Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

I heard yesterday that quite a number of Officers had left Johnsons Island last Saturday & again last night some passed through here. I do not know that it is true. I presume you would have written to me if you had been amongst the number. I went last Monday to ask Mrs Trist to write to Mr Coolidge to use his influence to have you exchanged amongst the first. Mrs Emley dined with Me a few days ago & said her friend General Perrine had influence & she would procure letters from him to Col Hoffman who has charge of this matter. Mrs Emley has just received the letters & we are going on Monday to Washington to see all that are connected in this business & hope we may succeed in getting you & Lieut. Moncure exchanged as soon as possible. I am very anxious about it because I am so much afraid something may occur to put a stop to this exchange. If I had only known that Mrs Emley could help me in this Matter I would have consulted with her sooner she is as much interested in you as if you were her nephew—she is interested & untiring in her labour of love & mercy for all the Confederate prisoners but you won her heart particularly without her I do not know what these poor fellows would have done for corn if twice the sum had been raised without her judicious distribution it would have been useless. My darling Boy—do you know I have shed tears several times at the idea of parting with you—You will think this is a strange love but we are all selfish even in our purest affections. I shall miss You so much & the Gulf devides me from so many that I love—A Gulf that will never be passed I fear during my life time. I am in perfect despair. May God be with all the dear ones on the other side. Your Uncles love—Your devoted Aunt