Letter from Lawrence Royster to John E. Roller

Creator:

Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914

Scope and content:

Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Hunter's Raid and family news.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Richmond July 28 1864

My Dear Roller,
Your letter sent by Overton was duly received and contents noted. I have inquired of the Express Company in regard to your trunk, they tell me that it will be safe to send the blankets in it. In regard to your jacket and vest, you merely told me to order them without saying how I was to send them or whether I was to pay for them. I have seen Doherty in regard to them and he can make them out of excellent cloth for $250 so they will be ready in a few days. I will wait until I hear from you before I ship any of the things, if you say so I can put both blankets & clothes in the trunk, let me hear immediately and I will attend to all with great pleasure. I should like very much to go over to see you, but cannot possibly do so, though I do not intend to remain here idle longer than the first of August. I am ashamed of it, will return to Lexington and remain there in camp first.

I have not seen Overton since the school closed. About two dozen of the boys are staying here. Speaking of the appointments, a good many of them surprised me, though I am very well satisfied with what I got, I don't care much however, you know kissing goes by favor. There are eight privates now in the first class, but it is my private belief that the Institute will not be in operation again until the was is over, although they have made arrangements to carry it on, books cloth and provisions an all wanting.

I am glad your Father did not suffer by the yankees. Mother lost absolutely every thing she had, and is now a refugee here, sick too, they not only stole all provision, and stock she had, but went about the house breaking up what they could find and then had the assurance to ask my sister if she could not furnish them with a snack of ham. Roller, if I am ever spared to get into yankee land, I will respect nothing but a woman's person, I'll break, pillage and plunder. My Mother, from living in luxury at home, is now forced to the necessity of borrowing a wagon to get home in, and I don't know what she is going to live on after she gets there.

Speaking of old "23," she did [ro__] this time, if the appointments are permanent (which I doubt) but I am afraid Pat will not stand first, I think Davis will get him. Pat has been thinking too much of Miss Mollie, she will ruin him I am afraid, or rather has done so. I will write you a letter in a few days.

Sincerely, Your friend
Lawrence Royster
Address
Care, Purcell, Ladd & Co.

Subjects:

Hunter's Raid—Virginia—Lexington
Correspondence

Names:

Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920
Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917
Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914
Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920
Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917

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