“We shall soon celebrate the fifty-ninth anniversary of our
  marriage, and he is deeply engaged upon some ‘post-nuptial lines’
  for me.”

In another,—­

“I want to send you a sword and flag for the Exposition.  How I wish I could take it to New Orleans, where I lived many years when my husband was rector of St. Paul’s Church!  You know, our second son, I.T.  Wheat, was Secretary of the Secession Committee when Louisiana seceded, also Secretary of the Legislature.  He was killed at Shiloh at the same hour as General Sydney Johnston, and is buried in Nashville.  We are hoping to have the dear brother’s monument in Hollywood, Richmond, where both beloved ones shall rest in the same grave.” ....  In conclusion, “Our love and blessings rest ever on yourself and all friends of our hero sons.  Truly yours, in Christian fellowship,

  “Selima Wheat.”

Here is the record of another mother, who is to this day proud of the splendid record made by her sons, and devoted in the memory of the cause.

At the commencement of the war there lived in Sharon, Mississippi, Mr. and Mrs. O’Leary, surrounded by a family of five stalwart sons.  Mrs. Catharine O’Leary was a fond and loving mother, but also an unfaltering patriot, and her heart was fired with love for the cause of Southern liberty.  Therefore, when her brave sons, one after the other, went forth to battle for the right, she bade them God-speed.  “Be true to your God and your country,” said this noble woman, “and never disgrace your mother by flinching from duty.”

Her youngest and, perhaps, dearest was at that time only fifteen.  For a while she felt that his place was by her side; but in 1863, when he was barely seventeen, she no longer tried to restrain him.  Her trembling hands, having arrayed the last beloved boy for the sacrifice, rested in blessings on his head ere he went forth.  Repressing the agony which swelled her heart, she calmly bade him, also, “Do your whole duty.  If you must die, let it be with your face to the foe.”  And so went forth James A. O’Leary, at the tender age of seventeen, full of ardor and hope.  He was at once assigned to courier duty under General Loring.  On the 28th of July, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, he was shot through the hip, the bullet remaining in the wound, causing intense suffering, until 1870, when it was extracted, and the wound healed for the first time.  Notwithstanding this wound, he insisted upon returning to his command, which, in the mean time, had joined Wood’s regiment of cavalry.  This was in 1865, and so wounded he served three months, surrendering with General Wirt Adams at Gainesville.  A short but very glorious record.  This young hero is now residing in Shreveport, Louisiana, is a successful physician, and an honored member of the veteran association of that city,—­Dr. James A. O’Leary.

Of his brothers, the oldest, Ignatius S. O’Leary, served throughout the war, and is now a prominent druggist of Vicksburg, Mississippi.