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December the 20 1861
My Dear Son,
I was on a visit to your
Antie last saturday evening. When your
Cousin Phil Baldwins boy called by on his
way from the office and handed me a letter
from you, to your sister, as she was not with
us I opened it, and your Antie and the
girls all gathered around me to hear it
read. I assure you we were all proud to hear
from you boys, and I especially, was thinking
of my dear children; and if they had forgotten this
dear Mother, I know how punctual you are al-
ways to write and I had not received a letter from you
in some time, I have not written to you [and sis ?] in
some time. but your sister writes which is the
same, she is spending two weeks with Bettie and
Mary while Doct Williamson has gone to Caroline
I know they are having a fine time but I have not
heard from her since they left. Do you see I am
alone save the little girls. but I am expecting your
Buddie White to spend Christmas week with me
we are all well and getting on well at present
we have not packed but five bags of cotton
yet
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we had to wait until your Uncle Clem was
done his, I wish you were here to sell the cotton
and settle the accounts, we will have to save
half to buy provisions. We have killed six hogs
and have 20 more to kill so you see we will
not have all to buy. I do not know how many bags
of cotton we will make perhaps 30, we have
made plenty of corn and I want to try and [raise ?]
plenty of hogs another year. every body is turning
their attention to raising Corn and hogs, how
I do wish you were here at the begining of
a new year, to plant the crop. the negros
have had chills and have been thrown
back in gathering the crop consequently
they have cleared very little land, as yet
as soon as they get the cotton all out which
will be in a few days they will go to clearing
you must not by any means you [hav ?]
to either join the army any more after
your time is out come home all of you
I know that you are a dear good boy
and I have great confidence in you
do nothing that you know would make
your mothers heart ache to hear, set a good
example for your younger brother who has so
much faith and trust in you he thinks
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every thing Buddie Phil does is right
Bless his dear soul how I want to
see him, but I am glad now that he
went with you, tell him he must not learn
to love to drink, I want to send him to
school next year and try and give him a
profession.
I do not feel quite so well as when Tobe was
here I have taken cold and have a cough
but I hope it will not last long I am much
better than I was this time last year. Tell Ben
I saw his pa and ma last week they were
well, Tell Tobe his ma's health is improving
his sisters are well they are all going to the
springs to spend Christmas, his mother
wishes him to write to her. The girls and all
were glad to hear that mr Little was with you
all again. did you and him get the socks
Fannie and Sallie sent you by Ben Mere-
wether, you did not mention recieving them
in your letter you must thank Fannie for
them she sent yours, I saw Fannie Tinsly the
other day she was looking very pretty I told
her she must not get married until my son
come home from the war, but you have so many
sweet hearts you will not know which
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to choose or which will suit you best
I would not care to marry very soon troub-
le will come soon enough any how, never
marry unless you can better yourself any of
the girls would be proud to get you. I
hear your old sweet heart Miss Hodge
is going to marry Judge Watson of Mon-
tgomery, I do not much believe it.
Your sister said she would write to you
from Mount Meigs she will give you all
the news from that quarter. I expect you
will get her letter first Tell Jo I will write
to him soon it is quite a task for me to
write now. this letter is intended for you
both but do not let any one else see it. I do
not care for Tobe and Ben They may read it. Give my best
love to them both.
I am trying to have a pretty flower yard by
[then ?] you boys come home. If you see any very
pretty roses or flowers of any kind that you
think we have not got here bring me some
when you come home. if you have the money
to spare get me a bottle of quinnine and bring [illegible]
for we cant get it here for love not money I will pay
you back what you have to give for it there. I would
freely send you and Jo some money if I had it.
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I have just eaten dinner, whilst at
the table Sallie and Bessie both says Ma, send
my love and a kiss to Buddie Phil and Bud Jo -
they have gone to look for a pet lamb George
Burch gave Sallie, he purchased some sheep
for his ma at Mrs. A. Armstrongs sale and
stoped with us going and comeing when
he left next morning he gave Sallie a little
sheep, she was so proud of it and the negroes
have let it get out while we were gone from home;
Julie is a good girl she is very anxious
to be going to school, she is gone over to her Anties
to day to get Fannie to give her a music lesson
I often sit and think of you my dear son
until my heart swells with grattitude to
the giver of all good for two such noble
sons, and you especially my dear boy who
have been the protector of my declineing
years who understands my disposition
more than any one else, and can bear with
the faults and foiables of a weakened
body and mind caused by ill health
I look forward to the day of your return home
with pleasure, do not think I am writing
this because I am low spirited.
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or feeling badly about any particular thing
do not let thoughts of us here at home keep
you from enjoying your self for we are doing
very well, only I want you to come home to stay
when your time is out.
I believe I have written all of importance
it is dull times here I expect to be at home all
alone Christmass day, your horse is just
as fat as he can be and looks finely
Tell Jo I have bob well attended too
My love to Josie and tell him he must
write to me not wait for me to write has he
never received any pay since he has been
there. I wish I had some money to send
him. May the Father who watches over
us all protect and keep you from
all harm is the prayer of your own
dear Mother, Sarah Mitchell,
P.S. Mr Crow wishes to know wether
Mr Eady received his box sent by Tobe
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[envelope front]
[entire top half of envelope front has been cut off,
removing stamp and postmark]
Mr. Phill G. Mitchell
Care Capt And[missing section]
3rd Ala. Regt.
Norfolk
Va
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[envelope back]
My Dear Mother
My Dear Mother
My Dear
My Dear Mother
Fitzpatrick Mitchell Williamson Papers
