The following letters were written by George B. Dewese (1843-1864), the son of John Allison Dewese (1811-1870) and Mary Ann Sloan (1819-1911) of Mecklenburg, North Carolina. George enlisted on 28 July 1862 at the age of 19 in Co. K, 56th North Carolina Infantry. He was absent sick from his company for two or three months in the spring of 1863 but was otherwise on duty until he was killed in the Battle of Globe Tavern (or 2nd Battle of Weldon Railroad) fought on 21 August 1864 south of Petersburg, Virginia.
Serving in the same company with George was his older brother, Calvin T. Dewese (1837-1916) who survived the war and also wrote many letters that will also be transcribed soon.
George wrote several of these letters to his father, a stonemason by trade who died in 1870 from “Phthisis Consumption” (tuberculosis) according to mortality records though it may actually have been due to silicosis based on his profession. The family owned no slaves.
George also wrote letters to two of his sisters—Sarah J. (Dewese) Alexander (1839-1885) and Margaret C. Dewese (1841-1910). Sarah was married in March 1861 to Robert D. Alexander. Robert died in 1862 and four years later, in December 1866, Sarah married Isaac Lowe McIntosh (1830-1905), a veteran of Co. B, 28th North Carolina Infantry though he was wounded and taken prisoner at Gettysburg.
As I learn more about George through my research and from the content of his and his brother’s letters, I will amend this biographical description. Note that the family surname is sometimes spelled Deweese.
In his book, “Across the Dark River: The Odyssey of the 56th N. C. Infantry in the American Civil War,” Ray Clyde informs us that at first, “the regiment was assigned to a ceaseless round of guard duty at different garrison posts around the state. When they did hear the sound of enemy guns, they were always in a rear area, adding support to other units at the front. But in 1863, the regiment at last saw action near Dover, North Carolina. The results were disastrous. In two battles just east of Kinston, the regiment was routed and it lost half of its men. It became a laughing stock among other units and its morale plummeted. The 56th was gradually built back up to strength, but it was kept far to the rear for the rest of 1863, assigned the duty of rounding up conscripts and impressing supplies from the civilian population. The worse elements in its ranks came to the fore during this dark period and the regiment was relieved from this duty when it became evident that it was exceeding its orders. Governor Vance, in fact, threatened to call out the militia to expel them from the state! But in 1864, things began to change. As the Confederacy weakened after Gettysburg and Vicksburg, it was no longer possible to keep unused manpower in the rear area. At the battle of Plymouth, North Carolina in April 1864, the 56th led a frontal assault on a heavily defended Union garrison and carried it—one of the few victories the South could celebrate in 1864. Within two weeks, the regiment was on its way to Virginia. The 56th was one of a few Confederate regiments that, in a three day and night battle, held Petersburg, Virginia against Grant’s Army of the Potomac at bay until Lee could rush the Army of Northern Virginia to its assistance. The regiment played an important part in all the battles in the Richmond-Petersburg area until the end of the war. These included The Crater, Globe Tavern, Fort Stedman, Five Forks, and Sailor’s Creek. And it was represented by a handful of men at Appomattox Court House.”
Previously I have transcribed letters by two other members of this regiment. They are:
John Middleton Sweezy, Co. I, 56th North Carolina (1 Letter)
John Calvin McAulay, Co. K, 56th North Carolina (2 Letters)
Letter 1
[Mecklenburg county, North Carolina]
February 16th 1862
T. C. Sloan,
Dear sir, I am well except a continual coughing. Our folks are all got the cold so bad they can’t smell a pole cat [skunk]. I want you to kill all the Yankees for I am afraid you will have to send for me if you don’t get to doing better business. When I do volunteer, I will make the Yankees hate themselves. Write and tell me how you like camp life. I have nothing of importance to write but I remain your well wisher, — G. B. Dewese
February 16, 1862
Dear Uncle [T. C. Sloan],
I take this present opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at present except bad colds. I heard the Yankees had taken prisoners of Elizabeth City and Roanoke Island and I am afraid the next news will be that they have taken Newbern, tadpoles and all. But I don’t want you to let them do that.
I want you to write and let me hear the news from that part of the world and tell me how you like the tadpole swamps. Give my respects to Rankin A. and tell him if he does not soon come home, his boy won’t know him. Tell him I would write to him but I am such a bad hand to write a letter that he will have to excuse me. I have nothing of importance to write so [goodbye]. Your most respectful [niece], — Margaret C. Dewese
Letter 2
Camp Magnum near Raleigh, N. C.
July 27th 1862
Dear Sister,
I now take my pencil in hand to give you the particulars concerning myself. I had the headache about a week and a half after I came here but I got clear of it and now I have a bad cold so that I can scarcely write for blowing my nose. I have just been listening to a sermon preached by the Reverend Mr. Fitzgerald, an Episcopalian by profession. I like his preaching very well but don’t fancy the forms and ceremonies he goes through.
Calvin and the rest of the boys arrived here on Wednesday the 16th safe and sound. We have fine times here now but I am afraid that it won’t continue so long. The regiment is to be organized and the field officers to be elected some time this week and then I expect the [paper torn] … bread and coffee, bacon, rice, and sometimes a little sugar to put inner coffee and we can have blackberry pies if we will go and gather the berries. But they will soon be out.
John L. Shield has received a discharge but is not going home now. Camp life seems to agree with him. We are talking about hiring him to cook for us as he is a first rate cook. There is two Yankees in camp here now. They came here yesterday evening. They profess to have deserted from Newbern. They say they don’t intend to fight anymore against us. They say they want to go to Richmond to be paroled.
Sarah, I want you to write to me and let me know how you and your little one are getting along. I have got but one letter from home yet and I have been here nearly three weeks. Write and let me know whether you have heard anything from home.
The cars are crowded with soldiers nearly every time they pass here. If the soldiers keep going along for another week like they have been for the last two weeks, they won’t need us and we can get to stay here till the war is over.
Well. I have been to dinner and I have lost time and I must skip a line to catch up. I am getting very hoarse & I have to write a big hand or you can’t read it. I expect you are getting deaf anyhow. Tell Miss D. L. Archer that Wm. T. Smith sends his respects to her and all the rest of the pretty girls in that neighborhood. He also wants you to tell her to write to her soon as he was very much taken with her the evening that we left home. J. H. Johnson [paper torn] …sending her their respects. I believe I might as well send mine along too. I have nothing more of importance to write but this: that I never expect to get home anymore until the war is ended for they have quit giving furloughs. The order was read out the other day that no more furloughs should be granted to anyone—officers or privates. Well, I reckon I may as well quit for I don’t suppose you will be advanced very far in wisdom by this foolish writing.
I will close by giving you some instruction about how they carry on here at night. I can get out on a bench in the street and I can just hear anything I want such as singing and praying, fiddling and dancing, cursing and swearing. They carry on all sorts worship here. When you write, direct your letter to Camp Mangam near Raleigh, N. Carolina, 56th Regiment N. C. Troop, Captain Alexander’s Company.
Letter 3
Goldsboro
August 13th 1862
Dear Sister
I take the present opportunity of informing you that I am well at this time and hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. I have ben well ever since we came out here. I have not missed one hour’s drill from sickness yet. There is very few sick in our camp now. What is sick was caused by that terrible hot ride from Magnum to this place. We have a beautiful place here for a camp. They are digging [a] well now. They are going to have a well to every two companies and I reckon we will have plenty of good water after a while. We have tolerable good victuals to eat now. We have just got so we can cook about right.
I have been looking for a letter from home all day but the mail came without bringing me one letter. I write a letter every day and sometimes two and I think that I ought to get about six letters every week.
You asked me if I needed any more pants than I had. I can tell you that I do not need them [torn paper]
…the Northern States has rebelled and that Lincoln has made a call for 100,000 more men and that if they did not come forth they would be drafted. It is stated that there is a terrible state of affairs in the North. They say that in some of the states, that there are some men going through the country making stump speeches for peace but I have heard such talk as that before. But still they keep on fighting. There is no hope of peace yet as I see. Peace may be coming but it is not in sight yet. I want you to write to me and give me the war news for I expect that you can hear more about the war at home than I can in the army.
J[oseph] C. Bell received a letter today. The letter stated his mother had been sick but was better now. It also stated that A. Lee Starns is dead. I reckon they have it right this time.
I reckon I will have to quit writing so much for my paper is about give out. I don’t care if you send me some paper in every letter. You write and tell Sarah that I wrote to her a letter yesterday and that I want her to write as soon as possible. She said in her letter that little John Wilson was sitting alone. He must be getting along mighty fast. I believe that I have wrote all that I know to write now. Tell Martha A. Dewese that Calvin is well and tell her that I want her to write to me and let me know how she is standing the time.
It will soon be time for us to of out to drill and I have not time to write any more. Give my love to [torn paper] You said that Phil had been sick. I want you to let me know how he is. Write soon and give me the latest news. Well, I reckon I might as well tell you where to direct your letter to when you write. Direct your letter to Goldsboro, N. C., 56th Regt N. C. Volunteers, Capt. Alexander’s company. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
to M. C. D.
Letter 4
Wilmington, North Carolina
August 24, 1862
Dear Father,
I now take my pencil in hand to let you know that I am well at this time and I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. The company is generally healthy at this time but there is one case of measles in the company now. The man’s name is [Zachariah] Morgan but I suppose he is no kin to the famous John H[unt] Morgan that there is so much fuss about.
We left Camp Clingman yesterday morning at about 9 o’clock and we arrived here in the evening. We had a very pleasant ride as it rained nearly the whole time we was coming. We are now quartered in houses that has been built for the soldiers winter quarters. They are very good houses—if we could just get to stay in them. But they say we have to leave tomorrow and go to where the 11th Regiment is stationed. I do not know how far it is. Some say it is 8 miles & some say 16 but I don’t know whether any of them knows or not.
The 51st Regiment is here at Wilmington now. Cantrell is the Colonel of it. We had the army regulations read out to us this morning. It prohibits all cursing and swearing and it allows a soldier a twenty day furlough every six months so you may look for me in about five months from now. It may be before that time.
I saw M. E. Caldwell yesterday morning and was surprised to see him. He came to Camp Clingman just as we were starting away. He had been down to Wilmington and was on his way home. We drawed our coats, blankets, and shoes day before yesterday and some of the boys are sending their blankets home. Branch [Washam] & Hayes sent a blanket apiece and Calvin sent his coat but I concluded I would keep mine a while longer. One of our men names [John J.] Stokes let his knapsack fall of the cars with all his clothing in it except what he had on.
I have nothing more to write but want you to write as soon as you hear where I am but you need not write before. I can’t tell you where to direct your letters but you will hear by the next mail. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate son, — George B. Dewese
Letter 5
Wilmington, North Carolina
August 28th 1862
Dear Sister,
I now take my pencil in hand to inform you that I am well at this time and I hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. There is but three men sick in the company now. Branch Washam has got tolerable stout again. Calvin is well at this time. Me and J. C. Bell is getting as fat as hogs. Alexander & Walter Dearnier arrived here last night about 9 o’clock. J. C. Brown’s & [James A.] McGahey’s wives are here now. They came night before last. Stough was with them. They are going to start home in the morning and I thought that I could save ten cents by sending this letter with him. We have had a heap of visitors this week. That terrible Frank Dixon is here now.
We are going to move again now shortly. We are going to a camp about [10?] miles of this place. I reckon we will get settled after a while and then it may be that we will get some things to eat. We have got scarcely anything to eat since we came here but what we buy and we have to pay such high prices for what we buy that it won’t take long to take our money. We have hard times here and there is no need of it. It could be very easily avoided. I could tell you all about it if I was just at home a while.
Me and Calvin are going to send our blankets home with Stough. The blankets will be sent to Thomas G. Barnett’s & then you can get mine there. I concluded that I would have too much to carry. I would rather [have] sent my coat home that I got but they are going to make us keep them. The coats are nothing but cotton and they trail away down to our heels and the blankets are made of opossum hair. I expect we will trek down with what we have now.
I want you to write to me and let me know how the people all are. I want you to let me know whether it is so about all the men having to go to the army between the ages of 35 and 45 years. If that is so, it will about clean the country out of white men and give room to the negroes. The drum is beating for us to go to drill so I must close.
Tell Mat Calvin to write to me and tell her not to fret herself about Calvin for it will do no good and it might do much harm. Direct your letter to Wilmington, N. C. 56th Regt. Co. K
Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 6
Camp Badger, N. C.
September 2nd 1862
Dear Sister,
I now take my pencil in hand to let you know that I am well at this time and I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. We left Wilmington last Friday morning at seven o’clock and went to the river and got aboard the steamboat & came down to this place where we landed & encamped for the night and next morning we marched about two miles to where we are now. We had the camp ground to clear up Saturday. The location is a beautiful one. It is the best camp that we have ever been at yet. We have wood and water in abundance. The water is a little limestone & I think it will be a very healthy camp. It is the impression of the people that we will stay here for some time if the Yankees don’t take us all to New York.
The name of our camp is Badger instead of Wyatt which it has been called heretofore.
I received your letter last Thursday and was glad to hear that you was well & I beg to be excused for not answering you sooner for I have scarcely any time to do anything for clearing off camp grounds and moving. I tell you, we are well drilled—in the way of cooking rather than skirmishing. But the mosquitoes are still better drilled than we are for they drill us. They are our drill masters.
You said in your letter that your potatoes were looking fine and that I had better come home to get some of them to eat. I don’t want you to say anything ,ore about sweet potatoes & butter for it makes my jaws water to think about it. We have meat here to eat that is alive with skippers but all we have to do is to eat the meat skippers and all or do without which we please. We have had one mess of fish since we come here & I am in hopes that we will have a chance to get some more. If we could just get plenty of fish to eat, we could live here.
Harriet Warsham and R. P. Benson’s wife are here now. They came to us at Wilmington the night before we started from there. They will start home next Monday. They are going to take a good stay when they are here for they don’t know whether they will ever get back again or not. I heard that [ ] Johnson intended to have come out but had taken sick & did not come. I want you to tell him to come on for we would like to hear from home the old fashioned way of speech. If you hear of anybody else that wants to come, tell them to come on for we would be glad to see anybody from home at this time. Benson’s wife told us that one of the Dewese’s were coming on to here. She said she believed his name was Allison Dewese but he never said anything in his letter about coming. I got a letter from him the same day I got yours but he said nothing about coming. You can tell him to come on. I will have to quit writing so much. I have no stamps to put on this letter. You will have to pay the postage yourself. It is such a hard way of getting stamps & envelopes. I must close. Direct your letter to Wilmington, N. C., 56th Regt. Co. K, Camp Badger. Nothing more but remain your affectionate brother, — Geo. B. Dewese
To Sarah J. Alexander
Letter 7
Camp Badger, N. C.
September 3rd 1862
Dear Father,
I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well at this time and I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing.
We left Wilmington last Thursday and went to the Cape Fear River and got aboard the steamboat and came down to this place, or [with]in about 1.5 miles of this place. Where we landed, the location is a beautiful one. We have wood & water in abundance. There is three cases of measles in our company now—viz: J. Hill, J. H. Johnson, & J. R. [ ]. Hall is pretty bad off but Johnson’s is not so bad. The measles broke out on them all yesterday. There is several others sick but no bad. Harriet Warsham & R. P. Benson’s wife are here now. They came to Wilmington last Thursday night & we left the next morning & they came on with us. They are going to start back next Monday. Lieut. James Wilson is going to get a furlough & he will go home with them.
We have moved 6 times & we have not been out two months. We have done nothing scarcely since we left Magnum but move about and clear off camp grounds but I think we are at a place that we won’t move from soon. We are where we can’t go any farther. [There is no chance] of our ever going back towards home soon without the war ends sooner than I think it will.
I received your letter last Thursday & was glad to hear that you were all well & was also glad to hear that you were getting along so fast drying peaches for I am in hopes that I will get home in time [to] eat some of the pies. But you need not look for me for you might look in vain. I would like very well to be at home now a while. I have been away from home a little longer than I ever was before & I would like to see how home looks about now. To tell the truth of it, I believe home is a better place than the camp anyhow. But we get plenty of cornbread & bacon to eat & we have no room to grumble when we get such as that.
I don’t do here like I did when I was at home. I have got to so I can get up when the drum beats in the morning. The fact is, if I did not get up, I would be put on extra guard duty and I don’t fancy that myself. You said in your letter that you had received the money I sent you and that you had laid it away for me. You need not be saving it for me. You need it worse than I do. You had better take it & make use of it in the way you think most profitable for that money won’t be passable very long.
I have no stamps to send with my letters & you have to pay the postage yourself. I want you to write as often as you can. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate son, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 8
Camp Badger. North Carolina
September 9, 1862
I now take my pencil in hand to let you know that I am well at this time & I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. There has been a good deal of sickness in the company for the last week or two, mostly of measles, but I believe they are all getting well again. J. H. Johnson, J[ames] Hill, M[aurice] Hux, J. F. Sloan, R. W. Bramley, W. Ketchey, & R. James Olephant are the ones that have had the measles. They are all getting along very well. They are talking about sending them all home till they get well. I do not know whether they will get to go or not. Maurice Hux received a letter yesterday & it stated that John Hux was dead/ He died at Raleigh, N. C. I believe he had had the measles & had got better when he at one time drank too much water which killed him. His sister was staying with him when he died. I also heard that J. Stuart was dead. That is two men dead out of our company.
Harriet Warsham and Martha Benson left here yesterday morning. They started the day before & went down to Fort Fisher to take the boat but the boat had left before they got there so they came back & stayed all night & started again yesterday. Benson is very low in spirits since his wife left.
Nothing more of importance to write but I will let you know when I am coming home [illegible]. I think I will get to drink all the egg nog than them fellows talked about drinking that day they were after me to volunteer. There is nary one of them in this company. I have nothing more to write but want you to write to me as often as you can for I can’t get the material to write with her. Please send a blank sheet of paper every time you write. Nothing more but remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 9
Wilmington, North Carolina
September 12, 1862
Dear Sister,
I now take my pencil in hand to inform you that I am not exactly well at this time. Nothing the matter though but a slight toothache. I received your letter last night & was glad to hear that you were all well. We left Camp Badger yesterday evening. The sun was about two hours high when we started. We marched about 6 or 7 miles when we stopped and lay down and slept till one o’clock in the morning & then started again and marched to Wilmington. We had a hard time of it. We had to walk where the sand was shoe mouth deep & when we was not in the sand, we was in water half leg deep. We got to Wilmington a little after daylight this morning. We were nearly all give out when we got here.
We pitched our tents in an old field where there is no shade at all—only what our tents affords us. We are [with]in about three hundred yards of where we was encamped before we moved to Camp Badger. It is a bad place here. The water is bad and the wood—[well,] there is no use to talk about it for there is none at all. But I am in hopes that we won’t stay here a great while. There is some talk of us leaving tomorrow but I don’t know whether we will or not. We can’t stay here long no how. I reckon when we leave here we will go to Kinston. I have heard that the Yankees have evacuated Newbern but I don’t believe it. There is great talk of peace in the camp now. They all have began t think that the Yankees are bad off for peace on any terms. But I don’t know which side is the worst off. They both want to get out of this war honorable if they can.
James L. Johnson came to Wilmington this morning just as we did. Harriet Hill and Mat. Alexander came with him. If we had been one hour later, they would [have] went down to Camp Badger where they would [have] been by themselves and would spent about twenty dollars for nothing. They had very good luck indeed. You said that Any G. Barnett was at church Sunday & that he said he was home on a furlough. I want to know where he was from and whether he showed his furlough or not. I don’t know how he would get a furlough when nobody else can’t.
Calvin received a letter from Mat last night. He also got one from H. D. Dewese. They say they are all well about there. I am about to forget to tell you how our sick folks are getting along. They are all doing very well. R. P. Benson is taking the measles now. That is all the new cases of measles in our company now.
I want you to tell J. L. Johnson’s folks that him & the women got here safe without losing anything, but stop a little & give my respects to Dorcas Dewese and tell her that she need not be so particular/ I don’t care whether she writes to me or not. I am not wanting her correspondence and I only wrote to her because I had nothing else to do & I thought it would be a good way to pass away the time—not that I was caring anything about her. She need not be fretting herself about that. I have plenty of other correspondents that are more enticing than she is so I will not be hurt by her abstinence. Please show her this letter. If I had plenty of paper I would give her some more.
Continue to send your letters to Wilmington & name the regiment and company and if we move again, the letters will follow us up. Nothing more but remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
To M. C. Dewese
Letter 10
Wilmington, North Carolina
September 14th 1862
Rather & Mother, Brothers & Sisters,
I now take my pencil in hand to let you know that we are preparing to move again. We are going back to Camp Badger again but I don’t care how much they move us about [just] so we keep well and have plenty to eat. James L. Johnson has concluded to go back home from here. He had intended to have stayed a day or two longer but we have to move again so he thought he might as well go home. H. A. Hill & Mat. Alexander will go with him. They hate to leave very bad.
I have no time to write more as we are going to start now in a few minutes. I must close. I send this with J. L. Johnson. Goodbye, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 11
North East Station, North Carolina
October 10th 1862
Dear Sister,
I now take my pencil in hand to inform you that I am well at this time and I hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. We have moved again. We left Badger Monday the 6th and marched for the North East Bridge which is 9 miles above Wilmington on the railroad. We left Badger in the evening about 4 o’clock & got to this place the next day about 12. We marched 35 miles in 11 hours. That was pretty good marching. We were nearly all gave out when we got here.
The boat came up yesterday evening bringing our baggage. We have been sleeping without tents since we came here but we have had very fine weather for sleeping out of doors. Our baggage is still at the river yet except the tents. We carried them yesterday evening. We got [with]in about a half mile of the North East Bridge 9 miles above Wilmington. The 59th Regiment is encamped [with]in about 200 yards of us and between us and the spring. It is half a mile to the springs. The water is very good adn this is a nice place but there is no drill ground so we have nothing to do but cook and eat. Our sick come up on the boat that we left at Badger. Capt. Alexander, Rufus Williams, and James Templeton were taken to the hospital at Goldsboro. The rest of the sick are doing very well. Calvin is doing very well now.
I do not know how long we will stay here. There is some talk of us going to Richmond. I do not know whether we will go there or not. We will be apt to go somewhere before long. This is a very good country about here. There is one of the biggest farms here I ever saw.
I saw Caleb Christenbury last Tuesday. He is in the 11th Regiment. He looks like he had very good health but they say he is just bloated up. He was going to Virginia, I believe. We have not got our mail since we left Badger. I don’t know what is the matter. I got only one letter in the last month. I don’t know what you are all about at home.
I have not heard much talk about peace lately. I suppose they have concluded to continue the war a while longer. We have not received our pay yet. They think they will get it now in a few days. I heard that they were gathering up the conscripts at home. I suppose that is all right. I heard that J. A. Pope was filling Peter Mallet’s place bringing the conscripts out. I heard that Jonathan Davis had set up shop in Concord. I suppose he is doing a cash business selling pipes perhaps. It is said that he does not like his situation at all. His business is such that he cannot leave home.
The yellow fever is still raging in Wilmington. There was 63 cars on Sunday and it was on the increase every day. I have nothing more to write—only I want you to write a little oftener than you have been in the habit of doing. You must mind that I want the daily news. I do not know where we will go when we leave this place. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate brother. Give my respects to Sallie Sasseman. — George B. Dewese
to Mc. C. Dewese
Letter 12
Camp Clingman
Goldsboro, North Carolina
October 31, 1862
Dear Father,
I now take my pencil in hand to inform you that I am well at this time and I hope that these lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. I received a letter from Margaret yesterday and was glad to hear that you were all well. The health of the company are generally good. James L. Sloan is to start home tomorrow and I will try to send this letter with him. I will also send some money with him as that will be all the good chance I will have much for some time. I will send sixty dollars. That will be as much as I can spare at this time.
I want to try and get John A. Pope to make me a pair of shoes —No. 9. The shoes I drawed are very little account and they are nearly worn out now. I will write and tell you when I will need them. I will not need them for some time yet.
Margaret said she wanted to know whether I got the clothes she sent me. Tell her that I got them and a box of provisions too. I also got the letter that she wrote to me and Calvin. Margaret said she thought that I might get a furlough if I would try while I am at Goldsboro. You can tell her that the orders were read out the other day that no more furloughs were to be granted the soldiers hereafter so you need not look for me home until the war ends.
I have not time to write any more so you must excuse this unimportant letter for [illegible] hard to write. Write soon indirect to Goldsboro, 56th. Nothing more but remain you affectionate son, — G. B. Dewese
To Mr. J. A. Dewese
Letter 13
Beaver Dam Church
near Magnolia, Dublin County, N. C.
[Date missing but think it was fall of 1862]
Dear Sister,
I now take my pencil in hand to write a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time, I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing but I am afraid that there is something wrong at home for I have not heard from home since last Friday night week when James Hill brought the news.
We have moved again. We are now at Beaver Dam Church near Magnolia, Dublin County. We started from Camp Clingman Monday morning at two o’clock after cooking all day Sunday to get our rations ready in time to start. We marched [ ] when we marched a mile to where we are now. We left everything at Clingman but what we had on. I brought my knapsack and one pair of pants, one pair of socks, and my gloves and that is all I brought with me and I don’t know whether we will ever get our clothes or not. Branch Washam was sick when we left and he did not come and I have since heard that he has been sent to the hospital at Goldsboro and if that is so, there is not much prospects of us getting our clothes.
Well, I reckon I had better tell you something about the fare we have here as I told you we cooked up our provision but we did not have enough to do us but one day so we came here and had to buy something to eat or starve which we pleased to [ ] we just as soon live as [ ] and me and Calvin bought four chicken pies which we ate with great pleasure. But we have now dragged one days rations. They consist of crackers and raw bacon. The crackers are so hard and dry that it takes regular eating to keep from getting hungry and we had a big mess this morning. We broiled the bacon on the coals and eat the ashes with it.
The regiment is all divided up now. There was two companies got off the train at Warsaw and one went on somewhere and the rest came on with us. We are here just now on the naked ground. We have no tents but ours have took up quarters in the church. But there was no room for us so we had to take the ground. We went down here expecting to meet the Yankees but when we got here they said that there was no Yankees [with]in less than 40 miles of this place. I reckon they heard that we were coming and they thought they had better not come.
I want you to write for I have not heard from home since Hill come. You can direct your letter to Goldsboro, 56th Regt. Co. K, and it will be forwarded from there to me. There talk of us going back to Clingman again but [ ] till the war is ended. Tell M. Dewese that Calvin is about as usual. I have nothing more to write but remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
to M. C. Dewese
Letter 14
Rocky Mount
Edgecombe county, N. C.
January 7, 1863
I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well excepting cold like Bill Henderson. The rest are all well. Branch Washam is in the Petersburg Hospital. He left us at Weldon. We left Franklin, Va., Sunday morning at daybreak and arrived at this place the same night just as dark. We are about 44 miles from Goldsboro. They expect a fight soon at Kinston soon. They say that Gen. B. F. Butler is in command at Newbern and Kinston—the same Butler that commanded at New Orleans.
There is talk of us going on to Goldsboro soon but I will be satisfied to stay where we are if they don’t take us back to Virginia. We were very comfortably situated at Franklin with chimneys to our tents and wood and water handy but I was very willing to leave all them to get back to North Carolina. It appears like I am at home when I am in my own state.
I received a letter from Sarah last Saturday night and was glad to hear that you were all well. Calvin also got one from her and Mat. I have not got a letter from any of you at home in three weeks, I suppose you have written but the mails is so irregular that not more than half of the letters go that are written.
They say that the small pox are close about here. I have been vaccinated for the small pox. It had not taken effect yet. All the men in the regiment have been vaccinated. I suppose the letters that was wrote since we left Virginia still go on there. When you write, direct your letters to Rocky Mount. I reckon if we leave here, they will get to us some time. I am in hopes that we will go to Goldsboro.
I want you to send my shoes the first chance you have for my shoes are worn out nearly. I have nothing more to write. I want you to write soon and give me the news. Excuse me for not writing sooner. — G. B. Dewese
to M. C. Dewese
Letter 15
Kenansville, North Carolina
January 29th 1863
Dear Mother,
I now take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at this time and hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. There is no sickness in the company now except one case of mumps. This seems to be a healthy place here. Very little sickness in the regiment.
Branch Washam came to the company. He came yesterday. He is not very stout yet. He came to Rocky Mount. Calvin is still there yet. Branch said he did not see him but he saw Bill Osborne and he said they were getting along there very well. There is no doubt but what they have very fine times there.
We are now between Goldsboro and Wilmington close to a little town called Kenansville, the county seat of Duplin county. We fare tolerable rough now at the present time corn bread with the bran in it and very poor old beef and barely enough of salt to eat it with. I can tell that provision is running very short in the Confederacy.
James Hill got a letter from T. C. Sloan dated the 1st of January. He was well and hearty at that time. Thomas Alexander was also well. They are now about Richmond somewhere. They say that we know nothing about hard times. They talked about getting one ear of green corn each day and when that gave out, they had to take the hard corn. That was tolerable rough living but I am thinking that it was only for a short period that they had to do that way.
We have plenty of busy times now. When the weather is good, we have drill twice a day and dress parade and inspection twice a day so ew can scarcely get time to write a letter. We have not time to think what to write.
I received a letter from Margaret and Elizabeth Douglas a few days ago. Margaret wanted to know whether I got my clothes. You can tell her that I got them and am earring them out as fast as I can. I sent home a box of my clothes. Calvin and Will and Milas and J. C. Bell all sent some clothes in the box. I want you to let me know whether you got them or not.
— G. B. Dewese
Letter 16
Topsail Sound, New Hanover county, N. C.
March 3rd 1863
Dear Sister,
I received your letter of the 22nd & 26th & was glad to hear that you were all well. I also received three letters from home a few days ago that had been lying at Goldsboro for three weeks. That is the reason that you have not been getting any letters. Calvin has come to the company. He is nearly well again, I believe.
Me and Calvin received a letter from D. R. Alexander today dated the 20th of February. He says he is just in moderate heath now—not able to do any duty. He says that T. C. Alan, T. R. Alexander, and J. C. Black are all well and the general health of the company is good.
You said that you heard that Calvin was going blind. He says his eyes was bad a while but they are all right again. Well, you said something about me washing my clothes. I generally wear clean clothes but when I have any clothes to send home, I always try to dirty them before I send them for it would not pay to wash clothes and send them home clean when I can get them washed for nothing at home, So if I have any more clothes to send home, I will try and send my dirty clothes so you need not speak anymore on the washing subject without you wish to.
Well, I suppose I will have to tell you something about where we are. Our company is on detached service about nine miles from the regiment and about 23 miles southeast of Wilmington. We are at the salt works on the Topsail Sound or Inlet. We are placed here to keep the enemy from landing or let it be known if they should make any attempt to land. We saw a boat pass the Inlet yesterday morning and steamers on towards Wilmington and a few hours after we heard the report of several cannon in the direction of Fort Fisher, supposed to be Col. Lamb firing on the blockaders.
This is a very pleasant place here. We get as many oysters and clams to eat as we want and take a ride on the boat when we feel like it. When the wind don’t blow too hard, we can sail in boat and the tide rolling high waiting for a pretty gal to come bime by [by and by].
Well, you said that they had caught some of the conscripts. There is two of them here—Andrew Christenbury and Samson Jordard. Samson is a great phrenologist. He has been feeling all the heads in the company and telling them their dispositions and characters. There is some things he knows and some he don’t, like every other man.
I saw a letter from Stanhept Barnett a few das ago. He describes the engagement with the conscripts as the most brilliant achievement of the war. He said they captured the church and made a commissary house out of it and took six prisoners and whaled a negro and made things perfect in general.
Well, I believe I have wrote you about all the news that I know of. You will please excuse me for not writing oftener for it is a hard matter to get time to write for moving about. I received a letter from Aunt Elisabeth a few days ago. They were all well when she wrote. I will have to close for this time by requesting you to write soon. Direct your letters to Wilmington N. C., 56th Regt. Co. K, Gen. Ransom’s Brigade. Nothing more but remain your brother affectionately, — G. B. Dewese
To M. C. Dewese
Letter 17
Goldsboro, North Carolina
March 27, 1863
Dear Father,
I will now write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time but I am so sleepy that I can scarcely see the line as we were all last night on the road from Wilmington to this place and didn’t have the luxury of a bed or sofa but I had the pleasure of riding on the top of an old boxcar and the wind blew quite briskly and it was about cold enough to freeze the horns off of a mooly cow but I did not freeze as you have no doubt already discovered. The weather is fine today. It is cold and clear. It looks as if it might stay clear for some time.
Calvin and I got a letter from D. R. Alexander yesterday dated the 20th. He said he was not well when he wrote. His arm was still running. He said there had been some fighting going on between Sturt’s cavalry and a portion of the Yankees. He said there was considerable loss on both sides, The Yankees were defeated and driven back. Rankin said he was in hearing of their guns but they were not called on to help. He says he don’t think they can get along without more fighting yet. Ties appear very peaceable—no war news at all except what Rankin wrote. It seems as if the war had already ended and they were shifting soldiers about from place to place for the good of their heart. The become lousy and mangy by staying in one place a long time. So it is a good thing to move occasionally if there is no fighting to do.
I have heard that they have quit giving furloughs. I do not know whether it is so or not. If it is, they had as well never commenced it for it will do more harm than good. I don’t say this on my own account for I never expected to get a furlough or get home anyway until the war ended, let the time be long or short.
Well we are faring sumptuously every day. We get as many mouldy crackers as we [can] eat and the same amount of bacon. Speaking of mouldy crackers, I will say that they are better than those that are not damaged. They don’t require so much exertion of the strength of the jaws to crush them as the sound ones do and I believe they are about as good diet as any for the health of the company is better now than it has been for a long time. No one sick in the company now. A. Washam, James H. Williams, & W. H. Vance are in the hospital at Wilmington. It is not thought Vance will live any length of time. He was very low yesterday. Alf is pretty bad off with pains in his side and back. I question if he is ever stout again.
Everything is calm and pleasant today. It seems to me that I could put in my time to a better advantage at home making marks across the corn field than I am now making marks on this paper. Peach trees bloomed two or three weeks ago out here and there has been some pretty cold weather since and I would not be surprised if the peaches were all killed. I would like very well to be at home in fruit time if I can’t get there before to enjoy the luxury of eating a delicious watery cling Peach. It makes my jaws water to think of it.
Well, I believe I wrote about all I can think of at this time. Times are hard and it is to be reasonably supposed that they are getting worse every day. I think you might spare time enough to come and see us this spring before you commence planting corn if you would try. It wouldn’t take long and it wouldn’t cost much if you come while we are at Goldsboro. But you can do as you think best. I have nothing more to write. I will close by hoping that this may reach you and find you all well. Yours son, whilst I am, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 18
Undated, partial letter
…Goldsboro is as usual [ ] and we will leave this place [ ]day without further orders are issued from the Commanding General.
I thought I would let you know that we are going to leave so that if you should take a notion to send anything or come yourself, you would know that we have to leave. I don’t know where we are going and I won’t give a guess for I might ne mistaken. I have nothing of importance to write at this time though for something new I heard a fast day sermon preached last Friday [and] with the exception of one, it was the first sermon that I have heard since we left this place last fall. That is five months ago.
….is thought necessary and the officers of the 56th are noted for their swearing propensities and the privates are not at a low grade in this line. They are all remarkable for their profanity and blackguardism. There is no chance for the South while her people go on with their wild revelry and wickedness. I don’t think I would be far wrong when I would say this is the worst nation in the world.
Tel Harriet Hill that Jim is well and that we are going to leave Goldsboro. I have no time to write more at this time. Excuse this short letter. Nothing more but remain your son affectionately, — G. B. Dewese
To Mr. John A. Dewese
Letter 19
Camp of the 56th North Carolina Troops
Wilmington, North Carolina
March 31st 1863
Dear Sister,
I will now write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time and hope these few lines may find you enjoying good health. The health of the company is very good now—no sickness at all except what was caused by hard marching. Our company has come back to the regiment. Our regiment received orders to march and our company was on picket about 9 miles from the regiment and we had to march to the camp and then go on with the rest. We then started on the North East Station. We marched 7 miles and then turned around and came back to camp so after marching 23 miles we are just where we started. We marched this distance in 8 hours.
It rained the night before we started and put the road in good condition for traveling. I never saw anybody go deeper than the waist without it some few that fell down. I can tell you we had a nice time of it. It is still raining yet. The weather is cold and we have to stay about the fire so our eyes are nearly smoked out. I can scarcely write for the water dropping from my eyes on the paper.
I have nothing more to write at this time. I want you to write and let me know how you are all getting along these high times. I have not saw anything in two or three months that I could buy with five cents. There is no such small articles going now. Give my respects to all enquiring friends and tell them to write to me. I must close by hoping this may reach you and find you well. Your brother whilst “I am”, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 20
Garysburg, North Carolina
August 1st 1863
Dear Father,
I will write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I am well at this time but nearly run down from marching so much. We left Petersburg on last Tuesday and came on the train to this place (Garysburg) and left next morning and took a trip in an easterly direction for Jackson—a small village a few miles east of Garysburg, N. C. We lay about there a day or two and came back to this place without seeing any Yankees as that was the occasion of our visit down there. We are now again at Garyburg about two miles north of Weldon and it is rumored that we will start for Richmond tomorrow. I don’t know whether we will go for certain or not but there is not much doubt of us going as there is a great need od us in Virginia and they will have us wherever our services is the most required.
Times in camp are about the same as they were when I was here before, only we get a little more to eat than we did them. We get plenty of meat. Our bread consists of dry hard crackers. They taste tolerable well but my jaws are very sore caused by the powerful exertions made to crush them. We sometimes boil them but it takes three quarts of water to make two crackers soft and then they are too dry.
The health of the company is pretty good. We left John Hayes & Reuben Christenbury at Petersburg. Reuben had a fit the morning we left & as for John, he is in a sort of a bad way. I don’t know what is the matter with him. Johnsons were so keen to send clothes to John and after he got them he wanted to send some of them home and I believe did send some of them with W. H. Sassaman after dragging them all the way to Petersburg. They will know something about it when I take clothes for him again. I have done more than I ought to have done already but however I suppose it is best to return good for evil. It is the noblest revenge.
I have nothing more to write that would interest you so I will close by requesting you to write soon and tell the rest to write. I hope the war will soon end and we will get to see each other again. Nothing more. Your son, — George B. Dewese
To Mr. John A. Dewese
Letter 21
Camp near Garysburg
August 22nd 1863
Dear Brother,
I will write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I am well at this time and hope you are enjoying good health. We have been resting for three or four days. We are now near Garysburg, N. C., about three miles north of Weldon and at a first rate camp where we can get wood and water plenty & handy but it is uncertain that we will not stay here long for we have got in such a habit of moving that we can’t stay in one place long at a time.
We are having a fine time now. Yesterday was fast day and it suited the occasion very well for we had nothing to eat. We get four biscuits a day and bacon according. We won’t starve while we get that much but it is very evident that provision will be scarcer in a short time from the fact that there are hundreds of acres of land lying idle about here that used to be cultivated. The working hands have all been sent west where there is not room for them to work but I reckon the sooner we get out of provision the sooner the war will end.
Well, Charlie, I want you to write to me and let me know how you are getting along with the peaches, watermelons, and other good things of August. I would also like to know [how] you and Amanda are getting along about the corn and beans and other things, including apples—the apples that I stole. Tell her that I am alright on that question. Tell her that Mark has gone crazy. He has got so that he don’t know other people’s boxes of provisions from his own and opened a box of provision and eat a watermelon before he found out the mistake so I made a mistake when I stole the apples. I thought they were mine.
Write soon and let me know if corn crops are good. I have heard that the corn has been considerably damaged by a storm about home. I don’t think it is as bad as they make it out to be.
The soldiers still continues to take furloughs when they don’t give them. They always start at night. They are alright for that. I would start at night too if I was going without a furlough. I think from what I can learn from Jim Lee Sloan that he is all right. It is well enough to get discharge one of that kind. The South will not lack for soldiers if all the men go ahead like him.
I must close by requesting you to write soon and give me the news. Nothing more but remain your affectionate brother, — Geo. B. Dewese
to Charles F. Dewese
Letter 22
Statesville, North Carolina
September 10th 1863
Dear Sister,
I will now write you a few lines to let you know that we have got nearly back here again to our utter astonishment. It is one of the most agreeable surprises. I am well.
We left Weldon Tuesday morning and came to Raleigh. We stayed there till next day when we started for the west. We arrived at Salisbury this morning at day break. We stayed there until most dinner time when we started for this place, Statesville. We are now alright—as near home as we want to be without going all the way.
We came up here for the purpose of fighting the deserters. They say they are in heavy force at Wilkesboro and are fortifying. They have two pieces of artillery and are commanded by Yankee officers, so said. I won’t vouch for the truth of the matter. 1
But I will close as my time is very limited for writing. Write soon or come yourself. You are a better scholar than me if you can read this letter. But still nothing more, — G. B. Dewese
I write in haste.
1 “Wilkes county was a troubled place during the war, and some have even argued it was one of the most Unionist counties in the state of North Carolina, even though both Yancey and Buncombe furnished more Federal soldiers. We really find events heating up in Wilkes County beginning in the summer of 1863. There are rumors of camps of deserters and dissidents in Wilkes with 500 to 1,200 men. On one occasion that summer, a group, supposedly of pro-Union militia, marched out of the Trap Hill area and to Wilkesboro, where they held a pro-Union rally and raised a United States flag at the courthouse. The militia company was soon out roaming the countryside, “harassing residents” and marching “under an old dirty United States rag.” Governor Vance asked Robert E. Lee to spare some troops for the area, and Lee sent Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hoke and two infantry regiments (21st and 56th NCTs), and a battalion of cavalry. Hoke spread his forces out in the surrounding counties, and by October, was reported to have captured 3,000.” [Source: Michael Hardy, Wilkes County]
Letter 23
Morganton, North Carolina
November 5th 1863
Dear Brother,
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at this time and hope that you may be enjoying the same blessing. I have nothing of importance to write you at this time. We left Wilkesboro last Monday and marched to this place Morganton. We got here yesterday evening. When we got here, we were informed that we might go back a piece anyhow. We are going back today as far as Lenoir, Caldwell county, and probably when we get there we will go on to Wilkesboro where we left.
Our Brigade is in splendid condition at the present time and in excellent health and spirits—especially Brandy Spirits—and we are ready any time to meet the enemy, let his force be ever so weak. Gen. Smoots’ army is in a very bad condition. His force is so scattered that there is not more than three men in a place, only what we have captured. I think if we had all together that we have taken up we would have more than a regiment of deserters and conscripts. I suppose that the deserters about Wilkesboro have had a fine time since we [left] but we will be apt to surprise them when we go back.
The 45th Regiment is pretty badly scattered now but it will soon be scattered worse. Our company is going to Wilkesboro county and two other companies are going to Ashe county and I don’t know where the others will go to. There is some of them gone to no-where now. We left no-where when we left Wilkes county and now we are going back.
There has been some talk of our company going to Mecklenburg but it has amounted to nothing but talk. They are afraid to let us go to Mecklenburg [where] they might all stay if they would get there.
Well, it is raining and I am out of doors and I reckon I had better quit writing. I want you to write soon and let me know if you are still going to school yet.
If there is anybody coming up to see us, you may tell them that they need not come to Morganton for we will not be there. I heard that Lee Sloan was coming with the wagon. I expect we will be at Wilkesboro or close about there for some time yet. There are still some deserters skulking about yet. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate brother whilst I am, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 24
Randolph City, North Carolina
December 13th 1863
Dear Father,
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at this time and hope that you may be enjoying the same blessing.
J. A. Christenbury is about to start home and I will send this letter with him. I did not know that he was going until a few minutes ago and I will not have time to write a very long letter.
We had a pretty tough march from Salisbury. We left there on Friday morning and marched to this (Ashboro) yesterday evening—a distance of 56 miles. We marched it in two days. It rained on us all last night but this is a pretty day and we are about dried off. J. M. Alexander is not able to travel on account of the rheumatism in his ankle. The general health of the company is no sickness at all except what was caused by hard marching.
I have nothing interesting to write at this time—only I burnt the most of my coat tail off the other night. I became so used to no tail to my coat that I had forgotten about having a coat tail.
Well, I must tell you something about the prevailing fashions among our regimental officers at the present time. A small poke of tobacco hung to the coat buttons and a pipe stem protruding therefrom. The fashion also prevails greatly among the negroes. I have nothing more to write. I will close. — G. B. Dewese
Letter 25
Christian Union, Randolph county, N. C.
December 15th 1863
Dear Father,
I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am well & hope these lines may find you well. The health of the company is very good at present. We are now camped at a place called Christian Union, Randolph county, about 16 miles from Ashboro in a southern direction. The country is tolerable thickly settled but it is very poor. I don’t think that we can subsist long near this place as provision is very scarce.
I am afraid we will not fare so well as we did in the mountains as they have annulled the impressment law and we will not have the privilege of taking everything we want. But it will be much better that if we were in Virginia. They may take me any other place but to Virginia and I will go willingly. Virginia has no charms for me. I have saw as much of that state as I wish to see. I don’t think that we will ever be sent to Virginia. Capt. Alexander has gone to Weldon for the purpose of hiring our baggage to us and I think that we will be very apt to stay in this state at least for some time to come.
It is said that there are a good many deserters in this community but we have not hunted any yet. We just got to this place yesterday evening and we have not done anything yet. We are going to start out in the morning to see what we can do. The deserters had an advertisement stuck up on the road at a certain place some time ago. It said that it was safe for the guard to come that far but no farther. They have not interrupted us yet and I don’t think they will as they don’t bear the name of being very chivalrous. I don’t care much for this sort of warfare as the fighting is all on one side and the danger on the other.
I have nothing more to write that would be worth your attention at present. Mac Alexander still has the rheumatism in his feet. He can’t walk to do much good. I must close by requesting you to write soon. Nothing more but remain your affectionate son, — G. B. Dewese
To Mr. John A. Dewese, Dec, 15, 1863
Letter 26
Christian Union, North Carolina
January 8th 1864
Dear Sister,
I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time and hope that these lines may find you enjoying the same. The health of the company is very good at the present time. No complaint whatever—only of hard times. I suppose you will think that I am a long time writing this time but it is the first chance I have had for a week. The weather has been so cold that I could do nothing but what I was obliged to do. But it has been so long since I wrote that I thought that I would write once more.
I sent 30 dollars home with James Sassaman. I suppose you got it. You said in your last letter that you sent my shirt & jacket with Christenbury. He brought the shirt but did not bring the vest. He said you wanted to send it but he did not bring it. I don’t need the vest now as I have plenty of clothes without it.
I have nothing to write after waiting so long. My paper is so bad that I am afraid that you will not read it. You may burn the letter after perusing it once as it will not be worth the second perusal.
I heard that Leroy was sick. I want you to write soon and let me know how he is. I have nothing more to write so I will close by requesting you to write. So nothing more but remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 27
Christian Union, North Carolina
January 13, 1864
Dear Sister,
I received your letter this morning and was glad to hear from home as it was the first time in a good while and to hear that Leroy had got well again. I am sorry to hear that Uncle Alfred is so bad off. I have heard that Lee Barnett has the conscription disease and is pretty bad off with it. It appears that the Home Guard are playing Smash with the deserters when they catch five in one day. This is more than we catch in a week but I suppose that they are better up to it than we are. I wonder what John Pope thinks about harboring deserters. He will think he has been at it whether he has or not. I have heard that a great many of the secessionists and fighting men at home have refused to take Confederate money. It is a great pity they are not in the army where they would get eleven dollars per month. It may be then they would be willing to take all the money they could get. Them kind of men require us boys at home a while in order to rectify them. I think by the time we get home and distribute the property equally amongst us they will be willing to take hold of the plough handle for a support. It is my impression that the war will end soon and all will come right.
As concerning the deserters, I know but very little about them. I think the most of them have left this county. We don’t catch but about two a week. They are harder to catch than the mountain boys. Besides, the impressment law is not in force as it was in Wilkes County.
Wm. G. Christenbury & S. N. Tensance [?] & Geo. Edwards of this county are the ones that are going home on furlough. They will start today.
I received the cap you sent me and I am much obliged to the giver. The weather is very cold and it helps me wonderfully. I have some little tricks that I wanted to send home but there is nobody going that lives very close to you. I will send them the first chance.
You never said anything about getting that money that I sent with J. P. Sassaman. I sent thirty dollars with him.
I have nothing more to write at this time. Calvin started out day before yesterday on a scout and there are three letters for him here. Nothing more but remain yours, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 28
High Point, N. Carolina
January 22, 1864
Dear Sister,
I received your letter last night & was glad to hear that you were all well. I am well at this time & hope for you the same. We are now camped in about two miles from High Point awaiting orders to go I don’t know where but it is generally surmised that we will go to Goldsboro. But I don’t think we will go anywhere for a few days at least. We left Asheboro on the morning of the 19th and came to this place. There are six companies of the regiment at this place; two others are in the mountains & two at Weldon. There has not been so many of us together in a long time as there is now.
They would satisfy me better if they would just let our company stay to itself. We have been drilling twice a day since we come up here. It is very hard work but I wouldn’t mind it if we could get enough to eat. But that is not so. We get about one-third what we ought to have. We could sorter get along if they would just let us lie up in camp & do nothing but when we have such hard duty to do, it nearly extinguishes life. There is no chance to get out of camp to get anything to eat—only when we run the blockade and [that] is sometimes dangerous. But I run it sometimes, let the danger be what it will.
Well, I suppose that I had as well quit that subject as talking will do no good. I will close by requesting you to write soon. If you have a good chance, you may send me something to eat. — Geo. B. Dewese
Letter 29
Weldon, North Carolina
February 8, 1864
Dear Father,
I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am well. I received a letter yesterday from Margaret and was sorry to hear that you & Mother was so sick. I hope when these few lines come to hand, they may find you well. I will send some clothes home in a box. They will go to J. R. Alexander’s & William Sassaman will get the box from there. I will send this letter by mail.
We are going to Richmond. That is the news in camp & I suppose it is true. The health of the company is good at present & a general satisfaction prevails when we get plenty to [eat] but if not, they boys are pretty nasty. So you may guess that we are nasty all the time for hunger is as inseparable adjunct to the word Confederate soldier.
I have nothing more to write at this time. Please write soon and let me know how you are getting along. Nothing more but remain your affectionate son, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 30
Camp near Weldon, North Carolina
February 9th 1864
Dear Sister,
I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am well & hope these lines may find you and all the rest of the family enjoying good health. I was sorry to hear that father and mother was so bad off. I hope that they are well by this tie. We are in camp near where we were last summer [with]in three miles of Weldon. We were at Weldon last evening and were under orders to go to Virginia and got aboard the train and went over the river three miles to Garysburg when the order was countermanded and we got off of the train and camped for the night so we are still in North Carolina yet & wishing to remain here till the end of the war.
The health f the company is very good at present. No complaint at all except on account of not getting enough to eat. But I don’t think we have any reason to complain but rather to rejoice that we are not in Virginia where the best of soldiers are and who have done all the service that is worth mentioning. I fell on a plan to get my wants supplied—at least for a short time if everything is going on right and we don’t go to Virginia. I have just written to Gibbs Stearne [?] for a box of provisions but I don’t know whether he will send it or not. If he does, he will confer a great favor on me & my mess mates. I reckon Dobbs will thing wicked when he gets my letter. Calvin is going to write to that Parks for a box & Calvin Brown has already written to Alice [ ].
J. A. Christenburg wrote some time ago to the Rev. W. S. Ph___ for a box of provisions and then several more of the boys are talking about writing to some more of the [ ] men at home for something to eat. I think brother will reply with the right sort of material. We will have plenty to eat for awhile but I am thinking that thy will not be apt to give the right sort of answer. They will hate to so it. I have nothing more to write that would be interesting to you—only that the company generally are exercizing their friends greatly this evening at writing. They all seem to be alive to their own interest by the way they are writing…
There are several of the neighbors that are going to send boxes of provisions. The boxes are to be sent to Charlotte the 18th. If you see anybody that wants to send anything to anybody, tell them that I am their mule for that.
I have nothing more to write. Please excuse me for all foolishness. Write soon and let me know how you are all getting along. I will close as I have nothing more to write. I remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
To Miss M. C. Dewese
February 9th 1864
Letter 31
Camp near Weldon, North Carolina
February 15th 1864
Dear Father,
I received your letter today and was glad to hear that you & mother were getting well again. I am well at this time. Several of the boys are complaining but none of them are seriously bad off. It seems that this is not a very healthy location as there are a good many sick when we were here last summer.
We are building winter quarters and signs indicate a considerable stay here but it may not be that we will leave about the time we get our quarters completed. Our regiment is still in Ransom’s Brigade but there has been considerable talk of being transferred to some other brigade. There are some Yankees prowling about near this place that escaped from the prison at Danville, Va. Our men caught four of them the other night and there are still a few more lurking about yet—it is thought trying to burn the bridge at Weldon. They keep a very strict guard at the bridge.
You said that I never said anything about that box of provisions. I received it and made myself sick eating. That was the reason, I reckon, that I forgot to tell you. I sent some clothes home in a box. I started them the 8th to be sent to John Alexander. My. Sassaman will get the box and you can get the clothes there. I have nothing more to write at this time.
Give my respects to the family and tell them to write to me. Nothing more but remain your affectionate son, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 32
Camp near Weldon, North Carolina
February 20th 1864
Dear Sister,
I received your letter a day or two ago and was glad to hear that you were well and I cannot forbear praising you for your punctuality in answering my letter that I wrote to you the 18th of last month. I was only a month in getting an answer. I am well at present and I hope these lines may find you in good health. The health of the company is only tolerable good at present. There are several cases of sickness in the company. Ben. Brown they think is taking the measles and is pretty sick this morning. Calvin T. D. is not very well. Cold is the most that is the matter with him.
The weather is very cold & has been so for several days. We have built winter quarters and we are enjoying the pleasure of sitting by the fire all day and night too if we choose, but we generally sleep an hour or two every night. We have scarcely anything to so, This weather is too cold to drill and we have nothing much to eat so we have a very leisure time of it. We would have provision from home now if it had not been for Jim Sossiman and a few others impertinence. Him and some men were detailed to take prisoners to South Carolina & they telegraphed for their folks to meet them in Charlotte so our provisions did not come and they have been at Weldon ever since and I don’t suppose they have got to Charlotte yet so they missed getting to see their folks and I am glad for them. Tell Miss H that Will Black received her letter all right. Nothing more but remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 33
Camp near Weldon, North Carolina
March 12th 1864
Dear Brother,
I can inform you that we have got back once more to our [winter] quarters after an expedition of 17 days after the Yankees. We left this place the 21st of last month and took at train to Garysburg and rode down to Murphy’s Station [with]in three miles of Franklin, Va. where we got off, crossed Blackwater River, and camped for the night (26th). The next day we marched 24 miles until we got 4 miles beyond Gatesville, North Carolina. The next day we marched 30 miles and camped [with]in six miles of South Mills N. C. and on the next day (the 29th) we reached South Mills pretty well worn out having marched over 55 miles in a little more than two days. We stayed there 5 days busying ourselves in gathering up provision of all best corn, bacon, hay, fodder, and everything that was necessary in sustaining the life of both man and beast. We had a light skirmish withe the Yankees and killed two and took 7 prisoners. We were on the further side of the Dismal Swamp Canal. This swamp is 5 miles wide and there is no possible way of passing through it except by a turnpike.
We left South Mills on the morning of the 5th at 2 o’clock and marched to Sandy Cross, a distance of twenty miles. Got there by twelve the next day. Pretty good traveling for foot cavalry. We remained there one day and started the next and marched 27 miles and camped within 6 miles of Black Water River where we stayed one day and started the next for Suffolk, Virginia, where it was reported there was a considerable number of negroes and some Yankees.
On the night of the 8th we camped [with]in 15 miles of Suffolk. The next day we marched into the town—or rather ran—for I think it was about 5 miles that we double quicked. There was a small force of negroes minor near the town who when they heard us coming, began making every preparation for leaving. Our artillery opened fire upon them which increased their speed. We were run down when we got through town but we still had to run on. Our regiment got [with]in about a half mile of them and run them a considerable distance but didn’t get in shooting distance. Some of our men got a few negroes hemmed up and killed 11 of the Black Arabs. One negro secreted himself under the house and succeeded in killing three of our men (artillerists) and wounding six. Then the house was finally set on fire and he was burned to death. The whole number of negroes killed, I believe, was 23. We took no prisoners thinking that we had done as much for them as we could. 1
We left there the 10th and marched 19 miles quick time without stopping. We then camped pretty well exhausted. We started the next morning for Franklin. We got there last night and this morning we took the train for [illegible]…Some of the blisters on my feet are more than an inch square. Yours truly, — G. B. Dewese
1 George is describing the sharp skirmish with Black soldiers from the 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry at Suffolk, Virginia, that occurred in early March 1864—afterward known as Ransom’s Raid. “By their own admission, Ransom’s men murdered all their captives. However, the exact number of men killed is unclear, probably fewer than a dozen. ‘We did not take any prisoners,’ boasted one participant to a Charlotte newspaper. ‘Officers and men were perfectly enthusiastic in killing the ‘d—d rascals,’ as I heard many call them.’ John W. Graham, a member of the 56th North Carolina and son of prominent politician William A. Graham, informed his father that his regiment gave ‘no quarter’ to the black troops, for it was ‘understood amongst us that we take no negro prisoners.'” [Source: The Fight for the Old North State” by Hampton Newsome, pp 175-176.]
Letter 34
Bermuda Hundred, Virginia
June 1st 1864
Dear Sister,
I suppose you are all uneasy to hear from me as it has been so long since I wrote. I think I am excusable for not writing as the nature of the case would not admit of me writing. I am well at this time and hope these lines may find you all well.
We left Gaston on the 20th of May and have been on the que vive [alert] ever since. Our present position is in the vicinity or not far from Drewry’s Bluff. The place is called Bermuda Hundred. The enemy was in heavy force when we came here but it is thought that they have taken a good part of their force away to reinforce Grant. I have been on picket four times in the last ten days and have been subject to more or less shelling every day from the Yankee gunboat on James River below Drewry’s Bluff.
We have a line of breastworks from the Appomattox to James River 5 miles long so we lie in line of battle all the time. We go through a regular course of cannons firing every day to let the Yankees know that we have not left yet.
The wounded of our company were doing very well the last we heard of them. Allison Christenbury had a finger shot off morning while doing picket duty by his gun firing accidentally. He is gone to the hospital.
We are having hard times but better I expect than some other soldiers are having. We received your letter yesterday of the 23rd. We are going to have another spree of shelling this evening. It is probable that we will have some fighting to do here, but we may not. You need not expect to hear from me often as I have a bad way of writing. Direct to Petersburg.
I remain your brother, &c. — G. B. Dewese
Letter 35
Petersburg, Virginia
July 11th 1864
Dear Sister,
I will try to let you know how I am getting along. I have got well again and I am now enjoying as good health as ever. The health of the company is pretty good at present. None of our company has been wounded lately excepting a slight scratch that J. H. Johnson got on the top of the head last Friday evening while standing behind the breastworks. There has been no fighting along our lines for three weeks except skirmishing. All is quiet today. It is thought that the enemy is leaving our front. I hope they will do that. We will be relieved. We have been in the trenches more than two weeks.
Our company will go to the rear tomorrow to rest and wash our clothes. We have just received four month’s wages—the first I have had for about five months. A. H. Alexander came in the other night and brought me a letter from you. I have heard nothing from [brother] Charlie yet but I hope that he is all right. I have no news to write at this time. I can think of nothing that would interest you. We get no mail—only what comes through by private conveyance. The train runs from here to Weldon but the mail does not come.
Give my respects to the family. I will close by requesting you to write soon. Nothing more but remain your affectionate brother, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 36
Petersburg, Virginia
July 21, 1864
Dear Sister,
I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and I hope that you all may be enjoying good health.
Our regiment came out of the ditch night before last, being relieved by the 55th Regiment. It rained all day on day before yesterday and the mud and water was knee deep in some places when we came out. We were relieved in good time to get clear of the mud but we will have to go back into the miserable place again tonight. Staying in the ditch, rain and shine, is no fun and them that don’t believe it, I want them to try it. The ditch has to be full of occupants if the water would come to our chins and no relief or remedy for us. I have become disgusted at the manner in which soldiers are treated and there is no sense nor judgement exercised in carrying on the war. It has already lasted three years and a half too long. In fact, it should never have begun. There was no reason for it at the commencement and I hope that those that were most instrumental in bringing on the war will have to suffer most for it yet. But they have escaped so far and while they remain out of the war in undisturbed leisure, the war will continue to go on. I have heard of war till I am sick of it and I want it to stop. They had as well stop it. They will have it to do some time and probably when times are worse than they are now. The Southern army’s supplies are very limited and what there is, is likely to be cut off. The Yankees are very energetic in their operations around Petersburg. They tear up the railroad when they please & destroy bridges as it suits them. We have such a small supply of surplus troops and hands that we can’t attend to foraging and raiding parties that the Yankees may send around and which they do send around when they choose.
Our army is severely pressed now at all points. Gen. Johnston’s army has undergone and is undergoing a series of retrograde movements which will make it famous in history and Lee has such a wide scope of country to guard to prevent a flank movement by Grant that his army is pulled and stretched till it is a mere skeleton in form and appearance compared to the Yankee army and it seems that we had as well quit while times are good.
A good many of the soldiers have been taking furloughs. They have become so disgusted at the war and tired of their desperate situation that they have determined to change their base of operations [by deserting] but that is a bad way of getting clear of the war. I don’t think I shall ever try that way. I suppose I have said enough about the war. I will quit it by saying that I hope it will end soon.
I would like to get a letter from home. I have got no letter since A. H. Alexander came back. That was written the 3rd. I want you to write as often as you can. It may be that some of your letters will get to me. Calvin got a letter yesterday from Matt dated the 13th. I don’t know why our letters fail to get home. I wrote Sarah a letter a few days ago. I write someone of the family every day or two and I would like to get an answer. I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon. Nothing more but remain your affectionate brother which I am, — G. B. Dewese
Letter 37
Petersburg, Virginia
August 11, 1864
Dear Sister,
I will write you a few lines to give you some information such as you will no doubt be glad to get. I received your letter this morning and also a very fine box of provision which I was not looking for, It was very acceptable indeed. Everything was all right except the pies. Some of them were spoiled but there was not that many with all of them. I am well and feel all right except a little inconvenience from eating so much. I had not tasted peaches this year till I got the box. They were very good. I got the apple that you marked to me.
Our company came out this morning to rest which suits us exactly. Everything has been unusually quiet for three or four days. It is thought that the Yankees are leaving our front but they may be making preparation for another blow up although I think they will discontinue their blowing operations as they lost more than they gained by their other operation. 1
It is said that our troops are again moving into Maryland and it seems that they are creating quite a consternation among the people at the North. They have begun to realize the inconvenience that the Southern people have been brought to feel by the Yankee invaders. I hope that the Yankee Nation will be repaid doubly for the damage they have done the Southern people.
Well, I believe I will close to you and try to tell Martha Ann a few things, Please write soon. Nothing more. — G. B. Dewese
Well, Martha, I received your dispatch which surprised me a good deal. I was glad to hear that you were all well. I am enjoying good health at present. I feel a little uneasy on account of eating so much. We will be all right in a few days as we will soon have our provision consumed and we will have the luxury of enjoying an unadulterated and [ ] met of cornbread and refused bacon—a very palatable and welcome diet. But very few seem to have a very great relish for it. The reason is that we don’t get anything else.
Well, you spoke of Mary Stuart. Please to tell her to keep cool. I was sorry to learn that it took fewer families to send one box of provision to us while Johnsons could send a whole box to Hayes, but in the long run, we have more in our mess than J. H. He was so unfortunate as to lose his box. It grieves him sorely but it can’t be helped. It failed to reach him so he is where he was before the box was taken. Well I suppose you are aware of the fact of peace going [smudged paper] …and then the war be done with. I hope that I will be permitted to assist in raising a crop at home next year. The idea of peace being made is a happy thought. I will close hoping to hear from you soon. Give my respects to the family.
Yours respectfully, — G. B. Dewese
1 See the Battle of the Crater.
Letter 38
Petersburg, Virginia
August 16th 1864
Dear Sister,
I write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I am very tolerable at present. My bowels have been out of order three or four days occasioned, I suppose, by the sudden change of diet, not being accustomed to eating anything good. It did more to injure than to improve my health though I reckon I will be all right in a day or two as our provision is nearly exhausted and we will be forced to fall back on our old resources for a living eating cornbread and refused bacon. There is a good many sick in our company. Calvin is very poorly and [ ] Hill is right bad off. Andy Barnett has been sick for some time and is no better yet and several others are unwell and have been for some time.
We are in a pretty plight this morning. A heavy rain fell yesterday evening and of course we were in it as usual. I never saw a bigger rainfall than fell yesterday evening. The trenches were flooded. We were completely soaked. After that rain was over our company had to go on picket. The rifle pits were filled with water but we had to get in the pits so in we went. We came in this evening well soaked with water and plastered with mud. It looks like it would be clear today and I think we will get dried off.
All is quiet today except the sharp shooting [illegible]… I think his blowing up business has played out…[smudged]
— G. B. Dewese
Spared & Shared 23 