. When I get a tent or room to write in you shall hear from me again. I am General, your obdt. Serv. T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl.

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Written from Valley District, Virginia. Letter thanks Francis H. Smith for his cooperation.

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Port Republic June 6, 1862

My dear Colonel, I have recommended Lt. Col. J. R. Jones late of the 33rd Regt. Va. Vols. For a Brigadier Generalcy. I greatly need his services as such, any thing you can do towards securing his appointment will be valuable service rendered to our cause. You may remember the part he bore in the capture of the arsenal at Apalachicola. To him was entrusted the quelling of the insurrectionary movement in this District last Spring and it was effected greatly to my satisfaction.

Col. J. goes to Richmond at my request. My recommendation of him sometime since was without his knowledge, and he is too modest a gentleman to do much in the way of pressing this matter as it affects him personally(?), and I therefore trust that this will do it for him. Please introduce him to Hon. A. R. Boteler, who has already taken steps towards securing the appointment. Remember me very kindly to the Governor.

Very truly your friend, T. J Jackson

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Written from Port Republic, Virginia. Letter regards promotion requests.

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Gordonsville June 20th, 1864

My dear Doctor, Yours of the 9th instant has been received, but was not handed to me by Mr. [?]. If I see an opening for an army appointment for him, I will try and secure it but I fear that no such appointment will be secured without the recommendation of the Colonel or other officers of a regiment where his services may be desired. If he can secure such a recommendation it will most certainly secure the appointment. I am glad that he has come, and I will talk with Major Dabney respecting him, with the hope that the Major may be the means under God of increasing his usefulness.

For our prayer accept my warmest thanks, and I trust that you, and all our Christian people will with increased [?] with God implore his blessing upon our cause. He can give us victory, and crown us with complete success, and He alone can. My trust is in Him, and in Him along, and unto His name be all the glory for every success and every blessing.

Give my kindest regards to Mrs. White and all the family.

Your much attached friend, T. J. Jackson

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Written from Gordonsville, Virginia. Letter regards potential promotions.

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White Oak Bridge July 10th, 1862

General, Yours of this date has been received. I send you a copy of the order for falling back. There are no infantry that I am aware of in front of you this morning. If no instructions have reached you, I would, if in your place, move off to your position near Williamsburg road. I expect to leave here this evening about 3 o' clock.

Stuart is still in front. I saw Capt. Rufus Barring yesterday. He says that his youngest child if dangerously ill.

Respectfully, T.J. Jackson Maj. Genl.

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Written from White Oak Bridge, Virginia. Letter regards troop movements.

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July 31st, 1862 My dear Doctor, I am very grateful to you for your prayers to God for the success of the operation which God has entrusted to me. Please continue to pray for me and for the success of the troops entrusted to me. It cheers my heart to think that many of God's people are praying to our very kind Heavenly Father for the success of the army to which I belong. Without God's blessing I look for no success, and for every success my prayer is, that all the glory may be given unto Him to whom it is properly due. If people would but give all the glory to God, and regard his creatures as but unworthy instruments, my heart would rejoice. Alas too frequently the praise is bestowed upon the creature. Whilst we must not forget the superior importance of spiritual victories, yet I trust that you will under God's direction do what you can in securing the prayers of His people for the success of our arms, especially for the success of them which are entrusted to me, an unworthy servant, but who desires to glorify His name even in my present military calling. My trust is in God for success. Praying for a continuation of your usefulness I remain your much attached friend T. J. Jackson

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My Dear Maggie In haste I drop you a line in answer to your letter of Oct.3d. I regret not having a position to which propriety Mr. Estill can be assigned. The best opening that I see for him is to secure an appointment as an ordnance officer. There are to be 70 appointed after being examined by a board upon their qualifications. Harry Estill is among the number. It appears to me that his brother Charles ought to pass examination by giving attention to the subject.

I am much obliged to you for your kindness.

I deeply sympathize with you all in the death of dear Willie. He was in my first Sabbath school class where I became attached to him when he was a little boy. I had expected to have him as one of my aid de camps but God in his providence has ordered otherwise.

Remember me very kindly to Col. Preston & all the family. Affectionately your brother, T. J. Jackson

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Written from Bunker Hill, Virginia. Letter regards a potential position for "Mr. Estill."

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Near Gordonsville Aug 7th, 1862

General, I am much obliged to you for giving Cadet Morrison a leave of absence. Should you not receive from his father a letter within the prescribed time requesting that his son's resignation be accepted, I respectfully request that you will accept it upon this my application.

I am General yr obdt servt. T. J. Jackson

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Written "Near Gordonsville," Virginia. Letter regards a leave of absence for Cadet Morrison.

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5 am Bristow 27 Augt 62

General, Permit me to congratulate you upon the brilliant success with which God has blessed you. You deserve promotion. The 12 Geo. & 15th Ala. Regt. have been ordered to you this morning.

If you have commissary stores enough please send 5000 rations to Genl. Ewell at Bristow as soon as you can get transportation.

I am Genl yr obdt servt. T. J. Jackson

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Written from Bristow, Virginia. Letter regards Isaac R. Trimble's promotion.

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Sharpsburg Sept 16th, 1862

Miss Fairfield, I have received the nice breakfast for which I am indebted to your kindness. Please accept my grateful appreciation of you hospitality. Very sincerely yours, T. J. Jackson

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Letter thanks Miss Fairfield for breakfast.

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Hd Qrs V. Dist Sept. 22nd, 1862

General, I respectfully recommend that Corporal Jas. P. Smith of the Rockbridge Artillery be appointed Aid de Camp and directed to report to me for duty. As 1st Lt. G. G. Junkin has resigned I desire Mr. Smith to be his successor. He has been acting as A. D. C. since the 20th instant and I respectfully request that his appointment be dated accordingly.

I am General your most obdt. Servt. T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl.

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Letter regards the potential appointment of Corporal Jas. P. Smith.

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T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl. Hd. Qrs. V. Dist. Oct. 15th, 1862

Revoking approval of Maj. Genl. D. H. Hill recommendation of Col. D. K. McBeal for a Brigadier Generalcy.

Hd. Qrs. A. N. Va. October 16th, 1862 Resptly forwarded By order of Genl. R. E. Lee

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Order regards rovoking Col. D. K. McBeal as a brigadier general.

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Clarke County Va. Oct. 30th, 1862

My dear Doctor, Your kind and Christian letter of the 16th inst, with the accompanying resolution have been received, I write this note to thank you for having so effectually complied with my request, and to ask that your prayers and Christian efforts be continued as before requested, My trust is in God, and it is a great comfort to know that he answers prayer. I am very thankful to our kind Heavenly Father for restoring you to health. I hope that both your sons if not entirely well at present soon will be. Your much attached friend T. J. Jackson

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Dec. 7th, 1862

Dear Genl, I have not yet found the sermon by Bishop Elliott of which mention was made when with you last. But I send herewith another of his sermons which I hope you will after reading forward to some friend in order that it may under God's blessing accomplish much good. The part marked on the 19th & 20th pages comes up to my idea of what is the very reasonable & most important duty and high privilege of our people at this time.

The sermon was given me by Mrs. Brent of Winchester last winter or early in March and has not been sent out among the troops as all religious matter should.

Sincerely your friend T. J. Jackson

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Letter regards religion.

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Hd. Qrs. 2d. Corps A. N.Va. Dec. 8th, 1862

Genl, When you last wrote I presume that Mount Mass. & Hop Yard were not picketed for want of time after Genl. E. received the order, but before [now] I expect that the pickets are in position. I wish that you and Genl. E. would arrange the picketing dividing the work between the two divisions proportionally

I have written to Genl. Lee for the purpose of having a [c?] picket at Dickinson's crossing.

I am Genl. Yr. obdt. Servt. T. J. Jackson Lt. Genl.

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Written from "Hd. Qrs. 2d. Corps A. N.Va." Letter regards general Civil War news.

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Hd Qrs. 2d Corps, A. N. Va.

Major, Col. Crutchfield is very desirous of having a commissary for my reserve Art. The object of this note is to ascertain whether you have one that can be assigned there. Who have you at Milford Depot?

If you have no commissary to spare for the purpose, and you know of a suitable person I wish you would recommend him and send the recommendation through these Hd. Qrs. How would Campbell do? What I desire you to do is to recommend the most worthy if one is to be appointed.

Can one commissary attend to the duties at Milford Depot and also to seeing that the Arty. wants?

Take care of yourself & when you feel like taking a long ride, come down and see me.

Respectfully your obdt. Servt. T. J. Jackson Lt. Genl.

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Written from "Hd Qrs. 2d Corps, A. N. Va." Letter regards commissary.

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My dear sister Isabella, Your letter of the 15th respecting Genl. Hill was received yesterday. My first step was to try and arrange things so that he would remain with this Army; but after several interviews with him and also with Genl. Lee, I became satisfied that it would be impolite to insist on his remaining. Genl. Lee manifested to great interest in Genl. Hill, and a great desire that he should not resign. He & I took the same view as yourself respecting his feelings after being out of service a while, and we both thought it best that he should be ordered to Richmond where he could be ordered to duty else where & to some position where he could have more comforts than with this company or he given a leave to go home as circumstances might justify. It appears that the War Department took a similar view. The last news received from the Dept. was that his resignation would not be accepted at present but if necessary, a leave of absence granted. I am probably wrong in saying that this Course was determined on by the War Dept. What I should have said, is, that Genl. Lee who has returned from Richmond told me that he had so recommended and I am well satisfied that his recommendation has not been departed from. Genl. Hill has probably explained to you before this, the causes which induced him to leave here. I tried to remove what I could influence, but was not successfull. For his services the Country owes him a lasting debt of gratitude. My prayer is that he will continue in the service until the war terminates, and that our Heavenly Father will give him success. And that his health and strength will not be so over taxed in the future as it had been in the past.

The subject of his leaving the army gave me great concern. I did not like to take any steps which would be distasteful to him. Though I thought he ought to go to Richmond, yet as he expressed his desire not to leave if a battle was about to take place, and as one might be fought any day. So far as I knew, I felt a hesitancy about doing anything which would separate him from his division in case of an action.

Genl. Lee proposed that he should take a leave of absence, and return to his division in the Spring, but Genl. Hill did not accept of it.

Though the case has been such as to give anxiety to you, Genl. Lee & myself, I am satisfied that Our God will over rule it for good. For He causes all things to work together for good to them who love Him. If the Genl. is at home when this reaches you, please give my love to him. Joseph, Robert and Maj. Ewing[?] are well. I have not seen Mr. Barrington for nearly two months. Give love to the children.

Your affectionate brother, T. J. Jackson

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Written from Caroline County, Virgina. Letter regards "Gen. Hill" leaving the Army.

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Corbyn's Farm Caroline Co. Va. Feby 11th, 1863

My dear Captain, Your letter of the 5th instant has been received, and your request will receive special attention. I am not sanguine of success, but an available opportunity may occur.

I regret to heat of the continued delicate health of Mrs. B. & child. Joseph Morrison has gone home to see his mother who is seriously ill. Capt. Avery had also gone on leave of absence of 25 days.

Genl. Hill has been assigned to duty in N.C.

Mr. Irwin & Sis with their children were at Cottage Home at last account. I hope that they will be there when Anna & Paul arrive there.

Should you come near me. I hope that you will not pass by without calling.

Very truly yours, T. J. Jackson

P.S. Genl. Stuart has arrived since the foregoing and he desires getting you appointed on His Military Court of which he has the promise. Say nothing about this, as the court is not yet secured. T. J. J.

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Written from Caroline County, Virginia. Letter regards general Civil War news.

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Hd. Qrs. 2d Corps A. N. V. March 23d, 1863

General, I have learned officially this evening, that Mr. Col. Wm. R. Cox 2d N.C. Regt. & Judge Advocate of the General Court Martial for the trial of Brig. Genl. J. R. Jones is absent and will not return until the 2d of April. Under these circumstances I would respectfully recommend that Col. D.B. Penn of the 7th Louisiana Regt. be appointed Judge Advocate of the Court.

The accompanying papers were returned to me today by Col. W. P. Bynum of the 2d N. C. I. One of the envelopes was opened by him under the impression that the package concerned his Regt.

I am Genl. your obdt. Servt. T. J. Jackson Lt. Gen.

T. J. Jackson Lt. Genl. Hd. Qrs. 2d Corps A.N.V. March 23, 1863 Recommending that Col. B. D. Penn 7th La. Regt. be appointing Judge Advocate by the Genl. C. Martial for the trial of Brig. Genl. J. R. Jones.

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Letter recommends that "Col. B. D. Penn 7th La. Regt. be appointing Judge Advocate by the Genl. C. Martial for the trial of Brig. Genl. J. R. Jones."

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Near Fredericksburg, Va. April 15th, 1863 Messrs. Mitchell & Tyler

Gentlemen, Your note of the 11th instant informing me that you have not only repaired my watch but also replaced the indistinct gold dial by a white one, gratuitously has been received.

The object of this note is to thank you for your kindness, and to say that not only is the watch thoroughly repaired; but that I regard its usefulness materially enhanced by the new dial.

I am gentlemen, [Signature missing/cut out from letter at unknown date]

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Written from "Near Fredericksburg," Virginia. Letter thanks Mitchell and Tyler for repairing a watch.

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7.45 A. M.

General, Your dispatch of 6. A. m. has been recd. I have sent a scouting party down the road you are on for the purpose of communicating with you. The party has taken 2 prisoners who report back of a regt. In rifle [?] in the wood. I have ordered a force to the wood for the purpose of clearing it.

Respectfully, T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl.

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Letter regards troop movements.

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Major, Please forward the above by telegraph.

I hope to get you a Colonelcy.

Yours truly T. J. Jackson Maj. Genl.