Sometime during the next year, the husband had to leave his lovely wife and new home and join the Union army to fight for the cause he thought was right.  It almost broke Polly's heart, but the men in George W.  Webb's family had been soldiers all the way back as far as he could trace his ancestry, and he had it in his blood.  He could not be honorable and refuse to answer his country's call.  They had one child, James Gregory, a delicate little boy, the idol of their hearts.  During the second year of their marriage a daughter was born, and these cares with the lonely hours of anxiety and the responsibility of this big farm to look after, Polly seems to have grown discouraged, from the following letter, which with many others is among my most cherished possessions.  The letter to her soldier husband and his course of action after receiving it is as follows:

Tennessee, Sevier County, April the 15 day 1865.

Dear Husband: I embrace the opportunity of dropping you a few lines to inform you that the children and I are well and father's family are in common health at present.  I received your kind letter this morning by Parson Sims, it gave me great satisfaction to hear from you and to know that you are well.  I received a letter by Christopher Fox and one by Esquire John Byrd.  I sent one down to Knoxville to have mailed on to you.  I am sending two by Christopher Fox.  George, I want you to resign and come home, I think you have served long enough in this war.  I am lonesome and out of heart.  I have been robbed and I don't know what to do.  I want you to come home and bring the baby a name with you.  I am sending you a lock of her hair and also of James Gregory's.  I received yours and Jackson's likenesses, both taken together and the stars and stripes.  Bring the children and me some shoes when you come home.  I close my letter by saying that I still remain,

Your Most Affectionate wife until death.
Mary Webb to G. W. Webb.

This appealing letter must have gone straight to the heart of the devoted husband who with all his soldiering that was said to be without fear at all times, had a most tender feeling for his beloved wife and children for in the war papers of his I so cherish I find the following letter dispatched to headquarters as soon as he received the letter from whom he most always called by her name, Mary.