Balto., 9th July, 1861.
Mrs. Frances M. Cross.1
“Dear Madam:
“I have this moment received your letter dated yesterday and have just telegraphed Mr. Bucklin. Since I had the pleasure of writing you last it has become vastly more difficult to get to Virginia, and this very day the Federal Government has taken possession of the steamers composing the line via the Patuxent River—the most desirable route—leaving at present, but the one open by way of Balto.& Ohio R. Road, to a point near Harper’s Ferry, thence by stage to Winchester and Strasburg, and thence by Railway via Manassas Junction to Richmond.”To pass the Federal Pickets near Harper’s Ferry, it would be necessary to have the pass of the War Department at Washington. This I have no doubt I can procure, and, as I before intimated, it would give me great pleasure to undertake the charge of your grandchildren. As I communicated by telegraph, ‘It is possible, but very difficult to get to Virginia now.’ As I am not aware how important it is to get the children to Virginia, I am unable to advise you in the matter, but have merely set down the facts in relation thereto. If the children do leave, may I ask the favor of you to write, or telegraph me.
“Very respectfully,
W. T. WALTERS.”2.
- Frances M. Cross is Louis Wigfall’s mother-in-law. His daughters had been staying with their maternal grandparents in New Engand while Wigfall served as US Senator from Texas and, then, served in the fledgling government of the Confederacy.
- William T. Walters was an American businessman and art collector, whose collection formed the basis of the Walters Art Museum. In 1841, he moved to Baltimore, where he worked as a grain merchant and, in 1847, became a liquor wholesaler by establishing the importing firm of William T. Walters & Co.