Letter, S. H. Ross to Emmett Ross; 1/5/1865

              Woodville  Jan. 5th 1865

My dear Son
           I wrote to your Cousin Maggie two days ago and told her to tell you that I would answer your letter of the 22nd inst. as soon as I had seen Mrs Stevens, who has arrived and will be at Mrs Whitakers this week, to which place she will bring the few articles she got for me in the City.  But learning that Lieut. Harris is about to go up to Canton and that he is willing to take my little package, I have concluded to write by him.  I fear you will all be disappointed when it reaches you as it so insignificant.  I send a shirt apiece 2 white collars & one colord one to each of you boys and one pair socks for Elijah.  I also send 2 pocket handkerchiefs to Mollie and Sissy sends her a belt ribbon.  Tell Mollie the handkerchiefs are part of a set I brought from N.O. when I left there and are nearly new.  I wish I had something better to send you all, but you must take the will for the deed.  The paper in the bundle is for your Aunt Lizzie.  Please send it to her as soon as you can.  I refer you to your Cousin Maggie for news contained in Annie Digges�s letter.  She wrote me word that she sold one of my carpets for twenty five dollars, that together with a small sum your Aunt Mary Barton was so kind as to loan me, enabled her to get your sister some under clothes, two dresses & a pair of shoes, & myself one dress, & a pair of shoes, besides a few pocket handkerchiefs & sewing cotton.  If I could have gotten the things in time to do so, I would have shared my sewing cotton with Mollie & sent you & Elijah each a nice pocket handkerchief.  However I hope I may meet with another opportunity after a while & in the meantime your Sister will have knit you both some more socks.  Annie sends her love and congratulations to you on your marriage, and says "tell Emmett to kiss his Mollie for me, and say to her, I am prepared to love her as a Sister and hope soon to welcome them both

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P.S. Perhaps Lieut. Harris would bring the little articles I mentioned when he returns to Woodville.  I forgot to mention that I had a very affectionate letter from Mrs Abbott also by Mrs Stevens.  She sends her love and congratulations to you on your marriage, both she and Annie express a great desire to see us all.  Annie says, "it is not New Orleans to me without you."