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 Letter from Dr. Robert Peel to Alice Maud Matthews, Holly Springs, MS Field Hospital, Harris’s Brgd
My dear Alice, Hoping to find an opportunity to send this letter by private conveyance, I write at a venture, not knowing whether all communication is cut-off between us or not. I hope you received my letter and picture by Mr. Shaw, and also a letter of more recent date by Dr. Sharpe, who should bave arrived at home about the first of this month. In the letter, I stated the reasons shy my intended visit ti Miss” was delayed, and also that my procuseing a leave of absence at all this winter, would necessarily depend opon his teturn before hostilities are resumed. I have some fears tha Shermans operations in Georgia may prevent his return in time, and delay my coming indeffinitely. This is really too provoking, and almost gives me the Blues. How I wish now that I had pursuaded you to come with me to Virginia last winter; but then there was “no use talking”, for you had not made up your mind to anything, and you frightened me with the thought that you never would come. But “it matters little now Lorena”; that time has past, and we must accept life as it is and make the best of it. Since we cannot anticipate events, let us look at the brightest side of the picture and hope for a “better day coming”. Oh! This miserable paper! I don’t believe I shall ever be able to make myself understood: Christmas is almost here & with four invitations to dinners and parties, at Charlottesville, Orange C.H, [Morrostown?], and in the Country. I am literally tied to my post, in consequence of the absence of my Asst. Surgeon and the illness of some other Medical Officers of the Brigade. I almost shed tears a few moments ago as wrote a polite note declining a very kiine invitation from an old lady friend in the country, to come and spend the hollidays at, Brook-Hill, her splendid residence near Charlottsville. I don’t know what Surgeons get wounded and sick for no-how. I’m sure they have enough to do , to attend to the afflictions of others apropo! I was on crutches myself when last I wrote you, but I am “all right” now and have abandoned those poor substitutes for legs. We are getting up some fun here, on our own hook, to relieve the monotony of life in camp; a Grand Tournament and Coronation party by the Knights of the 3rd Corps. I’ll send you and Sis Julia a ticket, though I fear yo’ll not find it convenient to attend. However I’ll be delighted to see you both. Lieut. Nelson Adjt” McKie, myself and others of the Brigd” have formed a Thespian Corps, and are now rehearsing the play entitled “The Wife”, How do you think you could personate that character? I am persuaded you would make the sweetest wife in the world. I will let you know how we Mississippians succeed after we make our debut, in public. I do believe I should die in a month if I allowed myself to sit in my tent and brood over the sorrows of the past and the difficulties and dangers of the present. My mind as well as my hands must be employed in order to be content, and I seek work for both. We have enough of real trouble in this world without suffering in anticipation of comeing evil. I have heard nothing from Add since the middle of October. He was then well and had just received some money which I sent him in July. No other remittences had been received up to that date. He writes in a cheerful mood and makes no complaint. My fears have been much relieved about him since our government has provided our prisoners with suitable clothing. [remainder of letter (second page) is missing] ["Sister" is a nickname Robert used for Alice Maud Matthews. Robert was courting Alice after the death of his first wife, Virginia. Alice was Virginia's sister.] |
