'A Cow and a Churn'

I am back to reading Recollections and Letters of General Lee by his son Robert E. Lee Jr. I thought I would share a few lines that I found very pleasing to read.

This first quote is from a letter to his son Robert advising him of his affairs on his new farm in King William County, Virginia after the war. Gen. Lee writes:

"I am clear for your doing everything to improve your property and make it remunerative as far as you can. You know my objection to incurring debt. I cannot overcome it... I hope you will overcome your chills, and by next winter you must patch up your new house, and get a sweet wife. You will be more comfortable, and not so lonesome. Let her bring a cow and a churn. That will be all you will want..."

Here is a sweet letter Lee wrote to his one of his daughters. His nickname for her was "My precious Life." Lee again is advising one of his children to make themselves useful. Gen. Lee writes:

"Camp Petersburg, November 6, 1864."
"My Precious Life: This is the first day I have had leisure to answer your letter. I enjoyed it very much at the time of its reception, and have enjoyed it since, but I have often thought of you in the meantime, and have seen you besides. Indeed, I may say, you are never out of my thoughts. I hope you think of me often, and if you could know how earnestly I desire your true happiness, how ardently I pray you may be directed to every good and saved from every evil, you would as sincerely strive for its accomplishment. Now in your youth you must be careful to discipline your thoughts, words and actions. Habituate yourself to useful employment, regular improvement, and to the benefit of all those around you. You have had some opportunity of learning the rudiments of your education- not as good as I should have desired, but I am much cheered by the belief that you availed yourself of it- and I think you are now prepared by diligence and study to learn whatever you desire. Do not allow yourself to forget what you have spent so much time and labour in acquiring, but increase it every day by extended application. I hope you will embrace in your studies all useful acquisitions. I was much pleased to hear that while at 'Bremo' you passed much of your time in reading and music. All accomplishments will enable you to give pleasure, and thus exert a wholesome influence. Never neglect the means of making yourself useful in the world..."