Jeffery, Roberta (fl. 1850-1900) to Fanny Timberlake
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01896.050 Author/Creator: Jeffery, Roberta (fl. 1850-1900) Place Written: Richmond, [Va.] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 October 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : address ; 24 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Roberta describes her family's nighttime escape from Norfolk to Petersburg, aboard a baggage car, and then there further traveling to Richmond, Lynchburg and Buchanan. Includes a description of accommodations and prices of goods in Petersburg and an account of the family's eventual return to Richmond. Includes news about battle deaths and quick anectdotes. In pencil on the wrapper of the letter is a note from Aaron Jeffery to his cousin [Fanny] begging her to tell him the state of "my affairs" and bemoaning the news that the "servants" are "behaving badly about the care of the household." He advises Fanny to tell them that he will be "home if alive in less than six months". He also reports that the "Yankees have acted more like barbarians than civilized people in every part of Virginia that they have been in excepting Norfolk and the Eastern shore."
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