Concern for James Health, News of his Father's Death, News of James Sons

Staunton 25^th April 1862

Dear Cousin

I have a leisure moment this morning and will employ it by writing to you, in these sad war times I will have but little to say that will be calculated to cheer you & your wife in the Autumn of your life: yet I hope that you have not allowed so much precious time pass without preparing for that event, which in the course of nature will soon be your fate – may God in his goodness help you, to have your Sunups trimmed and be ready whenever you are summoned hence, is my humble but devout prayer, and whilst I am pointing out your duty may I be reminded that life is uncertain at any age, and that I ought to natch & pray, which I have resolved to do, that I may be ready for the Summons
In this, melancholy as it is (yet not unexpected) I have to give you the news & particulars of the death of my Father,  he died at Brother James’ on Mossy Creek – the 8^th of the present Month, with all his children around him, after a very brief illness without any perceptible suffering, he had rested well during the night and at 5 oclock in the morning he quietly passed away without a struggle, his health had declined gradually for the last 12 months, yet he was able most of the time to be up in his room, but was not from home except once, about Christmas he went to one of his nieces and stayed a few weeks, my Sister Amanda was with him much of the time since the breaking out of the war, when she was away her daughter whose husband is in the Army was there, I can assure you and it is a great pleasure (altho we were scattered over the county, Bro James and myself in the Army, Bro Thos and St Clair living some distance from my Father) that he was provided with every comfort that he desired – the times annoyed him very much, and he was very solicitous about James – but he got a furlough and was at home about a month with him in his last moments, he retained his facilities to the last and expressed himself freely, that he was prepared and expected soon to depart – Rev Pinkerton a Presbyterian Minister in the neighbourhood visited him frequently and ministered to his spiritual wants – under all the circumstances, altho it is natural that we should mourn for departed friends, there is much in his death to relieve his friends, on the 13^th of May next he would have been 82 years old, an age

To which but few attain,  on the 11^th of Nov. last I lost my only daughter, a lovely little girl on whom I had placed much of my affections, she died with diphtheria you can better imagine than I can describe my feelings under such a dispensation, I can certainly say “Friend after friend departs who has not lost a friend” – my other children three boys are very well fine healthy children - the oldest who is in his 15^th year is very anxious to go in the Army but I think he is too young – as President Davis said it must be like “grinding the Lead brim (?)”

Our relations here are generally well, I am at this place acting as Assistant Quarter Master having under my charge about 100 men engaged in building waggons and ambulances, also waggon & artillery harness, the Yankee Army in the West is within 15 miles of us & have been within 5 miles of us down the Valley, our people have been very much alarmed, many have moved away, but now they are more composed, how long it will remain  no one can tell, as to myself I do not believe they will ever get here, I was ordered to pack up ready to move and loaded a portion of my goods which still are loaded, but the hands are at work finishing up – such work as I can – the Idea to leave ones house to be occupied by such miscreants is horrid, but such may be our fate, yet I have no doubt of the final result

I have heard of the death of Junior - I saw him at Manassas a few days after the fight  all I have heard from the Dr. is what I have seen in the papers, Robt I understand is commanding a company and I feared he was at Fort Donelson, but have learned since the fight that he was not there, I should be pleased to hear from you – my kind regards to all friends & relations, especially to your afflicted wife, I hope she is enjoying better health than when I saw her, should we never meet again in this world I hope to meet you in Heaven.
Goodbye – Yours truly
R Turk