Disappointment in not receiving a reply from last letter; has abandoned the Union; family has volunteered for the war; accept our condition in life

P.S. present my respects to every branch of your family, and the Porters, Crockets, and whomsoever else you may think proper.

P.S. Likewise the colored persons who recollect me.

Postmark: Staunton VA, May 9, 1861

Majr. Jas. T. Gleaves Senr
Wytheville
Wythe County
Virginia

Wednesday May 8th 1861
Dear Nephew and Niece
I have been Anxiously waiting with a pleasing hope of receiving an Answer to my last Epistle from you or some branch of your family, but to my regret have being disappointed In my Expectations. I have taken the Liberty of addressing you a Second, flattering myself with a pleasing hope, that should It be fortunate enough to reach Its place of destination, I shall expect it to be heated with more attention, than the Communication, I last addressed to you. But perhaps It might not have reached Wytheville Its place of destination. I do not wish you to Indulge the thought, for a Moment, that I am casting any Reflections on you for the neglect, for I have been taught in the School of experience, long enough to know that It Is a Laborious Task, for you, or myself, to write or Indile any thing so as to make It Legible or Intelligible,--In consequence of our Mental, and, Physical powers being Impaired, by that Unavoidable, but Certain Accompaniment old Age and Its Infirmities of all the Human family who are permitted to remain as sojourners on this Earthly Tabernacle, for the length of time Dear James and Malvina, that yourselves, and myself have been, For I have been, an Unprofitable Servant For Eighty-one Years on Monday next the13th Inst,. But I am compelled in justice to myself to say that, I do reflect on your family Collectively and Individually for treating my request with Silence (I had almost added contempt) for I can Assure you and them It Is severe satisfaction to me to hear from you and my highly respected Niece Malvina

I therefore am willing to make any reasonable allowance for former Negligence, hoping that my wishes will be complied with, __By some one of the family.__ I have no news to communicate to you, “But Wars” And “Rumors of Wars”
Rudolph was in the first Troop that Marched from the County leting as Major in Capt. Jno. D. Imboden’s Volunteer Company of Artillery  they Marched to Gorport, he Is now at Harpers Ferry.
My Grandson Thos. G. Turk’s youngest son DeWitt Clinton Volunteered In Capt. Wm. Patrick’s Troop of Cavalry, they have been stationed at Harpers Ferry about Four Weeks.  He Is about 19. He was at school got orders about 11 A.M. on Wednesday and Marched on Friday Morning. __George Kyle who Married my Grand Daughter Mary E. Eubank Is likewise in a Volunteer foot company commanded by Capt. Robt. Doyle at Harpers Ferry likewise.  And James T. Eubank   Jno Thos. Eubank   Robt. Porterfield Eubank and Hugh Franklin Turk,   T. A. Turk oldest Son, have volunteered in Capt. Sterrels Troop of Cavalry and are under Marching Orders and drilled Force and Three a Week.  So you will perceive, I have One Son, Five Grandsons and one Grand Soninlaw.  Now I will give you my parting admonition to them,---Rather would I hear of the whole of you all falling In battle, than one of the number being a Coward.
I have been amused at their Conversation, the whole Topic Is Lincoln and how pleased they would be to Kill him.  I think If my stock Is brought to the Test, they will fight.
There is a great Change taken place in my political principal.  I have abandoned the Union, and belong to the Southern Confederacy .  Rudolph is at Harpers Ferry, Likewise

This leaves me and the residue of your connections In usual health so far as I am advised of at present
And have been thinking my highly esteemed James and Malvina, that persons advanced, to your Age and mine Ought to think It a duty Incumbent on us to be reconciled to the dispensations of Providence so far as lieth in the power of frail Human Nature,---I have thought proper to offer for your consideration, and Mature Deliberation the following-------------
How many [ ] cations do I occasionally experience? Sometimes [ ]ant of health, sometimes disappointed in our plans, and straitened [ ] circumstances, at other times with Domestic troubles; so that I am far from being what I would wish to be.---Now my Nephew and Niece who is there that lives In every respect just as they would wish to live?
First, find out such a person; look through all conditions and ranks, and try if you can find one who will tell you that he has no complaint or uneasiness whatever, before we allow ourselves to repine at our condition. Let us live by faith my dear James and Malvina, and we will live above this world and its discouragements.--Dwell with God, and with things Divine and Immortal, and we shall dwell with true wisdom. We will find nothing so great in worldly events, as to either to elate or deject you.--Resting on a principle superior to the world, we will possess our spirits in peace, and will learn that great Lesson of Heavenly Philosophy, In whatever state we are therewith to be content.
James Turk Senr

To James T. Gleaves, Senr.
&
Malvina Gleaves