Nottoway. Feb 28^th '63.

 

            My dearly loved Alfred's letter was rec'd & read with unabated pleasure for be assured I most highly prize the affection breathed forth in its pages, & I have to thank you, for any good opinion your distant relatives may entertain of one so unlike what she wishes to be. if Aunt Helen were to become acquainted, Im sure she would wonder at your strong predilection for me. I was sorry she had been grieved & afflicted so, for I well remember your telling me about her sweet little Nettie. it must have been a heavy stroke, as it was so sudden, but her bereavement was not so sorely felt as that, which has torn the hearts of your own beloved household dearest Alfred. we did feel for them & I cant tell you how I sorrowed on your account as you were so far away & could not even indulge your grief with them. but, after the first great wave of anguish is over, & you can bring your self to calm reflection, on dear little Dellies departure it will be such delight to dwell upon her freedom from all sin & evil & death. surely it is comforting to know that she rests in the bosom of the gracious Saviour, & it will be one more tie in heaven & one less attraction on earth. I would like so much to sit down & have a quiet talk with you today & should enjoy it so much, hope yet / that some fortuitous circumstance may occasion the grant of a furlough for you, for we can hardly look with any degree of patience to the end of the war & think we are not to have you with us before that. it afforded great pleasure during all this bad weather, to think that you have a fire & house, & were not obliged to be out on duty at night, but were anxious, whenever we remembered that dear Tom might be exposed.

I've kept close quarters, having shut up to the whooping cough, (which both my children have escaped, almost wonderfully,) have not been to a single place with my little ones since November.

 

Sarah has been with us during the snow so we have not been lonely in the least tho' some of her time was taken up with her Cavalier, John Jones, who monopolizes her entirely whenever practicable. I wish they would have some other meeting place than this, as it is so distressing to Sister Cat, & she is powerless to prevent what she so much dreads, & what I fear will only prove an early doom, or a living death for poor Sarah. what is the reason some girls are so blind. Im sure our precious Lizzie would listen to good counsel in such an all important matter. I was not surprised at your honest confession in reference to Lizzie in your last letter, for I had predicted some such thing. I am only surprised at her being so little appreciated among the beaux. the truth is she is so far superior to any & all of them, that these trifling boys about here dont begin to understand the lofty, quiet gentleness of her loving nature. I begged / she would come soon to stay some with us & I rather think it probable she may come from church with us on tomorrow, & then how we shall wish for you. Sarah teares her half to death about you, & she looks so meek & tries to parry the thrusts, but the very attempt only increases the difficulty, so she is fain to hold to peace. she might retort severely on poor Sarah, only she is too good to give pain to any one.

 

We are very well now & sister Catharine is with us now & well. all send much love to you & Tom. Sarah has just written to him, & I suppose has given all the news so you'll hear more thro' her letter to him than from mine to you. I suppose you read each others letters. Sarah got yours to her & granted me the perusal, to my infinite gratification, as it is a real pleasure to read anything you write. I dont reckon Lizzie would let me get a peep into one of hers, for a trifle. I would like mightily to compare your correspondence with her to that of "Friend Ida's" I am sorry for that girl, for I know what she loves in you. you'll have to stay away long enough to be forgotten if possible.

 

            We shall expect a letter from your Father soon in reply to one from Mr Ward before we heard of the terrible affliction rent upon them. We are quite anxious to hear as it is hardly probable that one only should be sick, with such a disease in the family. hope to receive a letter very soon. Our little ones & Ma are quite well. Ma is looking very old, has never recovered her flesh since last years indisposition, but says she is well & moves about as usual. /

 

Lou, Sally & Ann Bouldin send much love to 'Cousin Alfred' & so would my white hair'd boy if he could only talk. he tries his best, & makes his full share of noise. he has improved greatly, sometimes is quite good looking, & is very little trouble. Patty, my brother & wife request to be kindly remembered to you, they all love you. Robert is in deep distress his idol, little Mary is ill, with what they suppose scarlet fever. he sent up for us but I could'nt go & have not heard from them since, shall hear today.

 

I did'nt mean to tax your time & patience so heavily when I began but have filled, without intending it, this whole sheet. my excuse must be that I was talking to my loved nephew & could'nt stop. the servants all send love to you & Tom also, especially Louisa & Judge. goodbye. Mr. Ward writes with me in warmest love & fervent prayer that you may be preserved & returned to us.

 

                                                                                    yours with fond affection

                                                                                                                        Lou.

 

[envelope salutation]

 

Jennings Ordinary

            March 3^rd 1863

 

                                    Mr. Alfred G. Ward. Sergeant Major

                                                5^th Alabama Reg.

                                                            Rhodes Brigade.

                                                                        Richmond

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