Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about festivities at the convent during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the acceptance of new boarders at the academy, and a new "worldly" postulant who desires to join the Ursulines. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about a photograph she received from General Beauregard as a thank you for her prayers for the safety of Charleston. She implores the Bishop to stay safe during the renewed shelling of Charleston and in a postscript writes, "we're afraid that we lost our Habit stuff in that vessel taken by the yankees." 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She muses on the anniversary of her vows and begs the Bishop to tell her all about President Davis' visit to Charleston. She writes about obtaining a new cow for the convent "having disposed of one that was no account." 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning new boarders and day scholars at the academy and writes at length about her ongoing conflict with another Ursuline sister. 12p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to procure civilian passes to Charleston for two friends of the convent that Madame Baptiste feels indebted to. One lady wishes to visit her husband who, Madame Baptiste says, "got permission from Gen Beauregard to send us two tierces of rice, when he refused to do the same for any one else." 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about plans to obtain winter provisions, the burgeoning number of boarders including many Protestants and the renovation of a house on the grounds to accommodate some lay sisters. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the conduct of "low, vulgar" soldiers who visited the convent and is sorry to hear that "deserters claim your attention, excepting for their souls' sake." She also writes the Bishop for advice on three controversial applicants for noviciate. One "has been by no means pious" and "read infidel works" and a second was born illegitimate. The third has had in the past "criminal intercourse" but has never had a child, though Madame Baptiste concedes, "she deserves no credit for that." 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She mentions that the Bishop's slave, Isaac, who has been working at the Convent, has asked that his children be moved to Mr. Kitt's place, recently acquired by the Bishop, so that he could see them more easily. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about her concerns over the war. She has heard that the British Consul in Charleston intends to leave and fears it is in anticipation of a Union attack. She recounts the story of a Catholic saint who, in a time of war, was able to summon a storm of gnats to disrupt the horses of the enemy and asks the Bishop, "can you not do something like that for Charleston?" She also asks the Bishop about investments, fearing that the Confederate currency might one day be worthless. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with updates on the number of boarders at the academy and relates how one potential boarder from Georgetown has been denied passage by the Yankees. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with updates on boarders at the academy and asks the Bishop to inquire if Mother Theresa, of the Sisters of Mercy in Charleston, has space for three "half orphans." 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about plans to move the Convent and Academy out of downtown Columbia after the war and mentions the death and funeral of Confederate General Smith. She also writes of brother Hugh's new position as aid to General Beauregard in Charleston and informs the Bishop that his "boy" sent up from Charleston to work on one of the Bishop's properties may have "gone to the yankees." 8p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy on the anniversary of their establishment in Columbia. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch regarding her attempt to send a letter to Father Hubert, a Catholic Confederate chaplain, to ask him to preside over their annual retreat. 1p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy and mentions a "narrow escape" the Bishop had travelling to Richmond. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the premium associated with buying "specie" and asks the Bishop to procure for her $500 in gold. She also mentions that the tenants at the old convent are trying to get out of paying rent but that she does not pity their situation as "Mr. Fry is not sober (and) we teach their daughter gratuitously." 4p.
