Your letter from Meridian reached me just two days ago, having been
many weeks on the way, and I am taking advantage of Henry Crosely's
presence home on leave to reply. I want you to know that I do not,
in any way, consider you to blame for Boyd's joining General organ's
command. He had long been restless here, and it was only a matter of
time and chance before he followed his brother.

I know that you must have done all that you could to dissuade him
after your aunt's appeal to you, but I had already accepted failure
on this point. Just as I know that it was your efforts which
established him under good care in Meridian. Do not, Drew, reproach
yourself for my son's headstrong conduct. I know Boyd's
stubbornness. There is this strain in all the Barretts.

You may not have heard the news from Red Springs, though I know
your aunt has endeavored to find a means of communicating it to
you. Your grandfather suffered another and fatal seizure on the
third of August and passed away in a matter of hours.

I do not believe that it will come as any surprise to you, my dear
boy, that he continued in his attitude toward you to the last,
making no provision for you in his will. However, both Major Forbes
and Marianna believe this to be unfair, and they intend to see that
matters are not left so.

If and when this cruel war is over--and the news we receive each
day can not help but make us believe that the end is not far
off--do, I beg of you, Drew, come home to us. Sheldon spoke once of
some plan of yours to go west, to start a new life in new
surroundings. But, Drew, do not let any bitterness born out of the
past continue to poison the future for you.

Perhaps what I say may be of value since I have always held your
welfare dear to me, and you have a place in my heart. Melanie
Mattock Rennie was my dearest friend for all of her life, your
father, my cousin. And you were Sheldon's playmate and comrade for
his short time on this earth.

Come home to us, I ask you to do this, my dear boy. We shall
welcome you.

I pray for you and for Boyd, that you may both be brought safely
through all the dangers which surround a soldier, that you may come
home to us on a happier day. Your concern for and care of Boyd is
something which makes me most grat