The following letters were written by Joseph Stras Peery (1839-1925), the son of Harvey George Peery (1801-1869) and Rebecca Williams (1805-1890) of Tazewell county, Virginia. After receiving an elementary education in Tazewell, he attended Emory and Henry College.

At the start of the Civil War, Joseph enlisted in August 1861 in Co. G, 45th Virginia Infantry at Gauley. He was promoted to sergeant by April 1862 and commissioned a lieutenant by July 1862. He was captured at the Battle of Winchester on 19 September 1864 and sent to Ft. Delaware shortly after. On the date of his release, 17 June 1865, he was described as standing 6 feet tall, with blue eyes and light hair.

In 1868 married Livonia Ravina Brown. His post war occupation was farmer and merchant. He died 7/7/1925 at Glade Spring, Washington County, Virginia at the age of 87.

These letters, like others Joseph wrote from prison, were strictly censored. They were not allowed to discuss what was going on inside the prison nor share their attitude about events occurring outside. Rules required that all letters be written on one side of the paper and they could only be sent to relatives in the North or to relatives in Union-occupied southern states unless under a flag-of-truce. If correspondents were not actually relatives, letters were often addressed as “dear cousin.”

Letter 1

United States Military Prison
Fort Delaware, Delaware
February 1st 1865

My dear cousin,

Your kind and interesting letter was received this morning and was certainly glad to hear from you once more. I was just wondering what could be the matter that you did not answer my last. Had attributed it to frozen streams & bays. Never dreamed of you visiting the sunny land of flowers. I know you must have enjoyed yourself finely. couldn’t help it. I am glad you had the opportunity of seeing your Brothers. Hope that peace may soon be declared and that all may have the privilege of enjoying freely the society if friends and relations and the comforts of home.

Have had two letters from home lately—one from Mother, 9th December, All were well at that time. Also one from Sarah to Frank. Everything seemingly doing well. Little Bobbie had gotten almost entirely well. Sarah’s letter was very short. So much so I almost became offended. I’ve written to Maggie and I know she’ll give me all the news. She is always so precise in every little item of news.

I received a few days since a letter from R. S. B. He is very kind and offers anything that he is able to do for us. He has already done much tending to the wants of Brother J[ames] and therefore I think it would be ungenerous and unkind in us to ask more. I received the money you sent and am indeed very grateful and feel under many obligations to you. As regards the clothing, we have just applied for permits to send to an old business friend (in Baltimore) who wrote us a few days ago to do so. I will let you know how we success. I don’t know how to express my gratitude for your kind offers rendered more dear to me for certain reasons which I hope some day to be able to explain.

We have very hard fare but very good quarters. Don’t get too much to eat. Frank sends his best love to you. You must not laugh at my ill composed scroll for you must remember I’m in no secluded spot noted to the purpose. Be sure and write often. I am very fond of reading letters. Excuse all mistakes and accept this the kindest regards of your devoted cousin, — Joseph S. Peery

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Letter 2

Fort Delaware, Delaware
March 29, 1865

Dear Cousin,

According to your request, I write again on the reception of your kind letter. It is pretty much as you said—nothing to do, but you know that no one is apt to be fond of writing unless they get answers equally in number to letters written. Now I think you must be a long time answering my letter—so long I’d given it up—that you did not intend doing so. Consequently I wrote you another and sent you a ring, the workmanship of a prisoner. A very poor thing it was. However, I thought you would value it as it was from your lovely cousin. Well, I was very agreeably surprised this morning with a letter from my dear sister. I’d written home and complained of sister Sarah not writing. She claimed that she was not indebted to me in that respect. One thing I know—that is, I’ve written to her often enough but it may be that she has never received any or but few.

Mr. Brittain had been at home, only for a short time, ten days. Would leave the day she wrote, the 6th of March. All were well. I intend writing soon. Will give them your message. As to me forgiving you for not sending such as you mentioned, I don’t think that there is anything to forgive for I am already indebted to you more perhaps that I’ll ever be able to return. We are all well and getting along as well as usual. Get “hard tack” twice a week for dinner, something new of late.

Frank sends much love to you. Noe I don’t want you to delay answering this letter. Never trouble yourself about those articles mentioned. I received a few lines from a friend at Johnson’s Island. James was well and I expect he was thinking like myself—that you was not very prompt in reply. I shall expect to hear from you soon.

Believe me as ever your devoted cousin, — Jo. S. Peery