George Washington Lewis to his wife, Lucy Anne Robb Lewis, 5 letters, 1857-1873

Lewis writes to Lucy while she is away visiting her mother and sister Eliza, mentions neighborhood news and refers to two enslaved servants, Brooks who is repairing the kitchen and Margaret who he has had difficulties hiring out (December 31, 1857); writing from the Richmond Senate chamber, Lewis tells of unfavorable news for the Confederacy, mentions the capture of Cumberland Gap, the burning of Bristol, the presence of seven regiments of cavalry, which were cutting off General Jones, forcing Lee to fall back to Richmond and leaving most of Virginia undefended. Lewis states that he may not be able to get home for a while and shares that the Legislature was busy drafting measures for defending the state, calling upon all men 45-60 to be enlisted, including physicians. He tells Lucy to plan on the safest place to stay should the enemy forces overrun the state (September 21, 1863).

Lewis describes his visit to his son, Dr. Thomas Lewis, at White Post, Clarke County, for the recovery of his health, including the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, his homesickness, meeting several persons including the Snowdens and Bishop Meade’s family, his son’s medical practice, his wife Maria and son, and his anxiety at not hearing from home (August 26 and September 2, 1872).

Lewis describes a visit to Charlottesville where he was the oldest alumnus present, meeting his college friend, Governor Swann there. He mentions the speech of Senator Bayard of Delaware, dinner at Professor Minor’s, the alumni dinner on the third where he sat with Johnson Barbour and heard many wonderful speakers, excepting the one by his friend Governor Swann who had previously enjoyed too much alcohol at Professor Mallet’s. Professor Minor recalled Henry Byrd as a diligent student and Professor Socrates Maupin, who had served with Byrd in the 9th Virginia Cavalry, and also sent his regards (July 5, 1873).