The following letter was written from China Grove, Alabama, by Lt. George Washington Wright, formerly of the 1st Florida Regiment, but serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. A, 6th Alabama Cavalry when this letter was penned on 16 April 1863.

6th Cavalry Regiment was organized at Pine Level, Alabama, during the spring of 1863. It contained men from Montgomery, Coffee, Tallapoosa, Pike, Barbour, Macon, Henry, and Coosa counties. The unit was brigaded under Brig.-General James Holt Clanton, served for a time in Florida, then in August became part of the garrison at Montgomery. Later it was attached to Armstrong’s command and saw action in various conflicts during the Atlanta Campaign. In August, 1864, the regiment returned to Clanton’s Brigade and fought at Bluff Springs, Florida, and in southern Alabama. With less than 200 men it was included in the surrender of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. Its commanders were Colonel C. H. Colvin, Lieutenant Colonel Washington T. Lary, and Major E.A. McWhorter.

George’s letter informs his sister of the less than desirable encampment of the battalion “in a dense growth of poisonous weeds which have so poisoned the men that all of them present the appearance of having been in a big fuss and got their eyes banged up. Some have both eyes closed, some only one, while others have their lips swollen to the size of hen’s eggs.”

Transcription

China Grove [Pike county, Alabama]
April 16 [1863]

Dear Louisa,

Having on my last clean shirt and a probability of not being able to make a shift for some days to come reminds me of the importance of having the colored shirts which you promised to make for me. They will suit camp much better that the white shirts in the double respects of being less easily soiled and more appropriate to this kind of life. I do not know that this letter will reach you nor will you be surprised when you come to know how finely we are situated and the many facilities we have for writing and reading letters by mail.

Our situation is eligible and desirable in many respects. First of all, we are free from all temptation afforded by a proximity to a city. Secondly, we are free from all the allurements that might tempt and cause delinquencies in a neighborhood where there were women and other civilized attractions so the men are always ay their post, having no place to go to. We have very good water too, of a brownish tinge and fine to make the liver act. And in addition to all our tents, we are pitched in a dense growth of poisonous weeds which have so poisoned the men that all of them present the appearance of having been in a big fuss and got their eyes banged up. Some have both eyes closed, some only one, while others have their lips swollen to the size of hen’s eggs. And the evil effects of the weed was inevitable—the men having all to lie down upon the ground until shelters could be erected. I have escaped more fortunately that the rest. My mouth is sore only a little.

The sagacity of our commander is very much felt in his selection of this place. I would write further but have no time. Your brother, — W. W. Wright

Address:

G. W. Wright
Maj. [C. H.] Colvin’s Battalion
Clanton Legion

Lt. G. W. Wright, Capt. Armstrong, commanding
Major Colvin’s Bat
Clanton Legion
China Grove, Alabama