Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley to John Milton Binckley, June 17 and 19, 1865

[Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley at Eastville, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, June 17, 1865]:

Saturday morning
Eastville [Virginia], June 17th 1865

My beloved,

Yesterday, Fred [Mitchell] came, told me you were detained, and I sat down at once to write you a few lines. Later in the day we got the mail, and there was your letter of Tuesday morning. As I had then sent in my letter to the office, I write again. Only to tell you that mother B.  [Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877)] is better, seems quite bright. I will try and get some arrangement completed for her to get away the first of July.

Fred goes next Tuesday. I have been interrupted again and again for unluckily, Rose has to go over to Fort Monroe to-day to see her husband who is starting for Texas, and I am sorry indeed, as she is the only colored one on the land who I can depend on. I will write again tomorrow.

Poor Fred he talks continually of you and your love, almost with tears. Says that your name is a precious one at Wheatley [Wheatly, Mitchell estate, Bedford, Virginia]. Think what grateful incense to me. My relations appreciate you now, if they never did before. The Good Lord will surely reward you for your gracious devotion to these unfortunates.

I must stop. Good bye my own love
your wife

[penciled note: "Fred was a cousin and a prisoner of war"]. 

[Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley at Eastville, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, June 19, 1865]:

Eastville [Virginia], June 19th 1865

My beloved,

I write only a line, just to say that Mother B. seems quite well. I have written to Augustus Warfield (at her desire) and hope soon to hear that I can get board for her in that neighborhood so put your mind at rest.

I have been quite sick myself, am up again (was up only yesterday and part of today in bed) and tho' I feel weak and miserably stupid, I think I am over the attack which I suppose was brought on by going out in the sun "after them blessed penatees [Penates, Roman gods of the household]."

I will soon be well again. Only I can't write you a long letter as I want to -- will write if I can by tomorrow's mail. You will find one letter in N. Orleans waiting for you.

Fred goes tomorrow. He seems to be enjoying himself vastly. 

I am so sorry that the Military are to be taken off the Shore. Satuday Sample [Captain John C. Sample, 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry] came down from Drummondtown with the news that the night before poor White [Lt. Col. Frank J. White, Provost Marshal] had a hemorrhage from the lungs: we haven't heard from him since. I am afraid the negroes will give us trouble, but I will not borrow trouble.

I must stop and lie down a while. I will write you a few words tomorrow.

Farewell my love
Your Mary 

[P.S.]: I received the $50.00 and acknowledged at once. 

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.