Letter from Mary Kagey to David F. Kagey

Scope and content:

Written from New Market, Virginia. The letter discusses family news, domestic matters, news of soldiers capture. At this time, David F. Kagey was a student at the University of Virginia.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

New Market, Nov 7 1863

Dear Brother
I have put off writing evening after evening thinking I would have something interesting to write about this evening. I feel tired but will lay to write a short letter at least every evening I tell Billy to enquire for a letter for me, yet I have a right to expect one from you having promised to write to you so frequent and not performing. Aunt Ann and Lallie got home last Sunday. They are very well and getting along very well. Barbara wished them to stay two weeks longer but Mrs. Will did not want them to stay. I was down at home Tuesday evening. Mrs. Will was putting up a box of good things for Mr. Will. They had potatoes, apples, roasted chicken, fried chicken, bread, fries, and some half bushel of real old time ginger cakes, such as old Aunt Ginnie use to bake. Mrs. Will treated me to four. I wish you could have been here for cade is something seldom been there days. They use the foam that gathers on the molasses whilst it is cooling which makes a rich and nice cake and persons are using it about here. Mr. Leavers has made several hundred gallons of molasses and they are not done boiling yet. Sarah says if she thought you would like to have it she would buy four or 5 gallons for you. They sell it at $8 a gallon but to wait there would perhaps be no chance of getting any and price may also advance; would you like to have some? The salt arrived here safely. They have not got their pork yet and I think it fortunate as this warm weather has set in.

The folks here are tolerable with little Emma is threatened with croup this evening. She still talks of you at times as being at grandfather Rodeses. Billy has been unwell for a week on too but is better for a few days and passed through he looks thin, and badly. He and Mr. Strayer went fishing today, but did not catch any fish. This is the second days fishing Mr. S has had this week without getting any, but he seems in good spirits and speaks of going again. Mr. O, Miss Janine and the rest of us are very well. I feel very tired. I have been boiling soap today.

I regret very much to tell you that John Reid, Bob Tidler, and John Millan were captured by the Yankees. They were sent out on a scout by Capt. Nelson and I suppose ventured too far, it is reported that they were captured beyond Winchester near or at Woods factory. Their have been so many different rumors about them one scarcely knew what to believe. One day report would be they were captured and another day they were not but I believe it is now confirmed. I feel very sorry for Mrs. Reid they say she is almost inconsolable. I have not seen Miss Bettie for some time she was out at Rosenbergers whilst Sallie was their. she spoke of having had a nice time. I have not heard from your friend Miss Emma except through Mrs. Miller. I always inquire about her she says Emm gets along very well complains of nothing but the cooking which is so different from what it is here. I expect to go to see Mrs. Coyner in a few days she has just returned from Augusta where she has been for some time. Miss Emma has not written to Sarah yet I do not think it likely she will as she has not done so yet. Mr. Thomas has not brought that flour yet but Billy saw him a short time ago and he promised to bring it very soon.

I am glad to hear there is a likelihood of your getting home at Christmas. I hope you will not be disappointed nor disappoint us. We feel anxious to see you and will try to have something nice for you. I wish sometimes you had some of these nice Fenwick or Bellflower apples to eat that you could have and some of Aunt Fannies nice bread and milk, too. The nice applies will soon be gone they are [illegible]. I hope you are enjoying good health and find your studdies less irksome. Wright whenever you have an opportunity. The time seems very long. The folks at home send their love to you. Mrs. Will wished me to remember her to you. I must close, accept the love and best wishes of your sister.
Mary S. Kagey

P.S. Please excuse the hastily and badly written letter, it is getting late and I feel very dull.

Subjects:

United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Prisoners and prisons
United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Home life
Correspondence

Names:

Kagey, David F., 1834?-?
Kagey, David F., 1834?-?

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