The following letters were written by J. B. Williams of Co. K, 5th South Carolina Infantry. The 5th (also known as Ferguson’s) Regiment S. C. Cavalry was formed by the consolidation of the 14th and 17th Battalions S. C. Cavalry and Captain Harlan’s and Whilden’s Independent Companies in January 1863. Williams had enlisted in Capt. Harlan’s company in March 1863 at Pocotaligo. Although officially designated a regiment, the companies remained dispersed at various locations along the South Carolina coast.

In January 1865, the 5th SC Cavalry was reassigned to Wheeler’s Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee, CSA, and returned to Columbia, South Carolina, under Lieutenant General Wade Hampton to check the advance of Major General William T. Sherman’s troops from Georgia. Thereafter, it was involved in continuous skirmishing with numerically superior Federal forces as they moved inexorably north from Columbia, then across northeastern South Carolina, and finally into central North Carolina. The 5th SC Cavalry participated in the final battle of the Carolinas Campaign at Bentonville, North Carolina, and provided the escort for General Joseph E. Johnston when he met to discuss surrender terms with General Sherman at the William Bennett House near Durham Station, North Carolina, on 17 April 1865. The regiment was included in the surrender of cavalry troops at Hillsboro, North Carolina, on 27 April 1865, and its remnants were officially disbanded at Greensboro on 2–3 May 1865.

Letter 1

[Editor’s Note: It’s clear that Josh was a young slave of J. B. Williams brought along to perform camp duties and tend to his master’s horse. ]

Kenansville, North Carolina
September 22, 1863

My dear Sister,

I received your kind letter by Dr. Walker in due time and was truly glad to hear from you and that all was well at home. There is nothing new has transpired in camp of any importance. All seem anxious to get marching orders to go to Charleston and leave this place as none of our boys can get along with the North Carolinians. They just hate us like rattlesnakes. I don’t know the reason why unless they think we are above them.

I received the things you sent by Walker and was glad to get them. I got my whiskey in the right time for Josh. I have been giving about 12 dollars a quarter and mean whiskey at that. Josh has got typhoid fever now as I said in one of my letters. I think he will be up in 4 or 5 days. He is much better now than when I wrote. But when anybody has this fever, they require a good deal of attention for there is no telling when they will get well or worse. I have got a good room for him which is much better than a tent. I have a good notion to send Josh home when he gets well as he cannot tend to my horse the way I would like for him to do and then he is almost too small.

Old Major Jackson says we shan’t have any furlough nor be paid off until we pay for the sheep. He wants the whole camp to pay for them officers and Old Gen. [William H. C.] Whiting says the same thing. I had nothing to do with the sheep and I will not pay for it. The other day I lent Jim Miller my horse to take him up to Magnolia to get his feet [hooves] cut off. They were too long that he could not walk good. I had to tend to Josh and could not go. He went up there and I suppose he got a little tight and let the train run against my horse and broke his tailbone which I would not have had it done for three hundred dollars. He cannot raise his tail anymore. It has ruined him. I don’t expect he will ever be able for service anymore. I believe I will trade or sell him. Whichever I can make the most at I will do.

You spoke of the flannel shirt that I sent home. I don’t believe I want it as I would not have but one and when I would take it off, I would catch cold.

Dan Moore got a furlough but he got his from Gen. Whiting. He never could get it from Jackson if it had been left to him. The way he got it was that he had business with Col. Miller and he was at home at that time. I must now close by begging you to write soon. Give my love to all and remember me to be your affectionate brother, — J. B. Williams

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Letter 2

Camp near Ream’s Station
July 18, 1864

My dear Father,

I received your kind letter of 26th on yesterday and was very glad to hear from you and that you was well. There is nothing new in camp worth writing to you all. [It] is quiet at this point. We are stationed here about 3 miles from Reams Station. The mounted men are about the same distance from here. They keep on a running about. I think our party will be the most numerous. Our horses back in the rear fare worse than those in front so far as something to eat for them.

I received the money you sent to me and was very glad to get it for I was needing it very much. I will write to Sam Melton today to look after [my slave] Jeff. I expect Jeff has hired himself out to someone in Richmond. The last I can hear from him is that he and nine sick negroes were at the Gisk [?] River Depot sick with measles. Some of our boys seen him there but did not have sense to take him away.

I wrote to you a few days ago in which I stated I thought my horse would die but after getting another, I don’t know whether I will ask you to get me another one or not. If I could get in some artillery [unit], I would like it much better. I would like to get in [John T.] Kanapaux’s Battery ¹ but I don’t suppose that they would transfer anyone from Virginia to South Carolina. I must [illegible due to paper crease].

Write soon. Give my love to all and remember me to be your affectionate son, — J. B. Williams

¹ The Lafayette Light artillery was formed late in 1861 with about 60 officers and men. It was first stationed at Fort Pickens (stono), then was assigned to the Dept. of SC, GA, and Fl, & was active in the Charleston area and in various locations in SC. During February, 1865, it totaled 81 effectives and in April was attached to C.L. Stevenson’s Division, Army of TN. Captain John T. Kanapaux was in command.

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Letter 3

Columbia, South Carolina
February 10, 1865

My dear father,

I arrived safely in camp on yesterday and found our Brigade encamped about a mile beyond the bridge. It is rumored in camp that we will leave here tomorrow and go down and try our hand with Mr. Sherman. Refugees are passing every hour from the lower part of this state and it is reported the enemy are in Orangeburg District but I do not know how true it may be as we can hear most anything in camp that we want to hear.

The trip has not hurt my horse any. He looks as well as the day that he started. Tell William I will try & get him a pipe but they are so strict that anyone can hardly get one. They have just sent out a Provost Guard to arrest the men over in the city.

I must close by begging you to write soon. Give my love to all and remember me to be your affectionate son, — J. B. Williams

Co. K, 5th South Carolina Cavalry