Letter from aunt to Samuel S. Brooke

Scope and content:

Written from Fluvanna, Virginia. Letter regards family news.

Language:
English .
Other descriptive data:

Fluvanna, June 26

Dear Sam:
I should have answered both your letter and Mrs. Daniel's which I received by Mrs. Brent, but I have been more indisposed lately and when mail day came felt too weak to make even that exertion. My complaint is the same to which I referred in a former letter to Mrs. D., not dangerous but very weakening and troublesome.

Your last was more satisfactory, but still tells nothing of your real self, you thoughts and feeling, why do you not speak of your hopes for the future, your chances of promotion,or you might say whether camp life has a good or bad influence on yourself. I know Dear Sam you have felt your afflictions deeply and to one of your affectionate heart the situation of your sisters must be a source of constant anxiety, but you repress all these feelings, and in writing to an old and constant friend, on who deeply shares your cares, you say nothing. Oh my dear, this is not right. I think I would give more to know the state of your mind and heart than to be sure that Jackson had come to Richmond and defeated McClellan, but I will say no more.

I hope you will not be so imprudent as to go to Fredericksburg. It could do no possible good and might result in a long imprisonment and add to our other misfortunes, the bitterest of all. Dr. Daniel must be a complete will of wisp, the first letter I received from him was from the canal boat. He there says he is going to Charlottesville and that he should remain there some time. I immediately wrote to him there, which letter he never received. He next writes me a short note, and says he is staying at Mr. Jas. Scott's, and that I must direct to him at Harrises P. O., Louisa County, to the care of Mr. Scott. I again obeyed and enclosed a letter to Fenton and Sugar which I hoped he might find means of sending. He says he has had no definite news from Fenton but had sent her a verbal message. The date of his note is 7 of June, it is very short and quite unsatisfactory. Since then I have not heard a word from him or from our dear ones in Fredericksburg.

I would like to consult him about my own case if I could get at him. There is a Dr. Wynn who lives quite near and who has treated your Uncle's children very successfully, but I dread a strange doctor so much, that I have not yet consulted him. I was truly glad to hear that you were better and hope will continue to improve. You do not say whether Dr. Tucker continues to practice on you.

Your uncle H. is obliged to be in Richmond by the 10th of July. You must try to see him. He told me he had been looking for you for some time before he found you. He is I know as kindly disposed towards you as possible, and I have had a long talk with him about you and your affairs. He returned here to find his youngest child at the point of death. I have never seen so ill a child. She is now almost well, only weak. You must thank Mrs. Daniel for her letter and for the papers and for her kindness to you. Give my love to her and say that I will write to her as soon as possible. And now God bless and protect you dear Sam. Write soon and often to your true friend, Aunt M. Brooke. Your Aunt Louisa has been suffering with a very sore eye. She sends much love to you.

Subjects:
Correspondence

Access and use

Location of collection:
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Parent restrictions:
There are no restrictions.
Parent terms of access:
Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.