Augusta: Robert B. Spillman to Amanda C. Armentrout,
December 22, 1865
Summary:
Robert writes to Kate about his plans to move to Maryland for the work and wishes
her a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Miss Kate Armentrout
Greenville
Augusta Co Va
Dec 22nd 1865
Fredericksburg Va
My Own Sweet Sister Kate
Your most dear, & ever welcome letter of the 3rd
instant reached me safely a few days ago which found
me very well & truly glad to hear from & to hear that you
together with your father's family were enjoying good health &
prosperity, with the exception of the little bad feeling which prevented you
from attending Church but I truly hope that ere this reaches you, you may be
fully restored to perfect health again. Well Sister
Kate it is now drawing
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very near Christmas. Many in this place are in
anticipation of a gay time, at balls & parties but I don't expect to be here during the Christmas. My calculation is to
leave here Christams night for home if I am not disappointed. That is if the
Steam Boat does not fail to make its usual trip from Baltimore. I cannot tell
now whether I will return to this place soon or not, it depends altogether upon
future arrangements. I reckon you had better not answer this, until you hear
from [added: me] again as there is no regular line of
communication to my County & as it is near mid winter the Steamers are
about making their last trips. Consequently we are
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soon to be deprived of the only means of Public conveyence or
Communications with this place Should I return to Fredericksburg again I will
write to you immediately. I truly hope you may spend a pleasant time during the
Christmas. I really wish it was in my power to visit you this Christams I am
sure I could spend a pleasant time. It was two years the
14th of this month since we parted. Well do I remember
that eventful day. What strange things time has
brought about. Two years ago we knew each other only as strangers tonight I
address you my Dear Kate as Sister & must say as I have often said I
love you as such I feel like I am writing to one
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who truly merits all
my love, in whose heart I am proud to say I have a place, according to my
unshaken confidence in your most noble & worthy self. Remember my dear
Sister that though we be ever separated, you will ever be a bright star on the
pages of my fond memory if life is spared & fortune smiles I am
determined to see you. I assure you there is nothing that would be more
gratifying to me than a visit to Rose Dale, the home of my much loved Sister Kate. The night is growing old I must close
for the present by wishing you a Merry Christmas & happy New Year my
love to all, wish your dear self may God forever bless you.
Your affectionate Brother
Robt
