My dear friend,

     My head will not yet allow me to write a long letter, but I take the first opportunity of telling you how much I sympathize with you in the severe accident you have lately sustained, and expressing my thankfulness, that bad as it was, it was not even more severe and dangerous. It really seems wonderful that you should have escaped with life itself from such a destructive wreck. Providence has certainly a better fate in store for you. Your letter, (or Miss Lucy's rather) was forwarded to me from Mobile -- It made me wish indeed, that I had returned to Mobile, and taken the

Mobile & Ohio route to Virginia -- In that case I should have called by Gainesville, & should have been able to assist sometimes in the care of your injuries, including the application of the "figure of 8" which seems to have amused you and Miss Lucy so much. I hope when the whole sum of the treatment comes to be made up, the fortunate numeral may be found to have figured conspicuously in the cure. It is possibly as well that I did not go by Gainesville however, as I should have probably been very sick there, just as I was, on the road to Virginia, and so been an object of care, rather than an assistant. I think I recollect having an uncomfortable headache when I wrote you from N.O. & no doubt had some fever when I left there on Monday morning, though I thought it was only the heat of the weather. The rattling of the cars seemed almost

intolerable and on reaching Richmond it was very comfortable to go to bed almost immediately. I am now staying on Church Hill, on the square next to St. John's Ch & between it and the river. It is a cool airy situation, commanding a superb view and removed from the heat & dust of the City. I attended St. John's last sunday, though hardly feeling well enough to do so, and heard an excellent sermon from Mr. Butler. I looked about to see if there was any one I could recognize as Miss Bettie but saw no young lady pretty enough to answer to her picture. I will try and see her before leaving Richmond however. The church however was half full of soldiers that morning, and it was not easy to see any particular person. I must however bring my letter to a close deferring a longer communication to a future day, when my head will not yet hurt under a slight effort, as now --

Tell your amanuensis, I must also defer replying to her communication till I get a better head. It always requires the best I have to undertake a letter to her. Tell her to let me know the destination of the N. S. Rifles [i.e., North Sumter Rifles] as soon as they get orders. Troops are reaching here daily in great numbers. & constantly departing. The President [i.e., Jefferson Davis] still delays his coming. I fear some accident has happened to him, or that he is sick on the way. Virginia is invaded at so many points that it is hard to tell where to be best prepared for the enemy, and so many places have to be looked after that they se[. . . .] [illeg] in resisting them. But I have no doubt that wise forethought & precaution are directing our counsels. I grieve at not being able to go in at once and take a share in what is going on and yet hope I may be given sufficient health in time for the purpose. With best love and regards to all, & with best hopes & prayers for your speedy recovery, believe me faithfully your friend

L H Anderson