Mrs Lee is writing to writing to a Union officer on the military staff occupying her old home, Arlington.
Transcript:
June 10th 1861
My dear sir
This is probably the last note I shall address you as I leave this part of the country to await in all the torture of suspense the uncertain future—I wish too to inform Genl McDowell & yourself what I am sure you are ignorant of that the statement of Lieut Tompkins & his servant relating to the skirmish at Fairfax C.H. is entirely false as a lady I will not use a harsher term, tho’ it would be well deserved—They came up at 3 o clock a back road led by a spy. Surprised the pack guards & entered the village when the troops aroused from their sleep were hastily arming, the Cavalry thro’ misapprehension & panic retreated to Centreville without exchanging a shot with the U.S. horses who dashed thro’ the town wantonly firing into the houses as they rode along. They rode down the hill watered their horses at a stream & then returned to the charge, the Rifles consisting of about 45 were by this time drawn up over a fence by Col Ewell—tho’ indifferently armed they received the shock of the U.S. Cavalry with such a steady fire that they retreated, part of them [illeg.] it was believed to carry off their dead & wounded, & the remainder were only rallied by the most fearful oaths of Lieut T. & after a feeble charge retreated in such hot haste that pursuit was impossible—There was not a single man killed but Capt Man & that was before the action commenced. 2 wounded, one only slightly, the other recovering—The 5 prisoners that they triumphantly carried to Arlington were a detached party they surrounded on the way back. The Rifles took 3 prisoners, & I believe 2 horses & a number of arms were found scattered in the flight among others the Lieuts saber. I have only today received an old star containing the account & have been excited to write this as I had my information from an eyewitness—I think Justice ought to be dealt even to an enemy. I will not trouble you with all the particulars, these few facts will suffice to show you, how you have been deceived. I have seen too, today Mrs Hunter who has given me a sad account of the situation of my good neighbour with whom we have always been on the most friendly terms—
My heart bleeds to hear of the outrages committed on them, their inoffensive & amiable families & their property. I can scarcely enjoy the kind protection which I hear has been afforded to mine when I think of their suffering. Genl Scott cannot know of these things the truth can never reach his ears. They must commence a way of extermination if they are going to deal thus with every secessionist in Va. For all those who have loved the Union & many of whom would willingly have died to save it are now arrayed against it & all the forced & oaths administered can never change their hearts. I feel as if I ought to be at Arlington to do what I can for my poor neighbors & yet my friends will not allow it. May I recommend them, tho’ perhaps now in your immediate care, to your kind officers Roach, Johnson, Addison, & Hunter at Abingdon the home of my grandfather John Parker Curtis. have I hear suffered most cruelly—Can such things be suffered in this age among brethren? I respect it has been caused by the infamous spies who infest all this country you must bear with me as this is to be the last time I shall trouble you I must especially recommend to your protection our manager Mr McQuinn. If he should be forced to leave I know not how I could supply his place. The servants are much gratified with the protection you have afforded them & I hope will be comfortable but I fear the poor all thro’ the country around will be stripped of all means of support by the depredations of the soldiers. They have acted most wantonly tearing up ladies clothes, house linen & other things merely for the sake of destruction. Should I take a horse for the purpose of having my children all around me I shall have to send to Arlington for some articles which I presume can be send me horse curier &c—I will not send unless I need it—My respects to Genl McD & believe me notwithstanding the terrible circumstances which surround us
Truly your friend
MCL
Will you be kind enough to have the letters I send mailed It is my only chance of communication
Citation: Mary Randolph Custis Lee (1808-1873), autograph letter signed to James B. Fry.10 June 1861. AMs 776/12