| General Superintendent's Office |
| Seaboard & Roanoke Rail Road Company |
| Portsmouth, Va. May 4, 1862 |
| |
| My dearest Father & Mother,
{Moncure Robinson, internationally known RR
engineer and an early President of the Richmond, Fredericksburg &
Potomac RR; lived in the Philadelphia during the War} |
| |
| Norfolk is about to be
evacuated. I have been all day in earnest consultation with Geo Randolph
the Secy of War. |
| From the time I saw you in
Philadelphia, I determined to first preserve my father's property if
possible, next to serve to the best of my ability the State to which I
am most attached, Virginia. Whatever way the war may terminate father's
property is secure eventually. If the South succeeds in being
independent I inherit, & in case of my death Mr Myers or Willy as my
will has been made in their favor. I could not make it in father's favor
as he has been declared alien enemy. I never desire to see father claim
his quality as Virginian for by the act of Sequestration he has been
disowned; This I look upon as an outrage, but one which it was not in my
power to prevent. I did the best I could under the circumstances & with
powerful friends in the Confedt Congress had father's property by a
general law transferred to me. |
| I have placed the equipment of
the Company in responsible hands out of reach of the enemy. I have left
responsible men to take care of that here. Father will do what is best
when he consults Mr Walke. |
| I am now aide de Camp to Maj
Gen Loring with the rank of Captain in the Confederate States Service.
With considerable influence in the Government I am sure of rapid
promotion if I do my duty. |
| Next to my father & mother I
love the State from which we have all sprung, & when her soil is free
from the invading force I will lay down my sword. My resources are at
present ample. I have $6000 with Mr Myers in Richmond besides my pay.
Enough for myself & the boys. Willy, Lang & Henry. They are all well &
are enlisted for the war. I never saw such improvement in any fellows as
in them. Mr Walke has my ledger, some old letters & papers. |
| Mrs Newton at the Atlantic
Hotel has my rooms and furniture. Dispose of my effects as you may wish. |
| The Confederate States must be
successful. Their dilly dallying policy will change under George
Randolph & with the help of Heaven we will drive these hordes from our
country. |
| Mr Myers is my sole heir &
executor & has all my business papers & effects. |
| God bless Mother & Yourself &
grant that we may meet again & in happier times. |
| You both have my assurance of
my best love & whatever may happen to me, that your welfare has ever
been my first thought. |
| Mr Myers has been my kindest
friend. Mr Tazewell Taylor my most mischievous enemy. His conduct
towards my father I will never forget or forgive. |
| Mr Walke has been very kind to
me. Mr Hand & Ball faithful servants. |
| Again God bless you both & farewell. |
| Jno M Robinson
{Captain & AQM} |