"Let me know," Toombs urged, "if I can serve him in any possible way."
When Reagan delivered the message to the President he responded warmly:
"That's like Toombs. He was always a whole souled man. If it were necessary I should not hesitate to accept his offer."
He was slowly reading his wife's last letters which had been delivered to him by scouts who were still faithful.
They were riding in a wagon with picked Mississippi teamsters twenty miles below Washington:
"All well, with Winnie sweet and smiling. Billy plenty of laughter and talk with the teamsters keeps quiet. Jeff is happy beyond expression. Maggie one and two quite well.
"I have $2,500, something to sell, and have heart and a hopeful one, but above all, my precious only love, a heartful of prayer. May God keep you and have His sword and buckler over you. Do not try to make a stand on this side. It is not in the people. Leave your escort and take another road often. Alabama is full of cavalry, fresh and earnest in pursuit. May God keep you and bring you safe to the arms of
"Your devoted,
"Winnie."
He opened and read another:
"My own precious Banny: