Washington College VA: 
15 March 1870 
  
My dear Col: 
Dr Pendleton & the Revd Mr Thompson dine with us today at 2 P. M.  I shall be very glad if you will join us then. 
But Mrs Johnston informed me yesterday that she thought of leaving us this afternoon.  I hope that she was not in earnest, but if that is her intention & you desire to absent yourself from the Faculty meeting to facilitate her departure, you must do so - 
Should I not see Mrs Johnston & Miss Maggie today as I hope, bid them farewell for me, & say to the latter that I & my friends will mourn for her until she returns - I wish that they would both come & stay with us instead of going to Roanoke - (page 2) 
Very truly 
  
R E Lee 
  
Col: Wm Preston Johnston