Confederate States of America–
Richmond, Va., May 23rd 1862
Most Worthy Learned Friend:
I most heartily and earnestly
congratulate you on your timely and very highly appreciated visit to
your dear friends and relatives, in the County of Old Albemarle–
Excuse me, if necessary, for not writing to you sooner, as, I assure
you, it was my intention to do so, ever since I came to Richmond.
I had made up my mind several times to write to you, but soon
gave it up again,owing merely to the reason that I had heard of
John Wallers writing to you,–I mean my cousin. she told
me that he had written to you once, and that you did not
answer it, He did not know whether you received it, or whether
you desired to answer it, or not, he was unable to say. The
last I heard from him, he told me he had a notion of
writing to you again, whether he has or not, I am unable to
say. Having concluded similarly, I put off, or delayed
my writing for some time, and thinking, perhaps, it might
meet with the same undesirable and unnecessary fate, I
have since determined to write a short letter to you. But allow me
to say here, that I desire in no way whatsoever to interfere with my
Cousin’s transactions, or proceedings, or correspondencies, but earnestly
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and unhesitatingly solicit and beseech a regular and continual
correspondence with you; provided, Miss Annie, you desire, or any
ways feel inclined to indulge yourself a little in that line, oth=
=erwise, I suppose, there is ultimately no other way of avoiding the
“pleasant” occupation, than by returning to some other, and as
good a friend and also to maintain my own self important
position. I have no other hope than that you will accede
cheerfully & willingly to my fair and just proposition. When
I mention the words “fair and just,” I mean mostly this,
that I am of the opinion, there will be nothing lost, but
may be in the end, something gained by the one or the other,
one way or another, unforseen as at present, I desire (this is my
present opinion), nothing more than a friendly correspondence,
therefore, I hope your suspicions will not lead you in sus=
pence or too far. I would, you may rest assured, take great
pleasure in writing to you often, and hope, (there being nothing
to prevent as I am aware of), that you would not object seriously
in consenting to do so , if so, I will require, or advise, of you,
an explanation by letter; and, if you do not desire a correspon
=dence with me, please be kind enough to answer my first
letter, and state (as above) your definite reasons. As far
as I am concerned, I am sure, I know of no objection seriously
in the least. I only wish a friendly correspondence, and to
that effect, I am writing this. What say you, breifly, of it.
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I am not very positive now, whether or not I promised
to write when you left, or I left, the neighborhood. I am certain
it was my intention to do so. And if in my power there
is any favor that I can do for you (necessary or desired) on
my part, that would be of any service to you, and that I
am capable of so doing, in any respect whatever, I will cor=
=dially and most heartily act, and do it faithfully for you.
I hope I have been, and still wish to be a great friend
of yours. But in the meantime, I hope I have not
been too overbearing in this, and at the commencement,
too. If I have, I will not exaggerate or flatter too
much, when there is no need of it.
This being my first letter, and attempt to write
a letter to your high and appreciative excellency, and being
a lady of your vast experience, I could not boast too
highly of you, without making an unnecessary error. I
have always had a very great respect for you, as a friend,
and also for the family, which is, by-the-by, very unjust
in my not writing before. This subject is, for the present,
dropped. Therefore, Excusable.
I have, you are, perhaps already aware, been in the city
of Richmond sometime now. I believe, nearly a year. And, I
must say, without the slightest jesting, or boasting, that I am
very much pleased with the place, a great deal more so than I
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was when I first arrived here. I was, at the first sight of
Richmond, very much disgusted with the place, and after
a month’s sojourn here, more so. So much so, that I had
a very strong desire to go further on. but I have now be=
=come very much attached to Richmond, and would remain
here sometime yet, it it was not for that I promised, after
remaining here a year, to come home and stay this sum=
=mer. You may be undoubtedly, very much surprised
when you receive this; perhaps, (for I know you had
formed an idea of it,) you thought at once that I
could not have the courage, or the resolution, to write
to a young lady. But I assure you, I have dropped all (or
a portion of it) that bashfulness, and have learnt to write,
and altho, (as Friend Richard says,) to “chat” a little with them.
I am improving slightly, do you not think so, Miss An=
nie. To use an old expression “We learn something new ever
day of our lives.” The above words are slightly verified here.
I would like very much for you to come down to
our “Big” City; which is, by-the-by, filled, and surrounded at
all points, b the “Yanks,” and at every hour it is liable
to imminent danger. Our City, you know, has, at pres=
=ent a great deal to undergo, and is, therefore, necessary
and absolutely indispensable. It deserves and needs pro=
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=tection at all times during the present War, There would not,
under those circumstances, be “much fun” in visiting here, yet.
I expect (Providence permitting) to come up to Richmond old Albe=
=marle, sometime about the first of July, at the time I hope to
congratulate you somewhere in the southern or western part
of that county, I mean I expect to see you near your rela-
=tives, paying your usual visit. And, not withstanding all other
interruptions, I hope this may find you enjoying your usual
good health, and all the luxuries of life, abundantly set
before you, and all.
You expressed a desire, or rather a surprise, at my going
in the Army, and not leaving my “Gold Watch” with you to
take care of. I will have to say, without a doubt that I have not
been in the Army yet, nor have I given my “Gold Watch” to any
one. I learned all this from my sister. She told me that
you wrote to your cousin, Mrs. Pace all this; and I recollected
I believe, of seeing the letter before I came to Richmond.
I wished I had written to you some time after that. Did you, (if
it be not an improper question,) catch any beauxs, while up
at Lynchburg? Though I suppose not, as they are all gone to
the Wars. I happen not to be as unlucky as to get in the
Army, because, I am lawfully exempt.
I suuppose your brother, Richard, is in the Army, as I heard he
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was. What Regiment, or where is he stationed? Can you give me
any definite idea where he is? If so, I will write to him.
I hope your father & all are doing well up or near Lynch=
=burg, as I was told they were. I heard from another
source, that your sister, Miss Adeline, had gotten married,
and departed. I think Waller wrote me the news.
And, I am thinking, if noting happens, you will un=
doubtedly be the next to fly the [branch?]. But I would
advise you not to get married until peace is restored,
to its usual avocation, And, if you think my advice
at all suitable, act accordingly. Provided, I intend-
ed to say, that doesn’t [?] be too long. Waller, your “Dear–
=est” is not in the army, it is true, but is willing to
wait until then,and you ought to be. I call him your
“Dearest” because my suspicions are high. Whether it was
because you did not appreciate his writing, or whether you did
not like him well enough, to answer his letter, I am unable
to say. But certainly there must to have been some reason
for not doing as he desired you. I think it was done uninten
=tionally. I hope you will not serve mine similar, but
answer at your leisure. Give my best wishes to all when
you write home. Also to Friend Richard. Tell him to write.
Tell Waller, if you should see him, to answer mine also.
I shall remain, as ever & with great
respect and esteem, Your most True,
Worthy and Faithful Friend,
Willie
Please address
Wm H. Elliott
“Engineers office” Etc
To Annie
“When fortunes fails and friends are few,
Say, Annie, can I find a friend in you”
May 22nd Richmond, Va.
