Camp Dogwood
Dear Mother,
I recd the letter by B Hamner yesterday evening together with the "one thing needful". I am satisfied if you knew the pleasure you would give me by writing oftener and longer letters you would certainly take time and afford me the gratification. I suppose you have recd my letter informing you of the receipt of the "Chest" so it gave the boys no trouble. Since writing my last as I had anticipated we have had two battles. Floyd fought and defeated the enemy near Summersville killing 60 and taking 101 prisoners while he suffered a loss of only 3 killed and twenty wounded. We took a company of "Ohio University Volunteers" from Oberlin University, it was reported last night that he had taken 60 more making a total of 161. On the 25th (Sunday) the enemy (600 strong) caught about 75 of our cavalry in an ambush killing 3 and wounding 18 , the news reached us about 12 oclock.M. Our regiment was formed and doublequicked 6 1/2 miles, but Lo! when we reached the battle ground the terrified Yankees had fled after their glorious victory a few hours before. We are now within 2 1/2 miles of the enemy, having thrown up entrenchments and await an attack which I fear will never come. The superior officers say we can hold this place with 500 men against any force the enemy can send. They wont fight a fair fight but like cowardly indians fight in the bushes and not then unless they number 6 to one. Our boys have lately had several severe conflicts with the chickens and pigs in the neighbourhood, they are a savage race and gave indications of biting our boys, but Southern pluck was not to fall before so trifling a foe one of our men has just returned from the battle field bearing off seven of the wounded enemy. It is really amusing to see the Union mens fighting stock sacraficed to gratify the greedy maws of half fed veterans. We are now, and have been for a week on half rations, it is right hard to be sure but cant he helped just now and we are willing to submit to almost any hardship for the good of a cause on the success of which rests the rights and liberties of 8000000 of free men. The want of provision will I suppose be soon remedied as it is due in some degree to our hurried march and the uncertainty of the undertaking. I am sorry to hear so many of the poor wounded soldiers are dying — hope dear Mother you may be blessed with strenght and health to stand all that is required but whatever you do remember that you & father must take care of yourselves. I hear that Bob is not chained during the day I suppose it is at his own request or else incident to the excitement of the times Bob always did recognize the principle that "liberty is dearer than life". Oh how dearly should I like to see my two darling little brothers, I used to think them troublesome when at home, but I have forgotten it all now and frequently feel sadly grieved at my past conduct to all of you, Should I life thro' this war it will have been of vast benefit to me. I will know the importance of home and feel with a keener relish the many kind offices which so endear me it to home me. Best love to Aunt [illeg] Millie and Grandma. Remember me to all inquiring friends. particularly to Mr & Mrs Brown & family. Before closing I must tell you I yesterday recd a letter from her majesty Julia [illeg] what prompted that piece of insanity I dont know, but I suppose she wished me to appreciate her literary acquirements and knew no better plan — let it go for what it's worth at a time like this our disposition should be friendly towards every one — We are all enjoying good health and working hard. I was fortunate enough to get in the mess with B Hamner and thereby secure the services of John — Kiss every one for me — Remember me kindly to Dr McGuffey in particularly he it was who tickled my vanity by calling me Colonel —
Your Affectionate Son G J Pratt
(length: 3834)
Near Valley Mountain Va
Dear Mary
this leaves me well and verry well I trust it may find you and the children well we have been marching on the enemy for the two last days over the worst Road that men and wagons ever traviled up mountains down deep in to the valleys and then in to the mud knee deep and then up to the axletrees of the wagons I never seen the Road from Petersburg to L. R. Smiths as muddy in my life as they are here. we have pitched our tents a gain but how long we will remain I cant say but I think we will move forward in a day or two if the wether remains fair the sun shined part of yesterday and to day for the first time in ten days I dont think there has been more than 4 or 5 days without Rain this month I never wanted to see fair wether so bad in all my time I am getting along verry well plenty to do and verry little to eat provisions are getting verry scarce we never have more than one or 2 days Rations at a time and no grain for my horse (Tomfer) I turn him out on Crabtrees pasture and there he gets the first Blue grass that ever grew to eat and more of it than ever was in any country it goes verry hard with me to use him all day and turn him out at night to graize I will mention the price of a few article for Inst Irish potatoes $3.00 pr Bu chickens 50 cents a piece Tobacco 10 cents a chew or $2.00 lb and the above articles verry scarce all other articles out of the question for they are not here I wish you would send me a piece of corn bread for the people dont know what the word bread means in Va the Regiment is in verry good health and improving we can muster 700 men for duty now which is about as strong as Regiment here you will perceive that this letter is mailed at Nashvill I send it by a man going there to morrow I hope to hear from you and the children soon as I have not heard a word from you since I left and I am getting verry anxious to hear from you if you Know of any body coming here send a letter by them may be I would get it by hand better than by mail. Tell your Father that Mack is verry well and seems to enjoy verry good health at this time give him my compliments and that we know verry little what is going on about the war that he knows more about it from the papers than I could write him in answer for every thing is in the dark here a Tenn Captain kill 2 Yankees the other day and wounded another we have took several prisners and one virginia spy I hope he will hang by the neck for about 12 hours we had the Genl Inspector with us to day and he inspected our arms ammunition swords and Clothes knapsacks &c tell will I wish he would write me and give all the news in old Lincol for I think it a great country. all of her hill seem level to me now since I have been up here in these mountain where the verry tops seem to reach the skies I would like to hear from wash Blake by him sending me one long letter & Ben McKinney I think could write if he would try I want Ellen to write to her Grand Pa and let him that I am well and for her to write to me I would like verry much to read one of her letters and know how she was getting and whether she was Improving any or not in writing and in composition give my best Respects to all enquiring friends &c I will write you soon a gain when I have more time
yours &c Chris C McKinney
(length: 3254)
Camp of the Legion
My Darling Leila
I am delighted, my Darling to learn by your last letter that Minnie has at last "Come through". And I am also pleased, and tender my congratulations that she has another Boy. Notwithstanding you all were anxious for her to have a daughter. I really think she should be proud that she has another Boy. This is the time, above all others, that men should be raised. And this too, is the time above all others when females deserve sympathy. I assure you, I feel, far more anxiety about my dear little daughters, than I do about my Boys. For while men can manage to work for themselves, and can fight the battles of their Country if necessary, Females are very dependent. True, they too can do a great deal, and, 'tis true that our Southern Ladies have done and are still acting a conspicuous part in this war[.] In many instances (to the shame of our Sex be it said) a much bolder and more manly part than many men. But still, when it comes to the physical test, of course, they are helpless. It is on this account, that I think the Parents should congratulate themselves on the birth of a son rather than a daughter. We cannot see, My Darling, into the future, but I trust & have confidance in our people to believe, that if the unprincipled North shall persist in her policy of Subjugating the South, that we, who are able to resist them, will continue to do so, until we grow old and worn out in the service, and that then, our Sons will take the arms from our hands, and spend their lives, if necessary, in battling for Liberty and independence. As for my part, If this trouble should not be settled satisfactorily to us sooner—I would be proud of the thought that our youngest Boy—Yes Darling little Jimmie, will after awhile be able and I trust willing to take his Father's place in the field, and fight until he dies, rather than, be a Slave, Yea worse than a Slave to Yankee Masters—Have you ever anticipated, My Darling, what would be our probable condition, if we should be conquered in this war? The picture is really too horrible to contemplate. In the first place, the tremendous war tax, which will have accumulated, on the northern Government, would be paid entirely and exclusively by the property belonging to the Southerners. And more than this we would be an humbled, down trodden and disgraced, people. Not entitled to the respect of any body, and have no respect for ourselves. In fact we would be the most wretched and abject people on the face of the Earth. Just be what our Northern Masters say we may be. Would you, My Darling, desire to live, if this was the case? would you be willing to leave your Children under such a government? No—I know you would sacrifice every comfort on earth, rather than submit to it. Excuse me, My Darling, I didnt intend to, run off in this strain. You might think, from my painting this horrid picture to you, that I had some doubts as to whether we might not have to experience it. But No, I havent the most remote idea that we will. I think our people will arouse themselves, shake off the lethargy, which seems now to have possession of them, and will meet the issue like men. We must see that we have all—Yes our all—staked upon the result—And we are obliged to succeed and we will do it. Just at this time the Enemy appears to have advantage of us. But this is no more than we have, all along, had of him, until lately. He did not succombe and give up for it—and shall we, Who have so much more to fight for than he has, do so? I am completely surprised and mortified at the feeling manifested by our people at this time. But they will soon rally and come with redoubled energy. Our Soldiers too, or rather our Generals have got to learn to fight better. The idea, of a Genl surrendering with 12000 men under his command,is a species of bravery and Generalship, which I do not understand. I wish Congress would pass a law breaking an officer of his commission who surrenders. . . . My Darling tell Spradley, not to commence planting corn early[.] My land will not admit of early planting, of either corn or cotton. I generally, commence planting corn from the 15th to the 20th of March, and cotton about the same time in april. I see that Congress is about passing a bill, to impose a heavy tax on cotton raised this year[.] If they pass it—I wish no land planted in cotton except the new ground, and the field next to the overseers house, all the ballance planted in corn. I will write you, however in time. My Darling, Now is the time to bring out all your courage—Do not become despondent—Dont matter what alarmists and Croakers may say—take advice from him whom you know will advise you for the best. Keep up your spirits and your courage, and the clouds will soon pass away, and sun shine will return—My sheet is full—and I will close by begging to be remembered to all
My love to My Children and my Darling Leila from your Husband [James B. Griffin]
(length: 4836)
Kingston Tenn
My dear Eva
I have just finished a letter to Mr Davis and one to Ma and have just one sheet of paper left which I must devote to my dear little Eva. But how shall I commence shall I begin at the beginning and tell you of all my adventures since the war began that would bore you I have no doubt So I will only give my expereience while in Kentucky. Just previous to our leaving Tennesee we were scouting near Nashville and succeeded in getting ourselves in several very neat little fights. In these we allways came out successful We can lick the world skirmishing. About the latter part of August our army commenced its march northward The Texas Rangers were put in the advance of course This is the post of honour as well as of danger when we are advancing on an enemy. In the present case it was indeed one of danger we had to fight the enemy every day. The first fight we had was near the state line here we ran into a Yankee Ambuscade and had a right sharp hand to hand fight we had to fall back though as the enemy outnumbered us two to one we made a good many go up before we did retreat though and took several prisoners I had quite a romantic adventure here. I noticed one of the smallest specimens of humanity I ever saw fighting in the Yankee ranks. The little nondescript was bolder than any of them and advanced so closer to our lines that I captured it and what do you suppose it was! Nothing in the world but a little fifteen year old girl dressed up in Yankee uniform she was right pretty and sharp as any full grown Yankee. [...] can assure you she was a curiosity We kept her two or three hours and then turned her loose. I wish we had a Barnum down south I would have sent her to him as a new specimen of the "genus homo. From here we went directly on towards Bowling Green. But saw nothing more of the Yankees although we were within hearing of their drums all the time. When within eight or ten miles of town we halted to feed our horses and rest ourselves. We had not been there more than an hour before we heard our pickets fire we mounted our horses immediately and went towards them before we got to them however I noticed a large dust to our right and very soon saw a large body of cavalry drawn up in line of battle We charged them immediately at full speed and they broke. They were some Georgia cavalry We did not find it out though until we were right on them I never heard such a yell in my life as they gave when they found out we were friends The Yankees had been chaseing them around all the morning. We drew up in line of battle and awaited the gentlemens pleasure but no Yankees came. We had no more fighting until we got to our old last winters battle field.—Woodsonville— Here we had a skirmish with the enemy loseing several men and killing some fifty Yankees. Our army captured five thousand prisoners at this place. We lay in ambush the next day and killed a great many of the enemy without the loss of a man. After this we had no more fighting until we got within twenty miles of Louisville From hear Col Evans took a spy company of forty men and went to Taylorville a little village near the city I volunteered to go with him as it was a beautiful opening for an adventure of some kind. We went within two miles of the place that night and encamped for the mo About sun up next morning we dashed into town and found about three hundred Yankee cavalry there. haveing the gayest time immaginable impressing all the property and arresting the southern citizens But oh me how Yankee chivalry has degenerated. They skedaddled as if a thousand comanches were after them Col Evans and myself were rideing twenty or thirty steps ahead of the command when we entered town and were right on them before we were aware of it They fired on us but did not touch a man we returned the fire immediately and they broke as hard as they could go towards Louisville I saw an account of the affair in the Louisville Journal next morning They said they were attacked by three thousand rebel cavalry and repulsed them with great slaughter. You can immagine the reception we had from the ladies. I never saw people so rejoiced in my life. Beautiful young ladies actually kissed some our great rough rangers. They wanted to kiss me but I was so modest you know I refused I fared sumptualy here for three or four days. Better than the ballance of the men as I was commisary Our camp was full of ladies all the time This very circumstance very nearly caused us to be surprised we The camp was crowded one evening as usual when the enemy dashed down on our pickets and drove them in We men in the saddle immediately. The ladies gave us a cheer as we charged by them. How could we help but win the fight and we did do it in gallant style We drove the Yankees—twice our own number—back to their infantry and artillery. That night we were ordered to join our command at Mount Washington and got there just in time get into a most glorious little fight in which we were repulsed not though until we made many a blue coat bite the dust I had the pleasure of opening that fight myself I went out reconnoitering before the battle opened I found the enemy sooner than I expected and was within range of their guns before I knew it. Now I was in a nice scrape and hardly knew how to get out of it I concluded though I would give them one shot draw their fire and then get out of reach of their guns before they could load again. I took good aim and fired and then fell flat on the ground. They fired immediately but all the balls passed over me. My time from that immediate point was something bordering on the marvelous. On the next day they got in between us and our infantry In fact they had us surrounded by infantry artillery and cavalry. They were about four miles from us when we heard of them Col Wharton ordered us forward immediately in a gallope We very soon made the distance and found them sure enough Their cavalry, four regiments—about two thousand—drawn up in line of battle in an old field and immediately across the road. Their infantry and artillery was on the left. My company was in the advance we charged them immediately without [illeg] forming they let us get within ten steps of them and then turned loose a volley right in our faces this did not stop us a second we gave a yell you could hear for miles and run over and scattered them in every direction. This was the most complete victory I ever saw we killed forty or fifty of the enemy without the loss of a man. This was very strange considering we were fighting hand to hand. I captured a good horse and and enough blankets for Ans and myself all the winter. We went in directly then to Perryville where the big battle was fought I was in that but escaped without a scratch we charged two batteries. Col Evans the best friend I had in the regiment was shot here I brought him off the field. When our army commenced falling back from this place Gen Bragg gave me all the straggling cavalry and sent me a different route across the mountains. Before two days I had over a thousand men. But no one can immagine how much we suffered We had nothing to eat for three days but parched corn and persimmons. Besides this the Bush whackers would fire on us from every thicket killing the men and horses. I was rideing a very fine horse. They shot him the first fire. We caught some of them though and left them hanging on the side of the road. I am now staying at a Yankee Colonels house with a sick friend of mine. The lady is very kind to us she has not heard from her husband in a long time. Immagine me sitting in a handsome parlor dressed up in a Yankee captains uniform. And You can draw a very good picture of your very affectionate uncle &c M A Harvey
Give my love to your Mother and the children. Tell Bud he must write to me write to me direct your letter M A Harvey Co B Terry's Texas Rangers Chattanooga
(length: 7725)
Near Hagerstown
Dear Sister -
I now write with great haste to let you know where we are. On the evening of the 2nd we fought a desperate battle at Gettysburg in Pa. in which we suffered terribly being compelled to stand the fire of artillery 3 ½ hour being within the hundred & fifty yards of said battery. Our Reg. acted gloriously but has lost many a brave man – Charly I am sorry to say was wounded not by any means dangerously. He was shot in the thigh with a piece of shell & in the face by a buckshot. He was in fine spirits when I last saw him & doing finely. Among the killed in our company are the Sergt. LaBruce Mortimer, Jos. S. Gadsdin, Sep Miles, E. J. Mills & Lewis Daniels. The wounded are Charly K – Ed. Gaillard, Preston F. Wescott, Jos. Harley, C. J. Colcock, Wm Lawton, C. P. Bellinger, Leuit S. Bissell & L. Osander a substitute. Gaillard was shot in the arm the ball resting on the bone. Wescott shot through the muscles of one of his legs near the thigh not dangerous. Harley very much the same. Colcock is from Charleston shot in the left hand which was amputated at the wrist. Lawton one arm amputated Belliger shot in the thigh. Lieut Bissell shot in the calf of the leg part of the bone broken. Osander shot in the face & one leg badly shattered Seg’t Moultree Braiesford was slightly wounded in the leg & left to take care of the wounded (from our company). Since we left (the 5th) our wounded have been all captured by the Yankees – Charly among the number. They will receive more attention & be more comfortable than if they were with us. Charly was doing first rate & may possibly get home for a short time after being exchanged. Do if you can let the families of the men I have mentioned in my letter of their fates. We advanced on a battery in an open field under a most terrific fire of grape shell & canister. We have only 8 or 9 men for duty in the company now. Our Regt has but two Captains left – Dr. Elliot & Capt Graham. Col. Kennedy was shot in the arm & Capt Wallace was shot in the arm also. Wallace was acting major at the time. Our Regt carried in some three hundred & odd & had 169 killed & wounded. I have not time to write particulars of the fight now as I am in haste.
With best love to all I am as ever your aff brother Edwin [Kerrison] We expect to fight another battle soon at Sharpsburg.
(length: 2188)
Columbus Ohio
My dear Mattie
Just a few moments since a letter was received by John from you, through the kindness of our mutual friend Genl Buckner, which was sent to Genl Burnside's to be forwarded. You cant imagine the gratification it gave us to hear of from our dear sister Mattie, aside from the pleasure plainly demonstrated by her husband. How anxiously we look forward to the arrival of the Mails, & ravenously do we devour its contents. It is the very greatest pleasure we have— I have no doubt ere this you have heard of our imprisonment in the Ohio State Penitentiary. About the 1st of Aug. about 70 officers of our command, were removed to this place. At first our confinement was almost unbearable, but since we have been found to be gentlemen (as expressed by the Penitentiary Warden) we have been treated exceedingly well. On Sunday's we are confined in our cells all day, excepting 2 hours in the morning & one in the afternoon, the balance of the week we are permitted to be together from 7 A M till 6 P. M. which gives us plenty of time to converse & exercise; We also have the priviledge (those who have "Green Backs") of purchasing whatever delicasies in the shape of eadibles & under clothing we want. Taking into consideration the clenliness conveniences & many other luxuries which we have here, I have no doubt that we are better off than any other p Confederate prisoners now in confinement in the U S. barring the idea of being in a Penitentiary. for which we care very little. being put here for merely stealing Horses, We receive letters daily from our friends at home, generally accompanied with a box of something nice to eat. The only thing aside from our imprisonment of which we complain, is the want of outer garments, which priviledge is granted those in other prisons. this restriction I hope will soon be removed if properly represented to the officer regulating this matter. We hear from Ma daily. At first she suffered no doubt inexpressebly—but since she finds that we are so comfortable, & in such fine spirits, her suffering has been relieved proportionately. She writes almost daily to all of us, & speaks of visiting us soon. which priviledge I trust may be granted her, Basil Charlton & I saw her at Cincinnatti for an hour, when we first arrived there. Genl Burnside granted this priviledge in consideration of some little kindness shown his ADC. Capt Pell by myself when a prisoner at our Head Quarters at the battle of Manassas when chief of Staff of Genl A. P. Hill— In your letter you ask "What has become of Foster Cheatham" I can tell you, he is now sitting in front of my apartments looking fatter and better than you ever saw him. I am almost ashamed to admit it, but really I am glad that he is a prisoner. he is such good company for us. I wrote Genl Hill from this place some time since, but whether the letter reached him, I cant say. so please write Dolly as soon as you get this. and direct your letter to care I.Booton Hill Richmond Va. giving her all the news. we have all I believe written to Tommy. You do so also if you please, which I know you will do — Charlton is in daily communication with Miss Williams, & I with somebody else, not quite so often as once a day, but fully as satisfactory, I have a nice present for you, which I hope to deliver in person soon in shape of a carte de visique of somebody
Very afby R C. Morgan Love to Sister Alice
(length: 3344)
Rockbridge co. Va
Dear Sister
Yours of the 23d ult. reached me on the 1st inst. it found me in good health. but for the last few days I have been labouring under the difficulties of a severe cold, I am now well, though my appetite has not yet arrived at its proper sagacious state. James W. Himmelwright arrived in camp last night he Saw father a few days ago and said you were all well; He is a Substitute in our company for W. H. Richard and came here very silently (not speaking above a whisper) for the purpose of being not being kept by capt Pierce , but sent back rejected, So that Richards will have to come in his own place, he Says Richards and others in that vicinity have been conscripted, the capt I believe refuses to keep him, So he will start home Shortly. with whom I intend to Send this letter. We left our camp at Brownsburg the 31st of march and came to this place 8 miles above Lexington and 5 miles below (or north of) the natural Bridge, Nearly all the soldiers have gone to se this Natural curiosity, owing to my ill health I have not yet been able to go, but if nothing occurs to prevent me I Shall go in a day or two to behold the wonderful works of nature in Bridge building. James Whetzel , arrived here on the 1st of april tell his folks if you See them that he got here Safe and that he is now well and as Jolly as ever. He Says that they had heard at home that George Wigginton had been Sick. Wether he has been Sick or not I cannot tell, but he is well now and doing duty. I am Sorry father cannot get a horse, and indeed I cannot tell how you will manage to get along without one; but I hope you will be able to get one some how be fore long. There has been a great deal of Snow and rain this Spring, to day it is raining fast. This is a mountainous country, the land is good and People are generally wealthy, but it is a hard thing to get a meals victuals. I wish you had informed me what Amos did with his tobacco, whether he let Michael have any or not. Genl Rosser has given his brigade the name of Laurel Brigade, (in honour of having won Laurels of victory in almost every fight,) requesting the men to wear the leaf of the natural Shrub or the imitation thereof on their hats or coats. There is no talk of moveing camp at present. Tell Michael he must do all he can towards raising something to eat, if you can do nothing at home help your neighbour, if the conscripts will allow you. But I must close for the present
Yours Isaac I. White
(length: 2449)
Hd Qts Signal Corps
My dear Sister
To day is a leasure day with me and I will write you a few lines, which I have been intending to do for a long while, but have put off from time to time thinking every day I would write, but I find the old adage a true one, "Never put off for tomorrow that which can be done to day;" Though I knew that you heard from me through Parkie or Norton one, but that is not like writing some times myself. I have been stationed in King George Co. every since the Middle of January last, I had a delightful time I formd a great many acquaintances & they were all very kind to me, made me a great many presents such as socks, & C, they were constantly sending me somthing good to Eat, which I stood in need of at times, for it was so very inconvenient for me to get my rations. I was a regular church attendant, I was stationed not far from St; Paul's church where there was preaching every Sabbath.I was very sorry when I had to leave, I received orders a few days ago to report here, Dick had received orders from Gen; Stuart to send him a portion of his Corps to Orange CH.o. and he wanted me as one of them to send, but Ben. & myself persuaded him to allow us to remain with him, for I expect very soon to have traveling enough to do. How are you getting on house keeping & how do you like Richmond, from all I can learn times must be very hard on you all, Every thing is so very high, but if you can make out to live you are better off than if you were in the country, Espicially if you were in old New Kent. There you would not only have hard times to contend with, but you would have those vile retches to contend with, (the yankees) which is worse than all I think. I expect in a very short time the hold county will be filled with them, I see from to days papers that they are reported landing at west point, I feel very sorry for the citizens that are left down in that country, they are bound to suffer & that badly, for they are doing much worse now than they have ever done before, every where, I feel very much for cousin Susan & family I cant imagine what they will do, if they should bring up a large force. I hear from Mary quite often, I am glad to hear she is so much pleased with her new situation & the family whom she is with. She say's they are very kind to her. I also hear that Parkie has gotten a situation in the Dpt. in which Mary left, there was a rumour in circulation a few days ago that all the Clerks would be ordered to Columbia S. C. but I understand that the order has been countermanded, tho; I hardly expect Parkie would have been willing to have gone, she wrote me word that their pay had been increased, I am very glad to hear it. I did not think myself they were paying them enough, taking in consideration our Confederate money was of such little valure. How, and where is Nat , I suppose he is going to school some where. Well; I must close my letter, tho I feel as if I could sit &; talk to you a hold day without stoping. I want to see you all so much, I have no war news to write you, tho; I expect you hear a plenty of that in Richd I am very well indeed, enjoying fine health. We are getting a plenty of fine fish, do wish so much you had some of them, write to me, in one of your leasure hours. Good bye your affectionate Brother, Southy. Give my love all with you & at Sister H's when you see them I am sorry to hear sister H's health is so bad. Also my love to them all at Brother Nortons, I would like to trade you some fish for some of your nice bread.
your Affectionate Brother Southy [L. Savage]
(length: 3503)
Darby town Road Richmond va
Dear Mother
Your letters by Lt Wilhelm & Ben Cauble came to hand last night. I was glad to hear from home. I recd the comfort & gloves I send the comfort back for I think they do more harm than good You need not send my over coat for I have enough to carry now there is a pistol in our Co for sale if I can get it for less than one ($100) hundred Dollars I will send it by the Lieut. Ma I witnessed something the other day that I never saw before & never wish to see again one of our Brigade was shot for desertion poor fellow I could not help pitying him when he was marched around the Brigade we were formed in a hollow square he was placed upon his coffin and a white cloth placed over his eyes and then the command was given Ready. Aaim. Fire. and twelve rifles were discharged only six were loaded five balls struck him and the Dr dismounted at the discharge and examined his pulse and came back and reported him dead & we were marched back to our quarters. oh it was awful. Capt Cook has arrived he says tell Pa he must excuse him for not calling on him he met up with Lt Wilhelm & did not have a chance to do so. I think I would have laughed if I had been home at the time the prisoners broke loose ask Pa if his gun was loaded & how many rounds of blank cartidges he had and if he had bayonets fixed or if he was scared much. Abraham Morgan is home on (30) thirty days furlough you can send me a box by him when he returns. If you can get those cloths I wrote about you will have an oportunity to send them. Tell Mrs Allen if we are ordered to go we will do so but we dont want to be ordered again give my respects to all of our family & Mrs Shumans . & Mrs Allen and write soon & send me some writing paper & envelops by Morgan
my love to all write Soon to Your Affectionate Son Cicero R Barker P.S. Tell Willie I am much obliged to him for the gloves Cicero R Barker [illeg] & Harry are well
(length: 1736)
"Island Home,"
My dear cousin Mattie:
Yours of the 18" ulto. reached me yesterday. Its kind and cheerful tone at once drove away all gloomy thoughts and dispelled the dark clouds that had been hovering over me for the past few days. would that I could get such letters every day. it would render even prison life endurable -- I am greatly rejoiced to learn that my pleasur letters aford you pleasure -- I much feared that they would prove too great a tax upon your "patience" I write you every week, generaly on Sunday -- "Job was indeed a patient man, but you must recolect that he lived in times of Peace, and I do not believe he had any relations at all. I wrote you imediately upon the recept of the box returning thanks & c -- which I hope has reached you ere this. I can see that cake now, with "Mattie" impressed in large gilt letters upon its sufrice -- It will not be forgotten soon -- You did right to trust in "providence," He will always reward those who put their trust in Him. Many thanks dear Mattie for the $$ -- I much confess that I was really in need of a small supply of funds at the time, My washers & cooks bills coming in at once quite exhausted my stock, leaving my Pipe cold and my supply of stationary completely exhausted. But you must recolect these little things I shall claim the right hereafter of returning the favor. I do not meet with such friends often and shall take good care that these acts of kindness shown me in this, my hour of need meet with proper reward -- "It is bread cast upon the waters" -- I am under special obligation dear cousin for writing to my Uncle -- I have written to him time and again since I have been a prisoner but met with no success -- I wrote by way of Paducah & Mayfield to the care of merchants living at these places -- which party claim that portion of Tennessee lying between the Tennessee and Missippi rivers? containing the counties of Henry & Weakley? -- I have just received a letter from my brother in Raleigh n.c. saying he had shipped me a box of provisions in Oct. last. I am in luck. Cousin Mattie will you send me your Photo.? Do please -- You know I have not seen you since you were a little girl -- forgive me for writing so small -- I had just so many lines & I wished to put in all my [illeg] -- did you get the "ballad"
Your Affectionate Cous, James B. Jordan, Miss Mattie Fearn "Hunters Bottom" Milton, Ky,
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