Dr. Robert Peel Links to A. L. Peel Diary |
Dr. Robert Hunter Peel Civil War Letter Surgeon, 19th. Mississippi Regiment Letter From Robert to Alice Field-Hospital, Harris Brigd Petersburg, Novm” 16th 1864 My own Sweet Alice, Your dear, kind, loving letter per Mr. Watson, reached me a few hours ago, and really I feel like a new man. For a long, long, weary weak I have been confined to my quarters in consequence of an accident which befell me very unexpectedly. I was riding into the City to witness a Marriage-Ceremony at the St” Pauls Church, and just before dark I met some drunken Officers and Couriers, riding at full speed; I attempted to turn across the Street to avoid the party, as I saw from their boisterous manner, they were intoxicated, but I was too late and came in collision with them. My horse was knocked down and I was badly crushed in the fall; indeed I felt as if I was broken all to pieces, and could not lift myself up without assistance. The drunken fellows were trying to assist me, but could scarcely stand themselves, when fortunately for me a Citizen who lived close by came up and had me carried into his house. Mr. White & his good lady treated me with all the kindness I could have expected from parents, and insisted on keeping me with them until I was entirely well, but I had an Ambulance the next morning and came out to my quarters. I am now able to walk with my crutches & believe there and no bones broken, though I cannot move my right knee joint without pain. Before this reaches you I shall be “all right” again, I hope, for confinement is intolerable to me. I still attend to my patients and my wounded men as they come in, though I cannot operate in any important cases, such as amputations and Resections. My Asst” Surgeon (Dr. Sharp) was wounded on the first of the month and will start home in a day or two. He will bring this to you, but when he will return, I cannot say, as his wound may not be well in two or three months. I wrote you in my last letter, per Mr. Shaw, that I would be at home in February, and I shall endeavor still to comply with my promise, but since It will be impossible for me to get-off until Sharp’s return, I am dependent upon his recovery entirely, as to time. I mention this particularly dear Alice, because I fear you would feel annoyed and disappointed if I failed to be in H. S. at the appointed time. Do not believe for one moment Sweet-One, that I can be left from your presence a moment longer that duty demands my presence in the field. Your image is ever before me, and the days will now “pass slowly by Lorena” until I start for home. Do not say you will not come to Virginia with me? I could not live away from you then, tis bad enough now, since you have promised to be my own sweet wife. & to think of leaving you in the enemies lines while I am a thousand miles away! I could not bear it. No! no! Dear Alice, I shall live but for you the remainder of my life, and to make you “the happiest little wife in the world” will be my only object. I feel that I can do this Allice, for I love you and have loved you long, with my whole heart and soul. There is but one thought that casts a shadow on the sunshine of our future, and that is the fact you allude to in your last letter, namely; that some of your fathers family are opposed to our union. I do not know who it is, since the Doctor gave me his full consent, Mother said she was perfectly willing if you and myself could agree, and Sister Martha, dear Sister Martha expressed herself as highly gratified to know that I had entertained such a feeling for you. Sister Julia & Bob, I did not have an opportunity of consulting on the subject , as I thought I was bound to communicate the fact to our parents first, and then to Sister. M. who has ever been all that a dear, loving sister could be to me. I hope the objections you allude to can be easily removed, when I return, as nothing would be more deeply painful to me than the thought that any act of mine should brihng trouble or sorrow to a single member of your fathers family. I love them all, as my own parents brothers and sisters, and hope I shall never disturb the happiness of one single member, but rather add to the pleasure of all. I shall do as you bid me, however, and say nothing to any one, on the subject until I see you. I shall write to Sister. M. and J. and also to Bob, tomorrow, and send the letters all together, so that you may not be quizzed about yours, but have it all to yourself. I am very glad to hear from Mrs. Mott, and would have written to her long ago if I had known her address. I promised her I would let her hear from her gallant husbands old Regt” sometimes and besides I am very much attached to her ever since I knew her well and learned to appreciate her really noble character. I hope you have made a friend of her my little darling, for I shall be proud of you, oh! Very proud of my little dark eved wife, and want all my friends to love you. Capt.” Govan was the dearest friend I ever had on earth, and I never loved my own brothers more than I loved him. This friendship perhaps gave me a peculiar regard for all who were near and dear to him, and I love them still for his sake, though he, alas! “Has for his country fallen”. McKie and Leiut. Nelson are both well and in fine spirits. Mc” says Miss. Mit” has thrown him off entirely, but I don’t believe a word of it. Nelson is the gayest ladies man in our Brigade, and about the ugliest. Don’t tell his handsome mama what I’ve said; But then Old-Huge (as we call him) is as good as he can be, and one of my truest personal friends. Genl.” Harris (our genl”) has invited me to wait on him this winter, and has promised to perform the same favor for me, should I be married first. If all things cooperate as we desire I shall stop in Ala” and see him through, as I go or as we come. How do you like the programme? I have not received a letter from Add in an age, but sometimes hear from him through paroled prisoners. I sent him money for the third time, a few days ago, as I had heard that he had not received what was sent from home and I feared he might suffer this winter. Several thousand prisoners are to be exchanged in a few days, and I do hope the brave boy may be amongst them. Have you received the picture I sent you: I must insist on having yours at once for fear of accidents, which might keep me from claiming the original as soon as I expect to do so. Write to me by every opportunity. My dear, dear, Alice, and believe me, as ever, [Robert was courting Alice after the death of his first wife, Virginia. Alice was Robert's Sister-in-law and Virginia's younger sister.] |
