Augusta: Robert B. Spillman to Amanda C. Armentrout,
January 29, 1865
Summary:
Robert asks Kate to please share her fears with him so that he may offer her
comfort. He then talks of the especially harsh weather and the number of sick
soldiers (an "ill harvest") arriving at the hospital due to the cold.
Miss Kate Armentrout
Greenville
Augusta Co Va.
Jan 29th 1865
Chimborazo Hospital No 3 Richmond Va
My dear Sister
Your very kind & dear letter of the 21st
instant reached me safely [deleted: a] three
days ago which found me quite well & truly glad to hear from you
& to hear that [deleted: you with] your Fathers family were
well but I am very sorry to hear of your unpleasant feelings from the tone of
your letter you appear to be in a measure greatly troubled. Your language was such as would lead one to believe that you feel
like one forsaken, like one enshrouded with the dark shadows of gloom wending this way as it were in some isolated
region amid trials & troubles unspeakable with no one to cheer you.
No sound of a merry or well known voice to break the stillness of the midnight hour. No strong arm to shield thy fragile form in the hour of apparent danger. No fond eye to
meet the steady gaze as [added: you] look to the dark
& untried future. Dearest Kate, would that I
was capable to day of speaking to you with lanugage that would cheer your
drooping spirits, to [deleted: clear] remove the dark cloud from over your way & brighten your path with the
briliant sunshine of joy & consolation, but as it is using one of your
expressions "You must take the will for the deed." I am exceedingly anxious to
have the full
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causes of your troubles not that I could feel that I
would be able to soothe [added: you] in the least but
I would be very glad to know all that in any way gives trouble or displeasure to
my dear & ever faithful friend Kate. If the secret of your discomfort is
not too profound I will be much gratified to know all about it, with a promise
never to divulge it to any one. Well for a change of the
subject I will give you a little of the news of the day. It is generally believed that our Government is about to send
commissioners to confer with the Federal authorities preparatory to coming to
some terms of peace. May the blessed Lord grant that they
may be able to come to some honorable terms of peace.
The weather is extermely cold. We have a perfect ill harvest just at this time. Well dear Kate you will have to excuse my short letter. Please don't think I am getting careless about writing, for I assure you that nothing gives me more pleasure than to write & receive a letter from you for you are the only constant & faithful correspondent I have. I hope when I hear from you again that your letter may be teeming with good news, & that you my dear darling sister Kate may be your self again with my tender regards to the loved ones at your home with much love for you dear Kate
believe me to be your affectionate & ever loving Brother
Robert
