Richmond Aug 31^st

 

Dear Mother

            I have rec'd 4 or 5 letters from you since my arrival here, 2 by Flag of Truce & two or 3 by—— I recd of one of 31 July & 21^st of Aug. I am glad to hear about the trunk that Mr Stanton is allowing you to send it will be a God-send in the present dilapidated state of my wardrobe I wrote a letter last Tuesday or Wednesday to you which I hope you will get. You complain of my not writing often enough you have no idea how difficult it is to send them. I leave tomorrow for the Army together with Tom George. we will ride there it is about 80 miles in a certain direction I go we join Capt Smiths company M^d Bat Fitz Lee's Brigade.

 

            I had a delightful / trip to the Sweet Springs they were all as kind to me as possible

 

            I told you in my last letter that I had an introduction to Genl Lee he took breakfast at M^r Macfarland's

 

            I have met any quantity of Marylanders since I have been here I met Arthur Robinson & Ridgely Howard the latter has recovered from his wound & the former is recovering.

 

            I got a letter from Uncle the other day he & his family are well I enclosed your letter to him in another envelope & sent it to him.

 

            Hanson is well he is going to take the commission just offered him by Gen^l Loring as Chief Aid the commission is all right. 

 

Give my love to Father the children & Grand-ma & dont omit Aunt Eliza Bazil & Skip ask Doug to tell the boys to write to me & direct them to M^r Macfarland or M^r W^m K. Gordon's care

 

You ought to see us equipped two splendid horses, pretty cavalry jackets, high boots, looped-up hats. Navy revolvers india-rubber blankets or rather oil cloth (india rubber is almost extinct here & selling at fabulous prices) &c. we look very formidable & nice wait a month or two such a metamorphosis will take place that you wouldn't know us.

 

            Give my love to all the boys & tell Ned A I rec'd his letter & was much obliged to him for it. I was afraid to see his cousin as they might suspicion me. /

Tell Doug that I have named my horse after him, a great compliment. Give my love to Pete Moale ask him if he still patronizes Miss "Liza"s cake?

 

            I wish you would enclose the letter to F do it privately & ask Doug to give it & keep silent about it. You must excuse this dull letter I will try & do better next time.

 

remember me in your closet when in prayer. Your very affect son

                                                                                                           

Raleigh

 

P.S. If you send me a pair of boots have them made about & inch & a half larger in the calf & larger in ankle & instep than these. I own one pair of boots to my name. Tell Pa my hair has grown out long enough to curl over my ears.   R

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