Augusta County: Ginnie Ott to Enos Ott, December 27
1864
Summary:
In this letter to her husband, Ginnie Ott discusses recent activities of the
family and remarks on the recent marriages in the community, including those of
African Americans.
Mr Enos Ott
Camp Lee
Richmond
Virginia
Care of Rev Henry
Brown
Mr Enos Ott
Dec 27th 1864
Stone Castle
Dear Husband
I seat myself this evevning to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am
well. I intended to write to you last Saturday but did not get our [deleted: ] until late in the evening so I put it off until this evening. I
sent Robert over with the horse this morning and expected to get a letter but
was disappoint[added: ed] he said they were all well.
Mag received your letter last Thursday and one from N K Trout requesting Mr
Cooper & Mr Black to go down to Staunton to attend to your papers. I
suppose they would go yesterday or today. I hope that your other papers will be
found [illeg.] then go on and you will get home soon. Henry is still at
home as busy as ever his detail was out last Thursday he had written
[unclear: on] to have it extended but had not received an answer when I
left Frank McNutt started back last Friday or Saturday he
hardly waited until the wedding was over. Elick went to Staunton last Monday
with a load of apples for his Uncle Henry and got the cloth you sent up and went
round by Aunt Sallies and got some potatoes and Harriet came in the wagon with
Henry [illeg.] by Mr Shueys and brought Miss Eliza & Miss Kittie
Anderson, so you see he had a pretty good back load. they stayed with us Wednesday night and Thursday and went over to Mr
Coopers that night they all went but Charlotte and I they walked and the snow
was so slick they could scarcely get along several of them fell down. Miss Eliza
said to tell you she missed you very much for she never had been there before
when you were away from home she said to you her best respects to you
[page 2]
I forgot to tell you in my last letter that Lieut Hull had called at the gate
he did get off his horse at all and I did not see him he
said he expected [unclear: to see you at] home. I have not heard from Mr
Newton yet but I will try and get some one to go to see him soon and try to
hurry him up. Becca & Phebe would like for you to send them $10 worth of
stamps and they will send you the money in the letter, Becca says to send half
of them in the first letter you write and send the rest some time again. I have
just been eating some wedding cake, Sister was at two marriages this evening
both at Mrs Hitts they were darkies there are a many weddings among the darkies
this week, but what surprises me more than all, Senie Harper & old
Walker Helso are to be married this week, he is about 60 years old and she is
almost 19 I think she must think the young men will all be killed or perhaps she
thought she would marry a man that was not subject to military duty. Pa said to
tell you he would have sent you some apples before this time but he heard that
you expected to get home if you have to stay they will send you some as soon as
he can. Becca says she will write to you in a few days, Phebe wanted to write
and send with mine but I told her I would rather she would wait a few days and
by then you could hear oftener. I think you certainly have missed getting some
of our letters for I have written twice a week nearly every week since you have
been gone and Mag once nearly every week. I believe I have given you all the
news I expect to be here for some time. If you find any mistakes in this letter
[added: you] need not be surprised for Pa
& Robert are both playing all send their love. Nothing more at present
but remain your affectionate Wife until death
Ginnie Ott
Harriet said to give her love to you.
