Robert E. Lee to Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee

Although I have not heard from you my dearest Mary, since I last wrote to you (20th), I am unwilling to let pass the usual period of my writing, without holding with you some communication. Our chaplain, Mr. Fish, has not yet returned to his Post, & my devotions to the great & good God have been as usual paid in my solitary room, with no eye to see or ear to hear but his. May he specially grant my prayers for you, our father, & dear children, & may he keep us from sin & danger, for each other & to do his will, till united in his presence never more to be separated! I recd today a kind note from Dr. Cuyler who is at Fort Leavenworth. He says he is very well, though has had so much to do, that he has not yet been able to prepare any place for the reception of Mrs. C. Now however that Dr Herndon (twin brother of the fine boy) has arrived to assist him, he hopes to have some leisure. He has written to Mrs. C. to come out to him with Col Mansfield or Major Ridgely, both of whom are on the Court Martial to meet at Fort L on the 24th. And he thinks she will be at St Louis in time to go up with me. He sends his kindest regards to you, Mary, & the children, & hopes Ms foot has entirely recovered. I infer from what he says that Dr. Simons is at Fort Riley, as he mentions having just read a letter from him, saying he would be able to disprove all the statements made against him. You may have seen accounts in the papers detailing the ravages of cholera at Fort Riley & the panic incident thereto among the workmen &c. Several letters from persons there have been published in the Western papers. Each writer claiming to be the only person who stood his ground & did his duty. In some of these it has been said there was no medical attendance, & things of that sort, which I presume is what the Dr alludes to. I can very well understand how Dr S would feel anxious for his wife & children under the circumstance, & desirous of getting them to a place of safety. But that he shou;d have exhibited any personal fear for his own safety, or have neglected any duty he was able to perform, I cannot believe. There was a report in the St Louis papers a few days since, that he had died of cholera at Fort Leavenworth. This did not accord with the facts as known here at the time, & from Dr Cuylers letter, cannot be so. Several of our officers have arrived since I last wrote. Capt Oakes, Capt Stoneman & Lt Jenifer. Capt O. brought his wife, & I learn that Capt & Mrs Palmer reached St Louis & will be down tomorrow. Lt Johnsons wife arrived today to join her husband, & next week I am expecting Col & Mrs Johnston. We shall therefore be quite set up. In a letter from Col. J recd yesterday, it was stated that he had recd intimation from Washington, that the Rgt. would be ordered to Texas in October. It will be very inconvenient that he & I should both be detailed on the Court at Fort L especially if it remains in session as long as it is expected. The Rgt. is very poorly furnished at this time with everything but men, & not at all equiped for the field. It may however be ready, if they hurry up its equipment. I hope I may be able to get to see you for a day or two before we move, but now see no prospect of it. A mans duty in this world is so paramount to his pleasures, that in the Army, the latter are always borne to the wall. We must try & be resigned to Gods will. Let us never murmur or be impatient under the troubles & trials of life, but yield a cheerful obedience to all his appointments. We have 800 mean of the Rgt: present. They are not careful or prudent, & it seems impossible to make them so, & they suffer much from sickness. Fevers have commenced now, in addition to bowel complaints, & I am very anxious to get them away. Dr Smith has recently reported for duty. He is the eldest son of our old friends from Norfolk, then called Charley & frequently at Old Point with his sister Emily. He saw his mother as he came through N. His is just from Florida. Major Ramsay was here yesterday, & says letters from his wife at Old Point, represent great consternation there & in the vicinity, from the presence of yellow fever at Gosport & Norfolk. The scourge of God seems to be necessary in various forms & at as many points, to repress the sin of our people. I acknowledge the justice of his afflictions & tremble to think how much mine may have contributed towards them. I was invited with two other officers of the Post to meet the Major at dinner at Col. Mays. There was a Miss Jamison present from St. Louis. A friend of Mrs Mays, & the Majors two Lts. Messrs Benet & Todd. It was a grand affair in New York style, & all the wedding silver, that is the service presented at their wedding, was paraded. The service was very handsome, & all it contained good. Miss Jamison was one of Mrs Mays bridesmaids, & also one of Miss Sue Skinkers. She told me much of Mrs S & the family. I hope my letters to Rooney arrived in time & safely, & also mine to you, enclosing orders for the childrens benefit, & Collins & Co. You must write me what more you want, & what I can do for you & the household. I shall leave here about the middle of next month for "Fort Leavenworth, Kansas" which bear in mind & all letters that cannot reach here by that time direct there. I should think an answer to this, if not long postponed would find me here. You must give much love to your father, the girls & my dear little Rob & mildred. I hope they are all well & will succeed at their schools & in all after life. You must tell them to conduct themselves so, as to gain the friendship of their schoolmates, & the admiration & esteem of their teachers. Discard selfishness & do their duty. Be truthful direct & honest in their conversations & acts. They will then insure it. They must write to me & tell me all about themselves, their associates, teachers & studies. I ask only short letters, or letters of such length as their time & occupation will permit. You must furnish them with stamps & other necessaries & a little cash for necessities & wear & tear. They must be economical & studious.

Monday 27th. I kept my letter open till this morg to acknowledge anything the mail might bring. But there is nothing. I shall hope for something by the next. I must now go to breakfast, & then to the duties of the day. With renewed love to all I remain truly & devotedly

Yours

R E Lee