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Raleigh May 18th 1866


My Dearest Posey

I do not think I can spend this morning more proffitibly [sic] & certainly more in
accordance to my feelings this morning than in scribbling a few lines to you Posey which
I have intended many & oft. I have much to say & feel discouraged for I know I cannot
do it in writing both dear You [?] & Sallie are in my debt a double reason why I should
inflict You [?] I have been with you all in spirit & it seems a long time since I heard. We
are having very beautiful weather, tis cool for the season. Raleigh looks the prettiest &
this place now the trees have put out is really lovely. I have got back to my little room &
the view from it on the porch [?] is refreshing. I wish for you all to remain [?] with me.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day I took a walk to the bakery [?] with Mrs. Tucker our
neighbor. I wished for you I know you enjoy a walk. The gardens all along Hillsborough
Street filled with most beautiful roses the town abounds with flowers at present & every
place looks sweet. I know the girls would admire it more than they did when they were
here. I have not forgotten their pleasant visit it is still a [?] spot in my memory.

We have lately got several letters from Florida. I mean Madeline & we enjoy them
together. They are all now in Jacksonville. Susan has returned from St. Mary's & Rosa
[?] & herself are to spend this summer in Sugar Hill [?] with her sisters she has not seen
for a long time. I hope the change will do her good. She has not been well all winter.
Mary writes me Susan has a cough & looks thin. I was cheered by a letter from Mary
yesterday [illegible] today written lying down. She has been unable to write for a long
time past.

This was commenced two days ago. We have had rain & beautiful weather again. I hope
you have as good not so cool however. Last night I covered as if it was winter. I slept
with a top the night before. I dreampt [sic] I was in Ansoult's [?] house in [illegible] &
the girls [illegible] but [illegible] crowd [illegible] by a [illegible] & it left [illegible] for
my dream I must not [missing text] [illegible] talk to you of that you would like to know
my [illegible] I do not feel like writing of others but will tell you of this household
beginning with Anna who is not very well though] better than she has been. She has had
a bad cough & thus the rest of us have been uneasy fearing it might be water in her chest,
but Dr. Haywood says that it is asthma but is not so dangerous. I am sorry for her she
troubled about money matters too & [illegible] there is certainly a sad thing she does not
get remittances. I am sorry for her & [illegible] as she cannot at present. Give me what
Edward sent [illegible] She will as soon as she can. Do not swear to that it is [illegible]. I
can visit Bradly and her she looks better than I expected to see her if she [illegible] bright
& pretty. They are a nice couple loving each other. She says she is very sorry Brad has
changed his plans she would like much to have seen you all, they are going to Richmond
he will commence the practise [sic] of Law there. Justin is to go to [illegible] to be with
Jeannie, we will miss them much. Bradly is a witness on the trial of Major Cutwhist [?]
which is coming to a close we have been very anxious about I hope he will be released
soon. I do not like to think of those trials it saddens me. I wish sincerely they were all
over Mr. [illegible] is failing looks badly it is depressing to be with him. They have all









been sick here but myself. I enjoy a [illegible] I ought to be thankful for. Madeline was
in bed yesterday. Her health is not good she has had chills most of the winter & her
[illegible] has [illegible] acting better all today. I hope this pleasant weather will
[illegible] the whole family.

I have got but one letter from Augusta in more than a year they say they wrote several
times but I got but one & am anxious about my poor Sister. I have not heard from her but
hope I will soon. I wish Posey we [illegible] I was seated by you talking instead of
writing my poor eyes fail. I have not [illegible] I have not found my photograph & since
then have lost my Breastpin that [illegible] with Lewis [illegible]'s hair. I expect you
remember it that was not stolen, I lost [it] going to the Chapel two Tuesdays ago. I have
nothing interesting dear Posey to write about. I must come to a close, hoping soon to get
letters from some of you I know how you are all [illegible] is not a comfort I want.
Sallie's last letters are dated February. It is time to know what is being doing in nearly
three months. I am sorry to hear that dear Ellie's health is not improved give my best
love to her. I hope she is better. I was pleased to hear that Mary Mc. was well. I think I
saw her bright pretty face. Remember me affectionately to them all little & big & my
Dear Good Joseph [illegible] as soon as he can send me his handsome face. I lost his
photograph he sent me, I am troubled about it. I hope he is well give big love it is time
for me to stop my ink paper and eyes have given out. I enclose Edward's letter for you &
Mr. McCrady to read. I could not find the paper please return it in this [illegible] as I do
not expect to get another soon. With much love to Mr. Mc[Crady] & yourself

Your Sincere Friend
Leonis [L'Engle?]

Please Posey send me paper every now & then, hoping soon to hear you are all well
[illegible] all [illegible] all here join in Love.

Madeline sends love to each & all particularly [?]

[Written on Envelope]

Mrs. Louisa McCrady
Care of Edward McCrady Esq.
Charleston
So. Ca. [South Carolina]


Transcribed by Nicole J. Milano, University of Florida, 2009