My dear Nancy
I arrived here on Friday night
last after a very disagreeable ride, being the greater
part of Thursday, and all of Friday night on the road
I caught a severe cold from which I have suffered
but I hope it will wear off in time.
To my surprise I met Tom and
Tip McLeary in the street on Monday, where they
informed me of their capture, and imprisonment
in Washington, their subsequent Parole, and passage
to Richmond, where they were sent to be exchanged
at the proper time. Mr Ould the agent for the exchange
of prisoners informed me that they would be exchan=
=ed this week, and if they desired it might return
to their commands, if Genl Smith permitted it, which
he did. I took them to Mrs Austins, procured them
their supper, a comfortable bed on the floor in my
room, and kept them there until their departure
when I gave them what money I could, and I hope
they are by this time safely at home.
The salary of my Office has been increased
to $1500, but as Congress made no appropriation to pay
the increase of the Clerks wages, I suppose we must
wait until it meets in January, and in the mean
time I must do the best I can. Living is enormous=
=ly high, but if I could only get those things I sent
to Mr Brown for it would help me very much.
I learned the other day from a person
from Farmville that he thought I might get you
valley money for your check, if I succeed in doing so
I will remit it to you by the 1st safe opportunity.
You must do the best you can under
your troubles, be prudent, and do nothing to
exasperate your enemies; about the sale of the
property, I think it is worth at least $6000 in Con money
[page 2]
before you part with it however, let me know, and do
not agree to give posession until April, unless you can
see your way perfectly clear, and know where you can go
say nothing of it to the servants, or indeed to any one
but the most reliable friends.
I have thought a great deal of
Sophy and indeed of all the family, tell her to write to
me, it would embitter the balance of my days if I
supposed she entertained a serious design of con=
necting her fortunes with the person you mentioned
when I was at home, and after her promise to you
that she would not, I place too high an estimate upon
her word to suppose she would disappoint you and
me, and all those prominent friends she has made
since the breaking out of this unholy war.
Ask Sally what she means to do
with all her baggage, should she get inside of the
Enemies lines, do you think it would be safe at Mr
Washington's? Let Mr Washington know that Mr Ould
says he will be exchanged t his week; and say
to Anna that business men here, think that an
investment in Confederate bonds, the best that can
be made at this time. Old Mr Washington desires to
invest his money, and Anna requested me to make
enquiry for him. Col Reynolds is here trying to
be made a Brigadier, and he told me yesterday if he
succeeded he would certainly help Charles.
Mrs. Hoge is a friend of yours, and will do all
she can to help you. What more can I say than to express the hope
spirits, and encourage the children, to all of whom
give my warmest love and believe me
as ever
Th. E. Buchanan
This confinement does not suit me
or my health and I wish most heartily to serve the Government
in some other way.
Thomas Ely Buchanan, 1810-1889
MSS 4560
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