McPhersonville, S.C.
Jan. 1st 1863

Dear Mr. Bennett,

In my own heart I wished you a very “merry Christmas’ as I now wish you a happy New Years and a continuance of the same to the three score and ten allotted the just. I am almost sorry I came away and long to be called back to my shears again, or any employment you can give me, I am so very desirous of making something to assist us to have our dear and once happy family together. We have lost all and must all work in the Young Confederacy to show the Yankees our independence is in our own energies, and if our men are sacrificed the ladies are preparing themselves with a will to take their places and show the world we will be free, and ready to endure all in our good cause. We all rejoice at the drubbing of the braggart Burnside. Was not it glorious? We are anxiously looking to the west. My dear brother is in that fight. I pray for it, you may imagine. I woke up this morning out of a nice dream that you sent for me to come to work, please make this dream a reality. I am ready and anxious to start. I have finished my visit and hope to return. I am ready for cutting, writing or anything. Please send for
Yours most truly
Cecilia M. Barry


Applications of ladies for clerkships on Virginia treasury notes, 1861–1864. Auditor of Public Accounts. Administration of State Government: public Debt–Treasury Notes. Entry 324. 4/E/37/2/5