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March 6-10
Early this morning, Monday the 6th, we saw their tent struck and the Yanks depart with the most earnest wish that one yet might never more behold them again! How long, oh! Lord! wilt Thou thus afflict our land? He has said, "Fret not thyself because of evil doers, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass and withered like the green herb." We have faith and wait patiently for Him and in the end He will deliver us from our foes. We ought to have thankful hearts when we remember we are all safe and unhurt. Our losses are considerable but we have enough left to support us. Terrible accounts reach us of their treatment to others in the country so we must feel that we have been spared much. Our losses of much value were as follows: five men servants (and we think John Trice too for he has not come home yet,) all the horses that were of any value but the two that Daddy and Met rode, about half of the year's supply of meat, some flour, all the turkeys but five, the two watches, a good deal of corn, most of Daddy's clothes, all his guns, pistols and papers, some other little things. The servants that did not leave were so kind and attentive to us. Don't know how we would have come through our difficulties without them. Believe they saved us much and we have now full proof that they care for us for the Yanks offered them every inducement to go with them but they declined the honor. On Tuesday the 7th Daddy and Met come home. Daddy's sojourn in the mountains tells on him for he looks very badly. They were so closely hunted by the enemy in the mountains, had to take refuge in the Flat Woods. Have made some narrow escapes from the Yanks. Thank God we are all together again and safe. I had forgotten to say we set fire to the Free Bridge the first day the Yanks appeared but it was burnt so badly that the enterprising rogues soon fixed it so they could cross and thus were enabled to do much mischief all the way down the road from the Rives' [Castle Hill the home of William Cabell Rives] to Keswick, even below that place as we hear they treated cousin Peggy Nelson very badly [at Clover Fields.] The morning they left they fired the Bridge well, so we have no means of getting to town but by crossing in a little boat near the ruins of the Iron Bridge. The Yanks have done much damage on the railroad, burning the Depots at Shadwell and Keswick, also some above town, but have not heard how many. We feel uneasy about Met and Daddy being at home as we know nothing certain as to the whereabouts of the raiders so after they get some clean clothes get them to go off again to the Flat Woods. They come back; however, the next day, Wednesday the 8th, and stay as we hear the Yanks are all gone from about us. Thursday the 9th John Mac comes up to see what has become of us all. He had to walk from Cobham [as there was] no train running higher up the road.
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