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4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

1856-1861 16 items Letters of John P. Lightner to Amanda C. Armentrout Brand #11332

Washington College

Feb 16th 1861

Dear Friend;

I recd [received] your letter dated Jan 1st, & was much gratified on its reception. I can hardly realize that nearly 2 months have elapsed since I rec’d it.

Your intentions were very pious, in the beginning of your letter, but they did not have very much influence on me, as I have been very remiss in not answering sooner.

I have been very unwell for several days. A cold was so cruel as to catch me by stratagem or I caught it, one or the other of the ways;

I am almost speechless; a certain young lady manifested a great deal of sympathy for me, sent me a very nice apple & c. You made inquiry as to how I enjoyed myself [in the] Holidays; In reply, I had a sorter [sic] of a time[.] I was in need of exercise, corporeal [sic] exercise especially.

Gou seemed to be very much grieved because I did not come to see you, when I was so close, & used such an expression, that I had forsaken you, so true a friend. But I can reply for your consolation, that I have not forgotten nor forsaken you, though you think my actions may be that way in their tendency. Oh! no. it could not be possible.

I cannot be very punctual in my correspondence, because I have a great many letters to write, & College duties are getting more burdensome. Our examinations have been going on for about 3 or 4 weeks; had it not been for them I certainly would have responded sooner than now[.]

I could not well visit you when I was down, for the simple reason that I took home with me one of my schoolmates, & was expecting him every day to see me, & furthermore my mommy told me, as I had been away from home so long, I must stay with her. Had it not been for these two obstacles in the way, with pleasure I would certainly have visited you. Though you did not demand any excuse for my selfishness, or whatever term you may give to it; yet I thought I had better give one ‘any way’ as the fellow said.

Gou have [sic] gotten my likeness at last. Gou thought I looked very solemn, most assuredly I did, for had I laughed, the old machine would have broken into innumerable fragments. That would have been a pity wouldn’t it?

Gou spoke of having relations near town; have not become acquainted with them yet; One of them came to College bearing a message for your old Friend, but we missed each other some how or other, & I have not gotten it yet. Cannot think who it is from, unless from my friend Miss Kate, am solicitous to know what it may be.

I remember seeing Miss Sallie Mc C. the evening I was down in your neighbor hood. I did not think she could recognize me, having been separated so long.

How are you getting along with your singing society on the Creek.[?] It would afford me pleasure to attend via scenes there have occurred that time can never obliterate from my memory. I can almost imagine my self within the walls of that schoolroom, & mingling, my voice with the voices of those who are near & dear to me[.]

But such days as those have gone a glimmering[.] I think that was a mighty cruel wish in that young man to make, whom you had reference to in your’s. I think I could hardly let my tongue use such language, though it deceives me sometimes. What is Lucian doing anyhow? I heard that Artidore [sic] was very sick. I hope he will recover.

You spoke of something about war[.] I think there can hardly be any such in this Christian land. I can hardly believe that the cup of his iniquity is yet full. & this requires many years, as we are taught in the Bible[.]

Gou spoke of getting a Christmas gift[,] a "gold heart"[.] If you have mine I hope it is not quite so hard as that gold one.

Well I must stop until Society closes. I have again seated my self to finish this uninteresting epistle to you. I have no news worth your attention.

They have formed a Union Prayer meeting in Lex [Lexington, Va.] A great deal of interest is manifested in it. You have no doubt read about the Union prayer meeting in some of our Northern cities. The students of College have a prayer meeting once a week. Sometimes it is very [well] attended, other times it is not[.]

Well I must close, asking pardon for this scribble. Remember me, at all times, I close, with the assertion, I remain your true Friend Jno. P. L. _ _ _ _