Oct. 5-11
We cannot go to church as Uncle Hatter is so poorly. I have a meeting at Mammy Nelly's house with the
darkies and enjoy it. Uncle Hatter and Uncle Gabriel have a warm discussion. I'm edified....[Sally] sends me a
letter from Jabe of the lst of Oct. He was then in Lynchburg but he did not seem to think there was a chance for
his being kept in that place. Don't think he has given up hope of being sent South yet. A letter from Sue to Mary
Lewis giving particulars of cousin Sop's death. She says Friday the 26th of Sept. he went down to his office but
return in the evening very ill and on Friday the 3rd of Oct. he was taken down to Richmond again to that last
resting place of man where he must sleep until that great Resurrection Morn when the Lord Himself shall
descend from Heaven with a shout; with the voice of the Archangel and with the Trumpet of God. He breathed
his last about the day dawn Thursday Morning Oct. 2, 1862. Sue says the distress of his family is terrible to
witness. He was a truly devoted husband and father. Poor cousin Ann! May God send His comforter to her and
to them all. He alone can help them in this their hour of woe. Poor John! The responsibility resting on him now
is very great. Sue tells us his friends are trying to get his Father's office for him; hopes they may succeed. Mary
Lewis comes home Wednesday evening. Mrs. Southall has diptheria at Cousin Lou's and it is not thought safe
for Mary Lewis to stay in the home with it. Sam is expected every day as he is supposed to be among the
prisoners lately exchanged. Sally tells me Cousin Thomas Watson has put Lydia to school with Lizzie Dee. It is
very kind in Cousin Thomas. I wanted her to be at school but did not feel that I could afford to send her and I
did not feel that Sister Mary could either. Nannie and I begin a course of reading together. We will include all
kinds of literature. We want just now to make the acquaintances of Byron. I finish this week the two last
volumes of Macaulay's History of .England.... Friday Sally comes very unexpectedly. Jabe comes with her as
far as town. He has been ordered to Harrisburg to establish a hospital. I'm so glad to have Sally with me. She
brings me such a dear little coffee pot out of Jabe's Mississippi Chest. have such nice little coffee parties. Sam
with us Friday night. He brings me some trophies from Fort Delaware. [Fort Delaware is a Union prison for
Confederate prisoners and Sam has just been exchanged after being a prisoner there.]