The following letter was written by Evelina Margaret Harris (1820-1897), the daughter of Henry Tate Harris (1787-1845) and Mary Woods (1788-1875). She married her cousin Albert Wagstaff Harris (1814-1880) in October 1851 and was living in Roberts Mill, Nelson county, Virginia, when she wrote this letter in June 1862.

Evelina addressed her letter to her older brother, Henry St. George Harris (1816-Aft1880). In the 1860 US Census, Henry was enumerated near New Caton, Buckingham county, Virginia, where he had a large plantation and owned 54 slaves. After the war, Henry applied for a Presidential Pardon claiming that he was always a Union man at heart and would have gladly accepted Lincoln’s proposal for a gradual emancipation as a “basis for compromise.”

Transcription

Robert’s [Mills]
June 24, 1862

My dear Brother,

I received your kind letter a few days ago and was glad to hear that you and family were well. I heard from Mama yesterday by Mr. Wailes who was at court and said he stopped Sunday night at Dr. Watson’s and Mama was there and very well. She attended preaching the same day. Mary has just returned from her Papa’s. She spent a week with them. I have not seen her since she returned. It is now difficult to get horses to go visiting much. I have postponed my visit to Covesville [Albemarle county] much longer than I intended but I still hope to go in a few days.

We have had very severe rains in this neighborhood. The water courses higher than they have been for twelve years and doing some damage to the crops. Some persons in this neighborhood have commenced harvest. It is thought the wheat crop is very indifferent. Mr. Wheeler was at court yesterday getting corn for the soldiers.

You have no doubt heard of the unfortunate difficulty between Capt. John Harris’s son Henry and Dr. Horton ending in the death of the latter. I am sorry Henry Harris did not make his escape and join the Yankees. His trial is put off until next court on account of the absence of Dr. Forbes who is an important witness. He has employed Mr. Coghill & Col. Fitzpatrick. I feel truly sorry for Addison Roberts. His wife is in bad health—thought to have the consumption, not expected to live long—and Mrs. Horton very feeble and greatly distressed.

Mrs. William Henry Harris died very suddenly about ten days ago at Cousin William B. Harris’ where she had gone I suppose to stay a month or two. She was taken after breakfast and died at nine o’clock. Dr. B__ was called in to see her. I expect she was a very delicate lady and the fatigue was too great & learned she went down on [ ] the next day she come up to the depot and on Sabbath attended church. Mrs. Ames spent Monday with her and she was very well Tuesday morning after breakfast.

I heard Aunt Rebecca’s son Henry was quite sick with the measles. Cousin George’s health has improved some. He still thinks he has dropsy but I hope he will recover. He is a [ ] manager. He is having all his servant’s clothes spun & [ ] at home with Mrs. Woody’s [ ]. Our overseer, Mr. Hamill, has left for C___ Shepherd’s. We are without any at this time. Albert has employed a Mr. Nash for next year at $175 dollars. He says he is afraid he will not hold out to [ ] to business and thinks it best to employ one. Col. [Alexander] Fitzpatrick is busy collecting suitable things to send the sick and wounded soldiers in Charlottesville. It is the first call that has been made on this neighborhood for assistance for them. Some of neighbors were killed in the late battles near Richmond. I expect the next battle will be an awful one.

I must conclude my letter by sending my love to Lide, Mary, and Ada, and the little children. You must come over. You ought to have time by when you were in the court was too near not to come. Your affectionate sister, — Evaline M. Harris

We are all well.

Albert says horses are very high and scarce in this country. The most indifferent looking horse sells at two hundred dollars. He says he needs horses but it is almost useless to buy as they will be pressed into service. I think the country will be ruined if this is a long war.