1. When there is no punctuation in the document, it is added in brackets if needed for clarity.

2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word if needed for clarity.

3. A blank space, i.e. ________ indicates a word in the document that is not dicipherable.

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

5. Square brackets, i.e. [ ] are used to indicate an addition by the transcriber to clarify meaning in the original document.

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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

Rose Dale, Va.

Feb. the 8th:62

Dear Sister Kate,

If you think it is so lonely since the "V.R’s"[?] left I will try & have you forget them a few moments by reading a letter from Home for fear if you think of them so much you will become troublesome on auntz [sic] hands; and I now dont wonder at you for being lonely, since I have heard that, that certain Moses is out of reach of his "Plug of tobacco", & so far away from "his Cousin fancy". Now Kate dont go to grieving about him, for I will have him a plug, by the time you get home. not worth while though to get it before as you have forbid him coming until you return "for fear he would fall in love with me ".

You did not think Miss I would hear all of that but it was too good for the boys to keep; they were still in town, last night but expected to start this morning[.] Frank came out Tuesday night & he[,] John Henton & Rubing K. came out Wednesday evening, & stayed until yesterday morning. John & Joe[?] said yesterday evening that they were coming out tonight if they did not have to leave; by the way Jno is a pleasant boy. I would never [have] known him.

Kate we got a letter from John Thursday. he is very well. is five miles from Winchester. busy making thier [sic] cabins. expect to stay there two or three months. but I expect "Will" has given you all that information as we have not had the pleasure of reading a letter from him; you were mindful enough to let him know where to direct his; Capt. Newton is at home expects to go back next week. Jim, & George started yesterday. they were here Sunday night - I believe Jim looks sadder that he did when he first went away, spoke of having to go alone, without his comrad[sic]::: "Sallie & Sue will sympathize with you".

Kate[,] George L.[?] is still improving but John is worse. he was so much deranged the first of this week that it took four men to keep him in bed. his Father is still with him & says he has but little hopes of his recovery. I am sorry, but John is a good pios [pious] boy. & God knows all things best. I have something sad to tell you. Andy McClures’s little boy Frank, fell in the fier [fire] last Friday & was burned so bad that it died Saturday evening. Sue S. wrote to me that she would never forget its screams so severe was its suffering. its little head was burnt very bad & one arm nearly burnt off. Sue said May McClure is almost distracted about it. there was no one in the room except little Phebe & you know her helplessness. the nurse had just left the room, & he got up to walk across the hearth & fell. Dr Tate also buried his little boy, last week. it died with the diptheria.[sic]

Miss Ginnie’s school closed yesterday. none of us was over[.] it was late before Doc John & Rubing left & I didnot [sic] feel like going. Hetty has only went [sic] one week since you went away[.] she had such a bad cold & pain in her head that Ma told her to bring her books home & you know that pleased her very well:

Cousin George Armentrout is at home. he came home Thursday, George Kiser has gone to his company again. Tom brought Sue up Thursday. George started from home: I have not seen Meag or Rachel, nor Sam, since I got your letter but will deliver your messages when I see them. Mr. Shielos was at Strawsburg last week[.] did you see him pass by the Springs.[?] he went with the waggon [sic][.] I would have written to you that he was coming in my other letter but Lizzie & Ma told me I had dreamed it. & I thought - perhaps I was mistaken but the next day I saw Mary Catherine at the schoolhouse & she said he had started on Friday. he took Soldiers cloths [clothes] down. Cib got home last Tuesday[.] I have not seen him yet[.] Father sais [says] he looks tolerable well:

Kate, I have a notion to make me a muslin quilt. I want you to ask Ginnie Tincorn & Jany, Elizza Koontz, May & Kate C. [,] cous A: all my acquaintances for a piece of their dresses to put in it to remember them. if you get any you must send them by Pa[.] he still talks of coming but I dont know when. Ma sais [says] the weather is too uncertain to leave home with Flossie now.

Flossie was delighted to think that letter was directed to her[.] she had just been wishing to (Ellen) that she would get a letter from the post office directed to her & Ellen told on her after she got yours: she wants you to tell her how you stewed your fruit. said I should tell you John wrote she was going to make a ring out of Laurel root, & that she had broke Lillie’s other arm off, & Strawberry was married to Mr. Wood: sais [says] She would like to see Cous Amanda; Mary & Etta. you must bring Amanda home with you:

Misses Freman & Mr. Hultz was [sic] married last Thursday a week. I heard last Sunday that she was taking the fever. I dont know whether it is so or not[.] she was down at Mr.Shovers[.] he married Dave’s sister: Kate[,] I reckon you saw, that piece in the register that spoke of hanging those traitors from western Virginia. among them George Awbry: I dont pitty [sic] him much for he had taken up army against our boys; out there & was orderly sargent [sic] in a Tincorn [sic] company; so Jim Hawke told me.

Well Kate [,] I have some work to do today & must soon close[.] Uncle Peter’s are all well. Bell & John were in town to see the boys last week. Kate[,] tell May & Kate C. I would like to see them[.] give my love to then[sic] Fannie & Eliza Jany; vine, S. & all my acquaintances[.] Mother said tell Aunt she would like[?-page torn] to come down but the weather is so bad & the roads so muddy that she cant this winter: but I will try to get Sam to come, if the Malitia [militia] dont get him. Jake talks of joining a Cavalry company, if he goes in the Spring.

Now I must stop[.] dont forget to answer soon[.] all join me in love to you & all kinfolks[.] Lizzie sais [says] she will write soon. take good care of your health & tobacco:

Be good good bye

Your Aff [affectionate] Sister Annie Trout

[Written in the margin on page two: P.S. Oh Kate[,] I forgot to tell you that Rubing is so much smitten with you too. he was looking in evry [sic] corner to see your name or something that resembled you: now if you dont do some thing "for yourself this trip is Lizzie Pilson) sias [says] you need not try any more - Kate[,] you have got to let me know when you hear from Moses & Rubing - - Kate[,] you will think I have got right funny since you left after your read this. well it’s no use to be always sad[.]

- Write soon Annie

[The above letter is folded so that the fourth side can be used as an envelope. It is addressed to: Miss Kate C. Armentrout, Lacy Spring, Virginia. Care of Miss Jannie - Henton.]

[Clipped to the above letter is an envelope addressed to: Miss Kate Armentrout, Green Ville, Augusta Co. Va.]