Richmond Va.            

May 14^th 1863.

 

My dear Mr Owen.

                                    I am twice grateful, first for the early remembrance, then for the manifestations of it.

 

I have but just arrived here to find Mr Davis quite ill, and the attack differing somewhat from the old ones in the character and tediousness of it. It was a struggle to leave Mrs Howell who was still ill, but very much better. Maggie stayed to bring my Mother on with her, and they will probably spend the summer with me. I can say nothing to excuse Maggie in her failure to write, were it the carelessness of an indifferent person I could explain it as indicative, and distressing, but the fact is she / is more thoughtful of you, and more solicitous for your safety than I have ever seen her about anyone. But—from the cradle to the grave this unfortunate word dampens our ardor, shadows our joys—But she is the very laziest girl I ever saw about writing—and always did answer her letters only at the point of the bayonet. She was I thought in the full tide of successful experiment writing you frequently long letters, but I suppose they did not please her taste, hence the delay, at least this is my theory. When she comes to me you may expect me to play mentor to her. at present in the crude kaleidoscopic condition they are all in I fear if you were to receive a letter it would be like a Fourth of July orator I once heard say, "I give you fellow / citizens the shreds of thought in rapid chaos thrown". So possess your soul with patience, and I think it may also be trustful.

 

We had an exquisitely uncomfortable trip on here—to paraphrase Hood a little

            Soldiers were mangling us

            Old girls entangling us,

            Jew peddlers carniverous.

            Good Lord deliver us.

 

At Augusta I saw Mrs Slocumb for a moment, but she did not recollect me, and as she was leaving there in a different train from mine I did not speak, but she does not seem very fresh or bright. Both of which she was in an eminent degree when I saw her at the Spottswood. What a gay time you must have had with your private theatricals. the order of Voltaire is reversed by your corps. You know he "Built a church, then laughed his God to scorn"—I like your programme / better. Our negroes join the church in summer when dancing is not conducive—but expecting to "backslide" in the winter again. those who are accomplished lend their violins out to the ungodly, to be resumed when they may enjoy sin for a season. Shall you all backslide this winter?

 

There are no hooks here, no heinous sinners, no virtuous commentators necessarily—but Mobile might, to judge from the remarks I heard from a gentleman on the cars be slightly changed to Mabille, and indicate plenty of room for aforesaid commentators genius. The gossip here is not subjective here, it is governmental, that is to say they plan captivity and battles, build forts, and Presidents such as they should be, but give me public spirited women rather than those whose attentions are turned inward. For a stupid letter you have to contemn me, for an industrious woman you must respect me in that I answer your letter the day I arrived here. As your sincere well wisher pray remember that I am with kindest regards yours

                                                                                               

V. Davis—

SOURCES