December 4, 1861, from J. D. Pittman to Dear Mother
Note:
Pittman is writing from the University of Virginia.
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December 4, 1861
Dear Mother:
I received your kind letter a few days ago, and I now hasten to reply. I am
always glad to get such long letters. Why don’t the people answer my letters?
Tell Pattie to answer my letter, tell sister to answer my letter, tell Mary J. to
answer my letter. I think I shall write a letter to N. Carolina before long. It’s no
use to write to any of the Higgs boys for I reckon they are all in the army. I
have not heard where they are. I believe I will write Willie Pittman a letter; I
reckon she is at home. I wonder if her sister is married?
There are several young men here from North Carolina. I am the only one from
Florida. There are a great many from Alabama. My best friend is from Ala.
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His name is Mr. Weeden. He is one of the nicest young men I know of. He
says I must go home with him. He lives in Huntsville, Ala. All his folks are
Presbyterians; I go with him to the Presbyterian Church every Sunday.
Some times I go to the Baptist and the Episcopal. I must go sometimes to
the Baptist for Miss Bibb belongs to that church, and I intend to go there with
her occasionally. But my Virginia sweetheart belongs to the Presbyterian
Church. I was there with her not long ago. She is sick now. We have the best
Presbyterian minister here I ever heard; his name is Dr. Hoge. He preached in
New York for ten years, but Virginia is his native state, and when she seceded
he came back to his old home. He delivered a beautiful farewell sermon to the
people in New York City the very day the Battle of Manassas was fought. He
says there are very few preachers at the North who preach the word of God.
Dr. Hoge preached a beautiful sermon on fast day. He thinks we look with too
much contempt upon the enemy; he thinks this will cause the Southerners to
become careless. He says there are a great many
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brave people at the North. If not, there is no glory in defeating the enemy.
I wish money matters would get better; for I do not know what we will do. I
hope you will make every effort to get men some more money here. I guess
a hundred dollars will bring me home. I do not spend money unnecessarily.
If I cannot get enough money to go to school I will have to join the army; my
great desire to obtain an education is the only thing that keeps me from the
field. I intend to go to Richmond next Feb. to see Jeff Davis inaugurated. I
am sorry I did not go to Washington to see old Lincoln put in office. When
you write you must give me permission to go to Richmond, for if you do not,
the chairman will not give me a leave of absence. Do not forget to give me
permission; for I know it will not cost much to go to Richmond.
My room-mate has a very sore throat, and does not go out. Mrs. McKennie
came in to see him this morning. She is very kind and attentive when we get
sick. We have about ten or twelve boarders. She always sends her respects
to the parents of her boarders.
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I am very glad that you rented your house, and I am glad that you are going
to live with Mrs. Blackshear. She is a kind lady, and I know you will be
satisfied. What will you do with Beck? I hope you have not hired her away
from you. Aunt Daphney faltered. I hope she is not as poor as ever. Do not
convince her that she has to grive after old Cilus. I agree with Mr. Blackshear
on that subject. I intend to write him before long. I promised him that I would
write him a long letter. I am very sorry that Dan attempted to shoot his master,
for Mr. J. B. had so much confidence in that negro. Have they caught him yet?
Was Joe concerned in it? I believe you said he went to his house. I must get
Mr. E. J. B. to write me all about it. How does Fanny B. like college?
I wish you would look over my books and send me the Key to Davies’ Bourdon.
Look about for it, for I need it in reviewing for the examination. Get Mrs. Roulhac
to look for it; she will be apt to find it. It is a small black book with sums in it.
Send it by mail, for that will not coast as much as a new one. Write me about
it next time. Love to all, to aunts. Tell Beck howdy. Write soon to yr. aff. son.
Jno. D. Pittman