Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/323

 A CONFEDERATE WOMAN'S KIND ACT FINELY TOLD.

Letter From a Soldier Boy to His Mother—Sympathetic Richmond Woman Shows Herself True Samaritan—Her Exquisite Sympathy and Hospitality to Two Confederates.

Contributed by Dr. R G. CROUCH.

The noble woman referred to in the following letter was Mrs. Robert C. Stanard, then residing at the southeast corner of Grace and Sixth Streets, now the Westmoreland Club, of Richmond, Va.

The mother to whom the following affectionate letter was written, inclosed it to a gentleman of Richmond, Va., requesting him to ascertain, if he could, to whom she was indebted for the kindness of which her son so gratefully spoke. With her permission we lay it before our readers, not only because it contains a handsome and well merited compliment to one of Virginia's most accomplished matrons, but also daguerrotypes an incident which, alike in its occurrence and results, reflects infinite honor upon human nature:

August 10, 1861.

My Beloved Mother: 

Among other promises which I made you when, upon the eve of our departure from home, you gave me your parting kiss and blessing, I well remember that I told you I would, when our regiment reached its destination, sit down and sketch you a history of whatever incidents of interest might transpire upon our journey.

Between home and Richmond, however, nothing occurred to break the general monotony of dullness which generally reigns along railroad routes; but when we were about leaving Richmond, an incident did occur which must forever, still lingering, haunt the greenest spot on my memory's waste.