Richmond Feb 16^th

 

My dear Mrs Thomas

                You can scarcely imagine how rejoiced I was at the good news your letter contained concerning your sons safety since the Franklin battle. I had received a message from outside, that there was a report that Hanson Thomas, Major Henry Robinson and my brother had fallen in the Franklin battle. my mind was soon relieved concerning my brother, as I tore open a letter for my Mother, from Levins wife telling her that he was safe, but had suffered from his knee, it / being injured by his horse falling on him in the battle. I felt most thankful for his preservation, but my next feeling and anxiety was for your dear boy, and was so depressed I had not the heart to leave the house, but on the second day your letter comes telling me you have heard from him since that battle, and I now find the mistake was made in this way. some one hearing that six of Lorings Staff had their horses shot under them immediately wrote to Levin asking if it were true concerning your son. as I determined you should hear nothing until it was authentic, I / felt as if words were feeble to express thanks to God for the preservation of Levin and Capt T—. God grant they may continue safe and well, and return soon to their loved ones. I heard as late as January 7^th from my brother. all were safe and well in Corinth on that day, and all has been quiet since, no fights. I am glad you received our "Carte de visites" safely, and the high compliment you paid John gratified me very much. I wish you could see the original, I am sure you would like him, he has been within twenty miles of me for some time and I was not allowed to go to him. I hope you will be able to accomplish your visit to "Richmond" / what a happy reunion it would be. I am sorry to hear of Capt Mays death. how do the M^cRae girls fancy living in N—Y—my sister speaks of them in her letters, she has passed several weeks in New York, she found it very gay and pleasant, but longs for her Southern home. I almost hope the cold winter will disgust them with Northern life. I am glad that your sisters child is improving I hope his health will be entirely restored. Last friday I had a most exciting and pleasant day, one of our young soldiers came to the videt with a "Flag of Truce" his mother & father made application for a permit to meet her their son, the Genl allowed / them to go with the Officer to meet him. nine or ten girls accompanied them, some on horseback and some in the carriages, it was quite an imposing sight. we reached the videt at 12 Oclock, and were allowed to pass two hours with the Confed soldier a short time before parting the Mother spread a delicious lunch on the grass. we were invited to join, so we sprang from our horses took our places on the grass, and had a merry time. the poor young man went off without a button on his coat, the girls cut them all off, it was really a delightful day.

 

I sent your last letter to your / son the day I received it as I had the opportunity to send it out. John told me that he saw a likeness of yours in Richmond, I think at the M^cFarlands. I hope you will soon send me your Carte and then he will not be ahead of me. As I fear you are already weary of this lengthy yarn I will close. With much love in which Bessie unites                                                                         

 

Believe me            yours

Affectionately

 

[in another hand]

 

M^rs John          Ogden

He was on Lorings Staff

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