3 o'clock P.M.

Wood Lawn Jan. 28^th/63

 

Dearest Papa

                        Although dear Mama wrote you this morning I write this afternoon; for I do not wish a single mail to leave West Point without bearing to my absent Father some tidings of home. Yours of the 21^st was received yesterday while I was confined to bed with a slight headache & my heart ached terribly while Mama read it aloud. My darling, darling, precious Bud! Oh, what you have & continue suffer!! Would that it were in my power to relieve you. I know you do all in your power for him; but if I could just be with him myself & administer to his wants with my own hands what a sweet comfort it would be. I do so long to see & be with him, to put my arms around his dear form & strain him once more to my bleeding heart. But I feel that I have much for which to be thankful; for many a gallant Southern soldier has died without even having a single relative to comfort & soothe them in that last terribly trying hour: while my Brother has Father doing all in humans power to lessen his suffering & wearing out his own strength willingly in tending his beloved son—Thank God for such a Father—He alone is able to compensate such / untiring devotion, & when I am permitted to see you again you will find out that your daughter appreciates her noble, noble Father. I know of no other Father that would have made such pecuniary sacrifices, & the longer I live the prouder I feel of, & the more fervently do I thank God for such a Papa. I greatly fear that I shall never see my idolified little Bud again; but I pray daily for his recovery, & the salvation of his precious soul. O, if I could only see him once more what a comfort it would be! but God's will not mine be done. I will stop writing in this sad strain in order that you may read portions of the letter to dear Bud if he is able to take an interest in home affairs. Last evening about two oclock it commenced sanowing snowing & continued till night. Mollie seemed perfectly intoxicated with delight, & reminded me of my own happy childhood, although she was alone, while I had two Brothers & a gentle sister to join me in my sports; & I felt last if my darling little Bud was but at home I could enter into a game of snowballing with him with all the zest of happy unthinking childhood. God grant we may yet have many delightful hours together & both of us may ever remember the endearing ties of fraternity. It is intensely cold to day & the snow covered every shrub & piece of wood; but it melted as fast as it fell on the warm earth 

 

Mama took the little lambs in last night; but in spite of all some one did I expect most of them will die to night. All of the cattle will be brought up to-night, & sheltered as well as possible. It is a bitter night & I wish that you & dear Bud were at home. Uncle Harry is up but quite weak—little Phil is complaining with pain in his shoulder, & Phillis with one in her breast. The rest of the sick better. Mama has just come in from attending to the sheep—says the old sheep would not let the little ones she took in the house last night suck, so she & Alic held them until the little ones were satisfied after which their mothers let them suck.

 

Mr. Barca has not been here for two days—I expect he is sick. I have felt so unwell for the last few days that I've stayed indoors, but Ma has braved weather & seen to things herself—I never dreamed she could stand so much. I am going now to see after feeding, so goodby till tomorrow, or after supper. Thursday morning 7 oclock What an awfully cold night we have had. Mama, Mollie & myself slept together & even then did not keep warm. I know you & Bud must have suffered in far north. Lucinda is added to the sick list, think she is taking measles. Phillis still complains of severe pain in her breast—we are applying pepper plasters, & giving pepper tea. Another little lamb died last night—I am having the skin saved for gloves. Phil still complaining, but / will not take his bed. Mr. Barca was here this morning, but it is so cold I dont see what he will have done. Hung up meat yesterday. Uncle Harry complains of being very weak—He is one of the best servants in the whole world. Little Phil has shown great interest in all that concerns you. But has old Phil still at his house—I have not seen him since he went to Atlanta to be examined & dont know what they are doing at the spring. Mr. Westmoreland says Bud will never be fit for duty & told him to resign so they fixed a resignation & sent it from there to the Reg.

 

God bless the ladies that have shown such kindness to my precious suffering Brother. Give him my best love & tell him we are saving everything in the eating line for him. We were disappointed in not hearing from you yesterday—expect a letter today. Devotedly

                                                                                                                       

Tinsley

 

[top margin upside down]

 

Grandpa is better. he has been so very kind to us since you left. Ma & Mollie joins me in much love to you & Bud. We had ice cream for breakfast. Could not find the colts last night—will have them seen after today.

 

Mr. George H. Winston

Madison Court House

Madison Co.

            Virginia

SOURCES