5 April 1865 [Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman], Clarksville, [VA] to [Charles Washington Coleman]

5 April 1865 [Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman], Clarksville, [VA] to [Charles Washington Coleman]

United States-- History --Civil War, 1861-1865

Richmond was evacuated because General Lee warned the President that his lines had been broken in several places; much of Richmond burned to prevent Yankees from getting anything; General A. P. Hill was killed and General Gordan was captured; Helen is still gone, most likely evacuated from Richmond; recipient's mother fell and huret herself; describing friends' losses; Charley is selfish; describing status of friends and family; saying she might run off to Mexico; worried about mother and Julia

Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman

Tucker-Coleman Papers, 1664-1945, Box 56

Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary

5 April 1865

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Text

Mss.40.T79.Box 56.231

This transcription has not been verified by Special Collections Research Staff. Please also consult images of the document.


Clarksville April 5th, 1865
Wednesday night
I little thought, my beloved Husband
when I last wrote that a blow so heavy was pending as
the evacuation of Richmond, and yet it has fallen
depressing all, crushing others, rendering me heart
sick, but not despairing. While I think with horror
of those miserable wretches having such triumph
as entering in and possessing our Confederate Capital
my thoughts turn much more frequently to the
bloody Battle Field, over which are lying our
poor men who have fought so bravely and endured
so much, and yet without keeping the enemy at
bay. the Yankees brought up fresh troops every
time, while our poor fellows had to bear the burden
all the time. It is stated that on Sunday, the
President received a dispatch from Genl Lee while
in Church, in which Genl Lee stated that his
lines had been broken in several places , and that
he advised the evacuation of the city. This the
President read to the Congregation, and I
must leave it to your imagination to picture
the scene that followed. The next morning the
City was abandoned. The Tobacco and Cotton were
burnt, and in destroying the Government stores

[Marginalia – Left side of Pg 1]
Another letter from Mother, dated March 6th. Julie and all are well. The
gentlemen are now made to work on fortifications, and are arrested on the pretext that

[Marginalia – Top of Pg 1]
they put up
signal lights.
What will
become of
poor Mrs
[Maupin?]
& Mrs
[Southall?]
again in
Yankee
Hands.
Mrs. M__
had just
gotten a
place as
Matron in
the Jackson
Hospital.


[Pg 2]
that portion of the City leading from Cary Street to
the river as high as the American Hotel was consumed.
I think some of Montagu’s house must have been
destroyed. Genl A. P. Hill was killed in the
Streets of Petersburg on Sunday. Genl Gordon has
been captured.[underlined] A courier came in this evening stating
that Genl Lee had on Monday and Tuesday
whipped the enemy, “piling the dead.” It is said
that our Army is this side of the Appomatox & Grant
the other. It has been reported that Picketts Division
has been badly cut up, but it is said today, that but
few have been killed, many wounded and captured.
Wise’s Brigade has suffered terribly.

I will now turn to our family matters. Helen is
still away, nobody knows where. I think, she left
Richmond if possible Sunday night, or Monday morn
=ing before the evacuation of the City, and she may be
somewhere on the rail road waiting for an opportunity
to get home. Quite a number of persons are at South
Boston, who expect to come down in the Government
boats to-morrow. I trust, Helen may be among
the number. In the mean time we keep your Mother
in the dark. She knows of the awful Battles but
not a hint has she received of the fall of Richmond.
I don’t think she could stand the announcement
without being assured of Helen’s safety. Yesterday


[Pg 3]
morning she got up in a chair to put something on
the wardrobe, and in getting down made a misstep
and fell, hurting herself very badly. She has not at
=tempted to walk since, and indeed, cannot raise
her foot from the floor. The hurt is across her hips, but
particularly the same hip dislocated before. She suffered
a great deal yesterday, and passed a very restless
night, to-day she has slept a good deal, and seems
to be much more comfortable, tho’ she has kept her bed.
Last night Georgie spent with her, and to-night
Cousin Sally is here. I think by keeping quiet a day or
two longer she will be about again. Her being in bed
prevents her seeing anyone, and thus she escapes
the evil news that I am sure, would make her ill.

mail
The last news [crossed out] brought me tidings of Cousin Randolph
Beyan’s losses – eight of his best hands went off, five
of his horses were taken, a good many of the Randolph
[sp...? ], and a Yankee and himself had a tussle
for his watch which he managed to retain, besides he
lost a great deal in clothing. Mr. Mason was pretty
nearly swept, Nannie was enabled to be calm while
the eight thousand raiders were all around her, but
the excitement brought on illness, and destroyed [underlined] [ ? ][underlined]
hopes.[underlined]

I have written a good many letters to the Army
to-night, and as I must be up by daylight in the


[Pg 4]
morning to have toasted and ground some coffee
that I hope, to be able to send to Sainty for his wounded,
I must tell you good night, after stating that Charley
has cut is stomach teeth without having a finger ache.
He is a selfish little dog, and objects very much to
sharing his cakes, (he is sometimes fortunate enough
to have some), with any one. Tell Montagu that
Uncle Cranford sent his love to him, and said he
would attend to any business in Chicago if he desired
it. [Stineman?] is said to be within thirty miles
of Danville. The President is there. I wonder where
he will run to night. I wish you had the servants with
you. My idea is that the only safe Country is that
has
which ^ already been overrun Ask Montagu
where Mothers Texas lands are located. We had
better move off there, and then to Mexico if necessary.

John Daniel the Editor of the Examiner is dead.
He died but a day or two before the Enemy entered
Richmond. Poor fellow.

Give my love to Montagu.
Write soon to your devoted
Wife [underlined]

I am trying to make such arrangements as
I can for a Yankee said, but there is not much
that I can do, unassisted and servants all around

[Marinalia Pg 4 right side]

Emily Carrington is better