Letter, James Ross to Emmett Ross; 9/4/1864

              Clinton La.
                                 Sept 4th 1864
My dear Son
            On my arrival here yesterday after an absence of several days I was truly rejoiced to find your letter of the 21st awaiting me.  I assure you its contents afforded me no little gratification and feeling of thankfulness to a kind Providence who has thus far exercised so merciful and watchful care over you in the many precarious and fearful positions in which you have been thrown since the commencement of this more than cruel unnatural war.  I am truly glad to learn that your wound is doing so well and hope you may speedily recover from its effects � to do this however you must be very careful not to exercise too much for the more quiet you remain the more rapidly you will gain the full use of your leg � let me again beg you to be very prudent in the use of it as far as possible.  You complain of receiving no letters from me, and express a great desire to have me write to you at this very particular juncture of time giving my approval and consent to a momentous subject.  I say momentous because it is a lifetime affair and in it is involved much happiness or much misery and unhappiness.  I am sorry that I am not better prepared to meet your request having no knowledge

[margin]

Give my very warmest love to your Aunt Magruder & family.