Augusta County: Martha L. Roadcap to a Friend, April
11, 1865
Summary:
The friend to whom Martha Roadcap writes is probably Mary Baylor, who will later
marry her son, Charles McGuffin. In the letter Martha speaks of her
disappointment with the defeat and dreads being "overrun by the vandal foe." She
writes that she will save all the information from the Heists about her son
John's death, for Charles to read when he returns.
April 11th/65
At Home
My Dear Friend
It is with a troubled mind I now seat myself to pen you few lines horrible
thought that we are likely to be overrun by the vandal foe what a sad trial to
our brave men who have fought so vigorously for nearly four years now to think
that all is to be lost but yet I can hardly give up to it nothing but distress
prevails now throughout our land hearts are breaking to know the fate of loved
friends what has been the fate of your neighborhood boys who are safe &
who are lost where is your dear brother I hope he is safe I have not heard a
word from my Charlie since you wrote until a few days ago I heard through a
letter from one of our neighborhood boys who saw him before the fight he was
well at that time but should he happen to get home as you will be sure to see
him before I will you must press him to come to see me immediately be
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sure and find him - I received a letter this week from Mr. Heist it was
written from Staunton concerning Johnnies death he has not been home since the
sad occurrence but saw a lady who succeeded in obtaining a passport from General
Sheridan to pass his lines he was mortally wounded a short distance from the
town the ball penetrating his head just back of his ear he requested his friends
to have him removed to the Heists house which was accordingly done but before
they [illeg.] his house with him he expired & was interred in
his lot in the Winchester cemetery he thinks the death of Johnnie's death has
been productive of a change of heart in his son in whom he couseled a reform which his death has caused him to remember
& also to practice for which he seems to be very thoughtful indeed - he
says his daughter will write to me the full particulars as soon as the way
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is open I will keep the letters for Charlies perusal you will have to
excuse this short letter this time as I feel so unfit for writing but will try
and write again when I become more composed give my love to all the family
& write to me soon Allie sends love to you
as ever your devoted Friend
Martha L. Roadcap
