1862-65: Constantine Alexander Hege to his Family

*I could not find an image of Hege but here is one of John Young Shitle of Co. I, 48th North Carolina Infantry. He was mortally wounded at Sharpsburg.*

These letters were written by Constantine Alexander Hege (1843-1914), the son of Solomon Hege (1813-1875) and Catharine Guenther (1813-1874) of Davidson County, North Carolina. Constantine was raised as a Moravian and was naturally opposed to the war, but he was never the less obliged to enlist in the summer of 1862 in Co. H, 48th North Carolina Infantry. He served for 14 months during which time he was captured at the Battle of Bristoe Station on 14 October 1863 and was confined in the Old Capitol Prison in Washington. While there he was visited by some North Carolina Moravians working in the capitol, and under their guidance, Hege decided to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. After his release, he went to Bethlehem, Pa., where he found employment in the iron works.

“In August 1865 Hege returned to North Carolina, but a few months later entered the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College in Philadelphia where, upon completing the course, he was employed by a mercantile firm. In the spring of 1867 he opened a small country store at Friedburg, N.C. A few years later he moved to Salem to start a small foundry. After acquiring a steam engine his business expanded, and in 1877 he obtained a patent for an improved set of works for circular sawmills. He then began manufacturing sawmills and wood-working machinery which he also invented. The sawmills produced at Hege’s Salem Iron Works were sold throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. The first sawmill in Alaska was one he gave to the Moravian mission there.

The Salem Iron Works were owned and operated by Constantine Hege, who began the business in 1867 from a small shed in Salem. By 1882 the business had grown and his engines, wood planers, saw mills, and woodworking machinery were in great demand. He erected this three-story building on Salt Street at a cost of $30,000. A group of boys sit on the hill in the foreground viewing the impressive industrial complex. [Digital Forsyth]

Hege was married in 1870 to Frances Mary Spaugh from an area near Salem, and they were the parents of Walter Julius, Ella Florence, and Rose Estelle. Following the death of his first wife, Hege married Martha Caroline Spaugh in 1895.” [William S. Powell, 1988]

Letter 1

Camp Holmes, Raleigh N. C.
August 8th, 1862

Dear Father, Mother, Sister and Brother

I now have the opportunity to drop a few lines to you stating that I am well at present—only I feel very weak. I hope that you are all in good health at home. We arrived at Raleigh this morning at half past 1 o’clock where we stayed until daylight. Then we marched to this place where we are now encamped. My tent mates are Hiram Everhart, Henry Chriesfezer, Christian Fishel, Hiram Painter, Thomas Cecil, Wesley Cecil and Costin Miller. It is supposed that we will go to Petersburg next Monday.

I enjoyed my ride tolerably well. I saw a great many things that interested me very much. I counted 14 engines at the company shops. I also saw the state house and many other fine buildings. We are now in Camp Holmes about 4 miles from Raleigh. We have good tents and a beautiful grove to camp in. There are also several wells of good water in the camp. We are guarded all round by stout looking guards with muskets well loaded.

I will now tell you what I think of camp life. I think it is a very hard life. We drawed 440 lbs. of flour for 4 days. We also drawed 3 skillets & 1 pot for about 20 men to prepare their victuals in. I do not like such fare nor I am not content at present. I feel very much downcast but I think that several of my tent mates are very nice men and I hope that I can after a while do better if I must stay in camp. So no more at present. Do not write until I write again or wait until you hear where we next move to.

Please remember me, and tell Elick and Evander that they shall be contented at home and not to wish to be a soldier. I still remain, dear father, your affectionate son until death.

Yours truly, — C. A. Hege, Camp Holmes, Raleigh, N. C.

Letter 2

Petersburg, Virginia
August 13th 1862

Dear Father,

I now have the opportunity of writing to you this afternoon stating that I am well at present, hoping that you enjoy the same good blessing. We arrived here at Petersburg today about noon and moved to the camp. There is a battle expected here very soon. They are a throwing up breastworks here very rapidly. It is supposed that the fight will extend from Richmond to Petersburg.

It fell to my lot to go in Capt. [John H.] Michael’s company. I there saw very many of my acquaintances which I had not seen for several months which revived me somewhat but I am not satisfied here. I do not like to hear of going to face the cannons and the muskets. I would be very glad if you could hire a substitute in my place because I cannot stand such a life with any enjoyment at all. I went over to see the flying artillery. There were 12 cannons there, and for a person to see them, it would make the cold chills run over anyone, I think. Therefore, I want you to try to hire a substitute and if you do hire one, get a competent man to bring him to Captain [John H.] Michael’s company, 48th regiment, N. C. troops.

We drawed each of us a knapsack, coat, cap, 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of drawers and shirt. I sent my carpet sack and my pants, shirt and drawers and several other things. Wesley Cecil, and Christian Fishel and I have sent our sacks to A. C. Hege’s store in Lexington and we want you to go and bring them home and pay A. C. Hege the freight if there is any to be paid and sent them home and Wesley Cecil’s wife will pay you for his and also send Christian’s home also.

We left Raleigh last Monday evening about 5 o’clock P. M. and came on as far as Weldon on Tuesday morning A. M. and staid there until Wednesday morning about 3 o’clock and arrived at Petersburg about 10 o’clock A.M. and remained there a few moments and then marched out to our camp about 3 miles east of Petersburg. We have very bad water here. It is said that the yankees are about 12 miles from here now. I saw about 300 Yankees from Salisbury on their way home at Weldon. I talked with several of them. They seemed to be as fine a set of men as are anywhere. I here send a few shells to Mary & Julius which I picked up on the field where we are encamped. There are a great many shells about here of different sizes and forms. I ate my first camp supper this evening.

Aug. 14th. We arose up this morning and went out to drill for our first time. We have to drill 4 times a day—twice in the forenoon and twice in the afternoon. I want you to write to me as soon as you can whether you will hire a substitute or not, but if you hire one, try and get one over 50 or under 18. He must be a stout-looking man; I want to know very soon all about it. Samuel and Emry Davis got substitutes from Richmond.

So I must close my letter. Tell all my friends to write to me. Please write soon. Please excuse my bad hand writing and bad composition because I have to write by chance. I remain your dear son until death.

— C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to C. A. Hege, Petersburg, Va., in care of Capt. [John H.] Michael, 48th Regiment, N C. Troops

Letter 3

Petersburg, Virginia
Sunday morning, August 17th 1862

Dear friend,

I now have the opportunity of writing a few lines to you stating that I am well at present and hope that you enjoy the same good blessing. We left Raleigh last Monday evening about 5 o’clock and got as far as Weldon about two o’clock on Tuesday morning and staid there until Wednesday morning about 3 o’clock when we started again and arrived at Petersburg about 10 o’clock the same morning. We then marched to our camp which is 3 miles east of Petersburg. We were then divided off in different companies. I fell in Capt. Michael’s company [H]. I there saw many of my acquaintances. But I do not like the camp life. I would a great deal rather be at home a working than to be here. We fare tolerably well but our water is bad. We have to drill 4 times a day and some of the company stand guard of a night.

There is a massive breastwork a being thrown up about 3 hundred yards from our camp. It is said to extend 50 miles in length. Nearly all of Wake’s Brigade were called out last night to go out on Picket guard about 6 miles east of this camp.

I have been thinking about old Friedberg a great many times this morning, I have been wishing that I was there again as I usually was on Sunday morning. I will now tell you how Sunday is spent in camp. In the morning we are waked by the sound of the drum, then the roll is called, and about eight o’clock we get our breakfast. I now hear some singing, some reading, some playing marbles, some walking to and for as if in a deep study, while there are some cursing and swearing, some working, and they have the closest inspection of arms on Sunday morning. I have better hopes of the people in camp then I expected. I find a great many devoted Christians in camp whose voices can be heard at night in prayer and songs of praise. There is prayer meetings held in the camp at night and also preaching on Sunday.

We now have a very bad chance for reading or anything of that like, but I have been a studying the bible some and a reading tracts and trying to pray, but I have not attended half to my duties as I should have done, but I am agoing to try by the grace of God to live more of a Christian life.

We have not tents enough yet for all of our men but we expect some more soon and when we get divided off in tents, we can have a better chance for devotional exercises but the way we now are, the tents are crowded full and then some have to stay out.

If you get to see my father, tell him that I am well at present. I was at preaching today in the camp. Rev. Mr. Johnson, the Presbyterian preacher of Lexington preached. His text is found in second Timothy, Chap 2.2, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” He preached a very good sermon. He urged Christians to take heed and not to become backsliders but to be the more watchful and prayerful lest they be overcome by the wicked one. He also admonished sinners to repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ because they know not what moment death will overtake them.

So I must close. Please remember me in your prayers. I remain your friend and brother in Christ and if I never should meet you on earth, I hope and pray that I may meet you in heaven above where all is peace and where there is no more sorrow nor sinning.

Yours truly, — Constantine A. Hege

Direct your letters to Petersburg, Va., Company H, care of Capt. Michaels, 48th Regiment N. C. Troops.

Please excuse my bad handwriting and bad composition.

Letter 4

Petersburg, Virginia
August 19th 1862

Dear Father,

I am not very well at present but I hope you are all well. I want you to try to hire a substitute for me if you possibly can. I would rather be at home and work like a negro than to be here in camp. We now have to leave here in a few minutes and we do not know where we will go to. Now you can guess how one feels in such a case. Try and get on until the last of this week if you can. You have no idea how one feels. Get Joseph Delap or somebody that understands how to manage and bring him on to Petersburg and there you can find out where we are.

Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Letter 5

Richmond, Virginia
August 26th 1862

Dear Parents,

I now take the opportunity of writing a few lines to you stating that I am well at present and hope that you enjoy the same good blessing. I wrote three letters home to you and have not received any answer yet. Therefore, I would like to know what is the reason that you do not write to me because I want to hear from home very bad. I would like to know whether you have any notion of hiring a substitute for me or not. I would be very glad if you would hire one, but do just as you think best. I will do just as you say. If you think it best for me to stay, I will be contented with my lot for I believe that Providence will carry me through safe. I am a little better satisfied than I was at first, but I have not learned to love the camp life.

One thing I like and that is that we have preaching in camp every Sunday and prayer meeting once or twice a week. I believe that there are a great many good Christians in camp.

We left the camp near Petersburg last Wednesday morning and marched about twenty-five miles to a camp about 3 miles east of Richmond. We left there on last Saturday morning and marched about a mile farther to another camp. But we now have marching orders again and we do not know where we will go to next. When we march we have to tote a large musket, bayonet, bayonet scabbard, cap box, cartridge box with about 30 or 40 cartridges, blanket and haversack full of provisions for to last 3 days. All the above named articles we have to tote when we are on a march. We had nothing but crackers and fat meat to eat from last Wednesday until Sunday morning. We then drew about a half a gill of molasses apiece.

So I must bring my letter to a close for we have to march soon. Please write as soon as you possibly can for you know that I would like to hear from you all very much tell my friends and relations to write. If we never meet here on earth anymore, I hope and pray that we may meet in heaven.

Your affectionate son, C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va., in care of Capt. Michael, 48th Regiment N. C. Troops. If we leave here, our letters will follow us. Therefore, direct them to the above-named address.

Letter 6

Gordonsville Virginia
August 30th 1862

Dear Father,

I now have the opportunity of writing to you stating that I am well at present and hope that you enjoy the same good blessing. I received your letter of the 21st instant on last Tuesday evening. I was very glad to hear from you once [more] and you said that C. Spaugh and J. Miller were a coming to see us and I would be very glad if you would come along.

We left Richmond last Tuesday about noon and started for the cars for Gordonsville. We arrived there about midnight and stopped awhile and then came on about 20 miles further where we [have] taken up camp on a high hill near the Rapidan river and we are here yet. Yesterday afternoon the 15th Regiment came here and camped about 200 yards from where we are camped. I went to their camp and there I saw nearly all of my old acquaintances. I saw Daniel Wilson and talked with him and I was very glad to see them all. He is well. Ephraim Weasner is well. Solomon Tesh is very much worsted, but he keeps with the crowd. Henry Weaver is sick. George Tesh is sick and a good many more of my acquaintances.

Tell Uncle Christian that I saw Theophilus and that he is well but I did not get to see Emanuel nor Augustus. Theophilus said that they got sick on the march and could not keep up and they have not caught up yet this morning and he knows not how they are, nor where they are. They left their sick men here for to be taken to the hospital at Richmond while the balance of the 15th Regiment went on another march and it is supposed that they are going to Stonewall Jackson.

I can tell you that it went hard with us to see our friends leave us so soon again because we were just enjoying the company of our friends. They have been marching for 3 days and had only 3 biscuits and a little meat to eat and they had a heavy luggage to tote, and when they came here last night, they were very nigh all run down. And this morning they started again on another 3-day’s march. And how they will stand it, I do not know. They said that some fell down dead on the march and a great many are a getting so that they cannot go much further because they are run down. They said that they wanted me to write and to let their friends know where they are and how they are so then you can tell their friends that I saw them very near all and that they nearly all started on the march this morning except the sick [ones]. But I do not know how long they will hold up.

So I must close my few improper lines, giving you my best wishes and hoping to return home again. Please write as soon as you receive this letter, write a long and interesting letter, and tell Mary to write me a long letter also and write all the news about home. I remain, dear father, your obedient and affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va., in care of Capt. Michael, 48th Regiment N. C. Troops, Co. H.

Letter 7

Near Martinsburg, Virginia
Sunday, September 21, 1862

Dear Parents,

I now have the opportunity of sending you a few lines stating that I am well at present with the exception of a very bad cold and several boils, but I hope that you all enjoy the blessing of good health. I wrote a letter to you yesterday but I did not know whether you received it or not and therefore I thought I would write today again because I can send it with Mr. Jackson Stafford and I also thought that you would like to hear from me.

I received a letter from you day before yesterday dated August 30th which I was very glad to receive and to hear from you. I wrote some about the battle [Battle of Sharpsburg] which I was in last Wednesday but I will tell you something in this letter also, and also something about our march.

We have been marching for about 20 days and sometimes we have [had] to march all night. We crossed the Potomac River four times and over into Maryland. The first time that we went over, we staid 2 or 3 days and came back safe. And then we went to Harpers Ferry and there we had a very hard bombing last Monday, but we whipped the Yankees without any musket firing except from the pickets. We captured a great many wagons and cannons and taken about 800 prisoners. We then marched over into Maryland again on last Tuesday evening and on Wednesday morning [17 September] about nine or ten o’clock, we were marched in the battlefield and we made a charge on one of the enemy’s batteries. But when we got [with]in about 75 or 100 yards of them, we were bound to retreat because they were too strong for us, and a great many of our men were killed and wounded. There were about twenty wounded in our company. Jackson Koontz was killed. Augustus Bryant was mortally wounded and died. ¹

I will not write about the horrors of the battlefield at present, but I hope that Providence will spare my life to return home again and then I can tell you something about the war because I cannot write the hundreth part of the horrors of the battlefield.

You said that I should tell you if I heard from Daniel Wilson’s crowd. I saw some of the 15th [North Carolina] Regt. last Thursday and they said that nearly all of the 15 Regt. was killed, wounded, and taken prisoners last Sunday [at Crampton’s Gap] and Daniel was in the crowd, but I do not know whether he got hurt or not—but I hope not. And you said that I should tell you who my tent mates are. We do not stay in tents. We have to lie out in the open air, rain or shine, and therefore we have no tent mates but I am with Mr. Pleasant Murphy very near all the time. I march and sleep with him. He is a very fine man and also a Christian. He lives near Thomasville. You said that I should tell you whether Cecil’s boys ran away or not. They run away when we were at Petersburg and Nifong’s boys and William Hill and Henry Mock and Alex Mock left when we were on the march near Leesburg.

I would be very glad if you could come to see us when we get back to Richmond. I will write to you as soon as we get there and then I would be glad if you could come to see us. We now are about a mile from Martinsburg, Virginia, but we will have to leave in the morning and I do not know where we will go to. I am tolerably well satisfied at present. We get nothing to east excepting fresh beef and slapjack cakes unless we buy it sand my money is a getting scarce.

So no more at present. Please write as soon as you get this and tell Mary to write also and I want you to write once every week whether I write or not because I have a bad chance to write.

Your affectionate son, — Constantine Alexander Hege

Just direct your letters to Richmond, Va., in care of Captain Michael, 48th Regt. N. C. Troops

¹ The 48th North Carolina Regiment was commanded by Colonel Robert C. Hill. It brought around 400 men to the field and lost 50% casualties in fighting near the Dunker Church. According to the field marker for Manin’s Brigade: Manning’s Brigade reached Sharpsburg on the afternoon of September 16 and was held in reserve until daybreak of the 17th, when it took position opposite Snavely’s Ford on the Antietam, one and a half miles from town. Between 8 and 9 A.M., it moved to the left and supported McLaws in his attack on the enemy in the West Woods. Arriving on the rise of ground 300 yards west of this point, the 3d Arkansas and 27th North Carolina formed to hold the open space between the West Woods and the left of D.H. Hill’s Division east of this road. The remainder of the Brigade advanced on the right of Ransom’s Brigade to and beyond the road at the Dunkard Church, where it was repulsed. The 3d Arkansas and 27th North Carolina co-operated in expelling Greene’s Division from the woods about the church, after which they crossed the road and advanced through the fields to the east, but were repulsed and resumed their original position and were not again engaged.“

In this vivid drawing by Frank Schell, curious Sharpsburg civilians watch as Union soldiers excavate mass graves on the Roulette Farm and quickly fill them with corpses. (Atwater Kent Collections/Bridgeman Images)

Letter 8

Winchester, Virginia
October 7, 1862

Dear Parents,

I now have the opportunity of writing a few lines to you stating that I am well at present and hope that you all enjoy the same good blessing. I received your kind letter dated September the 11th last Saturday evening. It gave me very much joy to hear from you and I also received 3 dollars in money which I was very glad to get because I began to need money because I have to pay very high for everything that I buy. I have to pay 10 cents a sheet for paper, therefore when you write, I want you to fold up a blank piece of paper large enough for me to answer your letter with.

I have now wrote 4 letters since the Battle [of Sharpsburg] and therefore I thought it not worth while to say anything in this about the battle. We are still resting about 4 or 5 miles north of Winchester, Virginia, but I call it very poor resting because we get such bad fare and the weather is a turning cold and we are so scarce in blankets that we can hardly make out. There have been a couple of right smart frosts here. I hope that we will soon move from here to Richmond. We are between 4 and 5 hundred miles from home and also very near directly north and so you may suppose that the weather is a getting colder.

When we get back to Richmond, or wherever we get stationed, I will then write to you what I want and I want you then to come to see us and bring them along with you. But I do not want you to come before I write that we are stationed and where we are stationed. Tell mother that I want her to make me another haversack and also another book sack out of strong cloth and make them a little larger then my others were because these are nearly wore out. I toted them on all this long march and you know that they cannot last much longer. Send them with Pap when he comes.

There are very dull times now in camp but the soldiers are in hopes that it is for the better. It is a general enquiry through the camp, “What’s the news? whether good or bad, or whether it be for war or for peace. And it is thought that there will soon be peace and that we will soon get home. There has been but very little fighting a going on since the battle over in Maryland and I hope that the war will soon entirely close and that peace and prosperity may soon reign supreme.

I have been spending a part of my time when at leisure in reading the Bible and in writing letters for myself and for others. I have read the New Testament about nearly through and learned the 91st Psalm by heart since I have been out. I have not much news to write at this time except that I will tell you how things sell. Apples from 25 to 50 cents per doz, peaches 25 per doz, honey $1.00 and $1.50 per lb, butter $1.00 per lb, bacon 75cents per lb, light bread $1.00 per loaf, and everything else in proportion.

I want you to write whether you know where any of uncle Christian’s boys are, and also whether you hear anything from Daniel Wilson or not. There are none of them with the Regiment any more. And also write whether Solomon Tesh got home or not and any other of the neighbors.

You said you wanted to know what I done with my medicine. I take several packs in my pockets and the rest I was obliged to leave in my knapsack which was left at Richmond. We rest very bad at night and as to avoid exposure is a matter out of the question because we have to be out in the open air day and night, rain or shine, wet or day. But I do the best I can. I sometimes make me a shelter of brush and a bed of straw when I can get it and lie down to rest, trusting in Providence as to the issue. I have enjoyed tolerably good health so far and I hope and pray that Providence will spare my life and health through all this war and bring me safe home again.

A few words to Mary and Julius. I want you to save all the good peach and apples seeds that you can and get Pap to plant them for me in some rich spot of ground and I want you to dig my ground peas and grass nuts and send me a few of them when Pap comes to see me. I want you to be obedient and smart children and to write to me as soon as you can and write a real long and interesting letter. Tell Elick and Sam to be smart because they know not how good they have got it. So no more at present. Please write as soon as you get this.

From your affectionate and obedient son, C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va. in care of Capt Michel 48th Regiment N.C. Troops

Letter 9

October 17, 1862
Winchester, Virginia

Dear Father,

I now have the opportunity of writing you a few lines stating that I am well at present except a very bad cold, but I hope that you all enjoy the blessing of good health. I received your letter last Thursday dated September 28th. I was very glad to hear from home. You cant imagine how glad it makes me [feel] to get a letter from home and therefore I want you to write once a week at least and as much oftener as you can. I have a very bad chance here to write to you because a letter cost so much here. Paper sells at 10 cents a sheet, envelopes 5 cents apiece and so a letter will cost 25 cents with the stamp. I would be very glad if you could send me a few dollars in a letter or else by hand if you can. I received a dollar in a letter some time ago which I soon answered.

We are still camped about 4 miles north of Winchester, Virginia, but it [is] thought by some of our officers that we will go back to N. C. before long and I hope that you will then come to see us and bring me some clothing and other things that I have wrote for. I do not want you to try to come to us before I write where are. We are stationed near the railroad. We have been a tearing up the Winchester & Harpers Ferry Railroad for about 12 miles. I had to help to take it up last Sunday. We are here in a very scarce part of the country both for food and water. We have to take our water nearly half a mile. Our rations are nothing but slapjack cakes and beef, and sometimes there is no salt for the broth nor beef and we can scarcely buy anything at all.

It seems to me like as if the head men of the war had any sympathy for human beings that they would stop this war. It is thought that there is some prospect of peace before long and I hope and pray that the Almighty will interpose and stop this war. So no more at present. Please write and soon as you get this. I remain your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va., in care of Capt Michael, 28th Regiment N. C. Troops.

October 17, 1862
Winchester, Virginia

Dear Mother:

I now have the opportunity of writing you a few lines. I received 2 letters from last week. The one was dated September 28th and the other September 6th. You do not know how glad I was to hear from you. You said that Augustus Staugh was dead and Emanuel was sick but you did not say any thing about Theophilus.

I can tell you I have learned a great lesson since I have been in the army. I have learned to eat such as I can get. Dear mother, you do not know how much good it would do me to get to eat one breakfast prepared by you and to sleep on a soft bed one time more. But I hope and pray that the Lord will spare my life and health and permit me to return home again to enjoy the blessings of a comfortable house and home. I have not the time nor paper to write much at present but I hope to return home again before long and then I can tell you more. Please write soon. With much love, from your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

October 17, 1862
Winchester, Virginia

Dear Sister & brother,

I received your letter last week and I was very glad to receive it but all I regretted was that you did not write more. I want you to be good and obedient children to your Parents and be smart and help all you can and learn your books. I want you to send me some grass nuts & ground peas when Pap comes to see me. Tell Sam I want him to be a good boy and be smart and to catch all the rabbits that he can. Tell Elick that I would be glad if I was at home with him a plowing. Tell him to be a good boy and smart and I hope that we will all be permitted to return home again before long. October 18th. I finish this, this morning. We have orders this morning to be ready to march at day light, but I do not know where we will go to. So no more. Please write soon. Your affectionate brother, — C. A. Hege

Received this the 25th October

Letter 10

Upperville, Virginia
Tuesday, 28 October 1862

Dear Parents,

I now have the opportunity of sending you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope that you enjoy the blessing of good health. I received 3 letters from home the 20th of this month—the one from you, one from mother, and the other from Mary. I was very glad to get them and to hear from you once more. I have not had the chance to answer them any sooner because we left Winchester last Wednesday morning and came on here across the Blue Ridge to Upperville where we have been several days. But it is thought that we will soon go on to Culpeper Court house. I received a letter this morning from Theophilus Spaugh. He was at Culpepper Court house in the hospital the 15th of this month when he wrote his letter. He thought that he would soon go to his regiment.

There is a man sent home from each company this morning to get clothing and blankets for the soldiers and if any acquaintances wish to send anything, they can do so. I would be very glad if you could come yourself and bring me the following articles but if you cannot come, send them with Lieutenant Smith when he comes. I want a blanket, hat, 1 pair shoes if you can get them, 1 vest, 1 pair stockings, 1 pair drawers, 1 pair gloves, 1 pair pants, a cravat for round the neck, a haversack, book sack, 2 large strong handkerchiefs, some cotton and woolen patches, a woolen shirt if you can and then I want a box of provisions: viz, onions, garlic, pies, sweet cakes, a little butter, and a little tin bucket of apples, peaches, sody, a small blank book, some No. 3 Perfect, a small coffee pot and some coffee, grassnuts, ground peas, chestnuts and some dried fruit of different kinds and any thing else that is good. I want you to bring these yourself if you can and if you cannot then do the best you can. Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

I have no time to write much. Direct your letters as usual.

Letter 11

Culpeper Court House, Virginia
November 3, 1862

Dear Father,

I now have the opportunity of sending you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope that you enjoy the same good blessing. I have not had any letter from you for about two weeks. The last letters that I got from you I received the 20th of last month. Then I got 3 letters—one from you, one from mother and the other from Mary. We came here to Culpeper last evening awhile before sunset and we expect to go on to Richmond in a few days. We have had some very bad weather since we left Winchester. Last night a week ago was a very windy, cold, and rainy night and it commenced hailing the next morning and we were all wet and cold. We were camped on the side of a mountain near Upperville, Virginia.

I sent a letter to you with Lieutenant Smith who is gone home after some clothing for us and there I mentioned what I want you to bring to me yourself if you can come, and if you cannot come, send them with him or some other person that is coming to the regiment. Tell mother to send me a pair of goulashes, some soap and a little sody if she can, and anything else that is good. When I wrote my other letter, I thought that perhaps we could draw sloes at Richmond, but I have heard since that we cannot and therefore I want you to have me a large strong and able pair of shoes made and have Rapers Michael to put irons on the heels and send them as soon as you possibly can because my shoes are about wore out.

I would be very glad if you could come to see us. I think that you would not begrudge your trip. I think that we will be at Richmond in a few days. When you come, come on to Richmond and there you can find out where the regiment is stationed. Tell mother and Mary that I cannot write to them at present because the paper and ink is so scarce, postage so high, and I am very scarce in money but I want them to write to me the oftener. Send me some postage stamps if you can, and also some money. We have not drawed any money yet. So I must close by giving you all my best wishes and respects. From your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letter to Richmond Va, in care of Capt Michael, 48th Regiment N.C. Troops, Co. H.

Please write soon.

Letter 12

Madison Court House, Virginia
Saturday, 15th November 1862

Dear Parents,

I now have the opportunity of writing you a few [lines] stating that I am well at present and hope that you all enjoy the same good blessing. I received a letter from father last Sunday dated Nov. 2nd and I also received a letter from mother last Thursday dated October 26th. You said that you started 20 dollars in a letter to me the 20th of October, but I have not received it yet. But I hope that I will get it yet because I am in need of money. I think that it would be safer if you could send money by hand, than by mail, because we move so often that it is a hard matter for the letters to follow us. You need not to send my overcoat yet because I have a load to carry without it. I will write when I want it. We drawed 8 dollars of our money wages. I have been borrowing several dollars and that takes all of my wages to pay my debts. We are obliged to buy something to eat if we want to live like human beings because it would be hard living to eat nothing but light bread & beef.

I like the army life a great deal better than I did when I first came out, but I can tell you that it is a hard life anyway that you take it, but I can enjoy myself tolerably well by reading, writing and talking with my friends, and sometimes by walking about and viewing the mountains and all the surrounding country. But there is one thing that I do not like and that is the battles which are dreaded by all.

I got my knapsack the 7th day of this month but I lost all of my medicine, 1 pair pants, 1 pair drawers, and several other little articles. I would be very glad if you could send me some No 6, some composition, and some other medicine as you think I need and also a box of ointment because I am pestered very much with boils.

We have had some very cold weather. We had a right smart snow the 7th of this month, but it has been very pleasant weather the last week. We now are here at Madison Court House close to the Blue Ridge. We came here this day a week ago and we do not know how long we will stay here, but I think that we will go to Gordonsville in a few days.

Elijah Scott is dead, he died the 6th of this month near Culpeper about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and was buried about 5 miles on this side of Culpeper Court House. So I must close my letter by giving you all my best wishes and respects and hopeing that you will remember your son in your prayers. Your son, — C. A. Hege

Please write as soon as you get this.

Dear sister and brother, I will send you a few lines to let you know that I received a very interesting letter from you last Thursday dated Oct 25th which I was very glad to receive. You said that Daniel and Solomon Wilson were taken prisoner. I was very glad to hear where Daniel was because I could not hear anything from him since the Maryland battle. I want you both to be good children, obey your parents, be smart and be thankful that you have a good warm house and home to stay in and comfortable bed to lie in the cold and rainy nights, while we here have to lie out in the open air with nothing but a blanket or two. We now sometimes have some tents but not half enough for us all. Tell Elick and Julius that I have a present to send to them as soon as any one comes to see us from that neighborhood.

From your affectionate brother, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters as usual.

Letter 13

Fredericksburg. Virginia
November 29, 1862

Dear Father,

I now have the opportunity of writing you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same good blessing. I received a letter from you the 16th of this month dated October 20th containing 20 dollars in money, and I also received a letter from you last Thursday dated Nov 11th and 25 dollars in money which Lieutenant Smith brought. I hope that you will not think hard of me for not writing sooner because we have been on a march for 5 days and then after we got in camp, there was no chance to send a letter out of the camp unless by hand. And now I have an opportunity of sending one and therefore I thought that I would write.

We are here about 5 miles south of Fredericksburg. We came here today a week ago and I do not know how long we will stay here. We had to march 4 days through the mud and water and rain. The 15th N. C. regiment joined our Brigade this morning, I was very glad to see them. I saw George Mock, Leander Mock, John Hartman, Alexander Weaver, Alexander Scott, George Tesh, Franklin Rominger, and a great many more of my acquaintances but Daniel Wilson was not with the regiment. They do not know where he is. If you know where he is, I would like if you would write. The boys are all well.

William Swain, Esq., was out here to see us last week and he said that Mrs. David Weasner left my box at Gordonsville and I am afraid that the pies will spoil before I get them. The clothing that was sent to the company was left at Richmond and I therefore think that we will go there before long. It is now reported through the camp that we are ordered to Weldon N. C. to take up winter quarters. Our fare is bad. We get nothing but bread and beef and we sometimes draw pickled pork and that very scant rations. We draw 1.25 lbs. flour and 1.25 lbs. beef to the man for a days rations. Things sell very high here. Apples 1 dollar per dozen, pork 50 cents per lb, sugar 1 dollar per lb, and everything else in proportion so that we cannot afford to buy much. I am very thankful to you for sending me some money so that I can buy me something to eat.

Tell Theophilus Spaugh to write to me when he is coming back to his regiment. Tell him that his regiment is now in our brigade—namely (General Cook’s brigade) and that we will be close together from this time on. Tell him that I was over to see the regiment this morning when it came in and talked with several of the boys and that they were well. I have not much news to write at present. I would be very glad if you could send me some postage stamps because I cannot buy them here. So I must bring my letter to a close by giving you all my love and best respects and if I never meet you on earth anymore, I hope to meet you in heaven above where there will be no more parting nor pain.

Please write soon and write a long, long letter. Your letters are never half long enough.

From your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

I sent a cartridge box, cap box, gunlock, and several other little things that I brought from The Maryland battleground that I hope you will keep until I come home because I hope that Providence will spare my life to return home.

Tell Alexander Craver and Julius my brother to take each of them one of them caps. I sent them with William Swain, Esq.

Letter 14

Near Fredericksburg, Virginia
Monday afternoon, December 8, 1862

Dear Father,

I now have the opportunity of writing you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same good blessing. I received a letter and some medicine last Friday which you sent with Charles Perriman. But I have not received my box of clothing yet. I have tried every way that I knowed how to get them but failed and I asked Capt. Michael what to do about it. He said that I would better write to you immediately and he said that you would better come out here yourself and bring me some more clothing, &c., and if I should get my box yet, you could then take some back if I had more than I needed. I need shoes & pants very bad because I am about barefooted and I lost 1 pair pants and therefore have but one pair left and they are nearly wore out.

And now I will tell you what I want you to bring to me; viz: my overcoat, 2 pair pants, 1 woolen overshirt, 1 cotton shirt, 1 pair of stout cotton drawers, 1 pr socks, 1 pr gloves, 1 large cravat, 1 hat and 1 pr shoes if you can get them because I need them very much. And I would be very glad if you could bring me some molasses or honey, some butter, some good old ham, a little salt, and some sweet cakes for Christmas and some ground peas, grassnuts, chestnuts &c. and anything else that is good that you think I need. I want you to bring them as soon as you possibly can because I need them very bad. Try and come before Christmas yet if you can come when Solomon Tesh comes, if you cannot come before. We are here about 5 miles south of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and if we leave here we will go to Richmond. So I must close. Please write soon as you get this and write whether you will come or not.

I remain your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters as usual.

Letter 15

Near Fredericksburg, Virginia
Thursday morning, December 18, 1862

Dearly Beloved Parents,

I now once more have or take the opportunity of writing a few lines to you to let you know how affairs are here. I am somewhat unwell at present. I was taken with a chill and then a pain in my side night before last, but I feel right smart better this morning. I think that it was just a bad cold which I taken because I have nothing but old pieces of shoes on my feet. My toes are naked and my clothing are a getting ragged. I have not got my box of clothing yet and I don’t know whether I ever will get them or not because the boxes are very often robbed at the depots. I wrote to you to bring me a box of clothing as soon as you possibly can and come with them yourself so that you can be certain that I will get them because I need them very much.

There has been a very hard battle fought here last Saturday and our regiment was in the hardest of the fight. I did not have to go into the battle because I am so near barefooted. The Colonel gave orders that all the barefooted men should stay at the camp. I can tell you I was glad then that my shoes did not come because I would rather loose a hundred dollars than to go in a battle. There were a great many killed and wounded it is said that there were ten thousand Yankees killed during the battle. I do not know how many of our men were killed but I know that there were a great many wounded. There were 19 men wounded and one killed in our company. The human suffering, the loss of life, and above all, the loss of many a precious soul that is caused by war. Would to God that this war might close off this year and that we all could enjoy the blessing of a comfortable house and home one time more. I never knew how to value home until I came in the army.

It is thought that we will go on to Richmond in a few days. Tell Mr. Rights that I would be very glad to get a letter from him. Tell uncle Christian that I would like for some of them to write to me and I want you to write oftener and do not wait for me to answer every one of your letters before you write I have not received any letter from you since Charles Perriman was out here. We have a very bad chance to write out here because we have to drill twice a day in general and then we have dress parade in the evening so I must close by giving you all my best wishes and respects and if we never meet on earth, I hope to meet you in a better world above.

Your affectionate son — C. A. Hege

Please write us soon as you get this. Direct your letters as usual. I want you to come as soon as you can with my clothing.

Letter 16

Near Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sunday morning, December 21, 1862

Dear Father and Mother,

I this beautiful sabbath morning have the opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I have been sick a few days with the chills and fever and a pain in my side and headache, but I am better and think that I will in a few days be well again. I think it was just a bad cold which I taken from having bad clothes and from being nearly barefooted. But I hope that you all enjoy good health.

I received a letter from Mary last Friday night dated December 7th which I was very glad to receive but I was very sorry to hear that father had the typhoid fever. But I hope and pray that he may soon get well again very soon. I heard that the small pox was about home. I am very sorry to hear that but I hope that the Almighty will stop it before it goes very far. But I don’t believe it. It is also said that it is in the 15th N. C. Regt., but I hope that it may not be spread among the soldiers any further.

I have not yet received my box of clothing, &c., and I am afraid never will because I can’t hear anything about it anymore and I am afraid it is stole. I wrote in a letter some time ago for you to bring me another box of clothing and provisions and also to send my overcoat and I want you to bring them as soon as possible because I need them very much, but I am afraid that your health will hardly permit you to come and if you cannot come, send them with a man that you will be certain that he bring them to me and will leave them again at some railroad station to be stole or lost. I want you also to send me some dysentery cordial, some blackberry cordial, and some more No. 6. So I must close by giving you all my best wishes and respects, and hope and pray that I may come home before long.

Your son, — C. A. Hege

Please write soon.

I have heard since I commenced this letter that the boxes have been broken open and the things stole and therefore I will write for some more things. I need a hat very much. I want some dried peach fruit, peach leather, a large piece of hard soap because I need that very much, blanket, a knife, fork and spoon. a strong sack that will hold about a bushel, haver & book sack &c., some spice, black pepper ground. Tell Julius & Mary to send me some chestnuts, grassnuts and ground peas and pies. I hope that you will not think hard of me for writing for more clothing &c. because I need them very much

Near Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sunday morning, December 21, 1862

Dear Sister and Brother,

It is with pleasure that I take my pen to answer your letter which I received a few days ago, but it was with greater pleasure that I received and read your letter and it would still give me a great deal more pleasure if I could come home and go to preaching and more especially at Christmas and New Year. I have been thinking this morning of the many sabbaths which I spent at Friedberg, and as you said of the many times that you and I used to walk to Friedberg. And I have also been thinking of the many times that we used to get angry with each other and quarrel; that was very wrong of us and I hope that you and Julius do not do so now. I want you to be good and obedient children and do what father and mother tells you to do.

There has been a very hard battle fought here at Fredericksburg, Virginia, the 13th of this month and our regiment was in the hardest of the battle. But I was not in the battle because I was too near barefooted and therefore I staid at the camp and kept out of the battle. There were a great many killed and wounded on both sides.

You wanted to know whether I received my money. I received 45 dollars. You also wanted to know whether we will have to be out all winter. I cannot tell how about that. It is said that we will be taken to N. C. before long and there take up winter quarters. Tell Julius that I am glad to hear that he has caught a possum and 12 rabbits and tell him to catch all the rabbits and partridges that he can, and tell Sam that I have not forgot him yet and I hope to be back before long with him on the farm. So I must close. I hope you will all remember me in your prayers and pray that this war may soon stop and peace be made and that we all may return home again. Your Brother — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters as usual.

Letter 17

Near Fredericksburg, Virginia
Christmas morning, Thursday, 25th December 1862

Dear Parents,

I take up my pen this beautiful Christmas morning in order to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well again and hope that when these few lines come to hand that they may find you all enjoying good health. I received a letter from you last evening dated December 15th which I was very much pleased to get to hear from home. But I am very sorry to hear that you and mother are sick. But I hope and pray that the good Lord will soon restore you to health again.

There is a great deal of sickness here in camp such as pneumonia, jaundice, and various other diseases. Alexander Weaver is a going to the hospital this morning. He has been sick for several days. I have not yet got my box and I expect never will get it because I got Capt. Michael to go to Gordonsville and Hanover junction to search for my box, but he could not see nor hear anything of it, and therefore I expect it has been stole because it is a very common thing for boxes to be robbed about here. And therefore I think it is useless to depend upon getting that box any longer. I am very sorry that it is lost but I can’t help it.

I got to stay out of the battle here at Fredericksburg, Virginia, by being barefooted and therefore I think that it was ordered by Providence that I should not get my box, because if I had a got my box of shoes and clothing, I would to a have went in the battle. I would rather loose the box than to go in a battle.

Christmas has come once more and it is a very beautiful morning here. But Oh! how changed the scene to what it was last Christmas. Here I am in the army today and today twelve months ago I was at home where I could enjoy the blessings of a comfortable house and home of parents and friends and of religious worship, but this Christmas I am surrounded by warriors, cannons, guns, and all kinds of unusual sounds and actions to which I never was accustomed to. But I hope and pray that the good Lord in His tender mercy may soon bring this state of things to an end and restore peace and prosperity to our beloved country again, and turn the hearts of the rulers to peace forever instead of war.

Dear Father, I want you to bring me another box of clothing like the first and do not grieve because the other box was lost because it may have saved my life. I want you to try to bring it yourself and bring it as soon as you can. So no more at present. Please write soon as you get this letter and write once or twice every week. Be assured, dear parents, that I remain your affectionate son until death, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters as usual.

Letter 18

Near Petersburg, Virginia
Sunday noon, January 11, 1863

Dearly beloved Parents,

I this beautiful sabbath day have the opportunity of writing to [you] once more to inform you that I am well at present and hope that you all enjoy the same good blessing. I have not received any letter from you for a couple weeks and I thought that I would write to let you know that I received my box of clothing, apples, onions, shoes &c., which you sent with Mr. J. Rominger the last time. I was very glad to get them and I am very thankful to you, dear parents, for being so kind to me as to send them because I was very much in need of them. I have not heard anything of my first box you sent to me. I think it was stole.

We are now here about 3 miles northwest of Petersburg, Virginia. We left Fredericksburg yesterday a week a go and marched on by Hanover Junction and through Richmond and came on here last Wednesday and it is thought that we will go on to Goldsboro or Wilmington in a few days. We have had some very bad weather here lately. We had a right smart snow last Friday and yesterday we had a cold, rainy day.

Solomon Tesh came to his regiment last Tuesday and he brought me a pair of pants, haversack, and book sack. Ephraim Weasmer has also returned from the hospital to his regiment. He is well. He is here in our tent now. Mock’s boys are well. Leander saw Henry Mock at Petersburg in the Hospital. He is nearly well except his old complaint and he thinks he will get a discharge.

We fare a little [better] in the way of eatables now than we did some time ago. We drawed for tomorrow cornmeal, pickled pork, rice and sugar. It seems to me a little more like home since the 15 N. C. Regiment has come in our Brigade. I now can see some of my friends and acquaintances every day. I hope when we get to N. C. that you and Mr Weasner will come to see us. You need not be afraid to come because you will not be interrupted and you need not be afraid to ride on the cars. Tell Theophilus Spaugh to write to me. Tell Mary and Julius to write to me. So I must close by giving you my best wishes and respects and hope that the time may soon come when peace will reign supreme and when we can all once more enjoy the blessing of a comfortable house and home. I never knew what home was until I left home. Please write as soon as you get this.

Your affectionate son until death, — C.A. Hege

Direct your letter to Petersburg, Va., care of Capt. Michael, Co. H, 18th Reg. N. C. Troops and the letter will follow the regiment if we move.

Letter 19

Near Petersburg, Virginia
Tuesday, 13 January 1863

Dearly beloved Parents,

I now have the opportunity of sending you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and hope that you all enjoy the same good blessing. I received two letters yesterday from you—the one dated January 4th and the other December 31st. I was very glad to get them because I had not heard from you for some time. Mr. J. Rominger came to our camp last night. I received my pack of clothing last Friday night. I got all that you sent. I was very glad to get them because I was in need of them very much. Mr. Rominger said that he found my box which you had sent with him before he found it at Gordonsville. He sent it on to Raleigh, N. C., and is a going to send it home. I have as many clothing as I can carry at present, but I would be very glad if you would bring me a box of provisions before long. Your shoes that you sent me are rather small and they will hurt my feet when I have to march. I will wear my old ones out first and save your pair and if you come out I would be very glad if you would bring that pair that is in my box if they are larger.

We are still here about 3 miles northwest of Petersburg, Virginia, but it is thought that we will soon go to N. C. near Goldsboro. I have sent a small pack of nonsense to Julius which I have picked up. Tell him to save the screw drivers for me and the powder bullets and lead are for Father. I send you a Yankee ball which you can take in 3 pieces.

You wanted to know how we fare. I will tell you. We have hard times. We have no winter quarters to stay in and we have to shelter from the rain and cold the best way that we can. Some build themselves shelters with poles and cover with leaves and dirt; others stretch up blankets in the form of a tent, but the officers and the big men have tents and some have stoves in them. I and my mess have a fly to stay under at present and we build a large fire before the fly and lie with our feet toward the fire and cover with our blankets and we then keep tolerably warm.

As to our rations, they are very scant. We draw a little over a pint of meal or flour to the man a day and about a pound of beef a day. We sometimes draw a little sugar, rice and molasses and sometimes a little pickled pork or bacon but it is all very scant and a person is obliged to buy something more if he wants to have enough to eat.

I drawed my $50 bounty money on Christmas day. I have also drawed $30 monthly wages, but it goes very fast because everything sells so very high and a body will buy before they will go with a hungry belly.

So I must come to a close by saying please write as soon as you get this letter and write all the news and I want you all to write to me because I like to hear from you all. Write longer letters and more of them. Tell Julius I received his letter. Your affectionate son until death. Remember your son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Petersburg, Va., Co. H, 48th Reg. N. C. Troops

I here send all of my old letters home because I have no way to take care of them. I want you to save them all until I come home because I hope to get home before long. I also send my hymn book home because I just spoil it here.

Letter 20

Near Goldsboro, North Carolina
Saturday, 17 January 1863

Dear Parents,

I now have the opportunity of writing a few lines once more in N. C. to inform you that I am well at present and tolerably well satisfied and I hope that you all enjoy good health. I feel more now like as if I was at home since I got here in N. C. than I did when I was in Virginia. We left Petersburg, Virginia, last Thursday afternoon and came on to Goldsboro last night and we then came out to a camp about 2 miles south of the town (Goldsboro). I can tell you, I am glad that we are away from the Mountainous Regions of Virginia and back again in the pleasant valleys & plains of N. C. and I hope that you and Mr. Weasner & Uncle Christian and all of our old neighbors will now come to see us and bring us boxes of provisions, &c. You need not be afraid of the distance now because it is only 150 miles from here to Lexington. You can now take the train at Lexington and come on all the way here without changing cars. I want you to be sure and come to see us now and bring me a box of provisions as soon as you can because we may leave here in a couple weeks. I want a hat and a pair of socks, ink, &c., pint cup, tin plates, coffee pot, knife, fork, & spoon, sody, shortened biscuits & several pounds of butter, pies, dried peaches, &c. &c. and anything else that is good.

So I must close by saying write as soon as you get this and write when you will come. Your son, — C. A. Hege

Am too cold to write much. Direct your letters to Goldsboro, N. C., Co. H, 48th Reg. N. C. Troops

Letter 21

In camp near Weldon, North Carolina
May 19, 1863

Dear Pa,

I was taken with a very severe headache yesterday, had chills & fever last night, and feel quite unwell at the present time. I think I have a slight attack of the pneumonia. No ways dangerous so far. If I get worse, I will write in a few days.

Mr. Jordan Rominger spent last night with us. I was glad to see him. We are expecting to move back to Goldsboro in a day or so. Pa, do not feel uneasy about me on account of my sickness. Miss June Hege can tell you all about my case.

I remain your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Letter 22

Goldsborough, North Carolina
Friday, 15th of May, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take up my pen to drop you a few lines to inform you where we are and how I am. I am right smart better. I am up but I feel very weak. I have a pain in my right side and I have not got much of an appetite to eat, but I hope that I will get over that in a few days and get well again.

We left Weldon yesterday afternoon about half past one o’clock and arrived at Goldsborough about 9 o’clock last night and then we went about a mile east of Goldsborough on the Kinston Railroad and taken up camp.

Henry Messer handed me a package of clothes consisting of 2 pair pants, 1 shirt, 1 pair drawers, and a vest, and also a letter which I was glad to get and I send some of my dirty winter clothes home because they are too heavy to carry. I sent 4 letters to you with Jane Hege and some of my old letters. Write whether you got them.

I would be glad to see you and some more of the neighbors to come out to see us now while we are so near home because I believe that we will not move very far from here soon. If you come, bring Julius along if it is not too much trouble because I would like to see him and I also believe that he would be very much pleased with his trip. Henry Messer said that he cot bring those eatables which you sent and therefore he left them at the Widow Mocks.

Oh dear Mother, I never knew that you was so kind o me until I left home. Do not trouble yourself so much in trying to send me provisions. I can make out tolerably well now by buying.

So I must close by saying write soon as you can. Remember me in your prayers and believe me as ever your affectionate son, — A. A. Hege

P. S. Goldsborough, N. C., Co. H, 48th Reg. N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade

Letter 23

Kinston, North Carolina
Tuesday, 19th of May 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take the pleasure of dropping you a few lines to let you know that I am well again and I hope that these few lines may find you all in the enjoyment of good health.

We left Goldsborough last Saturday and came on here to Kinston where we now are and I think that we will stay here near Kinston for a good while. The whole of our Brigade is here. We are only 26 miles from Goldsborough and if you or any of the neighbors want to come to see us, now is your time because it is only 189 miles from here to Lexington and because when we leave here, we know not where we will go.

We are in about 10 or 15 miles of the enemy here. Our pickets are sometimes attacked by them. I have heard that Gen. Leach is a making Union speeches. I should like to know whether it is so or not. I also want to know whether you have heard anything about them deserters.

Kinston is a beautiful little town somewhat like Thomasville, North Carolina. I have thought a great deal about home so very much and it almost seems to me that I am at home sometimes, but then I have to go to drilling &c. and I am here still.

Tell Mary and Julius to write all about affairs at home—whether they go to Sunday School yet or not, and how many little ducks, chickens and guineas you have and whether my service and grape stalks are a growing, and how Sam is a getting along, &c. &c.

So I must close by saying, write soon. Believe me, dear parents, as ever your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Goldsborough, N. C., Co. H, 48th Reg., N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade

Letter 24

Camp near Kinston, North Carolina
Saturday the 30th of May 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope that you all enjoy te same like blessing. I received a letter from Mother and Mary today dated May 24th and 25th which I was very glad to get to hear from you all, but I am sorry to hear that Julius is sick. But I hope he is well again by this time.

Our company has just returned from picket duty. We were on picket about 24 hours, but it is easy picketing where we were. I wrote you a letter a few days ago which I hope you will get today.

We had some rain yesterday. Corn crops look very nice around here but there was but little wheat sowed about here.

I have got acquainted with David Fry, Thomas Fry’s son, who is in Co. K in our regiment. He said that I should tell Fanny Brinkley to write to him if she is at our house yet. The 15th North Carolina is camped in about 1 mile of us now. We are camped 4 miles below Kinston where there are the most ticks that I ever saw. It is thought that we will have to go to Old Virginia before long, but I hope not. You said that Mr. Rights was talking of coming to see us. I wish he would come. I would be very glad to see you Father and Mr. Rights come out to see us.

We are only about 188 miles from Lexington now. Kinston is only 26 miles below Goldsborough. Mother, you wrote of coming out to see me. I would be very glad to see you but there is a very bad chance for women to stay here in camp. But I hope that the Almighty will preserve me alive, safe and well through all these troubles and soon bring this cruel war to a close and permit me soon in peace and safety to return home again to you, my dear parents, and brother and sister.

Remember me your son in your prayers. Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Goldsborough, N. C., Co. H, 48th Regt., N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade

A few words to Mary. Dear sister, I with pleasure received your letter this morning dated May the 4th and it gave me a great deal of satisfaction to hear so much about home affairs, but I am very sorry that I can’t be at home and enjoy some of the good fruit which is ripening and also to take a ride with you in your buggy. But I believe that the Almighty will preserve my life and bring me home safe again. I would like to know why cousin Betty and Theophilus don’t write to me. I wrote to them last and have not received any answer. Tell Julius to write to me and not get out of practice of writing. From your affectionate brother, — C. A. Hege

Letter 25

Camp near Kinston, North Carolina
Wednesday, 3rd of June 1863

Dear Father,

I now take the pleasure of writing you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope that you are all enjoying the same like blessing. I have received only two letters from home since we are here near Kinston and I am a getting anxious to know what is the matter that you do not write more.

We are still camped about 4 miles below Kinston. We are only about 185 miles from Lexington now. We are only 26 miles from Goldsborough and there is a good railroad all the way from Lexington to Kinston and it would not take you and Mr. Rights long to come to see us now. It only costs about $8 or $9 to come.

Our company has to go out on picket today. We have to drill very hard now again because we have commenced to drill the rifle drill. I am a getting tired of this miserable state of affairs. Oh, how I wish that I could be at home with you now to help now the grass and to swing my new cradle in the golden harvest and to enjoy some of those delicious fruits which I suppose are ripening. I think I would not be quite as lazy as I used to be.

We enjoyed the privilege of hearing several good sermons during the last few evenings. Our chaplain has gone home and I am afraid that he will not return again. It would give me a great deal of pleasure to be at Friedberg again as I used to and hear more of them excellent sermons.

I have to go on fatigue duty today to throw up breastworks. It seems as if our Brigade has to fortify Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

The small pox is a breaking out again in Co. F in our regiment but the doctor has moved the camp out of the regiment. There is right smart of sickness now here in the regiment.

I wrote a letter to Mr. Rights a few days ago. I would like to know whether he received it or not. So I must close for this time. Write soon. Remember me, your son in your prayers. Believe me, dear parents, as ever your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Letter 26

Kinston, North Carolina
June 4th 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take my pen to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope you all enjoy the same like blessing. It is with sorrow that I write these few lines to let you know our brigade has to start back to Virginia again today and it makes me feel very sorry to think that we have to Virginia. But I believe that everything shall work together for our good if we love the Lord Jesus.

We are ordered to Petersburg, Virginia, and when we get there I will write again. I hope you will not trouble yourself much but pray for this cruel war to close and for my protection from all danger that I may return home in safety again.

So I must close for this time by saying, remember your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your next letters to Petersburg, Va. because I think that in all probability we will be there in a few days. Direct to Petersburg, Va., Co. H, 48th Regt., N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade

Letter 27

Camp Lee near Richmond, Virginia
Sunday the 7th of June 1863

Dear Parents,

I embrace the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know where we are and how I am. I am in very good health at present and I hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same like blessing.

We left Kinston last Thursday and come on to Richmond this morning and then marched out to Camp Lee about 2 miles from town. I have not any idea how long we will stay here. It is thought by some that we will have to go to Fredericksburg again in a few days and others think that we will stay here around Richmond as reserves. But as for my part, I hope that everything will work for our good.

I wrote for you to come to see me when we were in North Carolina but now we are out here in Old Virginia again near Richmond, which is nearly 300 miles from home; and if you cannot come out to see us now, I would be very glad if you could send me a few cherries, apples, &c. If you have any notion of coming now, I would rather you would wait until we are settled down somewheres and then I will write because it is very uncertain now to find us as we are now moving about so much. It made me feel very sorry to leave North Carolina and to have to come back again to Old Virginia—the state that is so much dreaded by the soldiers.

As I was coming on here to Virginia, I saw so many beautiful fields of wheat and corn which reminded me so much of home that I could hardly bear the idea of having to stay here in the army while you need me so much at home. You can’t imagine how it makes me feel to see such nice farms and to see so many hundred of acres a lying idle, which plainly show the need of the men at home who have to be here in the army idling away their time in trying to kill their fellow man. The wheat and corn crops look very good—what I have seen, and there is a great deal of fruit on the trees.

So I must close for this time by asking you all to write soon and remember your affectionate son in your prayers. Your son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va., Co H. 48th Reg., N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade

Letter 28

Hanover Junction, Virginia
June 11, 1863

Dear Parents, brother and sister,

I now take up my pen in hand to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope that you all enjoy the same like blessing. I received a letter from father a few days ago dated May 29 and 30 which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from home.

We left Richmond yesterday evening and came on here to Hanover Junction. It is said that we are to guard the railroad bridges around here to keep the Yankees from bothering them. It is reported that there was a fight near Culpeper a few days ago, but it is said that our men whipped the enemy. [See Battle of Brandy Station, 9 June 1863]

We drawed a new uniform suit at Richmond and they then gave orders for each man to have only two suits of clothing to carry along, and Capt. Heitman said that if we would pay the freight, he would box up our clothing and send them to Lexington in care of his father and I sent a small package of clothing in the box which I was not allowed to carry along. You can get the package on Tuesday by going to Lexington to Rev. Henry Heitman who has them in care. Your name is on [my] package.

The soldiers all seem to be somewhat down cast since we have come back to Old Virginia. It seems as if we have again started in a regular campaign again, but I hope that the Lord will be with us, interpose in our behalf, and stop very soon this cruel war.

Dear Mother, I here send you a finger ring which I made yesterday. The ring has the two letters of your name on the top. I hope that you will receive this ring as a remembrance of me. I would like very much to see you all again and I believe if we pray sincerely, that the Lord will answer our prayers and soon bring this war to a close and bring me home again alive, safe and well. It is said that there is a revival of religion throughout nearly all the entire Army of Tennessee and there also has been a revival at Fredericksburg. I believe that is a good step for the close of the war. So I must close by saying write soon and remember me in your prayers. Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va., Co H. 48th Reg., N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade.

Letter 29

Richmond, Virginia
Monday the 15th of June, 1863.

Dearly beloved parents,

I now take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you all well. I received 2 letters from you this morning dated June the 9th and 10th which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from you, but it makes me feel very sorry that mother went to the trouble of fixing such a nice trunk full of provision to bring to me and then get so badly disappointed. But I hope that you will not grieve yourself about me, because I trust in Providence and believe that all things will work together for our good.

Our rations are a getting some better than what they were. We now draw a half lb. of bacon a day and flour and sugar and we can make out tolerably well at present, if it gets no worse. Send me some soap if you can.

Good News. Revivals of religion are commencing in our army. It is said that the Army of Tennessee has a very extensive revival and there has been a very interesting revival in the army around Fredericksburg. It is said that the 14th N. C. Regt. has been peculiarly blessed with a revival. I think that will be one step and a very good step to stop this war.

It is thought that we will go back to N. C. again before long. It is reported that the Yankees have got Kinston. I would like very, very much to be at home now to help you with your work. So I must close for this time by saying, write soon and remember your son until death, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va., Co H. 48th Reg., N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade

Letter 30

Seven Pines near Richmond, Virginia
June the 18th 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope you all enjoy the same like blessing. I have bought me a small pocket Bible in Richmond and therefore I will send my large Bible home, also send[ing] two little books for Mary & Julius with their names in them. I also send my old letters, some tracts and a blank book which you will please keep for me, if I am permitted to return home. But you can read all the tracts. I send these things with [2]Lt. [David C.] Perrill who is going home on a 10-day’s furlough.

Mother, I also send you the 2d book of my memorandum. You can get the books at any time at Mr Alexander Hege’s in Lexington. Your name is on the package of books. I send those 2 little books to Mary & Julius as a remembrance of me.

I went over on the Richmond battleground today and there I saw where the dead was buried. They were just covered with a little dirt on the top of the ground and a great many of their bones were scratched out. I saw seven human skulls a lying in one little place and all such like horrid scenes. It is enough to make any one shudder to think of such scenes.

So I must close by saying, write soon and remember me in your prayers. Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct you letter to Richmond Va., Co H. 48th Reg., N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade.

Letter 31

Seven Pines near Richmond, Virginia
Sunday, June the 21st, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take the pleasure of dropping you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you well. I have not had my letters from you for about a week and I am a getting very anxious to hear from you. Mr Leifhamer of Lexington is here to day and I am a going to send this letter with him. I sent some clothing to Lexington a week or two ago to Henry Heitman’s and I also sent some books, &c. with Lt. Perrill day before yesterday. He is to leave the books at Mr. A. Hege’s in Lexington. I would be glad to know whether you got them or not. I would be glad if you would send me a piece of hard soap and some onions, &c. with Lt. Perrill when he comes out again.

I have just returned from preaching. I do not know the man’s name who preached, but his text was in Luke 14, 18th verse. He preached a very good sermon. We had a very good rain here night before last.

I will here send Mary a ring which I made yesterday. I send it to her as a remembrance of me. I sent a ring to mother about a week ago. I would like to know whether she got it or not. So I must close by saying please write soon and remember me in your prayers. Your affectionate son, –C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va., Co H, 48th Regt. N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade

Letter 32

Seven Pines, Richmond Va.
Thursday the 25th of June, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all in the enjoyment of good health. I have not received any letter from you for over a week, but I received one from Edward Mock a day or two ago.

We are still camped about 4 miles east of Richmond near the battleground. Our company was on picket yesterday and day before. We have had right smart of rain for the last week. It is raining now. Our rations are as usual only. We draw half lb. of meat per day to the man. We draw cornmeal still.

I often think of you all at home and wish that I could be there to help you all to work. It seems to look so very foolish for me to be here idling away their time and talents when they are so much needed at home. I here send a few little tricks with E. Fishel to Julius which were picked up on the battleground. The little vise I want him to take care of and keep it for me if Providence spares my life to return home again in peace and safety. I sent my Bible and some other things with Lt Perrill. I want to know if you received them. I want you to please send me a piece of hard soap with Lt Perrel when he comes back. I want Mary and Julius to write to me often and not to forget how to write because their school has stopped.

So I must close for the present by saying remember me in your prayers. Write soon and often. Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Richmond Va., Co H. 48th Regt. N. C. T., Gen Cook’s Brigade.

This day twelve months ago, the memorable Seven Days fight before Richmond commenced in about a mile from where we are now camped.

Letter 33

Camp near Richmond, Virginia
June the 30th, 1863

Dear Parents, brother and sister,

I now take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all in the enjoyment of good health. I received your very welcome letter today dated June 20 which I was very glad to get to hear from you and to hear you were all well except mother and I hope she soon will get well again.

We are now camped about 4 miles north of Richmond near where the hard Richmond battle was fought about a year ago. We are now expecting an attack by the Yankees here every day. It is said that there are 20,000 Yankees [with]in about 12 or 14 miles of here.

We have had a great deal of rain for the last week. There is right smart of sickness in our regiment now. Our rations are a little better in the meat line. We draw half lb. of bacon a day to the man but we draw no flour, but altogether cornmeal now. We sometimes gather us a mess of polk leaves and make a splendid mess of salad.

We have preaching every Sunday and prayer meetings on Sunday and Wednesday nights if not prevented by unavoidable circumstances.

As to me going to General Cook and asking for a furlough, that I fear would be of but little use at present. But I hope we will soon go back to N. C. again and then there might be a chance.

Dear parents, brother and sister, I would like to see you very much, but it may be for my good to seperate us for a while. But I hope and pray that the good Lord in his own good time and pleasure will bring this cruel war to a close and bring me home in peace and safety, alive, safe and well. So I must close for this time by saying, please write soon. Remember your affectionate son in your prayers. With much love and affection from your son, — C. A. Hege

Direct letters to Richmond Va., Co H. 48th Reg N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brig

Letter 34

Camp near Richmond, Virginia
July 1st, 1863

Dear Father, Mother, sister and brother,

I now take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all likewise in good health. I received a letter from you yesterday dated June 20th and I also wrote an answer and sent it by mail to Midway. I wrote a letter about a week ago to you to send with E. Fishel, but his furlough did not come until this morning and he is in a hurry and I have not much time to write much now.

I here send you today’s paper so that you can read the speech of Hon. James W. Wall of New Jersey.

Mary and Julius, I want you to write as soon as you can. So I must close by saying write soon. Remember your son in your prayers, — C. A. Hege

Letter 35

Camp near Richmond Virginia
Monday, July the 5th, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take the pleasure of dropping you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same like blessing. I have not had any letter from you since E. Fishel left us. I sent a letter with him and some little notions in a tin box which were gathered off of the battleground around here.

Our company is on picket to day at McClellan’s Bridge which the Yankees built about a year ago across the Chickahominy River. Last Wednesday we marched down to the Chickahominy River on the road to the White House [Landing] and then we crossed and went over to where the enemy was and our men fired several pieces light artillery and several rounds of small arms at the enemy which soon caused them to retreat. And we then followed them [with]in about 5 miles of the White House which (it is said) is in reach of their gunboats which they retreated. We then came back on this side of the river and taken up camp for the night and the next morning came on to our camp.

I received two pieces of soap which you sent with Lt. Perrill and I am very much obliged to you for sending it because I need soap.

Our rations now are one and a half pint cornmeal, half lb. bacon, and a little rice and sugar for a day’s rations. We sometimes gather a mess of poalk for greens and sometimes gather blackberries and stew them. I have just been a taking a very good mess of huckleburries. I bought me a half dozen eggs yesterday for seventy-five cents. That was trading on Sunday, but a soldier is often obliged to buy on Sunday or suffer, but I don’t believe it is right.

I have learned to make a good breakfast of cornbread and fat meat and am very glad to get that. Some of the boys are now a fixing them a mess of frogs. I tasted them and I like them very well.

The 15th North Carolina Regiment was in a fight last Saturday at Hanover Junction (so it is said) but I do not know if it is so or not. There is a very good season here in Virginia now. Corn is small but it is a growing very fast. I saw some very nice watermelon vines yesterday.

I want Mary and Julius to write to me all about how my grape stalks are and Service trees and how many are growing and whether their palm leaf stalks are growing or not and how their peach and apple nursery is doing, &c., &c., and all about my dear, dear old home, because the recollections of home are sweet. What are Sam and Craver’s boys a doing? It is seldom that I hear from them any at all.

So I must close for the present by saying please write oftener and remember your affectionate son in your prayers. Be assured dear parents I remain as ever your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond, Va., Co. H, 48th Regt. N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade

Letter 36

Camp near Taylorsville Station, Virginia
Friday the 10th of July, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take the pleasure of dropping you a few lines in answer to your welcome letter which I received last Wednesday dated June 28th which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from you and to hear that you are still enjoying the blessing of good health. This leaves me in good health.

We are now camped between two rivers about two and a half miles southeast of the Hanover Junction and about 21 miles from Richmond. We came here day before yesterday. The Yankees made a raid here last Saturday night, but they did little damage.

I saw in the papers that the men have to come out from 18 to 50 and I want to know if it is so or not. I think they had better leave the men that are at home because there are enough out now a suffering for something without bringing more out. It seems as if our men had better give it up and the sooner the better because I believe the Yankees will overpower us after all.

Mr Elias Livengood is a going to start home today on a 12 days furlough and I would be very glad if you would send me some onions with him and some biscuits and some little nic nacs if he will bring them.

There is right smart of talk of our going back to N. Carolina again before long. I hope we will go back and I think then I ought to get a furlough. I would be very glad if Mary would make me another haversack and send it with Mr. Livengood. My old one is a getting worn out.

So I must close by saying please write soon and remember me in all your prayers and pray for me and for my deliverance from this war and bring me home alive safe and well. Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct letters to Richmond Va., Co H. 48th Reg. N. C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade.

Letter 37

Camp near Taylorsville, Virginia
July the 13th, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take the pleasure of writing you a few lines stating that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all in the enjoyment of good health. I write about 2 letters to you every week whether I get any from you or not because I know that you are anxious to hear from me. I do not know whether all my letters get home or not. I would be very glad to get more letters from home.

We are still camped near Taylorsville Station which is about two and a half miles from Hanover Junction. We have been under marching orders for the last three or four days and it is thought that we will go to North Carolina because there has been several Yankee raids there about Goldsborough.

We have very wet weather here now. Corn is growing very fast. I saw some tassel a few days ago.

I am very glad to hear that David Haines has dug that race to draw the sand off of the bottom and I hope you can now get your meadow in better fix. I would like to have been at home and got after Sam with the cradle or grass scythe. I think I would have made him earned his mush. Tell Sam and Julius to make some peach lather for me.

Our chaplain is a going to leave us now. I am very sorry of that because we need a chaplain very much in this regiment. I was over at the 15th [North Carolina] regiment yesterday. It is camped about half a mile of us. Solomon Teshe is well. Ephraim Weisner is well and the rest of the boys from Davidson county, I believe are well as far as I know.

Mary & Julius—dear sister and brother,

I would like to see you very much. I expect that you have growed so that I would hardly know you now. I hope you will remember me as your brother and write to me often. I hope we will soon get to North Carolina and then I hope I can get a furlough to come home. I want you to write all about affairs at home—the dearest spot on earth. Home sweet home. How I long to get there to see the scenes of my childhood where I used to roam over the fields in the days of my youth, where Daniel Wilson and I enjoyed ourselves in many a pleasant ride to or from the fields to work. But Daniel is gone, I trust, to Heaven. I very often think of him and sometimes almost wish him back with me again, but cannot come to me. But I hope one day by the blessing of God to meet him in paradise.

It is very hard for one to live as he should here in the army, but by the help of the Almighty, I am determined to try to do my duty. I often feel very much distressed and troubled both in body and in mind but then I take my Bible and tracts and read and I again cheer up.

So I must close for the present, hoping that my next letter will be wrote in North Carolina. Remember me at the throne of grace. Yours with much love, — C. A. Hege

Letter 38

Camp near Taylorsville Station, Virginia
Monday, July the 20th 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take the pleasure of answering your kind and very welcome letter which came to hand today dated July the 15th which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from you and especially that you were all well. This leaves me well and I hope these few lines may find you all in the enjoyment of good health, because health is desirable.

We are still camped near Taylorsville Station. We now for the last few days have had fair weather, but about a week ago we had very wet weather. There have a great many wounded soldiers passed by here on the cars from Lee’s army. It is said that Lee has come back on this side of the Potomac river again.

I was at preaching yesterday at Taylorsville church. Rev. Mr Howerten, the chaplain of the 15 [North Carolina] Regiment, preached. We also had preaching in camp last night. Our chaplain has left our regiment and so we are now without any chaplain. Yesterday while at preaching I thought of you and was wishing that I could be with you at dear old Friedberg Church. Tell Mary that I received her letter a few days ago and I was very glad to hear from her because it is very seldom that she writes and what is the matter with Julius? Has he forgot already how to write or what is the matter that he does not write to me? I hope I will have the pleasure of soon receiving a long letter from him.

There are very dull times in camp now. We get but little news. We are still in hopes of going back to North Carolina before long. We have very warm weather at present. I saw Solomon Tesh and Ephraim Weisner yesterday. They were both well. Mr. Murphy has been somewhat [unwell] for the last few day, but he is better again and I hope he will soon get well again.

There were 12 men deserted from the 46th North Carolina Regiment last Friday night and it is said that 200 left Lee’s army. I would like to come home but not as a deserter. But I hope and pray that the time is not far distant when peace will be again restored to our country and we poor soldiers be again restored to our homes, families, and friends. So I must close for the present, by saying I hope to meet at home again if it is the Almighty’s will. But if not, I hope to meet you in Heaven above where parting will be no more. Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Direct you letters to Richmond, Va.

Letter 39

Camp near Taylorsville, Virginia
Saturday, July the 25th 1863

Dear Brother and Sister,

I now take the pleasure of answering your very welcome letters which came to hand this morning dated July 19th & 20th which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from you and especially to hear that you were all well and a getting along so well with the work. I hope you are smart and help all you can. I would like very much to be at home now and see you all and eat some of your good peaches and apples and watermelons and I believe if could get home now to stay, that I could be contented there better than I ever was before. I used to want to be everywhere else except home. But now I want to be at home and no where else.

We have very good meetings in our brigade now. There is a glorious revival of religion a going on in the 15 [North Carolina] Regiment. There has been preaching over in the 15th Reg. for the last 4 days and nights. There are about 12 mourners—some of whom have professed; namely, J. E. Rominger, Franklin Rominger, and James Shut of the Davidson [county] Boys have professed. I do not know how much longer the meetings will continue but I believe if we do not have to leave too soon, that there will be a general revival in our whole brigade. We have had interesting meeting in our regiment this last week also.

So I must close for the present by saying I hope and pray the Almighty will soon cause this war to close and bring me home to live in peace and safety again alive, safe and well. Your affectionate brother, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va. Please take Mr Nifong’s letter to him as soon as you can.

Dear Parents,

I this morning received a package of eatables by the hand of Mr. Elias Livengood. They were all good and I am very thankful to you for your kindness in sending me such nice eatables and I hope the time will soon come when I can get home again to do something in return for your kindness to me. But as you often told me (and I now see it to be true), I never can repay you for your kindness to me.

I would be very glad if you and Samuel Nifong’s father would send us a box of provisions by Rev. T. L. Troy who is a coming by Lexington on the 12th day of August next and he will bring all the boxes for our brigade directed in his care. Please send me some more onions, garlic, hard soap, flour, a little piece of ham, eggs, dried berries, butter, molasses, potatoes, coffee, pepper black, a pair of shoestrings, a pair suspenders, a bottle of No. 6., a bottle dysentery cordial, cakes, biscuits and cheese. Don’t send anything that will spoil soon. Hoop the box and bore it full of air holes—give it plenty air. Take the box on the 11th to Lexington because on the 12th of August, Mr. Troy will come by and bring all the boxes for our Brig. Direct the box to me thus C. A. Hege, Co. H. 48 Reg. N.C. Troops Gen Cooks Brig.

Rev T. L. Troy charges $2.00 for all boxes to bring to us and therefore Samuel Nifong and I though we would better have our box together and it would only cost us $1.00 a piece. Your affectionate son until death. From — C. A. Hege

Letter 40

Camp near Taylorsville, Virginia
Monday, July the 27th 1863

Dear Parents,

I now embrace the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to inform you where we are and how I am. I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all likewise in the enjoyment of good health. I wrote a letter to you last Saturday in answer to the one which Mr. Livengood brought for me, but for fear that will not reach you in time, I thought I would write you another letter because I want you to send me a box by Rev. T. L. Troy. I received the eatables which you sent with Mr. Livengood last Saturday and I am very thankful to you for them. They were all good when I got them, but the buiscuits are now a beginning to mold on account of the damp weather.

There is a great deal of sickness in our brigade now—nearly one-third of the 15th [North Carolina] Regiment is sick with the diarrhea and dysentery. Solomon Tesh is very bad off with the bloody flux. Hardly anything but blood passes from him. All three of Mock’s boys have got the diarrhea; but not so bad. Emanuel Spaugh is also somewhat unwell. Ephraim Weisner is well. Our regiment is also very sickly. There is more sickness now in our brigade than there has been since I came in the army. But I have been peculiarly favored by kind Providence in preserving my health.

The revival in the 15th Regiment is still going on. I was over there yesterday at preaching. There were seven mourners. There have been several professions since the meeting commenced. Jacob Rominger, Franklin Rominger, and James Shut professed of the Davidson [county] boys.

I wrote in the other letter what to send me in the box but for fear you will not get the letter, I will write another. Rev T. L. Troy is comming by Lexington depo on the 12 of August next and you must take the box to the depo on the 11th of August. Samuel Nifong and I have thought it best for you and Mr Alexander Nifong to put our things in one box, because it will cost us only half as much as for each to have a separate box, as Mr Troy has $2.00 for each box. You and Mr. Nifong will please arrange the matter.

Please send me some hard soap, potatoes, flour, dried berries, butter, molasses, coffee onions, garlic, black pepper, eggs especially, a piece of lean meat, sweet cakes, a pair shoestrings and anything else you think best. So I must decease [fir] it is a commencing to rain. Remember your son, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond, Va.

Letter 41

Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sunday, August 2d, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now once more this beautiful Sabbath afternoon take the pleasure of writing to you as I know you are anxious to hear from me. I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all in the same state of health. I have not had any letter from you for about a week and I am a getting very anxious to hear from you, because it cheers me up a great deal to get a letter from home.

“I went over a part of the town today and I never before saw such a shocking scene of houses shot to pieces as there is here. There is hardly a house through the whole of this town (Fredericksburg) that is not shot through several times by bomb shells or cannon balls. It is awful to see how the churches—the places of sacred worship—are torn to pieces by cannon balls. It seems as if man almost defies the Almighty.”
— Constantine A. Hege, Co. H, 48th North Carolina, 2 August 1863

We are now camped in Fredericksburg, Virginia. We came here yesterday from Taylorsville and this morning we were marched in[to] town and [have] taken up quarters in the unoccupied houses which the citizens left at the time of the Fredericksburg battle. I went over a part of the town today and I never before saw such a shocking scene of houses shot to pieces as there is here. There is hardly a house through the whole of this town (Fredericksburg) that is not shot through several times by bomb shells or cannon balls. It is awful to see how the churches—the places of sacred worship—are torn to pieces by cannon balls. It seems as if man almost defies the Almighty.

It is thought that the Yankees will soon again make another attack on this place but I hope they will not as long as we have to stay here. It is thought the Yankees will make another desperate effort for Richmond before long and I would not be much surprised if they don’t take it the next time. We have heard that there have been some Yankee cavalry through Salem, North Carolina. Is it so?

We have very warm weather now and plenty of strong bacon and wormy crackers to eat. We have fared tolerably well since we have been in Virginia this time in the meat line. We draw half lb. of meat a day but it is very fat and strong so that it is hardly fit to eat.

I wrote to you in two letters last week for you and Samuel Nifong’s father to send us a box of eatables with Rev. T. L. Troy who is coming by Lexington on the 12 of this month. Take the box to the depot on the 11th and have plenty of air holes in the box. I would like very much to be at home now in fruit time and enjoy some of the rich fruits, melons, berries, &c., but so it is here I am still. But Providence has so ordered and I pray it may be for my eternal good. I am sometimes almost out of courage and sometimes almost tempted to desert but then I think that won’t do. Then I think of the providence of God and that He has said that all things shall work together for them that love the Lord Jesus and I trust. I do love him and pray that I may love him more. Lord help me. I am a beginning to see that there is no safety in trusting in any other power except that of the Almighty. I hope this war may soon close and pray that the Almighty may preserve my and your lives through all this war and bring me home to you again in peace and safety and permit us to meet on earth again. But if we meet on earth no more, I hope and pray we may all meet in heaven around the Redeemer’s throne. Remember your affectionate son in your prayers, — C. A. Hege

My. Murphy is my best friend in the army. He is a friend indeed and a devoted Christian soldier. He is well.

Ephraim Weisner is very sick with the diarrhea. Solomon Tesh is some better. E. J. Spaugh is well.

Letter 42

Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia
Friday afternoon August 7th 1863

Dear Parents,

It is with great pleasure that I this afternoon take the privilege of answering your very welcome letter which came to hand day before yesterday which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from home again because I had no letter from you before for about a week and a half and I was a getting very anxious to hear from you. It always gives me a great deal of pleasure to hear that you are all well and doing well. I am well at present—only somewhat tired from washing my clothing—and I hope these few lines may find you all in the enjoyment of the same good blessing. We have very warm weather here now.

I was on picket a few days ago down in Fredericksburg on the bank of the Rappahannock River and [one] of our pickets saw some Yankees on the other side of the river. I don’t much believe the enemy will make any attack here, but I believe their intention now is for Richmond. It is said that Gen. Lee has fallen back on this side of the Rapidan River. I think he has got nearly enough of the Yankees. There is some talk of us going back to North Carolina again before long. I hope we will. Our rations are about as usual. We can make out by buying sometimes. We draw some beef now and cornmeal.

I have bought a quire of good paper which I want to send to you as soon as I can as I suppose paper is very scarce about home. Solomon Wilson and William Mickel got to the regimen yesterday. There has been a great many deserted from our brigade for the last month. Tell Sam that I said I have not rode on horseback now for one year, and I expect I would be somewhat awkward to ride now. But I would like to come home and try to ride.

Dear mother, it is now twelve long months since I saw you last—twelve long months since I heard your kind voice speak that gentle old word, “goodbye” and O! the feelings that I then had I cannot express. But they are still sweet recollections to me. Twelve months since I last sat down to your well-furnished dinner table and behold, here I am still alive safe and well—a spared creature of God’s providence.

To you, my dear brother and sister, I will say remember your brother and pray for me and that I may be permitted to return home again alive, safe and well. You have no idea how I feel at this moment. It makes me cry almost like a child to think of you all at home. I cannot help but weep as I write this. I don’t know how to express my feelings now. Sam, I still remember you. I often think of your kindness to me when a child. I would like to see you and tell you what I have seen. You have a great deal better times now than I have. You have a good house and bed to sleep in and plenty to eat.

Dear Father, I have not forgotten but remember you with the warmest affections of dear parent to me and it is now nearly 5 months since I gave you farewell. Your kind letters from all of you seem to me almost as if you were speaking to me. I have wrote many a line to you for the last 12 months which I believe were received with more interest by you all than my idle talk was when I was at home. I know that I take a great deal more interest in your letters than I did in any of yor talk when I was at home, [even] if it was ever so interesting. I have seen a great deal in the last 12 months.

Letter 43

Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sunday, August 16th 1863

Dear and most affectionate parents,

It is with pleasure that I take my pen to write to you stating that I am in very good health at present and I hope these few lines may find you all in the enjoyment of good health. I received one letter from Mary last Tuesday dated August 5th and I also received one from mother yesterday dated August 10th which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from home. I would have wrote sooner, but I thought I would wait till I heard from my box. I have not got my box yet, but I am looking for it today or tomorrow.

We had a most excellent sermon preached to us today by a minister belonging to the Georgia Brigade. His text was, “Let us not fight against God,” Acts 23.9.

There was a meeting held yesterday by the officers of our regiment to see if the soldiers were willing for North Carolina to go back in the Union again or not, but they would not let the privates have a fair showing. The officers drawed off some resolutions and read them out for North Carolina never to go back in the U.S. again. They then took a sly kind of way to take a vote on it. They would not explain it fully—only enough for the officers to understand it—and then voted on it by saying, “Aye, all that were in favor of fighting till we gain our Independence, and those in favor of going back to the old U. S. by saying no. There were but few aye’s and the men were afraid to say no for fear of being punished. Now they will make out as if our whole regiment is willing to fight till we gain our independence, but it is not so. The privates are willing for peace on almost any terms.

The officers have been breaking open some of our letters and therefore I would say be careful what you write to me. The soldiers are very much discouraged under the present state of affairs. I believe there will be a great many run away before long if things do not change. The Yankee cavalry came down to the Rappahannock River here at Fredericksburg yesterday and fired on our pickets, but I don’t believe they intend to fight here soon, if ever.

I have now been out here 12 long months and over and have never had an offer of a furlough and I am a getting tired of staying here in this way and you need not be surprised if you see several of us Davidson [county] boys come home some of these days. But do not write anything to me in my letters about running away unless sent by hand. Dear Parents, sister, & brother, I would like to see you very much and to eat some of your good melons, apples and peaches which I know are wasting at home while we are here suffering for them. It is enough to put anyone out of courage to stay. So I must close for the present by saying, please answer soon as you casn and I hope to meet you all again on earth, but if not, I hope and pray we may all meet in Heaven above where the wicked cease from troubling and where the weary are at rest. Your affectionate son. – C. A. Hege.

Direct to Richmond Va.

Letter 44

Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia
August 19th 1863

Kind and most affectionate Parents and sister and brother,

It is with pleasure that I embrace the present opportunity of writing a few lines to you stating that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same like blessing.

On yesterday evening I received my rich box of provisions which you sent to me by Rev. T. L. Troy. When I opened my box, I found that all was perfectly nice except the light bread which was moldy and the pickles a little damaged. All the rest of the things were very nice and I received all that you said you sent and I also found $2 in Mary’s letter. You had my box packed just right and it was the soundest box that I saw opened. Samuel Nifong’s things were badly damaged on account of the fruit being mixed with the bread and cakes. In some of the boxes there were watermelons and they were all rotten. Kind parents, I cannot tell you how thankful I am to you for all your kindness to me in many ways. I never knew the feelings and love that parents have for their children until I had to leave you, my dear parents, and I hope and pray that the Almighty will reward you for your true kindness to me and that he will preserve my life, health, and strength through all this war, these troubles, trials and difficulties, and bring me home again very soon in peace and safety to enjoy myself with all, and to work on the old farm with Sam and Julius and others.

Solomon Tesh brought me my watch and some sweet cakes last Monday. I believe I shall send my watch home again as I have not much use for it here and I would rather have the watch than $40 confederate money. I can get forty dollars for my watch but I believe the watch is worth more than the money at present.

Our regiment is on picket today in Fredericksburg but I did not go with them. Capt. Heitman told me to stay at camp and take care of our company’s boxes. Our pickets and the Yankee pickets fired on each other last Saturday. It is again rumored through the camp that our brigade will soon go back to North Carolina.

The health is tolerably good now in our brigade. The Davidson [county] boys in the 15th [North Carolina] are in tolerably good health. Times seem to be very still as to military affairs at present. I have not much to write as we have not much news and I want you to have all the news about home in your letters. So I must close for the present by returning to you my sincere thanks for your kindness to me and I hope and pray we may soon meet again on earth, but if not, Oh may we meet in heaven. Remember your son in your prayers. — C. A. Hege

Tell Mary that she must not think hard of me for not writing to her instead of to you. It is all the same to me.

Letter 45

Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sunday, Aug 23d 1863

Dear Parents,

It is with pleasure that I take the present opportunity of writing to you stating that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same like blessing. I wrote a letter to you last Wednesday when I received my box stating that all my things in my box were sound except the bread that was moldy. Rev T. L. Troy is coming by Lexington again on the 16th of September next and will bring all the boxes there in his care. Solomon Wilson and I thought it best to send for you and his mother to fix us up a box together, if you please, as we have to pay $2 for each box, large or small, and therefore we thought it best to have a box sent together. Take it to the depot on the 15th of September next.

Mother I would be very glad if you would make me two checked colored shirts and two pair of strong colored drawers and do not send them to me until I write for them. I am in hopes I will get to come home to wear them, but if not, I will write for them when I want them.

My box has come in a very good time because I was a getting tired of cornbread and fat meat. We have very warm weather here now. The health is generally good now in our brigade. We have a great deal of picket duty to do here now. Our regiment has to go on picket two days in every eight days. We can see Yankees aplenty just on the other side of the river.

I have not much news to write at present. Father! there have been several of the boys who hired substitutes at the draft a getting out of the war by civil laws and superior courts and I would be glad if you would please inquire into the matter [as to] how and what they do to get out.

Have you many melons, apples, peaches and fruits of all kinds or not? I imagine you have plenty and I would like very much to be there to eat some of them. Cousin Emanuel Spaugh and Ephraim Weisner are well again.

So I must close for the present as we are looking for Mr. Rominger to come out in a day or two and I am going to send a letter by him. Please write sooner and oftener and remember your son in your prayers, — C. A. Hege

Direct your letters to Richmond Va., Co H. 48th Reg. N.C. Troops, Gen. Cook’s Brigade.

Letter 46

Fredericksburg Va. on Picket
Thursday, August 27th 1863

Kind and most affectionate parents,

It is with pleasure that I take the privilege of answering your very welcome letter which I received today dated August 21st which was received with much joy by me. It always revives my drooping spirit to get a letter from home and especially to hear you are all well. I am well at present and hope these few lines may also find you all enjoying the blessing of good health.

Our regiment is on picket today in Fredericksburg on the river bank and the Yankees are on the other bank. We talk with the Yankees and today we exchanged papers with them. They seem to be very friendly with each other and Oh! that they would always remain friendly. I don’t think that there will be any fight here soon, if ever. We have had a couple very cool nights for the time a year. There is not much news in camp now as I know of.

My box has done me a great deal of good this time as we were stationed when I got it. I have eat nearly half of the ham up already it don’t seem to last long. Solomon Wilson and I thought that we would write to our parents to please send us a box together next month as Rev T. L. Troy is coming by Lexington on the 16th of September next and will bring all the marked boxes in his care.

I would have liked to [have] been at Friedberg at meeting on the 13th of August. We have no chaplain in our regiment now and we do not have much preaching. It seems as if the ministers have forgot the soldiers or else think they have not need of hearing preaching or else they would certainly some of them come and preach for us. I believe there might be a great deal of good accomplished in our regiment if some competent minister would take the lead. The soldiers seem to be almost out of courage and a great many run away. Some people think that there will not be much more fighting, if any at all.

We have been looking for Mr Rominger to come out for a week or more but he has not yet come as I know of. Mary said she wished I was at home to go with her to meeting. I wish so too. We would take many a ride in the buggy and I hope the Almighty will soon give us peace and bring me home again very soon alive, safe, and well in peace and safety to you, dear parents and brother and sister. What is Levi Fishel up to? is he in the army or not? I wrote in a letter a few days ago for Mother to make me two checked colored shirts and two pair strong colored drawers but do not send them till I write for them. So Mi must close for this time by asking you to remember your son in your prayers.

Your son, — C. A. Hege

Please send me a pocket handkerchief in our box.

Letter 47

Camp 48th Reg. N. C. Troops
Near Taylorsville Va.
September the 3d, 1863

Mr. T. S. Stoltz
Dear sir,

It is with great pleasure that I avail myself of the present opportunity of answering your very welcome letter which came to hand this morning dated August 28th which I was very glad to get to hear from you.

We are now camped near Taylorsville, Virginia. We came here last Saturday from Fredericksburg where we had a great deal of picket duty to do. It is thought that we will go to North Carolina again before long.

I am in very good health at present and have been all the time since I have been out except colds and a slight attack of chill and fever, but I have been with the regiment all the time. We have had some very hard times since I have been in the army. I have witnessed many horrid scenes [and] have undergone many things which I hardly ever dreamed of before, but we have tolerably good times now.

We had some very interesting [religious] meetings in our brigade about a month ago. Our regiment is without a chaplain now, but I think we will have one in a few days. We had preaching in our regiment last night by a Presbyterian minister who visited us. We’ve had very cool weather for the last week or two for the time a year.

“…do all you can for the good Old North State and the quicker she goes back in the Union, the quicker we will have peace. This is the opinion of the majority of the soldiers. [Even] if they are not allowed to speak boldly now, they can write it. But I believe they soon will see the Stars and Stripes a waving o’re Old North Carolina again.”
— Constantine A. Hege, Co. H 28th North Carolina, 3 Sept. 1863

There is not much news in camp now nor has not been for some time, but the opinion of the soldiers is that there will not be much more fighting, if any, and it seems as if the big officers are about willing to give up the chase. I say, Hurrah! Boys at home and do all you can for the good Old North State and the quicker she goes back in the Union, the quicker we will have peace. This is the opinion of the majority of the soldiers, [even] if they are not allowed to speak boldly now, they can write it. But I believe they soon will see the Stars and Stripes a waving o’re Old North Carolina again.

I suppose you have a lively time now about home among the young ladies. I would like very much to be with you and take a part in the fun. It is very seldom that we get to see any of the fair sex here and much less get to speak to them. But I hope the time is not far distant when we will all be permitted to return home to enjoy the pleasure of home and its comforts. Give me all the news about home and especially something how you are enjoying yourself among the young ladies.

So I must close by saying please excuse my bad writing and improper composition. I suppose as you know the disadvantages of a soldier. Please write soon and remember your sincere friend. Truly yours, — C. A. Hege

P. S. Give my love and respects to the young ladies.

Letter 48

Camp 48th Reg N. C. Troops Near Taylorsville, Va.
Monday, September 7th, 1863

Dear Parents,

It is with pleasure that I take the privilege of answering your very welcome letters which came to hand last Saturday and Sunday. One was dated August 31st and the other had no date and was signed J. A. H. but it was all right. I got it safe and understood the meaning of it. I am in very good health at present and hope these few lines may find you all likewise enjoying the blessing of good health.

I talked with the captain yesterday about getting a furlough or permit but he said he could not give me one because there are several of the old volunteers who have not been at home yet. I will do all I can to get to come home if you are certain that I can get clear. I have drawed $50 bounty and about $126 [in] monthly wages and I have heard that makes a difference. Please be certain and find out. I think that we will get back to North Carolina again before long and you stated if we got to N. C. you would try and see what could be done. Be cautious [in] how you proceed so that they can’t get any hold on you. If we get to N. C., I will again try to get a pass or permit to go home and if they won’t then give me one, I think I and several more will take a highlow. I do not want to desert, but I cannot bear quite to be treated like a brute. Some of the officers had 2 or 3 furloughs since I have been out and then when I asked for just a permit of seven days, they refused to let me have it. It is too bad.

I have bought me a pocket map of Virginia and I would be very glad if I could get a map of North Carolina. Please send me some of the resolutions adopted in some of the peace meeting of North Carolina. We are not allowed to get the Raleigh Standard in our regiment. Our officers wont let us have the paper. The 21st North Carolina Regiment went through Richmond last Friday. It is said they are going to Tennessee.

I was at preaching yesterday at Taylorsville Church. Our regiment is still without a chaplain, but we will have one in a few days I think. We can hear of very interesting meetings both at home and in the army and the opinion a great many is that if the church can be thoroughly aroused from the lethargy in which she has fallen and will pray mightily to God, that we will soon have a permanent peace. I believe great good might be accomplished in the army by the right kind of men.

E. Weisner, E. J. Spaugh, Solomon Tesh and Mocks’ boys are well. David Zimmerman tried for a permit but also failed. He is in my fix as he had also hired a substitute. So I must close for the present by saying I hope to meet you all on earth again, but if not, Oh may we meet in heaven.

Letter 49

Camp 48th Reg N. C. Troops
Near Taylorsville, Virginia
September the 14th 1863

Dear Parents,

It is with great pleasure that I take my pen to answer your very welcome letter which came to hand today dated September the 8th which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from you, but I am very sorry to hear that your health is failing so fast. But I hope the Almighty will restore you to health again very soon. I am in very good health at present and hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same rich blessing.

As to getting a furlough or permit to come home, there is no chance. I asked the captain about it and he said he could not give me one. I would like very much to come but it seems as if there is no chance and to desert—I do not want to do it. So I have determined to try to do the best I can, praying to God to guide, guard, and protect me as He sees best. And I believe He will in His own good time and pleasure, bring me home again alive, safe, and well.

We were privileged yesterday to hear three very good sermons preached—first sermon in Taylorsville church at 11 o’clock, second sermon at 3 o’clock at our brigade meeting ground, and at four o’clock there were 5 young men baptized in a little river near here by Rev. Mr. Howerton, chaplain of the 15th N. C. Regiment. Rev. Mr. Butler (German Reformed) from Davidson [county] who visited our regiment preached to us last night. There will be preaching tonight and every night this week (if Providence permits) at our brigade meeting ground, and I believe it will be the cause of a great revival if properly managed. You would be surprised to see what good attention and respect is paid during preaching. There is but little getting up and running off as is the case commonly at meetings at home. I am very much pleased with some of the movements of some of our officers in our regiment. There are a few of our officers who take the lead and have prayer meetings immediately after roll call. I have been attending them and am very much gratified to see the officers take an active part in religious matters.

As to coming to N. C., I don’t know how that will be, but we are still of the opinion that we will go back before long. Some of the soldiers believe that peace is already made. Others think it soon will be made and we are all desirous for peace and I believe we can soon look for better times as we can hear of glorious revivals in different sections of our country—both at home and in the army. I have no news to write at present—only I will say I sent a letter and a book and a pair of pants and some little notions with Wm. Weaver who went home a few days ago. He is to leave them at Mr. William Weaver’s or at Alexander Hege’s in Lexington. Let me know when you get them. Please write soon and often and remember me as ever your affectionate son in your prayers.

Your son, — C. A. Hege

Letter 50

Camp 48th Regiment N. C. Troops
Near Taylorsville, Virginia
September the 17th, 1863

Dear Parents,

It is with pleasure this beautiful autum morning that I take my pen to drop you a few lines to let you know where we are and how I am. I am in very good health at present and hope by the blessing of the Almighty these few lines may find you all likewise well. I have not had any letter from you since last Monday and I thought I would write anyhow. I answered your letter the same day I got it. I always try to answer my letters as soon as I can.

“Today is a memorable day to most of our regiment! On this day twelve months ago, and about this time in the day (11 o’clock A.M.), we were in the Sharpsburg battle amid the roaring thunder of cannons and the clatter of musketry surrounded on every side by the screams of the dying and wounded soldiers while the shells, bullets, and balls were whizzing by us at a shocking rate.”
— Constantine A. Hege, Co. H, 48th North Carolina, 17 Sept. 1863

Today is a memorable day to most of our regiment! On this day twelve months ago, and about this time in the day (11 o’clock A.M.), we were in the Sharpsburg battle amid the roaring thunder of cannons and the clatter of musketry surrounded on every side by the screams of the dying and wounded soldiers while the shells, bullets, and balls were whizzing by us at a shocking rate.

But O! how different the scene now is in our brigade. We now have a glorious revival of religion in our brigade. It is delightful to behold the scene of our meeting which commenced last Sunday at the brigade stand by the chaplains of our brigade. It has been every night since Sunday and there are about 2000 soldiers every night. There were about 25 mourners last night and the whole congregation paid very good attention—superior to what I almost ever saw at home. It is encouraging to see with what willingness the mourners come forward. The meeting is to continue all this week (if not disturbed) and I think we will have meeting all day on next Saturday and Sunday. I believe we will have a most interesting meeting, and oh! that God might pour out his holy spirit upon all mankind and I verily then we would soon have peace, both of country and of mind.

We have very nice weather now—only there are slight showers which cause the ground to be very damp and uncomfortable for meeting out doors. There is not much news in camp now. We have been faring very well lately—as well as soldiers can expect. Our rations are changed. Sometimes we draw flour and bacon, some days cornmeal and beef or mutton other days, and sometimes some potatoes or something new.

David Zimerman got a furlough yesterday to go home 10 days. There has been some fighting about Culpeper Court House a few days ago. We have heard that the 21st N. C. Regiment is at Salem, North Carolina. Is it so? Are there any revivals close about home? We can hear of many revivals both at home and in the army. I am very much pleased with the religious movements and I believe it is the commencement of better times. Will there be any protracted meeting this fall? Is the Sunday school still kept up as usual? What are the times in general about home?

So I must close for the present by asking you to please write soon adn often and remember me in your prayers and i hope by the blessing of the Almighty that I will be permitted to return home again alive, safe and well in peace and safety.

Remember me your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Letter 51

Gordonsville, Virginia
September 30th 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines in answer to your very welcome letter which came to hand yesterday dated September 24th which gave me a great deal of pleasure to hear from you. I am in bad health now and have been so for the 4 or 5 last days. I have something like the colic accompanied with the diarrhea, but I am getting better now.

I received my box day before yesterday which I was anxiously looking for. I found two dollars in a letter in the box. The things were all good. The reason why we did not get our boxes sooner was because we were moving about so much. I am in a bad fix to enjoy my box this time because I cant eat hardly anything but I get the colic.

Our [religious] meetings are still going on, but not as interesting as they were at Taylorsville.

I bought me a warm army overcoat for $20. I sold some of my flour and dried fruit as I was afraid I could not take care of it if we moved. There is right smart talk of us taking a march again before long. It is said they are a going to take all our tents from us except from the officers and if they do that, I will be strongly tempted to go where I can get a house to stay in (home). There are a great many men who will soon go home if they make that move.

There were three men whipped this morning for running away. They got 50 lashes apiece. John Crouch was one who was whipped. The men who are at home would better stay there because if they come back, they will be punished severely. J. E. Rominger is not at home. He is here. There is nothing of it of the capitol at Richmond being burnt.

John Crouch told me a good deal about home and I am sometimes almost ready to start home and I dont know but what I will before long if they take our tents away from us. Do not write anything at all to me about running away as Colonel Hill might find it out. So I must close for this time by saying please remember me in your prayers and pray for me to get home safe again. Your son, — C. A. Hege

I am in a hurry.

Letter 52

Camp 48th Reg N. C. Troops
Near Gordonsville, Virginia
October 3, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take the pleasure of writing to you to inform you that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all enjoying good health. I wrote a letter to you a few days ago but for fear you won’t get it, I will mention again in this letter that I received my box last Monday and there was nothing at all spoilt in the box and I am very thankful to you for your kindness in sending me such a fine box. You did not need to send me so much flour and meat because we draw right smart flour and meat and you are perhaps robbing yourselves at home to try to send me something good to eat. I hope and pray the Almighty may reward you for your kindness. You are kind parents indeed and I can never repay you for your kindness. I did not have to pay for bringing my box as Mr. Troy got me to collect the money in our regiment for the boxes he brought.

I and Cousin Emanuel J. Spaugh packed his trunk full of bottles, &c. and sent it by Rev T. L. Troy. He will deliver the trunk at Lexington on the 14th of this month as he goes to Salisbury and on the 15th of this month he will again come by Lexington and bring all the boxes for this brigade. The trunk is marked to Uncle Christian Spaugh and your pack in the trunk is marked in your name. You will find the trunk at Lexington Depot or at Mr. Alexander Hege’s store on the 14th of this month. I would be glad if you would please send me a pair of woolen pants, my gloves, a winter vest, and two colored shirts if you have them in a small, light box by Rev T. L. Troy as he comes by Lexington on the 15th of this month. Take it to Lexington on the 14th and then you can get the trunk.

I would be glad if mother would get me a heavy cloth hat made as my hat is nearly wore out. My hat was of a very indifferent kind. We had a good rain yesterday. Our meetings are still going on, but they are not quite as interesting as they were at Taylorsville. Your [Raleigh] Standards that you sent to me in my box are well read over and over. The Christian Advocate (a religious paper printed at Raleigh N.C.) is a regular visitor to our regiment. It is a good paper only it is somewhat too much of a secession principal. I want you to give me all the news about home and whether Mr. D. Zimmerman got clear or not, &c. Cousin E. J. Spaugh, S. Tesh, E. Weisner and Mock’s boys are well. So I must close for this time by asking you to write soon and often and remember me as ever your affectionate son in your prayers, — C. A. Hege

Letter 53

*Old Capitol Prison in Washington D. C.*

Old Capitol Prison
Washington D. C.
October 31, 1863

Dear Parents,

I now take my pen to drop you a few lines stating that I am well at present and in good heart and hope you are all likewise. I have wrote you a couple of letter since I have been here but I don’t know whether you get them or not. I am still here in the above named prison, but I think that I will be released and set free in a week or so. I have got in with a pious young man who lives in Philadelphia, Pa., to help me to get is some business there to make a living. I want to try and get Rev. F. F. Hegen or Rev. Mr. Senamon to help me along also if I can. There are several of my acquaintance here with me who also are a going North. I think we will be provided for by Providence. I hope you will not trouble yourselves about me as I can assure you I have received very kind treatment so far. Do not believe false reports.

So I will put my trust in the Almighty and I hope you will pray for me. Remember your son in your prayers, — C. A. Hege

I am not allowed to write much or the letter won’t go.

Letter 54

Old Capitol Prison
Washington D. C.
December 18, 1863

Dear Parents,

I am here in the above named prison, a prisoner of war. I have been here now two months. I am well as usual and have received several letters from friends—namely from Rev. F. F. Hagen, and Rev. E. T. Senseman who are now living in Pennsylvania. There are several of the Davidson boys here with me. I’ve wrote several letters to you since I’ve been a prisoner but have not heard from them yet.

Please write as soon as you get this and direct your letter to Bethlehem, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, care of Rev. F. F. Hagen.

Remember me in your prayers, — C. A. Hege

Letter 55

Old Capitol Prison
Washington City D. C.
January 7th 1864

Dear Brother and Sister,

I will also drop you a few lines as I am very often thinking of you and wising to see you and as I am certain you would [be] glad [to] receive this, which I hope you will soon. I cannot write much but I will tell you that I am very comfortably situated as a prisoner and am where I can everyday see the beautiful structure of the Capitol of the U. S.

Julius, I hope you are a smart boy and I want you to take all of my tools and my books and make all the little tricks you wish to. I hope you will be an industrious boy and study your books and grow up a wise and good man.

Mary, I hope you remember your brother, and as you have my [tin]type, you can see me though I am far way. I would like very much to have yours and Julius’s and Father’s and Mother’s types, if I could, they would be a great deal of company to me. With this, I remain your affectionate brother until death, — C. A. H.

Letter 56

Old Capitol Prison
Washington D. C.
January 13th 1864

Dear Parents,

It was with great pleasure that I on yesterday received a letter from Rev. F. F. Hagen in which he stated that he received a letter from you requesting him to send me some money which he has done. He sent me $50 to buy clothing for my wants.

We have very cold weather now and snow plenty. My health is good with the exception of colds. I received a letter from Jonas L. Weisner some time ago. He was well and is now living in Hope, Indiana. Levi Stuart (son of Amos Stuart) came in here a few days ago a prisoner. He is well. Henry and James Wear came prisoners also who told me they saw you before they left North Carolina.

So no more at present. With many thanks for your kindness, I remain your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

P. S. Direct your letters to Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, care of Rev. F. F. Hagen

Mr. Hagen will forward the letters to me.

Letter 57

Old Capitol Prison
Washington City, D. C.
February 1st 1864

Dear Parents,

With much love for you all I drop you a few lines accompanied by a Christian Banner. I am in very good health and I think I will soon be released and then I expect to go to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to Rev. F. F. Hagen.

I received fifty dollars from Rev. F. F. Hagen about two weeks ago. He will furnish me with three hundred dollars as by your order. I am very thankful for your kindness in writing to Rev. Mr. Hagen to send me money as I was in need, but now I am very comfortably clothed and am doing well as a prisoner.

I often think of my dear old home and long to get there but here I am many miles from home. But it all has been so ordered by Providence and that for the best. I therefore take it patiently trusting in God to protect me from all harm and danger and to keep me safe, alive, and well, and I hope by his allwise providence to meet you all on earth again, but if not, God grant that we may all meet in Heaven above.

Remember me in your prayers. Truly yours, — C. A. Hege

Letter 58

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
March 19, 1864

Dear Parents,

I drop you a few lines in answer to your kind letter dated February 10th which I received on the 8th instant at Washington. I am well as usual.

I arrived at Bethlehem last Tuesday and went to Rev. F. F. Hagen’s house. I visited Rev. H. A. Shultz who was very much pleased to see me. He sends you his best love and respects. He is almost as a father to me. I find a great many Salem people here. I have found the warmest friends on all sides.

I am at work in a zinc work here in Bethlehem. I get $1.25 per day. Boards costs $3 per week. I am boarding with a Moravian family—all Germans—who treat me very kindly. Dear parents, you can’t imagine how glad it makes me feel to find such dear friends as I have found here.

Please remember me in your prayers. — C. A. Hege

Letter 59

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
April 1st 1864

Dear Parents,

I once more drop you a few lines to inform you where I am and how I am. I wrote you a letter on the 19th of March but have not had any answer from you since the one dated Feb 10th. I hope you get my letters.

I arrived here at Bethlehem on the 15th of March and went to Rev. F. F. Hagen’s house. He was very glad to see me and aided me in procuring a good place to board and to work. I am working at the Bethlehem Iron Works. My wages are $1.35 per day and my board costs $3.50 per week. I am now boarding with Mr. John Fimstick—a Moravian family—and they are very kind to me as I will soon tell you.

I have been sick for several days confined to bed, but I am now nearly well again, and hope will soon able to go to work again. While I was sick, Mr. and Mrs. Fimstick attended to me with the kindest care and Mother, you could not have nursed me better. I can’t tell you how I feel to find such kind people. I find many of the Old Salem people here who treat me with the greatest kindness.

Rev. H. A. Schultz is almost as a father to me. He comes to see how I get along. He does a great deal for me, and Rev F. F. Hagen has gone a great deal for me and is very much interested in my welfare. Rev. Mr. Clouder has done a great deal also in helping me along. So I must say, I like the people of Bethlehem better than any place that I have been at since I left home.

So I must close for this time by asking you to please remember me in your prayers and I hope we may all meet again on earth. But if not, I pray that we may meet in Heaven. Your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Letter 60

Bethlehem Pennsylvania
May 18th 1865

Dear Parents,

Supposing you would be glad to hear from me and as I have a good opportunity to write, I will send you a few lines and promising you another letter soon.

I am now in school in the Moravian College, aided by Br. Shultz, who kindly offered to pay for my schooling & board until the way was opened so that you could pay him as you wrote in your letters. Dear father, I am sorry that I have to ask you to pay for my schooling, but I hope if it pleases kind Providence to spare my life to return home, to be soon able to render you some service and to yet be a joy, instead of a burden, to you all. I cannot express my feelings of gratitude to you for your many kindness to me and especially when I think of my former days when I was so disobedient, and causing you more trouble and anxiety than I was worth as you often told me.

My reason for wishing to go to school here now are these. I feel my ignorance more every day and I thought that if I waited until I came home, I would hardly go to school and to enter upon life as I was appeared to me very dull in the present age, as I had forgotten nearly all I had learned while at school; and several more reasons which I will explain when I see you.

I suppose you can readily see by my letter that I am very much out of practice. I commenced going to school on the 26th of April and expect to go until the end of the session, which is in July, unless you wish me to come home before then. I love the North very much but not so well yet as the dear South, where I spent my youthful days in sports and where the rich fruit so plentifully abounds. I do not mean that I love secession or anything connected therein. But I love the county, the climate, and all the good loyal Union people—because there is my home and parents and brother and sister, whom I love so very much.

I hardly know what to write as Mr. James Fisher will tell you all the news when he arrives in Salem and I will send a letter by him also. Hoping the time is not far distant when we will all be permitted to meet each other again in the dear family circle and embrace each other’s hands, as I believe you will be glad to see the prodigal son return and will meet him with expanded arms to receive him once more. I often think of the Prodigal son and it appears to me that my case corresponds with his exactly.

So by bidding you all good night and hoping you will remember the absent member of the family in your prayers. I remain your affectionate son, — C. A. Hege

Letter 61

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
May 21st 1865

Dear folks at home,

You will please excuse my writing this letter on Sunday as Mr. J. Fisher expects to start for Salem, N. C. tomorrow morning and I wish to send this with him. I wrote two letters a few days ago to send by Felix Lernback who is also going to Salem.

I am at school in the Moravian College as I suppose you know already. I commenced the 26th day of April and expect to continue there until August unless you are not willing. I have hardly got in the way of studying yet and as you see, my hand is not very well trained to the pen either. I am sorry to have to ask you to pay for my schooling as I wish Mary and Julius to go to school several years yet, but as you so kindly desired me to go to school and by the advice of one of my best friends or almost a father to me in directing me aright and helping me in many ways (Rev H. A. Shultz) and who so kindly offered to pay my expenses so that I thought it would be wrong on my part to not accept so good an offer and as it was so much my desire also. So now I am at school and board with Rev. H. A. Brickenstein who married Bro. Shultze’s daughter, Susan, who often speaks of you, dear mother, and it was on your account that they kindly offered to board me while at school.

Rev. Mr. Brickenstein is one of the teachers in the College, and he seems to take especial interest in me as he often hears my private lessons and gives me any instruction at any time when I ask him. I have to pay $4 per week for board and the tuition and books will cost about $20 dollars for those three months and I will require some more clothing before the end of the session, which will cause my school bill, including board, tuition and clothing, &c., to be about $90 or $100. And then I have not yet paid Br. Hagen those $50 dollars received from him while at Washington.

Everything is very high and wages were comparatively small so that I could not make more then enough to pay my board and supply myself with plenty of warm clothing for the cold winter as I prized my health and comfort more than money. You will perhaps be surprised and may perhaps scold me for the way I have acted since I have been away from home, but I generally did what I thought to be best & right, and I could have made more money if I had remained at the Rolling Mill but I thought that I could not stand the heat very much longer without injuring [myself] and as I often said, I prize health more than gold, so I thought best, by the advice of friends to try to get a better or at least a more healthy job of work, which I very soon did at the barrel factory as you already know, and I worked there 8 months at $1.75 per day and frequently worked overtime and you would readily suppose I ought to have saved some money, but I had to buy so many things that I could hardly make my income meet my expenses during the winter. And so I had to pay $45 dollars for a summer suit which consisted of coat, vest & pants. You can imagine where my money went.

I have kept a diary ever since I left home and a memorandum of my expenses since I have been here so that I can easily see for what I spent my money. Mr. Fisher will tell you all about my circumstances better than I can write them. I must write faster so that I can finish this before Sunday as I have to attend as a teacher at 9:30 A. M. but not as competent teacher as I would like to be. I have about one dozen boys in my class whose ages range from 9 to 17 years of age. We have a small school house to keep the Sunday school in in West Bethlehem and there are about 100 scholars so we have only about one fourth room enough for the children to be seated comfortably. Mr. Eugene Shaffer, one of the students, is the superintendent and Theodore Rights and I and four of the other students are the male teachers and then there are about as many female teachers.

I attend preaching at 10:30 A.M. in the Moravian Church Bible Class at 1:30 P. M. kept by Br. Sepweinit for the benefit of the young men of town and at 7:30 P. M. at preaching again in the Moravian Church.

Edward G. Mock arrived here last Thursday. He was prisoner for nearly 16 months during which time he had the small pox and several other diseases at different times of which he has very fortunately recovered and has now more of a healthy appearance than ever. He is at work here in Bethlehem. I procured a good place for him to board at and helped him along as best I could. I will herein send you one of my photographs which I had taken in my working style. I will send you a better one soon as I have more taken. Do you expect to furnish your new storehouse near Sheltons with goods? It is thought that the South will be full of Yankee merchants in a few years which will be a great help to the South. Slavery is what has kept the South down so long.

“How does Sam like his freedom? and what and how do the Negroes do? Do they work for their old masters? I am glad that the curse of slavery has at last been brought to a close….Old Jeff, that brave President of the Great Confederacy showed his bravery, dressing up in his wife’s dress and tried to carry the last remains of the C. S. A. in a band box—brave fellow. He is done issuing orders to hunt deserters and sentencing poor innocent men to be shot. He will now take his turn, and we’ll hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree as go marching home. I would like to see his neck stretched.”
— C. A. Hege, 21 May 1865

Tell Cousin Nannie Hege and Prof. G. W. Hege to write to me unless they have disowned me as their cousin on the account of my coming North. I would be very glad to receive letters from any of my old friends, acquaintances, school mates. Was you robbed of any property or had any horse stolen? How does Sam like his freedom? and what and how do the Negroes do? Do they work for their old masters? I am glad that the curse of slavery has at last been brought to a close.

Old Jeff, that brave President of the Great Confederacy showed his bravery, dressing up in his wife’s dress and tried to carry the last remains of the C. S. A. in a band box—brave fellow. He is done issuing orders to hunt deserters and sentencing poor innocent men to be shot. He will now take his turn, and we’ll hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree as go marching home. I would like to see his neck stretched.

So I must close. Please excuse nonsense, haste, bad writing, &c., as I am in a hurry and have not time to look over the letter to correct errors, &c.

Don’t forget an erring son far away from home, but yet among friends. Yours with much love, — C. A. Hege

P. S. Please write a long, long letter in return.

Letter 62

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
June 17th 1865

Dear Folks at Home,

Your kind favor of the 1st inst. came duly to hand and after some delay, I now as I have a very good good chance to send this by some Salem brethren who are here now. My progress in my studies are not as good as I anticipated, but I do the best I can and try to understand what I do learn. The weather is so very warm that I do not feel so much for studying as I would like to. The thermometer stands at 96 degrees today.

I begin to like Bethlehem very well and if it were not for you, for the love I have for you, I would not come South to live. But as you, my dear parents, and brother and sister, and some of my dear friends & relations are in the South, I will return again (if all goes well) the first part of next August. And if I do not then like to live in the South, I can come back North again if you are all willing for me to do so.

I believe it has been a great blessing to me to have to leave home as I [have] now learned many very important lessons and undergone some hardships. I have given a great deal of my attention to the different ways of farming and the various kinds of labor [with a] sawing machine, by which a small number of men can do a large amount of work. I have given a great deal of my time to machinery and in particular to those which I thought night be of benefit to our farmers at home, and I have come to the conclusion that by the aid of these, or similar machinery, our work could be rendered a great deal easier. Our buildings too differ a great deal from those in the North—more especially our houses.

I am glad to hear you have plenty of fruit and I think the people ought to dry a great, or all, if possible, as dried fruit sells very high up North, and if you could get goods or else get some other man to get them for you, in your new house, and then sell those goods for fruit, that it would pay at least a hundred percent. Now if some man with good recommendations would come here to New York and make an agreement with some of these large, wholesale merchants to sell goods on commission, and buy up all the fruit he could get, and send it to those merchants, it would be a very profitable investment. Now is the time to strike, while the iron is hot, and if I had the means, or a good recommendation as some of those men in the South have, I could soon be in New York and see what could be done.

Theodore Rights is well and doing well. He has procured the agency to sell a very interesting book with which he thinks he can make several hundred dollars. If I was not intending to return South so soon, I would also apply, for the agency of some books, maps, &c., with which there can be a great deal of money made by an active agent.

I herein enclose a photograph of one of my best friends and I would like to know what you think of him, and whether you would have any objections for him to come South and spend a few weeks with you, as he is anxious to see North Carolina and also to see how some of those awful secesh look, of whom he has heard so much since the war commenced. Mary & Julius, please tell me what you think of my friend and whether you wish him to come and spend a few weeks with you.

There are many pretty young ladies here in Bethlehem, some of whom I have formed an acquaintance with, and especially one whose photograph I would like to send to you. But as I have only one of her photographs at present, I must keep that, and will show it to you when I come home.

There is to be a most magnificent celebration on the 4th of July here throughout the North. There will be grand fireworks and everything is to be conducted on a grand scene in honor of the glorious victory which the Union Armies have achieved. I was very much pleased to hear of the good Union feeling at Salem—especially on the day when the Stars & Stripes were again over the almost desolate town. Salem is here rejoiced as one of the most loyal places in the South and if only those few secesh who were there had been hung five years ago, it would have been most glorious event.

Rev. H. A. Shultz sends you his warmest love and said that if you could help his sister (Mrs. Solman) and Miss Baggie with provisions, &c., what they needed, that would answer as well for to pay my board, &c, as if you were to send the money here to him. I wrote the probable amount of my expenses &c. to you in several letters, so it is not worth my while to write them again.

I have written to you in several letters to [let me] know how a man in my condition (any one who came North since the war) is received there among his old friends. I am anxious to know.

Edward Mock is well. I procured a place for him to have regular work on a farm as long as he desires and is to receive good wages. He intends to remain North a year or so yet, and perhaps all the time as he seems to fall in love with some of the ladies whom probably may have a great influence over him in time to come. I wrote a letter to you some two weeks ago and sent it by mail. Did you get it?

Hoping to hear from you soon and that my friend and I intend, (if life and health permits) to come to N. C. about the 7th or 8th of August if we can, as then it will be three years since I left home. With much love to you all and wishing you a long life and a happy one, I am your affectionate son, — Constantine Alexander Hege

A few words to Mary & Julius. Dear Brother & Sister,

Have you forgoten me! Or what is the reason that you do not write? I have not had a letter from you in—well, I don’t know when. Well how are your Palm Leaf stalks a thriving? And those grape stalks, how are they doing? Julius, what kind of new inventions have you been making since I left home? Do you make good use of your tools? Hurrah! I say, and try and make all the inventions you can. And ask Papa to help you if you can’t get along yourself. How many lambs and how many ducks did you raise this year? I hope you will have a good fat chicken for dinner when I come home so I have to had any chicken to eat for a long time. Can you ride Nellie? How many horses have you and what are their names? How is the meadow? Is it still so wet? Is the wheat good? &c &c. I have a magic lantern to give you when I get home. What kind of a fix do you suppose it is? When I get home I will show you.

Mary I hope you are not a secesh (like a sister of a friend of mine who wrote to her brother that she did not want to see him any more because he was a good Union) that you do not write to me. No, I do not think any such thing of you. I even would not believe such to be the case if you were to tell me so. So I hope you will write to your brother and give him all the news you can. Tell him what the young ladies there say of him for coming North and tell them if they will not love him, he can get a Yankee wife as they call them, but he would prefer a southern lady. I want you to go to school in the Academy at Salem N. C. as soon as you can, and when I get home I will do all I can for you so that you can get a good education. Write soon and often and give all the news and please don’t write less than a sheet full like this, each of you. You know what to write. Anything about home will be interesting to me. Your Brother, — C. A. Hege

P. S. Please excuse all nonsense as I feel somewhat lively this evening. C. A. H.

Letter 63

No. 85 Market Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
June 29th 1865

My Dear Sister:

I must complain a little at you for not answering my letter sooner, but I was very glad to get the answer, when it came at last. I am very sorry that you have to work so hard but I will be there soon and then I will try to make some different arrangements. I want you to go to school several years yet at Salem. You must plead with Father to send you to school because a good education is more valuable than gold.

You say the southern girls are marrying the Yankees. I am very sorry to hear that they think more of the Yankees than of their own people but be that as it may, I am now also a Yankee and perhaps I may stand a better chance to get a southern wife also. But we will reverse the the case. What would the southern girls say if I were to marry a Yankee lady? What would you say?

There is a young lady here by the name of Miss Pearson to whom I pay frequent visits and whom I believe is a very nice lady and would be willing to trust herself to the care of such a Rebel as I am if I would but say so. But I have not said so yet, nor I don’t know as I will, as I would prefer a southern lady. She is in but moderate circumstances in life—not rich. I will show you her photograph when I come home. So I will close. Write soon. Excuse bad writing & all nonsense. Your brother, — Constantine A. Hege

A few words to Julius.

My Dear little brother.

Little Julius for as sick you was when I left home. How are you? and what are you doing? Why did you not write your letter yourself?

I think you have made a very good trade with your corn. Hurrah for you, I say. Make all the good and new inventions you can and when I come home, we will work together and then I know we will make. I want a good large watermelon when I come home and some good apples. I have not tasted any apples this year yet.

I showed your picture to my lady friend, yesterday and she thought you was so very fat. I think so too. If I knew what day I would be at Lexington, I would tell you to meet me there. Your affectionate brother, — C. A. Hege

Letter 64

No. 85 Market Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
June 29th, 1865

My Kind and Dear Mother,

You can’t imagine how glad I was yesterday when I opened your letter to see that you wrote one of the letters. I always feel cheered up when I receive a good long letter from home.

I am very sorry that you have to work so hard but I hope to soon be there and take a part of the work own myself. Your harvest comes very early. The wheat will not be fit to eat here until about the 4th of July. I was almost tempted to go out and work in the harvest a few days, but Mr. Brickenstein thought it would not pay me to leave school a few days as I would just fall back in my studies.

You seem to be down on the Yankees as you call them. You say they work on Sunday. That is nothing strange to me as I worked many Sundays in the Rebel army while I was in the service of our brave President Jeff Davis who dressed up in women’s clothes—brave fellow was he!

I suppose you also call me a Yankee. If you do, all right. I consider that more of an honor than a disgrace. I have taken a particular fancy to the Yankees (so called) and especially to the young ladies who seem to take pleasure of being in company with a southern boy and they very seldom ever mention anything of my having been in the Rebel army which I would consider a disgrace.

“I suppose you also call me a Yankee. If you do, all right. I consider that more of an honor than a disgrace. I have taken a particular fancy to the Yankees (so called) and especially to the young ladies who seem to take pleasure of being in company with a southern boy and they very seldom ever mention anything of my having been in the Rebel army which I would consider a disgrace…I hope we shall a pleasant time on my return home after having been separated for three years. I believe it was for our good, and especially for mine, as I have learned many new ideas and also how to work. We people in the South do not work near as hard as the people here in the North.”
— Constantine A. Hege, 29 June 1865

I complied with your request to Mrs. Brickenstein and I suppose she will write to you.

I want to try to get home about the 7th of August if I can, as it will then be just three years since I left home and I hope you will have a good fat chicken to make a large pot pie with for me when I come home because I have not tasted chicken in six months (as well as I remember). The people here in town don’t believe in buying such dear chicken for dinner.

If I had the money, I would like to bring you all a nice present when I come. I hope we shall a pleasant time on my return home after having been separated for three years. I believe it was for our good, and especially for mine, as I have learned many new ideas and also how to work. We people in the South do not work near as hard as the people here in the North.

The families with whom I have boarded here, are very anxious to see you all—especially the first family with whom I boarded who are Germans. I tell them I intend to bring you all out here on a visit in a year or so. I know you will agree to come to see Bethlehem.

So I must close for the present hoping to see you all soon again. Write soon. Your son, — C. A. Hege