Battle Family Papers

Company came in and prevented your mother from writing to Patty as she intended. She and Jane will both write to her before long. Sue has, I think, been better in health for the last two or three days, & your mother is as well as usual. Your grandmother is better. Mr. Phillips ( [C.J?] I mean) is well enough to attend to his duties again.

The dollar Sue enclosed to Patty was the change due her from the money sent for Mr. Guthrie.

Raleigh, Apr. 17/54

My dearest Mother-

See if I can't write you a home letter - a real homely one.

If you could see beautiful blue-eyed Susan, with her fat plump white cheeks, looking so interestedly at the children playing, rolling her head about and having the strongest fancy for gazing at the ceiling, you would wish to turn cannibal on the spot. And if you could spend the night with her, see the white eyelids close over the blue eyes at the close of twilight, then hear nothing more from her than an occasional chuckle or mutter of what-ever you call it, until about XXX 1 o'clock, when she rouses herself with reluctance for a slight collation, you would call somebody to hold your arms to keep you from turning into a chronic state of acute hugging. And if, when you place her on your knee and chuckle at her, you could see her eyes beaming with intelligence, her red lips quiver into a smile, the dimple deepen on her cheek, the crowing from her throat, the spasmodic throwing herself back with delight and plunging both her chubby fists into her XXXX mouth, then your heart would get warm within you and you would wonder if there ever was, will, can, or should be such another baby in the wide world.

Turning from the baby you stumble over the grave, determined, imitative, intently looking Herbert, with his very small hands and feet, playing on the floor. He has a bundle of pin sticks, and spends most of his time in XXXX this weary wet weather in mkaing pens and fences and knocking them down again. He is intensly anxious to go out doors always when he can, but when not allowed to do so, he is the most patient and contented child imaginable. He knows the names of most things and has an odd way of attempting to do himself, whatever strikes his fancy. He has had his hair cut lately and is improved by it, tho' not handsome, has a find intelligent look. Poor fellow he has had two bad frights lately, rolled from the back porch all the way down the steps, much to Pat's fright. This was done twice which is surprising as he is very active and surefooted for his age.

Tom, or Cap. Fat, is also much improbed by having his hair cut, (at cost of $2.) Pat sent $1[?] to pay for his and Plum's cutting both!!) is as healthy and bright as boy as be. Is a strange compound, for he is the boldest boy we have, loves to ride Button, which he will do by himseld if he is allowed, and on the other hand, he cries more quickly than herbert. His temper is high, his hands, teeth and finger nails and feet prove to violent deeds. He lately bit Plum on the cheek so as to leave a blue place for a week- yesterday he pinched the blood out of his lip, and he kicks or stamps his adversary without mercy. But he is generous and warm hearted. "Tom, don't you want to go to the cow-plaster?"- (his name for cow-pasture)- "Yes, sire, may brother go too?". "Tom don't you want a cake?" "Yes, sir, may Sissy have one too?" At the slightest cross he pouts up and says, if not afraid to strike, bite, kick or scratch, "I'm mad with you!", at the same time twisting his face into a comical expression, pouting out his lip and drawing down the corners of his mouth in the most expressive way. As a consequence of this compound character of manliness, ferocity and generosity, his easy, familiar ways, tho' not so hugging as Plum, he is popular with the ladies. Miss Mary is his warm love and XXXX Hagar dotes on him- He will come from Mr. Freeman's by himself any time and it is a picture worth seeing

Confederate States of America, WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, Va. May 26th 1864

Miss Mary {?] Raleigh N.C.

Miss.

Your application for the detail of your brother on light work at Raleigh has been referred to the Secretary of the Navy, this Department having no further control over the subject.

Respectfully

J A Campbell Asst Secretary of War

Davidson College, N.C. May 16, 1864.

Mr K P Battle,

Dear Sir,

Can you inform me where Mr Lawrence is, - a young man who entered Chapel Hill about the time you left, graduated with distinction in Mathematics & afterwards occupied a position in the National Observatory, Washington City D.C. He is a native of your city if I remember rightly. Is he accessible, or can you suggest a better person to take the charge of the Observatory at the University of Miss. Will you be so good as to direct the enclosed letter to Mr [Emmerson's?] present P.O., or if he is in Raleigh drop it in the office there? I am anxious to have it reach him as soon as possible.

Very respectfully & truly yours W.C. Kerr

Prof J Kerr

Raleigh May 24th 64.

My dearest sister,

I intended to have written you a long letter to send by father, but all the night before he left & that morning I was too sick to be up - Annie writes that you are not at all well - how very sorry I am to hear it - so sorry that I determined I would write & tell you so - Has Dr. Jones given up coming to see you - I never hear of his being at father's - how I wish you had half my confidence in [Drs?], it seems that it would be better for you - but I lose all patience when I write about Dr. Jones - I expect now that he has a son in the army, besides a plantation within reach of the enemy, he will be less fit than ever for his profession -

My dear little pet is'nt at all well to day - for two nights past she has had right much fever, but [was?] yesterday so [high?] that I thought she might get over the attack without medicinebut this morning she is still feverish & languid, so that I sent for the Dr. --he says it is only cold, & gave her oil - I can give you no idea how anxious & troubled my heart is wehn any thing goes wrong with her - I don't know that I love her any better than I did the others when they were her age; but she is much smaller & more delicate looking, that I suppose is the cause of

my uneasiness -

Thursday morning - The children haunted me so constantly yesterday that I put up in despiar - This morning is fair or nearly so I am happy to say & they are all playing out -. Little Sue is better - the Dr. gave her calomel last night, which had a good affect - I am afraid she has a little fever yet, & wheezing in her throat, but she was sleeping so sweetly just now when the Dr. came that he did'nt disturb her - bless her precious heart - how many times in watching her, have I wondered through what suffering she would have to pass, & asked myself, if God should see fit to take her to himself in her innocence & purity, would I be selfish enough to want to keep her - I pray that I may not be tried - I wish you could see her now as she lies asleep in her crib - I know the face of an angel could'nt be lovelier, - at least to me -. Thank you ma'am for the ruffling for her - as she does'nt need it now, I knew you would'nt mind my using it for Nell - I was making a check muslin [illegible[ for her; so I have ruffled the sleeves down the elbows & hands, & the neck which will nearly take it all - I am getting on right well with my work, tho Miss Mary is still very poorly - her back & side