Letter from Mary Louisa “Lou” Mitchell/Michel Binckley to “My beloved Milton,” August 1, 1861

Trapped in limbo in Louisville, Kentucky, Mary Louisa “Lou” Mitchell/Michel Binckley wrote this letter to “My beloved Milton,” August 1, 1861. The mailing envelope is addressed to Mr. J. M. Binckley [her husband] or Mr. Harvey Michel [her father], Washington, DC. There is a three cent stamp affixed, postmarked Louisville, Kentucky, much like the above from Wiki Commons, which features the Adams Express Company. 

I arrived here day before yesterday, coming all the way through Tennessee. I went straight to the Telegraph Office and sent you a dispatch. All day yesterday I waited in a fever of impatience -- no answer came -- I went in the evening again. The operator was so interested and kind, he sent himself to know if the message had been received. I have had no answer from that. I can wait no longer.

Your letter of the 8th of June reached me when it was nearly three weeks old. I was just then starting from Norfolk where I had waited two weeks for a flag of truce -- that seemed impossible -- no one was allowed to go near Manassas --the only route open was by Tenn. and they said it would only be open for a few days. I got to Louisville without a cent, but have met with such kind friends. Rev. Mr. Whittle [Francis McNeece Whittle, 1823-1902] came and took me this morning to his house where he says I shall stay as long as I please.

For God's sake let me know what to do? Where you and my precious father are? And what are you going to do? I have written letter after letter to you. 

In greatest haste,
Your own
Mary 

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.