To Mary Milroy From RH Milroy Jan 13 1862

              Huttonville W. Va. 
                                                   Jan. 13th 1862 
My Dear Mary, 
                      I have recd. your letter of 
the 23rd finished on the 26th Ult. and also yours 
of the 2nd inst. sent by Lt. Rhodes & by him sent 
up from Webster to me.  It is a great comfort to 
me to receive letters from you to hear that you 
& the children are well & comfortable - to hear 
their prattle & young ideas - the news about home & 
neighbours &c are the only little bright streaks 
I find along the dark track of destiny.  The 
dark cloud that lowers over our poor bleeding 
country – the gloomy future, occasioned by 
miserably incompetent Generals & tired, hesitating 
old fogy statesmen, is beginning to stagger hope 
& induces horrible doubts, that this recently peaceful 
happy, glorious & mighty Republic, like those 
that have preceeded it, has culminated & must 
go down in blood.  There is still some hope, but 
the cowardly, stand still, do-nothing policy of all 
our commanding Generals has every where given confidence 
& strength to the rebles & has caused all foreign