Robert E. Lee to Charles Carter Lee

Your letter of 28th. Ultimo, though it reached Savannah "in due course of mail," only found its way down to CockSpur a few days ago. I went up to Savannah on the 22nd. to the Ball etc. And staid a day or two to see all the good people there. When Mrs. Eugenia brought down the "paper writing" one morning "while she thought of it" & "which she had been very anxious to send down to me," though there is a daily opportunity & I had seen Sweet Charles once since its arrival. Well it did me good to hear of "you" once more, for it had been so long since that thing had occured, that I thought - God knows what had happened to you. However from your occupations, good spirits etc. I may hope that you are as well as even I could wish. Charles & his wife, as he is very fond of bringing out on all occasions, are in good health & keeping. The former you know is always more or less complaining about cold, heat, dull place & all that, but I know how to make allowances. The second is much pleased with S. & its inhabitants. These last She says have been very kind to her, visiting her, walking with her, riding with her etc. Charles as usual has a new plan for getting to Virginia every time I see him. His last I will give you, which was to go to Charleston the last week in March, stay there till about the first of April, get a light waggon & one horse & take it leisurely to Richmond. From there he will go to Shirley & spend a month, and in the course of time arrive in Washington. I have given you this long account of their movements, as I am pretty sure you will get it in no other way. The Madame says that Charles has been "going" to answer your letter every day since its arrival, that she herself would have done it long ago, but that she was placed last in the "Group" which has mortally offended her. So if you wish your letter answered you had better direct to CockSpur. The Sweet fellow took a letter out from Uncle Williams as we were walking down to the boat. There was nothing in it but some money & a word or two about Shirley, whom he says is in Richmond "keeping very close but we all know what the d - d little rascal is after." Today he sent me a letter from his Father who had not yet heard of his marriage, talks to him about settling in life etc. Buying land in Va. Goose Creek neighbourhood & all that. He says he believes he will come to America when Matilda is married & gone. Although it may seem a roundabout way to get news from Va. yet as I have just received a letter from Arlington, Perhaps I may find something that is new to you. Marietta has at last got down from K. & M. Powell followed her in a few days. She says Shirley C. has gone to R. to get a wife & a religious one. Which they presume to be Miss Ella. They all were in Fauquier & the "Old Fellow" declares that in his case every thing has truly turned out for the best. Mrs. Fitz - is still on the E. Shore is quite well in health & will return to A. as soon as the navigation opens. Smith is in Philadelphia & wrapt up in mystery. Anne & Mildred very well. Savannah has been quite gay so far, dinners, dances etc. I have attended but few of late having been prevented by business.

I suppose you may have heard that Maj. Babcock, my former Commander has been arrested & resigned out of the scrape. Lt. Mansfield was ordered on to take charge of the works for the present & ever since his arrival which happened in Jany. we have been much engaged in getting under way again.

So pray do not be so long in writing to a man - I have been so often interrupted since I commenced this, that I must stop, as the Cockswain has come for my command & I have others to give - Yours affy &

Sincy.

R. E. Lee