The herald., 1898-11-25
LETTERS A CENTURY OLD
Written by Man and Wife During
the Revolutionary War

the Revolutionary War
Two rare letters, yellow with age and al
most indecipherable in parts, are in the
possession of Mrs. +. NJ. Ferguson, 240S
East Eleventh street. Around them is en-
twined romance of two hearts, faithful al
though separated during that stirring Pc
riod when the colonies were battling for
freedom.
The letters were written in 1881, just be-
fore the battle of Yorktown, by Captain
William Mills and his wife, Peggy Mills.
Mrs. Ferguson treasures the letters because
their authors were her great grandfather
and her great grandmother, respectively.
CAPTAIN Mills served throughout the war
of the Revolution with bravery and distinc-
ton. He was the great grandfather OF
Roger @. Mills, United States senator from
Texas. This is his letter:
williamsburg, March 80, 1881. - Dear
Wife: / take this opportunity to inform you
that | am in good health and hope that this
will find you in the same happy state; our
men in general are pretty healthy. As to our
living, | think it is as good as we had rea-
son to expect. The march from Fredericks-
burg to this place, which we performed in
five days, was very fatiguing, though we
have got pretty we'll over it and are at this
time in good spirits. Our men have cheer
fully enlisted and I think have done honor
to their country in so doing, especially when
we consider how much some other countries
have been wanting in that part of their
duty. Alarms have been frequent since we
lave got to this place, and it is believed that
the forces of the enemy are between four
and five thousand men. One of the enemy s
boats ran aground two days ago at Hampton
or thereabouts, which our men made prize
of and it is said got 1900 bushels of salt out
of her besides other things.
"Our troops at this place from the best
account, do not amount to more than 1000
men, tho it's said we have 5000 at Ports
mouth or thereabouts. have nothing more
worth communicating and would only add
that | wish You as happy as circumstances
permit and hope you will have fortitude
enough to make you easy on my account.
When you consider l am only discharging
duty which l owe to my country and
have done nothing more than is incumbent
on me from that principle. Pray excuse
me to Colonel Winslow for not writing,
and be assured that am your loving hus-
band until DEATH sWM. MILLS"
The wife's letter follows:
"Spotsylvania, April IL, l7Sl.--Dear Hus-
band: This comes to inform you that we
are all well. l received your letter dated
the 3Oth of March, in which was glad to
read of your good health, and hope that
blessing has been continued you and thank
you for your kind wishes to me for health
and welfare, and can assure you that my
friends and neghbors are very kind. Your
absence is the only thing that hinders my
happiness, but live in hope that obstacle
will be removed before long, as have heard
the militia are to relieve you, tho am not
without my fears they are to answer some
other purpose. But hope, my dear, you are
in the hands Of God and that He viii pro-
tect you and grant you safe return.
have received two letters from you since
began to write this. Am sorry to hear of
poor John Coleman's death and of the i'll
ness of the others. But hope in Him who
has protected you so far that He will not
cease to continue His blessings on you.
Should you be sick or any other accident
happen to you / beg that / may know OF
it if possible, and if it is your desire will
come to you-if not, be assured that will
do you every favor that lies in my power.
As it is uncertain when you will return /
have thought it necessary to send you the
little sum of money l have and beg that
you will want for nothing that may be con-
ducive to your health. Should you stay
three months I think it will be in my power
to send you more money before long, and
beg you will let me know everything that is
in my power to do for you, and be assured
that / will with a willing conscience. Op-
...4un;+,. bo, povar offerad for mo IN write
before now to YOU and wish that was ca
pable of disclosing my inmost thoughts to
YOU by letter. But you are sensible of my
inability. and can only tell you that / hope
YOU will be prepared for the will Of God
and that your trust may be in Him. beg
that YOU will not suffer any uneasiness on
nv account as am placed among friends
and enjoy health.
"From her who is with her earnest wishes
for YOUR health and welfare and safe re.
turn. and remain your loving wlfe TIL
death. fEu"h MILLS
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