[Jane Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel at or near Bedford, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, circa May 1861].
You must not think, dear Milton, that you have not been in my thoughts a great deal, in spite of the fact that I have not told you before. The main reason of my not writing is, that Lou writes so often and so fully, as to leave me no subject for my pen. Besides this, we have not escaped excitement and hurry, fixing up the troops for war.
You can't have the smallest idea of the state of things here, but one feeling animated the whole population, high & low, white and black, that feeling is to resist invasion of their rights & their soil, & this they will do to the death. Even quiet old Robbie & blind Mr. Sale are for secession & State Rights.
I fear Harvey will be displeased at Willie's enlisting, but I believe if Harvey were here, he would enlist himself. Do try and reconcile him to the step you know you can persuade him to any thing at all. You see Willie had nothing else to do in these times, and I feel that even the life in camps is preferable to idleness.
I have tried to keep away from excitement, but know you think me dreadfully prejudiced in favor of my own people, & I must confess I feel very much sympathy.
The servant is waiting to go to town, & I must stop now. I seal with wax, according to your orders -- for want of a better seal, the device a quill "from a goose." Do you think it suits?
Yours truly & warmly
Jane
Hand the enclosed to Harvey.
[Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866)
Willie = William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)
John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)]
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. Paragraph breaks made for easier reading.
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.
You must not think, dear Milton, that you have not been in my thoughts a great deal, in spite of the fact that I have not told you before. The main reason of my not writing is, that Lou writes so often and so fully, as to leave me no subject for my pen. Besides this, we have not escaped excitement and hurry, fixing up the troops for war.
You can't have the smallest idea of the state of things here, but one feeling animated the whole population, high & low, white and black, that feeling is to resist invasion of their rights & their soil, & this they will do to the death. Even quiet old Robbie & blind Mr. Sale are for secession & State Rights.
I fear Harvey will be displeased at Willie's enlisting, but I believe if Harvey were here, he would enlist himself. Do try and reconcile him to the step you know you can persuade him to any thing at all. You see Willie had nothing else to do in these times, and I feel that even the life in camps is preferable to idleness.
I have tried to keep away from excitement, but know you think me dreadfully prejudiced in favor of my own people, & I must confess I feel very much sympathy.
The servant is waiting to go to town, & I must stop now. I seal with wax, according to your orders -- for want of a better seal, the device a quill "from a goose." Do you think it suits?
Yours truly & warmly
Jane
Hand the enclosed to Harvey.
[Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866)
Willie = William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)
John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)]
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. Paragraph breaks made for easier reading.
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.
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