Family and Friends

Dearest gentle readers,

I thought that perhaps I might share with you the likenesses of those people who are so dear to me, and say a few words on them.

Margaret-Ellen Hamilton Copeland is my best beloved childhood friend. We spent many a sunny summer together in Winchester. However, it soon came time for me to go to the Columbia Athenaeum, and Maggie was called away to work on the family farm. We still write to each other frequently, and it is always a joyous occasion when my father, brother, and I travel back to Winchester so that I may visit Maggie and her father and brothers in Hillsborough. Maggie has the voice of an angel and can spin finer than Arachne.

Timothy Edward Ridenour is my older brother. He is ever protective of his little sister, as any good brother would be. We had a very happy childhood and got on well, playing all sorts of games with each other. Timothy has quite a bit to say about the war, the Yankees, and Mr. Lincoln. If my father let him, I have no doubt Timothy would enlist this very moment. But he would not act against my father's wishes. That doesn't prevent him from stomping around the house in his riding boots and polishing his pistol nightly.

An Introduction

Hello, dear stranger!

It is here that I shall lay my humble thoughts, and read those of my friends. I do not endeavor to great literature, by any means; this shall exist merely to record ideas and images. My life has changed so very much recently, as many people's have. It seems that there is not a soul in this country that has not been touched by the conflict that now divides it.

For those of you who do not know me, I am the daughter of Thomas and Coleen Ridenour. I have but one older brother, Timothy Edward. The Lord took my mother into His heavenly kingdom in December of '59, after a terrible struggle with consumption. However, it brings me some comfort to know that she is no longer suffering. She was a godly and virtuous woman, and devoted mother and wife. Although I have since put away my mourning clothes, my heart shall mourn for her until we meet again.

My father's family is from Winchester, Virginia. He came to Alexandria first to study at the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary, and later to teach there as one of her professors. it was in that city that he met my mother, and that Timothy and I were born. My father made the difficult decision to leave Alexandria, since she was quickly occupied by the enemy, but I am glad to be with my family once again in Winchester. I do feel so sorry for Timothy, who has had to abandon his study of law at Columbia College; but perhaps when all this is over, he may return there and become a lawyer, as is his dream. For now, Timothy wants nothing more than to fight the Yankees himself. As for me, I turn my attention these days to serving in whatever ways I can. When regiments arrive in Winchester, my friends and I rush out to bring the soldiers food and water, and to do some mending and washing for them.

For now, I shall leave you, dear reader. The hour grows so late and my candle so short!

God bless you and keep you.

~Adah Mehitabel Ridenour