My dear friend,

     In my last I briefly acknowledged the receipt of your letter of 14h Dec^r and expected to reply to it in extenso, within two days at furthest but before two days were over another of my silent enemies made another stealthy attack, so stealthy, that I knew not of it until I found I was heavily robbed of strength and spirits; and what with this, and the quinine I had to take for a day or so afterwards, little disposition to write was left. However, within a day or two, I have rallied very much, and yesterday walked from 9h to 27h St with no great fatigue -- Cough still annoying, but much better: A single week in Texas would break it up in toto, I believe. I met today Mr. Lefebvre, & Dr Harrison on the street -- both looking very well, the Doctor particularly. Mr. L said that his family were all well -- his wife a good deal improved in health -- Dr. H. said that

Cha^s Cook was very anxious to resign since his father's death, but they grant resignations very slowly now a days. They have not yet even accepted mine, though I sent it in soon after getting to Richmond, and again before Xmas.
     But to note some of the items in your letter -- that "dear, sweet, little wife" being the first -- Very pleasant subject to think about -- tho be more seriously entertained perhaps, after getting well. In any event however, and wherever I may pitch my tent, I should be sorry to think I would not be able to see you sometimes, whether my lot were as happy as the one you picture for me, or the reverse.
     I am glad you had the judge [i.e., Turner Reavis] at home at Xmas. I expect indeed he has been a laborious senator, and I wish he was in the Confederate congress. Such men are wanted there. I am glad he has got us a bank charter. That & the rail road together ought to make Gainesville something. By the way how near has the road got to you. Mr. W's idea about the military school is excellent. & I hope Beverly may be able to carry out the necessary discipline. Tell Mr.

W. I will reply to his letter soon. I am much indebted to the judge for looking out for a man to bring on Tom & co. if I decide to move them. I cannot decide however what my future movements will be until I find whether I can get well here, and shall be able to stay, as I wish to do. If I get well enough within a month, they want me to take charge of one of the Ala. Hospitals to be established here. Before doing so I would probably take a run out to Ala. and if you are ready to carry out your plan of coming in to aid in camp for the sick, I would be happy to be your escort, and to have you as an aid de Camp in my department. Many of the first & best ladies in Richmond have been for months thus engaged, and seem to take increasing interest in the work. I hardly see however how you would be able to get away from home but if you can I know you would be a most efficient hand. I have no doubt Mit is quite prepared to enter Mr. Lefebvre's classes advantageously -- and I know she will keep up the family reputation there. I heard a young lady the other day giving a full & animated account of some of Miss Lucy's exploits in the literary way

at school, which seemed to have excited her imagination very much, though she was only a little girl at the time. So she has left some traditions behind her which Mit will have to make additions to.
     I thank you very much for your full account of matters on my lot and the status quo of the servants &c. &c. I wish I could relieve you of all trouble with them at once by a decision as to my future course. As to the lot however, please set Tom to repairing the fences, and make him useful to you in any way you can. It can be breaking up the land too whenever the weather is favourable, and do any thing you choose until I take him away. The same with Matilda, or any of the rest of them, and I charge them to obey you as they would me in any thing you wish them to do. I hope they would do so at any rate, but if necessary, please read this part of my letter to them. Please make any temporary disposition of Milly, Alfred, or any of them that may be convenient as I regard the value concerned, as nothing in any way. I had no idea you had been keeping "John" so long, and I greatly fear his services have been nothing like an equivalent

for the trouble & cost of keeping him.
     If you think they are however please retain him in service -- If not, please get Mr. Mobly or O'Neal or Bransley to sell him to the highest bidder on 12 months credit with security -- the proceeds to go to the church, sick soldiers or any good purpose. His disposition is a matter of entire indifference, so that you are put to no inconvenience "in the premises." I do hope you have been using the rockaway along with him, and as I believe I said once before, the more it seems worn when I get back the better I shall be pleased. And so you have been invading the store room, and foraged away a whole bottle of gooseberries! I shall consider this an unpardonable transgression, unless you use any & every thing else that is there, a bottle of "Redwood's Madiera" alone excepted, which is not to be touched except in case of sickness. Any thing else may be returned "after the war" if you are particular. If Tom has any hogs fat, they might as well be killed on some cold spell, if

he has any salt, the meat to be used now or after the bbl pork is gone as you may think best. As to the sheep, I had forgotten them entirely -- How dreadful it is to be so rich. I believe I will give them to Mit for a New Year's gift and for the foundation of her fortune. If she will get some body to take them to Texas, she will be quite the victim of fortune hunters by the time she makes her appearance on the stage. "At any rate," tell her to take good care of them -- great oaks from little acorns grow.
     I met Mr. Lefebvre again today, & told him I was writing you -- He sent his love, and said you had all treated him like a heathen, or like heathens, I forget which -- you never would write to him.

     2d Jany '62 I could not get through with my epistle yesterday, but must close it up this evening for the morning's mail which leaves by 5 A.M.

     The President gave a general reception yesterday, but having attended one of his levees on a former occasion I did not care to inflict a second visit & introduction either on him or myself. I believe there was a pretty large attendance however, [illeg] of gentlemen and ladies, though Mrs. D [i.e., Varina Davis] was not present. She was represented by her sister & sister in law. Mr. Davis is not as popular as he once was. No one seems to understand his policy. It is pretty well understood that after the battle of Manassas, Beauregard was anxious to follow the enemy on to Washington and capture it & Baltimore at a blow. It might easily have been done. Some cousins of mine who are living there say that the federals fairly cringed to the secessionists for a fortnight after the battle, expecting every day that Beauregard would be upon them. At all events the General's report of this battle of Manassas has not yet been published, being held back by a request from a high quarter. It would have shown

that his dispositions were for following up the victory, and concluding the war at once. It is thought by many that Davis was afraid of the overwhelming popularity it would have given him. If Davis had gone on with him, & entered Washington at the head of his victorious legions he however would have carried off the best half of the laurels. He thinks I believe however that a long war is necessary to work out our destiny properly. I hope it is all for the best, and that a good Providence over rules this as He appears to have done every thing else for our good.
     But Mr. White is waiting to take my letter to the P.O. and I must close, which I do with love and regards to all your household -- remaining as ever

Faithfully Your friend
L. H. Anderson

No time to revise & dot the i's &c. Please overlook all errors --
I enclose you a capital Beauregard --