Mary Custis Lee to Mrs. M. E. Boswell thanking her for her Christmas present and mentioning Lee's anxiety to have every man on the field - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC04020
From Archive Folder	Unassociated Civil War Documents 1865
Title	Mary Custis Lee to Mrs. M. E. Boswell thanking her for her Christmas present and mentioning Lee's anxiety to have every man on the field
Date	2 January 1865
Author	Lee, Mary Custis (1835-1918)
Recipient	Boswell, M.E.
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Thanks her for her New Year's present which was some sort of cooked fowl. Remarks, "General Lee is in town and if he leaves before we can enjoy it together I shall insist upon his taking it to camp." Comments on "the dear old church where we and our forefathers have so long worshiped" in Alexandria. States that Lee is anxious to have every man in the field. Discusses the liberal contributions made for the soldiers. Asks her to come visit if ever in Richmond and give her address as Franklin Street between 7th and 8th. Addressed to Boswell at the Wilderness, Columbia, Fluvanna County, Virginia.
Subjects	Woman Author Women's History Confederate General or Leader Confederate States of America Military History Civil War Holidays and Celebrations Gift Diet and Nutrition Military Camp Charity and Philanthropy Religion
People	Lee, Mary Randolph Custis (1808-1873) Boswell, Mrs. M. E. (fl. 1865) Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward) (1807-1870)
Place written	Richmond, Virginia
Theme	The American Civil War; Women in American History
Sub-collection	Papers and Images of the American Civil War
Additional Information	This was General Robert E. Lee's last visit home before he surrendered at Appomattox 9 April 1865.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
Transcript	Show/hide January 2d. 1865 Your new year's present was handed into me this morning my dear Mrs. Boswell. I assure you called forth the most unqualified admiration I have seen no specimen of that delicious fowl that will compare with yours; it does credit to your housekeeping. Genl Lee is in town & if he leaves before we can enjoy it together I shall insist upon his taking it to camp. He unites with me cordial thanks [2] & a response to your wishes for a happy thanksgiving in Alexa. in the dear old church where we & our forefathers have so long worshipped. I received since my return here a long letter from Mr. Dana brought me by one of his parishioners who tells me that he is much liked & appreciated that he has a little son 2 years old the image of his papa.& that the Madam keeps herself quiet & is an industrious housekeeper [3] that they are quite comfortable Mr. Dana enquires most kindly after all his old friends & writes most affectionately - Genl Lee looks very well but is anxious to have every man in the field I hope the soldiers are enjoying their dinner today The contributions have been very liberal & great efforts have been made to assure its complete success & has exhausted the market here of everything but we are very willing to relinquish in their favour. I am sorry [4] to tell you that my rheumatism is no better tho' my general health was much improved by my sojourn in Fluvanna. I shall always remember it with great pleasure I hope if you or any of your family visit Richmond you will certainly call & see me we are on Franklin Street between 7th & 8th & I am always at home The girls write with me in kind remembrances yrs most truly M C Lee [address] Mrs. M. E. Boswell The Wilderness Columbia Fluvanna County Va

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