Hill, Daniel H., 1821-1889 to Isabella Morrison Hill

Hill discusses rumors of a new offensive, complaining that President Davis is manipulated by politicians, and passing on news of the early phases of Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign (Jackson's wife Anna was Hill's wife's sister). Hill signs as "Husband." Says "We had orders yesterday to be ready to march at a moments notice, but we are still here. Various here have been the conjectures as to our destination; some saying, Staunton; some Fredericksburg; some, North Carolina. We are all in the dark about it. I have had hopes that I might be sent nearer home. But probably, you would feel differently about it; as the great battle of the war will most likely take place in North Carolina. Genl Jackson has had a bloody fight & was repulsed by the enemy. He had three or four to one against him. I understand that President Davis has expressed himself as greatly pleased with Jackson's fight. By the way, Mr Moore returned last night from Richmond, where he saw Joe Davis, the President's nephew. Ive told him that the President had been anxious to make me a Major Genl but the politicians and military of N.C… opposes it. It is pitiable that the President should be influenced by the political hacks of the State .. .I lay awake last night till after midnight thinking of you, the children & our lost ones. I have a great dread that something has happened to the children Charlotte is such a sickly place that I will never feel satisfied while you are there . . . It is altogether probable that I cannot write oftener than once a month . . . It is reported that all our letters are stopped in Richmond ... May God prepare us for all the trials before us. We have a long series of trials to go through. With His grace we can pass this fiery ordeal with safety. Tell the children how much Papa loves them . . ."