- Collection:
- Robert Toombs, Letters to Julia Ann DuBose Toombs, 1850-1867
- Title:
- Letter, near Richmond, Virginia to Julia [Ann DuBose Toombs], 1862 May 30
- Creator:
- Toombs, Robert Augustus, 1810-1885
- Date of Original:
- 1862-05-30
- Subject:
- Confederate States of America. Army
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Virginia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns
Maryland--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns - People:
- Toombs, Julia Ann, 1830-1883--Correspondence
Toombs, Robert Augustus, 1810-1885--Correspondence
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885 - Location:
- Confederate States of America, 32.376097, -86.299915
United States, 39.76, -98.5
United States, Maryland, 39.00039, -76.74997
United States, Virginia, 37.54812, -77.44675 - Medium:
- letters (correspondence)
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- image/jpeg
text/html - Description:
- In this apparent expansion of rat019, Robert Toombs, representative in the Georgia House of Representatives (1837-1843), in the U.S. Congress (1845-1853) and Senate (1853-1861), notes the receipt of his wife's letters, mentions Jackson's defeat of Banks at Maryland, and expresses hope that the war will soon be over [and the Confederates victorious]. He has heard unconfirmed rumors of McClellan's retreat. Entertaining the possibility that the Richmond army might be defeated, though, he suggests his wife retreat to the country. Praising the condition of the Richmond army, he hopes that the coming battle will be decisive enough to end the war either way. He notes the President's visit to their camp, and then he mentions many more of their friends. He tells of the assistance he gave to one of Mr. Standard's [slaves?] near Fredericksburg. Toombs gives his wife further updates on the health of their friends and acquaintances at camp with him and his own health as well. Asking her to tell Gabe he will write him soon, he closes the letter with his usual affection.
Digital image and transcription of original manuscript, scanned by the University of Georgia Libraries in 2001, as part of GALILEO. - Local Identifier:
- rat017
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/zlrt/id:rat017
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_zlrt_rat017
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlrt_rat017/presentation/manifest.json
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [title of item], Robert Toombs, letters to Julia Ann DuBose Toombs. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries, presented in the Digital Library of Georgia
- Extent:
- 4 pages/leaves
- Original Collection:
- Robert Toombs, letters to Julia Ann DuBose Toombs. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
Camp
Near Richmond Va [Virginia] May 30th 1862
My Dear Julia,
I recd [received] yesterday your letters of the 20th 22th & 24 Inst [Instant] all of which gave me great pleasure, I am strongly of opinion that we begin to see the light & some end to this business. Genl [General] Jackson's defeat of Banks & entry into Maryland has caused a great consternation in Washington & with The Yankee army & I Think They will have to attack us in our strong hold [stronghold] or [deleted text: f] move away in a very few days. It is reported This morning that McClellan is already [deleted text: [illegible text] ] retreating, I know nothing of the truth of the rumor but from Some Slight indications I have seen I think it not improbable, but all doubt on the retreat will have been been [been] scoured long before you will have received This letter. The reason I suggested you Should go up the country in the event of the fall of Richmond & the defeat of this army is that in that event what remains of this army would have to fall back towards the mountains of N [North] Carolina & probably enter Georgia Somewhere about Augusta, but this is all speculative & I hope the contingency may never happen, Now Things look
Page: [2]
much more hopefull [hopeful] Than they did a week ago, We have a splendid army concentrated around Richmond & once had them [deleted text: half] with any judgement at all against The enemy & they can whip the Yankees out of Va [Virginia] in twenty four hours. There will be a great change one way or the other within a few days, before you get This we will have fought & won or lost a great battle or the enemy will have retreated before us.
I am now about four miles from Richmond & have not been There since I came up from the Peninsula. Browne came out once to see us, yesterday I saw him with the President along my lines. He looked well & seemed well pleased with his position. Mr Ives also came along. Mr McFarland has been out two other times & has been very kind, offers me a room at all times in his new house (Mr Standards ) Mr Rivers came out with him yesterday who requested me especially to send his own & his wifes best regards to you, Mr McFarland also. [unclear text: Rojan] & Mallory also both came out, Their wives are in Covington Georgia. It seems to be looked upon as the only Safe place in the South, although forty Thousand of her sons are in arms confronting The enemy in Virginia, I nearly believe her very patriotism creates a jealousy of her in high quarters. Davis is polite & formal, So am I. I shall quit the
Page: [3]
army immediately after The battle is over if I live through & then I will have a settlement with the authorities.
The way I came to hear everything to do with Mr Standards negress was this. The day I marched from Richmond, she drove down to the boat where my troops were embarking & told us our army was retreating from Fredricksburg near which her plantation was, that he [unclear text: sure] was in the army, & absent, & she was advised to send her grown servants down to Georgia or Eastern Alabama & asked me for a letter to some friend to advise & assist her, & I gave her over to [unclear text: Early] Burt & requested him, to hire Them out for Their food & clothing if he could do no better & if he could not That she would support Them if they would be sheltered at his place & mine -- as to feeding Them, The expense will be hers. She would have lost The whole of them if she had not removed them. I hope it will all Turn out right, at all counts, I Extended only a kindness to a widow who seemed from her isolation to be pecularily in need of that kind of assistance. I have not seen her nor heard from the [illegible text] until the receipt of your letter. I will see her & report as soon as I find out where she is. I am told many people have left Richmond, & what are there are in a great state of excitement, they say they intend to defend their city to the last, perhaps so, but if we are whipped, God take of Them.
Page: [4]
Dudly has been complaining a little for a day or two past of the usual camp disease. Jimmy DuBose is well again & on duty -- Jimmy Anthony has been sick tho' [though] not seriously for some days past. He is in hospital at Richmond, all the rest of our friends well as far as I know of. Billy Alexander reached here several days ago. As the mails are uncertain I telegraffed [telegraphed] you To day [Today] simply to let you know we are all well. You need not suffer yourself alarmed by rumors for I will telegraph you as soon as possible any thing [anything] that happens of any importance to any of us. We are living poorly. The Richmond market is at S [South] Carolina prices, but you know I can get along very well on almost anything. Salt meat has begun to affect my teeth & I am Trying to supply myself with vegetables & fresh meat with Tolerable success. I recd [received] Gabriels letter a few days ago & will answer to day [today] if I am not in [illegible text] by duties -- Give my love to Sallie & the little ones & John & family. I would [illegible text] anything in the world to be able to spend only a single week at home with you all, but I look for it soon if life lasts -- Farewell
Yours truly & affectionately as ever
[Signed] R Toombs [Robert A.] Toombs