Item description: Letter, 30 September 1861, from P.D. Thompson to Anzolette Elizabeth Page Pendleton, together with a similar letter to Col. William Nelson Pendleton, both regarding the Pendletons’ invitation to Thompson to direct a local school. Thompson writes to the Pendletons indicating that he would be pleased to accept the invitation to teach at the school, stating, “I have been a soldier in the 8th Reg. but finding that my health was failing I have determined to give up the service & act in some less laborious sphere.” Thompson suggests that he could begin instruction at the school around the 15th of October.

Item citation: From folder 15 of the William Nelson Pendleton Papers, #1466, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

[Letter from P.D. Thompson to Anzolette Elizabeth Page Pendleton]

Camp Johnson, Sept. 30th / 61

Mrs. Pendleton,

Dear Madam-

I recd a letter from your husband (Col. Pendleton) a few days ago, signifying his desire that I should take charge of a school in yr family. My reasons for delaying to communicate with you sooner arise from the fact that I have been attached to the 8th Va. Reg. & we have been daily in expectation of an attack from the enemy. (our reg. being an outpost near the Potomac). This circumstance has prevented me from writing sooner as I cd. not command an opportunity. Please write to Col. Pendleton immediately & say to him that I will undertake the school for him, & wd. prefer having a smaller no. of scholars than 12 if it wd. suit him as well. From 5 to 7 or eight wd. be as many as I wd. care to instruct. Say to him that I will be ready to commence the school by about 15th of October, possibly a few days later. Since the close of our seminary exercises, I have been a soldier in the 8th Reg. but finding that my health was failing I have determined to give up the service & act in some less laborious sphere.

I wd. write to Col. Pendleton myself but am ignorant of his present locality. He requests me to write immediately to him, but I shd. suppose it sufficient for you to notify him of my intentions.

I must beg you to excuse my pencil & paper, as this is the best our camp can at present afford. Please write to me by the returning mail so that I may know that you have recd. my note as the mails are very uncertain in this community. Direct to Middleburg, Loudoun Co., Va.

In great haste.

Very respectfully yrs.,

P.D. Thompson

******

[Letter from P.D. Thompson to Col. William Nelson Pendleton]

Camp Johnson, Sept 30th /61

Col. Pendleton,

My dear sir,

I recd. your letter a few days ago & was prevented from answering it immediately on account of an anticipated attack from the enemy, who it was that were trying to surround our brigade (Gen. Evans) which is stationed near the river. At this earliest opportunity I hasten to say that I will undertake the school for you at the specified time, Oct. 15th or possibly a few days later. I wd. say also that I wd. prefer a less no. of scholars than 12, if it suits you as well, from 5 to eight and as many as I wd. care to instruct. Since the close of the seminary services I have been attached to the 8th Va. Reg., but my health prevents me from continuing in active service & hence will consent to teach for you. I have for the last few weeks been engaged in instructing a brass band for the Reg. & possibly may not be able to commence the school precisely on the 15th, but possibly a few days later. Tho if you prefer it can make my arrangement to be punctually there on that day, Providence permitting. I send a letter also to Mrs. Pendleton by this mail informing her of my intention. I hope to give satisfaction to patrons as my experience in teaching extends over several years. I also anticipate a pleasant session in your town.

Praying for the blessing of God upon us in our respective spheres of duty.

I remain

Very truly yours

P. Doddridge Thompson

Col. W. N. Pendleton

PS – Please write to me immediately & inform me of the reception of my letter. Either by yourself of Mrs. Pendleton, as the mails in this community are very irregular & uncertain.

[?] are unknown in our present locality.

PDT

Direct to Middleburg, Loudoun Co., Va.