Richmond Va.

Oct 10^th 1863

           

Dear Mother

                        I wrote you a letter to day that I am much ashamed of & for which I ask your pardon. Before I mailed it however, Mr Macfarland handed me a package from you. One for me of the 21^st dispelled all of my fears of having been forgotten.

 

Oct 12 The trunk arrived all safely. I found it at the bank. Raleigh has not seen it yet. But I shall divide the things and leave no part at Mr. Macfarlands / He equipped himself in the finest style & has joined a company composed mostly of his Balt^o friends. From his letters I think he is well satisfied & rather enjoys it. If he should ever tire of it, I think I will be able to get him some place that will be more agreeable. I carried him to the [?] with me, at Uncle's suggestion, where he remained about two weeks. I was delighted to see such a change in his character. I am not at all afraid or uneasy about him. I think he has resolution enough to withstand the temptations of camp. he has promised to write me once a week & I the same, so that if anything should happen to him I might come on to him. / Don't think that because I have been over here for two years, and he but a few months, that I require less petting or encouragement. I have been terribly afflicted with the "Green eyed monster" which prompted the letter mentioned in before.

 

            I am very much obliged to you for the things sent me, tho' much more for not having made a distinction in favor of R. as I at first supposed you had.

            I shall leave for the South on Tuesday. My General is stationed at Meridian Miss. guarding that state and Mobile. if Bragg is successful no doubt we shall march on N. Orleans. I have had a delightful summer at the Sweet. All of Geo. Benson's family, the Macfarlands W^m Turner & others / [?] them, quite a large party. they have been very, very kind to me. All of them write me. Mr Macfarland also considers me one of the family. I am staying with him at present. I kept house at the Sweet & even the Bensons treated me as a son. They were all glad to see Raleigh who was immediately adopted in the family. I think for one who is without a home that I am better cared for than anyone in the Confederacy. R. & Miss Sue correspond. I am sorry that Nannie is not at all better than a year ago. I am afraid that it will be something serious. You dont know how she enjoyed your letters, which I always gave her to read. Please write her. /

 

[overwritten]

 

I shall send a letter to W^m [?] every week when I go south so that in future I will be more regular in my correspondence. I am sorry that Father's spirits are so broken. I hope in a few weeks he will have cause to rejoice. Give him my most affectionate love. Tell him I have received my commission and one of the most flattering letters from Gen^l Loring that he ever read. Saying that he could not do without me & it would affect the service materially if I left. When Congress meets, no doubt the Pres^t will sign the "Staff Bill" if so I will be promoted to Capt or Major of Cavalry. My pay now is $1620 year /

 

[overwritten]

 

I heard from Uncle a day or two ago. they are all well, staying at Lynchburg. The B[?] told me always to send their best love and thank you for your presents. I wish you would send a pair of kid gloves in some of the letters for Betty & Sue. it is a very good way and the letter always comes on direct. Dont forget. Give my best love to Nannie & Mary. say that I  compliment them on their composition & stenography. It was quite a surprise to read their letters. Best love to Grandma. I hope she is better. Love to Gordon and old "Redhead" I suppose he is to be the great financier of the family or the Big Bug of the family Love to Aunt Eliza Bazil & Skip [?] & others. say that I should like to hear from them.

                                                                                   

Your most affectionate son

Hanson

SOURCES