Dr. William M. Michel (aka Mitchell) to John Milton Binckley, January 28th, 1868

Blue Stone, Va. [Tazewell County, Virginia] Jan'y 28th 1868

Dear Binckley,

I on yesterday rec'd a Harpers directed in your hand, but not a line of word besides. Have not heard from you or sister Lou since some time in Dec'r. Both Lulie & myself have written; I wrote about the 29th ult. [ultimo] to you on some business for Cousin Henry Smith, but have not gotten a line as yet, in return. Please write & let me know if you got such a letter: if not I will state the matter fully again.

Have been anxious to hear from Dr. E as to the chances of my getting a diploma but am still "in statu quo."

I know you are busy & bothered by state affairs etc. but just stop thinking of all such for an hour, & write me a free & easy letter. I have been hard at work in trying to get enough little things to commence house keeping; hope to be able to be on my own hook by 15th of March.

I am hopeful as to my practice & as soon as I can get enough money to keep me above want for six months, why Loulu & myself are going to give Omaha City a treat.

I am not content to hide myself under the shadow of these hills, all of my days. Things are not progressing here at all: I want to have a change to become somebody, before I give my last dose.

I am perfectly content where I am, if I was allowed to be white. When I am in a free State perhaps I can have then a white man's rights.

Cousin Henry Bowen, Joe [Ire?] Shan{?] & some of the rest of us are trying to perfect our Conservative organization in the county & run all the Red Strings out & all the negroes that do not behave. We will have a meeting at the C. House tomorrow, & we can then know our strength & resources better.

If there is any Freedman's Bureau now extant, I would like to get the app'tm't as Dr. to the Freedmen of Tazewell Co. if they are entitled to one, who will be paid by the Govt. They have asked me repeatedly to write on about the matter, as they are for the most part so poor off as to be able to pay a Dr. being without Master or Mistress to foot the "William." See if you can get the posish for me.

Lulie says please send a family picture of you, Lou & the young folks for her album. Ask Mother B [Binckley] to send me hers & I will return mine, with long curly locks, beard brown & kinky & face fat & hearty,

Now one more favor & I am done -- ask Lou to write me word what a good large size hair mattress can be bought in, to be delivered at Saltville, Va. (Loulie can not sleep in feathers) & to let me know as soon as possible, and also the price of sheeting & blankets, etc.: and by so doing greatly oblige yrs truly.

Give our best love to all & conclude to go to Omaha with us.
your affectionate brother
Wm. M. Michel

J. Milton Binckley
Asst. Atty. Gen'l
Washington City

[n.b. in pencil: "Son of Harvey and Jane Johnston Michel. He was at V.M.I. when he enlisted. Was blown up at Petersburg and taken prisoner. Afterwards studied medicine while still very young"] 

[Dr. William M. Michel (aka Mitchell) at Blue Stone, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, January 28th, 1868]. 

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.