| | 1 | Author: | Shields, Maggie E. | Add | | | Title: | Maggie Shields to Kate Armentrout, March 4, 1862  | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I have been promising you a letter for more than a fortnight, but have neglected writing until this late period, though
doubtless it will be quite unexpected to you even now as it is almost entirely
unwonted for those at home to introduce a
correspondence with an absent friend; but you know as hard times increase, all
precedent customs as well as general formality diminishes & as I deem my
"own dear self" a miss of self-competence sufficient
to be governed by momentary impulses I will preface a fashion which I anticipate
will remain unimitated though hope not
depreciated, if it be a breach of former civility or etiquette if you please.
Well, Kate I scarcely know what to communicate first; as I am aware you hear directly from the neighborhood that so frequently that you receive the news almost as early as myself;
suppose from what I have learned that your fruition has been dazzling in the
zenith of its magnificence during your visit up to the present time; &
presume it will not cease to continue as long as parties, are the fashion
& Valley Rangers, with plenty of "Tobacco" are the Chorus in your "Town"; Oh! I have a great
desire to hear from you. There has no material change occurred within the limits of our vicinity since you left us, we
still experience the alternations of joys & greifs which we have been accustomed to almost daily since the war
commenced; we, in accordance with the
dictates of the Sacred writings rejoice in time of victory & grieve when
conquered. Suppose you have heard the
particulars attending our friend John Lightner's sickness & death; he
died wishing us all to meet him in heaven, which should be our unwearied
endeavor & consequently our final end. You had my heart-felt sympathy
upon hearing the melancholy news; but this Providence like theirs should be
weighed with the balance of humiliation, as the loss of one is the gain of
another. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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