Dr. John Woods and his wife Sabrina were substantial land and slave-owners in Ivy, Virginia, just outside of Charlottesville. In this letter their son Micajah, then serving in the Confederate army, writes of the war's effect on their relations with their slaves.

The loss of so many valuable slaves is much to be [unclear: depricated], but has by no means surprised me. I have been firmly of the belief ever since the war commenced that there was scarcely a negro on our place who would not desert us if an opportunity arose. Lucy, Jordan & Charles I didn't expect to leave first but too true it is, that now, no, not one can be trusted. Not one of the least evils of encampment in a neighborhood is the demoralization engendered among the slaves. They will grow more worthless as each day passes, and even should we still retain them, they will prove a burden, rather than a benefit--

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