Your letter was received not quite a fortnight ago. We had been wondering that you did not write, as you had said in your letter to sister Ellen that you were going to write and you had never answered my letter sent you by Algernon last summer. It is no wish of ours that our intercourse should...

I offered my congratulations to Bennett this morning, & I cannot sleep to night without tendering the same to you my dear Lucy (as I hope you will allow me hereafter to address you) on the happy relation in which you stand to each other Bennett will tell you that I have loved him more than...

1865 January. Edward Everett, one of the most brilliant orators and ripest scholars in the world, died of apoplexy. When he was president of Harvard College I sat under him; but with all his ability he had not the necessary force to gain the admiration of the students, and his political life was...

Papa sent a dispatch to Cobham to day to be sent to Tom to give you news of our safety and losses. I will write to you to day to give you an account of these last five frightful days beginning with Friday when we heard the Yak Yankee cavalry was really in Charlottesville. Case came down early in...

Mrs Emley & myself returned from Washington last night. Gen. Hancock who is the principal person there for the arrangement of the exchange of prisoners promised us, to have you, & Lieut: Moncure, sent from Johnsons Island amongst the first that are now to leave. I am sorry I could not go,...

My son Algernon received a letter from my brother Jefferson, yesterday, dated 3d February, perhaps even later news than you have received. All well. I write principally to say that I feel to-day more encouraged in the matter of your exchange than I have done yet. Mr C. who has been unremitting in...

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...

your letter of the 9th has been received. You had not then got Mr C–s enclosure, the answer to our representative, Mr Rice and the few words added by himself. Matters do not look very hopeful for your exchange. yet I hope on, and remember that “relief is often nearest when it appears at the...

I wrote to you on the 10th my dear Bennett, since which time we have heard nothing more of your exchange. Such matters are always slow & difficult. ...

your letter of 1st Jan. to Mr Coolidge is received. We have heard nothing farther of the exchange, but in such matters, delays are so unavoidable, that we still hope for success. Nothing will be wanting on our part to ensure it. I have heard nothing lately from our friends, except that a letter...