Henrietta Webb Letters

Townesville, Granville Co., N.C. Feby 15th, 1858.

My Dear Miss Henrietta, Your kind letter of the 14th of December last was duly rec'd and should have been replied to before but owning to the irregularity of my professional engagements I am not able at all times to answer letters which I greatly desire to do and particularly to yours, breathing of purity, sinlessness, and (I regret to know it) of grief. Your letter carries me back my dear Miss Henrietta to other scenes and other days, when "Life was young and Hope was in its Spring," before I commenced the battle of life when everything seemed full of beauty and promise and my soul was unscarred by sin. Alas those days are past to return no more but from them Memory returns with recollec-tions so sad so hopeless that it fits me to be a sympathizer with you. My heart felt a throb of pain when I read those words "When my heart was broke" Ah how many

Bro Wm & family are still [Nashville?] , I know not what his situation will be. [?] given one account & [?] another of the dealing of the northern army with citizens judge is still [here?] or at [much?] Billy's. He is in rather bad health. There is a [great?] [?] and [?] for [?] & the probability is that all will be ordered [?] who are able to [?] arms in life than 30 days. What then is to become of our wives & little ones & our homes is more than mortar [?] [?]. May God in mercy turn away this great evil & cons[?] [?] [?] [utterly?] on account of our sins.

Oh! Pray for me that my faith fail not for my soul is [?]. Sad and sorrowful & full of [?] [?]. Remember me most affectionatly to dear Sister A & dear Henrietta in her afflictions. Does she seem to remember anything about mrs May [Goodness?] & [mercy?] follow you all. All the days of your lives & may we all dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Write to me is all communication is not cut off. Affictionably your much Excuse me for [writing?] on [torn?] Envelopes. Robb. They like many other things are getting scarce.