Cessford, 18th July [1864].
My dear children,
We have been extremely unhappy on your account for the last few days -- apprehending that you must be in a condition of much perplexity, excitement and discomfort. A thousand times have we wished you here -- and lamented that any circumstances should have arisen to prevent your coming down with Harvey. We have been hearing, from hour to hour, the most contradicting reports -- some even going to state that Washington was on fire -- the next, perhaps, would be that it had never been attacked -- then, on Saturday, we got news that the Confederates were at Meridian Hill. It is now asserted, &, I suppose, with truth, that they were only on a raid -- a retaliation of Hunter's -- I trust that they were more merciful than he showed himself towards my old friends. I am afraid to hear from them.
I hope this will find you all quiet and well. Pray drop me one line to set my mind at rest. I have written to Loulou once (the day week) & since then sent messages through Addie. I trust those letters have been received, otherwise she would be disturbed about Nelly. Let her now dismiss her fears: the dear little one has improved so fast that I could see the difference each morning. Her cough is nearly gone -- no longer attended with pain or sickness -- she does not cough now more than three or four times in 24 hours, & then but slightly. When she came to me, her whole system appeared in disorder. She was very bilious -- stomach in a state of constant irritation, so that she could not eat: and she had hardly strength to walk. Now there seems to be a thorough renovation. She is full of life, & strength, mischief and fun. Can eat corn bread & bacon, & is hungry from morn to night. She runs about a great deal, and would go out a great deal more, were it not for the dust, which is intolerable. No rain yet -- not even dew, for these six weeks.
Yet, in spite of the drought, the weather is delightfully cool -- the nights delicious -- I think the fresh (or rather salt) air has done much to restore Nelly. I took her down to Pembroke the other day, & gave her a bath in the bay -- she remembered every spot -- told me where to look out for the fish-hawk's nest, & asked about the eagle that robbed him of his victuals. Milton would have been charmed with her remarks on the "beautiful sound the pine trees made."
I intended to have gone to the bayside with her again, towards the close of the week, but had to attend to the selling and digging of the potatoes. Harvey had gone to Will Robbins' to fish, & left me to do the business. Tell Milton I sold them for 4.75 clear of all expenses; which was more than the first brought. No vessels were going to Baltimore,on account of the panic. So we had to sell to the Commissary here. The drought cut short the crop. The soldiers stole five or six barrels before they were dug -- so we had but 34 barrels. If it don't rain soon, we have a lively prospect of starvation.
Harvey is out to-day looking for a place for next year. The Fitchet farm is now out of the question, as Dunn has called for reinforcements, and has caused a thousand soldiers to be taken from Grant's army, and posted at Cherrystone. Of course, there will be no fences, or even dwellings left there. Our friends are desirous for us to get Markon: but I want to be near the Bay. Williams' place is confiscated, & we have been urged to take it rent free. We might do so, & quietly pay rent to the old lady -- bit it is a very poor farm. There are plenty of place for rent, but all too large, except for the two mentioned above. Indications point to the fact that it is Moore who is on treaty for Pembroke, but there is nothing definite yet. It seems he can't get his house finished this year: he won't spend another winter in the kitchen, so needs the old dwelling.
Nelly wants papa to know that she is a good girl nearly all the time. She is docile and manageable, except an occasional fit of ill humor about her dress. I have to keep her in long sleeves, it is so cold. I must now stop so it is now time to mail my letter. With kind love to Mrs. Binckley, I am, as ever, dear children, your loving Mother.
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.
*Link here.
My dear children,
We have been extremely unhappy on your account for the last few days -- apprehending that you must be in a condition of much perplexity, excitement and discomfort. A thousand times have we wished you here -- and lamented that any circumstances should have arisen to prevent your coming down with Harvey. We have been hearing, from hour to hour, the most contradicting reports -- some even going to state that Washington was on fire -- the next, perhaps, would be that it had never been attacked -- then, on Saturday, we got news that the Confederates were at Meridian Hill. It is now asserted, &, I suppose, with truth, that they were only on a raid -- a retaliation of Hunter's -- I trust that they were more merciful than he showed himself towards my old friends. I am afraid to hear from them.
I hope this will find you all quiet and well. Pray drop me one line to set my mind at rest. I have written to Loulou once (the day week) & since then sent messages through Addie. I trust those letters have been received, otherwise she would be disturbed about Nelly. Let her now dismiss her fears: the dear little one has improved so fast that I could see the difference each morning. Her cough is nearly gone -- no longer attended with pain or sickness -- she does not cough now more than three or four times in 24 hours, & then but slightly. When she came to me, her whole system appeared in disorder. She was very bilious -- stomach in a state of constant irritation, so that she could not eat: and she had hardly strength to walk. Now there seems to be a thorough renovation. She is full of life, & strength, mischief and fun. Can eat corn bread & bacon, & is hungry from morn to night. She runs about a great deal, and would go out a great deal more, were it not for the dust, which is intolerable. No rain yet -- not even dew, for these six weeks.
 |
| Pembroke, near Eastville, Virginia* |
I intended to have gone to the bayside with her again, towards the close of the week, but had to attend to the selling and digging of the potatoes. Harvey had gone to Will Robbins' to fish, & left me to do the business. Tell Milton I sold them for 4.75 clear of all expenses; which was more than the first brought. No vessels were going to Baltimore,on account of the panic. So we had to sell to the Commissary here. The drought cut short the crop. The soldiers stole five or six barrels before they were dug -- so we had but 34 barrels. If it don't rain soon, we have a lively prospect of starvation.
Harvey is out to-day looking for a place for next year. The Fitchet farm is now out of the question, as Dunn has called for reinforcements, and has caused a thousand soldiers to be taken from Grant's army, and posted at Cherrystone. Of course, there will be no fences, or even dwellings left there. Our friends are desirous for us to get Markon: but I want to be near the Bay. Williams' place is confiscated, & we have been urged to take it rent free. We might do so, & quietly pay rent to the old lady -- bit it is a very poor farm. There are plenty of place for rent, but all too large, except for the two mentioned above. Indications point to the fact that it is Moore who is on treaty for Pembroke, but there is nothing definite yet. It seems he can't get his house finished this year: he won't spend another winter in the kitchen, so needs the old dwelling.
Nelly wants papa to know that she is a good girl nearly all the time. She is docile and manageable, except an occasional fit of ill humor about her dress. I have to keep her in long sleeves, it is so cold. I must now stop so it is now time to mail my letter. With kind love to Mrs. Binckley, I am, as ever, dear children, your loving Mother.
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.
*Link here.
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