"There is no prospect or intention of the Government to propose a truce.
Do not be deceived by it.... May God preserve you all and bring peace
to our distracted country."

Again to my mother at Arlington:

"Richmond, May 2, 1861.

"My dear Mary: I received last night your letter of the 1st, with
contents. It gave me great pleasure to learn that you are all well
and in peace. You know how pleased I should be to have you and my
dear daughters with me. That I fear can not be. There is no place
that I can expect to be but in the field, and there is no rest for
me to look to. but I want you to be in a place of safety.... We
have only to be resigned to God's will and pleasure, and do all we
can for our protection.... I have just received Custis's letter of
the 30th, inclosing the acceptance of my resignation. It is stated
that it will take effect April 25th. I resigned on the 20th, and
wished it to take effect that day. I cannot consent to its running
on further, and he must receive no pay, if they tender it, beyond
that day, but return the whole, if need be...."

From another letter to my mother, dated May 8th:

"...I grieve at the necessity that drives you from your home. I can
appreciate your feelings on the occasion, and pray that you may receive
comfort and strength in the difficulties that surround you. When I
reflect upon the calamity impending over the country, my own sorrows
sink into insignificance.... Be content and resigned to God's will.