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May 19-25
Sunday we hear Mr. Johnston preach .... At night go to hear Mr. Granberry at the [University] Chapel ....Nothing is talked of now or thought of but the soldiers and their news. From the signs of the times we must expect strong news soon. A letter from Robert but on opening it found it is to Alice and he has sent mine to her. I'm so disappointed for I felt very anxious to hear something from him. Get home on Wednesday and find Ellen there. John brought her up on Sunday. He went back the next day so I did not see him. I'm very poorly for a day and night. Friday evening I was roused up from my afternoon nap to see a gentleman who had asked for Miss Minor and on going into the parlor was quite taken aback on being greeted with a kiss by a perfect stranger. Seeing my surprise, he said, "Don't you know me, your brother, Dr. Lea?" It was all right then and oh, how glad I was to see him. He is so pleasant looking and is so affectionate and treats me so like a real brother that I feel that I can take him right to my heart. He is on his way to Harper's Ferry were he holds the office of Assistant Surgeon to one of the Mississippi regiments. He spends an hour or so with us and then I go back with him to sister Betty's where I am a fixture as long as he is with us. At Rugby we have quite a family meeting as brother Jim and Lizzie [Minor] join us Saturday. I'm charmed with my new found Brother. He talks much about his little wife. Tells me of their first acquaintance and spring time of love. It seems a hard chore to leave her so far away. Saturday sister Betty and I prevail on him to write her himself and let us add on a note. I beg little Sally to come to us while her husband is at the wars. If she comes to Virginia she may have an opportunity of taking a peep at her good man occasionally. Oh, I hope and trust she may come. How my heart has yearned toward this dear sister and how I have hoped and prayed that we might one day meet. Quite a crowd of strangers to tea Saturday night but my brother Jabe Lea accompanies all my thoughts. Hear from Lizzie Minor that Miss Vallant and Sue Stanford (Bacon) left Virginia for the north this week. I think it is best that they are away for their own comfort. [Miss Vallant is a northerner and Sue Stanford Lewis is married to at Massachusetts man, James Terrel Bacon, and lives near Boston.] The news came Friday that Alexandria had been taken by the Federal Army. The enemy have now another foothold upon our soil. This seems a strange move for General Lee to allow. Time will show which side gains by it.
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