The following letter was written by William Dunlap Simpson (1823-1890), the son of John Wells Simpson (1796-1881) and Elizabeth Satterwhite (1803-1824). William was married to Jane Elisabeth Young (1829-1902) in the mid 1840s.

William was educated at South Carolina College (later the University of South Carolina), completing his studies in 1843, and spent one term at Harvard Law School. He practiced law in Laurens with his partner (and father-in-law) Henry Clinton Young. He served in the South Carolina legislature in the 1850s and early 1860s, but at the outbreak of the Civil War, Simpson volunteered to served as an aide to General Milledge L. Bonham from the siege of Fort Sumter till after 1st Bull Run. He then returned home and helped to raise the 14th South Carolina Infantry and was made its lieutenant-colonel in November of 1861. He commanded the regiment at 2nd Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam and Shepherdstown. He was also present for Fredericksburg but he resigned his commission when he was elected to represent South Carolina in the Confederate Congress, serving until the close of the war. He became Lieutenant Governor in 1876 and served until 1879 at which point he became Governor of South Carolina. He served in that office until 1880, when he was named to the South Carolina State Supreme Court. His tombstone reads “Elder in Presbyterian Church; Legislator; Soldier; Confederate Congressman; Governor; Chief Justice of SC.”

Transcription

Camp near Port Royal Ferry
[South Carolina Coast]
Late December 1861

My Dear Dear Wife,

This is Sunday night and Tatoo has just been sounded but I must write a short letter to my loved one at home before I take my cheerless lot—if for nothing more at least to let her know that the Yankees have not caught me and that I am not on my way to Fort Lafayette. We are still occupying our old position in sight of the enemy and nothing has occurred since the steamboat excursion. That adventure upon this post we have not been able to understand. They have not followed it up with any further demonstration. Perhaps the reception they met with at that time has persuaded them that they had better be more cautious in future.

I received your last letter last night and was glad to hear that all was quiet about home. I did not have any serious apprehension, but still I was more or less uneasy and was anxious to hear from home.

There is now no probability of our Colonel being appointed Brig. Gen’l. Col. [Maxcy] Gregg has received the opportunity and will have the command of this Department. His command will embrace our regiment, Col Dunnovant’s [12th S. C.] Regiment & Col. Edwards’ and some few artillery companies. Although we are advanced near the ferry, I don’t think it is the understanding that we are to attempt to hold this place against an overwhelming force should they succeed in crossing, but in all probability we will have to fall back. In other words play the same game we did at Fairfax Court House. I don’t like this course of things. Enough troops ought to be raised to resist them coming on the main land and to drive them back at all hazards. Col. Gregg has not assumed command as yet. Will be here by 1 January. He is now in Columbia attending convention.

How are our boys turning out? How much do they weigh now? I wish I was at home to get some spare ribs and sausages. I would work for a box of some of them but there is so much difficulty in getting a box through to this point, it would cost more than it ought, and more than this, some of our men. Capt. Hammond has been home recently and brought us a supply, and Col. [Samuel] McGowan received from Mr. Mc. through a friend who was already coming here—a supply of sausages &c. &c. so we have been living pretty bountifully on such things. Our Christmas dinner consisted of a fine big turkey on large cheese of [  ], some well-cooked sausages, spare ribs, potatoes, rice, butter, and a wild duck. First rate, was it not? Don’t expect you had much better. We live well enough. This is the finest country for poultry I ever saw. Some of the prettiest ducks may be seen on every place. If I had a good opportunity, I would like to send you a coop of them.

When you write to the boys, do tell them I have not forgotten them. I do hope they may get back up in April. Tell them not to volunteer in Virginia, but to come home and then if they want to go again, they will have a chance to rise from a private. I would write to them but it seems I never have the time to write to anyone but you. Tell the children I am glad they have not forgotten Pa and that Christmas don’t seem like Christmas without I was there. My dear wife, good night. May I dream of thee tonight. — W. D. S.

To Mrs. W. D. Simpson, Laurens Court House, South Carolina