Search

School began the 1st of the month. Wife had an accident that confined her to her room for 2 weeks. Anxious about Armistead. He is in General Price's army. Not heard from in more than a month. John's regiment has been ordered to Suffolk and is expected to fight soon. His regiment is Colonel Owen the 53rd. Willie was in Richmond and it is rumored that his regiment has been ordered to the same place. His regiment is the 43rd Colonel Kenan. John is Ass. Quarter Master and Willie is apothecary which allows them both to be free from onerous camp duty. School has 30 boarders and 34 day students and 5 more boarders are coming in October. Several refugees, 5 grown persons. 2 children and 2 servants in addition to the Episcopal minister, his wife and servant. In total there are 39 regular boarders. Flour is $28 per barrel and butter is 50 or 60 cents per pound, and everything in the same proportion. Supplies can scarcely be had at any price. Can get shoes for $8 and because the price will only rise, will have the shoes made and sent to Petersburg unless otherwise instructed. Member of church sick in hospital in Lynchburg. His wife has written repeated but has heard nothing in return. His name is J.L. Todd and is in Christian Hospital Ward no. 3. Please make inquiry so that the wife can be informed. Congregation has lost 19 young men from wounds and sickness in the company.

Wanted to move away before Christmas and go to Stoneland, leaving Anee with bairns, but Mr. Ennes placed obstacles in the way and have decided to stay another year. "The boy" is quiet and his expected name is Armistead (in reality this is John Bott). Thought of Mr. Plummer because he was a dear friend. Mary is delicate, but a good child who has recently spent time with her grandparents and has returned spoiled. Wish Martha would come down for Aunt Harrison because it doesn't appear she will live much longer because she is suffering. Wishes Fan would become saved so that she too could have the peace that Aunt Harrison has at this time in her life. Give love to my parents and Mary & Caroline Garland.

Frances Burwell working too hard for Mr. B for the amount she is being paid. Robert wishes Frances would come visit and stay with him where she could find her suitable work. He has a small school with 22 and Bettie's music students are increasing. Children have all had the measles; Fanny is the last to get sick. Heard from Powell who writes short unsatisfactory letters. Powell is doing well and attempted to marry a woman but failed and hopes to try again. Blair wrote saying he was determined on doing something and is deeply engaged in religion. A at Vicksburg is doing well in his profession. Not heard from Ma since her arrival at cousin L's. Children desire to see Frances.

Write to Richard in Texas once a month. Good health and travels 20 miles once a month to preach. Going to Charlotte to spend 3 weeks with sons. John has a flourishing school and his children are well. Mary married Ben Lacy and lives near Robert Burwell. She has 3 children, 2 girls and a boy, the youngest is 2 months old. Nannie teaches music in the school. Armistead has 3 children; the 2 daughters are almost grown. The oldest, Ella, is in Robert's school. Ed married Miss Wilkenson of Augusta and has 4 children. Will is in poor health and has no children. Bob Strudwick is married, living in Durham, and has 2 children. Robert has 5 great-great-grandchildren and numerous grandchildren. Dan and wife have been in mountains of Virginia. Richard is a pastor of a church in Denton, Texas and is married with a daughter named Fanny. Since the death of Mr. Crow a year ago, Nannie Crow has been having trouble. She has 5 children and is able to live comfortably on what Mr. Crow left her. Robert is very feeble and unable to undertake long trips.

Lost Edmund Strudwick on April 1, 1887. He left behind a wife and 4 children. Pastor Dr. Miller said that he passed away peacefully. Left his family well provided for. Mattie will remain in Charlotte at the present. Her father, mother, and sister will stay wither. Robert will soon be 86. John has been sick for 3 months. He is improving and has been encouraged to go to the springs this summer by his doctor. Nannie Crow has been sick for 2 or 3 months.

Upon arrival found Miss Garnett who has taken in the sister-in-law of Mr. Wilcox Brown and the Cousin of A E's great friend, John Thompson Brown, and is said to be a cousin of ours through Winstons. Spent a day at the Cristal Palace. The program began at 12:30 with the band of the Royal 2nd Artillery, a play by the company's troupe, then some military music by the band of the House Guards, followed by a choral concert of 200 performers and finally fireworks.

Uncle Landon's business keeps him busy. He is to finish what needs to be done today and then take the following days to sight see and go to Oxford and Cambridge. Wanted to go to Portsmouth to see the Arctic Expedition off, but expenses were too high. In Paris for 3 weeks starting next Thursday. Miss Garrett and Spotswood went to Church to hear the Archbishop. Met Miss Emily Mason as well as two girls from Baltimore, Miss Jenkins and Miss Rowland (Miss Mason's niece). Miss Garnett to be in Switzerland this summer as a guest of Miss Skipp.

Send copies of the letters contained in the St. Louis Republican. They were received today addressed to Uncle Armistead. City of Mexico, October 1, 1847 – particulars of Brother William's death. He was Aide to Col. Clark Commander of 2nd Brigade of Gen: Worth's Division. Morning of the 8th, they reported to Col. McIntosh. Col. Clark had been wounded at Churabusco. Took possession against the enemy lines at dawn and were given orders to charge and drive the enemy from the position in which he occupied. Order was obeyed and we were victorious but at the expense of our best men. 1/3 of the men and 21 of 41 officers in our division were killed or wounded. Brother was shot down by a musket when within 10 feet if the enemy's 1st line of defense. Ball struck him just above the knee of his right leg (breaking it) and then he was struck down by a lance which ultimately killed him. During the long and bloody fight his sword and sash were stolen as well as the ring on his finger. He was buried the next morning in sight of the battlefield with the other 120 who fell with him. Col. Scott and Captain Merrill are buried on either side of Burwell as well as his little dog Rod who had been shot through the body during the battle, but was found licking his masters wounds before he died. 9/10th of those who had their limbs amputated have died and so it is good that Burwell's was a quick death. 8 of Burwell's regiment, more than half of those who initially came to the City of Mexico have fallen. Burwell has an ink stand sand box and wafer box which he took to the castle of Perote. He is noted as wishing his brother in Vicksburg had them because he would have appreciated their curiosities. Enclosed are those items in addition to a letter from Col. Clark to General Worth about his death. R.W. Kirkman cut locks of his hair and will send those in the trunk but enclosed are locks of hair that had been cut by the lance that killed him and were lying on the ground near him. Been with Burwell since the first of May and any further questions I would love to help. –R.W. Kirkham Adjt. 5th Infantry. Tacubaga, Mexico, September 10, 1847 – excellent qualities possessed by William T. Burwell. Beloved for his suavity and irreproachable manners. –N.G. Clark Col. 5th infantry.