Augusta County: A. J. Gilkeson to Gilkeson's brother
(probably Hugh Gilkeson), July 31, 1865
Summary:
Gilkeson recounts the details of his father's death. He goes on to give further
updates about his family's health. He also ponders the postwar conditions, as he
discusses mail service and the status of banks.
July 31st 1865
Staunton
My Dear Brother
The last letter we received from you was written last July, and reached us in
September. Since that David & I both have written you, but I think it
doubtful whether our letters ever reached you. The last was written the last
week in December by David; which I infer never reached you, as Mollie has just
received a letter from the Rev. Mr Lockridge,
which he commences by saying that he had promised her friends in Chattooga
County to write to her. I, hence, infer that he had recently seen her friends.
He closes his letter in these words: "My love to Mr Gilkeson and his aged father
if he is still alive." Now, my Dear Brother, if that last letter of Davids had
reached you it is not probable Mr Lockridge would have closed his letter in
those words: for that letter contained the mournful intelligence of the death of
our dear father. I will give you the particulars of his death, as this letter
will very likely convey to you the first intelligence of this sad event. He died
very suddenly on the 23rd of December, and on Christmas
day we laid him to rest by the side of our sainted Mother. Truly it was a sad
Christmas, and although seven months have elapsed, yet time seems to bring no
healing on his wings to me. His health had been quite as good as usual up to
within two or three days of his death, & even then he did not complain
as much as he often did. Uncle David told me that he thought the last two or
three times he saw him he seemed to be more lively & cheerful than he
had seen him for a long time. And this was strikingly true,
[page 2]
he
remarked, the last time he saw him, which was the Monday morning previous to his
death. On that morning they met at Wm
Guthries on some business; and whilst there a
shower of rain came up, and cousin William took off their saddles and laid them
in his porch. When they left Father picked up his saddle and put it on his
horse, whilst Wm Guthrie put
on Uncle David's saddle. When ready to mount, Uncle David lead his horse some distance to a stump to mount from, but Father
gathered up his reins, put his foot in the stirrup, and mounted from the ground,
and at the same time looked back over his shoulder & remarked in
[unclear: his] usual pleasant manner, "brother David, I have that
advantage over you yet, I can still mount from the ground." On the day before,
he went to church although it was a very rainy, disagreeable day. On Monday
night he complained of having caught cold, & continued to complain of
not feeling well, although he went about as usual over the farm up to Thursday
night. On that night and Friday morning he took medicine. David asked him before
breakfast on Friday morning if he should feed his hogs for him; he replied, "oh
no, that he would attend [added: to them] after a
while" After breakfast, however, he told David to feed the hogs, as he would not
go out there. He went from the dining room into his chamber and amused himself
with the children as was his custom. He had the lounge drawn up before the fire
on which he reclined a portion of the time during the fournoon. About 12 O'Clock
he read a chapter or two in the bible verse about with David's oldest child,
whom he taught to read and whose [illeg.] and proficiency pleased him
much. Directly afterwards he went into the parlor and in less than half an hour
returned to the chamber and took a seat on the lounge and made some inquiries of
David, who
[page 3]
was present, relative to business. He very soon laid down
on the lounge & almost immediately David heard him snore, and said to
him, "are you asleep already, Father" but receiving no answer went to him, but
says that he does not think that he drew a breath after he got to him. Thus, my
dear brother, passed away our dear Father. How we should cherish his memory, for
I know you will agree with me in saying that not many persons have been blessed
with such a Father. He was certainly one of the most perfect models of a man and
a christian I ever knew. Enclosed I send you an obituary which appeared in the
Central Presbyterian about a month after his death.
He made a will in January 1863 in which he left all his property to David
& me excepting his Bank stock ($2500) which he left to you; stating
that, in his opinion, that amount together with what he had already given you
would about make you equal with us. I very much fear, however, that in the
present conditions of the banks you will never be able to realize much from it.
Mr Stuart has just stepped in, & says that it can never be worth any thing. Will it be possible for you to pay us a
visit this fall? Do try to come. We will be so much delighted to see you. It
would do my heart good to see you again, after the awful conflict we have passed
through. I would enjoy a visit from you now so much more than when you were here
before, as I am now keeping house. Do write immediately, and do say you will
visit us this fall. My little [added: family] are now
in pretty good health. My oldest boy Willie is just recovering from a severe
attack of dysentery. We thought for several days that we should certainly have
lost him, but without a relapse we now think he will get well. He is just
beginning to walk. He was six years old in April. We have four very inter
[page 4]
esting children, two girls & two boys. David and family are
all well.
We have been very anxious to communicate with you ever since the close of the war, but could not ascertain how we could send a letter in the absence of mail facilities. One of our citizens starts for Georgia tomorrow, and I had made up my mind to write you and enclose the letter in an Envelope directed to [unclear: McClung] of Rome & get this friend of mine to try to convey it to [unclear: McClung]. But on yesterday Mr Lockridge's letter came to hand, and he directs Mollie to [unclear: direct] any letters she may write home to him at [unclear: Ringgold] & he will convey them to their destination. So I have concluded to send this by my friend to convey to Mr Lockridge instead of to Mr [unclear: McClung]. Mr L. does not say whether they have a mail to Ringgold or not, but if there is, then will now certainty of his getting this if mailed in Atlanta or Augusta than if mailed here. Therefore I will give it to my friend to mail in Georgia, or if the mails are not running yet to convey it to Mr L. in some other way. We had not heard a word from you since your letter written in July last until some two or three weeks since David received a letter from James Gamble written in Camp [unclear: Chaser] which gave us news from you as recently as March. And Mr Lockridges letter gives us news from you I suppose up to about the first of this months. "Much has occurred here" which will be news to you but I do not know where to begin. I expect you have not heard of Carlisle Gilkeson's death which occurred in August last. Do write immediately and if possible do visit us this fall. I feel so anxiously to see you once more. Em joins me in much love to you & the children. Hoping to hear from and see you soon
I am as ever your sincerely attached & devoted brother
A. J. Gilkeson
P.S. Come to see us for I feel it our duty to carry out our dear Father's wishes, & if the Bank stock should prove worthless we must make it up to you when we get able. Your [illeg.]
