The following letter was written by 23 year-old Edward P. Rucker of Campbell county who served as a private in Co. A, 11th Virginia Infantry. Edward enlisted in April 1861 and was taken prisoner on 7 February 1864. He was released from the prison at Point Lookout on 17 June 1865 when he took the Oath of Allegiance.

Edward wrote the letter to Virginia Miller of Washington D. C.—a southern sympathizer who aided numerous imprisoned Confederate officers by sending them money to help them through their suffering as prisoners of war. Ms. Miller was the daughter of physician Dr. Thomas Miller who attended several U. S. Presidents up until the time Lincoln was elected. During the war, the family residence was kept under strict surveillance. She even hosted Mrs. Jefferson Davis while her husband was held a prisoner at Fortress Monroe after the war. The letter is only one page in length, which was the limit placed on prisoners for outgoing mail.

Though the author refers to her as his “cousin,” I don’t believe they were actually related. Several other Confederate prisoners also corresponded with Ms. Miller and called her cousin which may have been a means to better assure delivery and justify aid rendered by the Miller family.

In 1900, Virginia Miller wrote an article for the Columbia Historical Society that was entitled, “Dr. Thomas Miller and His Times.” In it she shared her recollections of growing up in the house at 246 F Street (since changed to 1331) in the District of Columbia which she described as a commodious, old-fashioned (built in 1793), three-story, brick house, with a garret and cellar and a large back building, with servants’ quarters, stables, etc., in the rear and a very large garden.” Just prior to the Civil War, Georgia Congressman Robert Toombs lived at 248 F Street but went South when Georgia seceded and it was a boarding house when the wounded Gen. Sickles boarded there after the Battle of Gettysburg. Virginia remembers seeing President Lincoln as a frequent visitor to see Gen. Sickles.

Transcription

Prison Camp Point Lookout
May 29th 1865

My dear cousin.

Yours of the 26th inst. came duly to hand a few moments since and I now hasten to reply. I am very much afraid you are becoming perplexed with my stupid epistles; but I do most earnestly assure you that I have been a prisoner so long & in such ill health that I am almost a complete child and I fear that I am loosing mom my mind. I have the most utmost confidence in your ability to get me out. You must excuse me for bothering you as often as I have done as it was so long since I received a letter from you that I came to the conclusion that you did not receive my letters.

The [Grand] Review must have been a very fine sight, more especially when we recollect that it is the forerunner of peace. I have not heard from Mother or Sister since I have been here. I have noticed several passages during our correspondence which forces me to the conclusion that you are the daughter of a Mason & have taken this Master’s daughter & if not, you ought. Write soon and believe me sincerely your cousin, — E. H. Booker