Letter from John Milton Binckley at Washington City to Mary Louisa Binckley at Wheatly, July 1861

John Milton Bickley (1821-1878) at Washington City to Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930) at Wheatly (Liberty/Bedford, Virginia), [July 1861].

In the first place, write a letter wherever or whenever it is possible -- not probable -- that we can get it. If there are fifty of them, it would be worth the labor & expense.

The letters I now speak of may most of them never get to me. 

Some of them may come, but too late to reach me before the 29th July, when I start.

Now, write them anyhow. Such as come too late for me would be like manna from heaven to your poor father [Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866)]. Also, in the midst of war, nothing is certain. I may not be able to get off at that date. 

Of course, I will not go, if I get word from you, or if in any way events which I cannot foresee should change my plan, before the 29th July.

Now write me letters as follows: Enclose one in [an] envelope the letter addressed to some acquaintance in Louisville, Kentucky (By the way, Eliza Filby[?] is well as ever, & to go home soon) or to somebody in another town in Ky. -- Louisville the best -- or you might send to George D. Prentice [(1802-1870). Editor of the Louisville Journal]. Send this by Express if you can -- or by mail if you [can't].

Write another to Capt. Smith's wife in Winchester, enclosed, etc.

Write one to Miss Little, care of A. Alex. Little, Esq. [(1824-1877)], Fredericksburg, 

Write one to your uncle Peter [Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877)], or some member of the Convention or Government who knows you -- ar Richmond -- or to some merchant in R.

Write one to your friend Miss West who is, I understand,, detained in Fortress Monroe, & who doubtless is allowed mail facilities.

Write one to some soldier in one of the camps hereabouts, especially the camp of your uncle Joe [Joseph Eggleston Johnston]. 

In all these cases, you ought to enclose your letter sealed to me, and a note, both in one envelope, addressed to the friend, begging him, as your only way to pay all expenses, be they how much sooner, and authorizing him in Every case, , if he think necessary, to break the seal & read the letter. The authority is necessary, but I find that  it be note necessary to open the letter.

Remember this -- Wherever a Confederate State post office is in operation near the military lines, a friend at such post office will find means of sending a letter over to be remailed inside of the U.S. lines -- don't forget this, & you may find many ways of writing.  

Goodbye my dear dear Mary 
Milton

P.S. This I send by Express to St. Julian in Louisville, Kentucky. He will probably write you or your mother, giving directions how to reply through him. 

Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription. 

Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance over the past few years.