20 April 1863: “I feel thankful that I got out so well and safely, and that I have so beautiful a time to commence living at my new home in the woods.”

Item description: Letter, 20 April 1863, from Walter W. Lenoir to his mother, Selina Louisa Avery Lenoir (1783-1864).

Item citation: From the Lenoir Family Papers, #426, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

* Get some one to read this for you.

Brother Louis’ Apl. 20th 1863

Dear Mother,

Mr. Pruett got here Sat. evening Apl. 18th, with my loading safe and in good order, except that my mattrass and other bedding put out to sun, and am back to Tom’s to help him to put in some grafts for him and myself, &c. He and his family are well, and I found my folks well. It is beautiful a day here to day as I ever saw any where and the winter seems to be broken. I feel thankful that I got out so well and safely, and that I have so beautiful a time to commence living at my new home in the woods.

Sister Lizzie is sending some dried apples to you, a bushel of sour and one of sweet apples, which Mr. Pruett will be directed to leave at Mr. Norwood’s. Tom says he intended to write to you yesterday, but he had some visitors and we went to church. One of his visitors was a government officer, with power to impress, who engaged the bacon, at 60cts per lb. which Tom thought he could spare, after reserving enough for me and other destitute families. The officer said he had been very successful in getting supplies where he had operated both in N.C. and S.C.

There are very few men left on the East Fork, and my tenants will be nearly all women and children, so that I will not be able to depend much on my rents for another years provisions. But I hope I will tolerably independent by that time, at least so far as something to eat is concerned. As to many other things that I would like to have, I must learn to do without.

Sister Lizzie sends her love. She was about to send a fleece of fine wool, but could not get it conveniently, and as it is nearly sheep shearing time, concluded not to send it now. My best love to you and all.

Your affectionate son.

W.W. Lenoir

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