The following letters were written from Charles W. Reaves (1845-1863), the son of Robert Hodge Reaves (1813-1875) and Anna Louisa Grice (1825-1901) of Marion county, South Carolina. He wrote the letters to his younger brother, Robert Hodges Reaves (1846-1865) who later enlisted (March 1864) in Co. H, 21st South Carolina Infantry and was killed in action on 18 June 1864.

In August 1861, Charles enlisted in Co. E, 1st South Carolina Infantry (McCreary’s). Marion District. He was promoted to 4th Corporal between August 19, and December 31, 1861. The regiment completed its organization at Richmond, Virginia, in August, 1861. Most of the officers and men had served previously in the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, a six-month command, which was mustered out of service in late July. The men were from Charleston and Columbia, and the counties of Darlington, Marion, Horry, Edgefield (now Aiken), and Florence. Charles’ service record indicate he was with the regiment until the Battle of Gettysburg when he was killed in the first days action on Seminary Ridge. Charles made the charge in late afternoon with his regiment—and the rest of Abner Perrin’s South Carolina Brigade—on Union Cavalry Col. William Gamble’s cavalrymen who carried Sharps repeating rifles, making things hot for the foot soldiers in grey. Though Charles would not see the result, Perrin’s Brigade broke the 1st Corps Union line, regrouped, and then chased the Union soldiers into the streets of Gettysburg. The 1st South Carolina claimed to have been the first regiment to plant the Confederate flag on the town square.

The task of informing Charles’ family of the death of their son fell upon his captain, Washington P. Shooter who was from the same district. See—1863: Washington P. Shooter to Robert Hodge Reaves, Sr.

[Note: These letters are from the private collection of Richard Weiner and were transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Letter 1

Camp Jager
Suffolk, Virginia
October 12, 1861

Dear Brother,

I received yours of the 5th with much pleasure for I had concluded that you had given out writing to me. I received a letter from Sarah yesterday by which I learned that Cousin Joe had joined Capt. Stanley’s company, but I think that surely it must be a mistake for he has irrevocably committed himself to our company, for he even went so far as to send for transportation which Capt. [Washington P.] Shooter sent him. He may have joined Stanley’s company before he received an answer from me after he had applied for transportation, in which case he will have to explain to Capt. Stanley for the fact of Capt. Shooter having sent him transportation makes it impossible for him to back out, without forfeiting his bonds in the eyes of every man in this company for every man in it knows that transportation has been sent to him. Tell him what I have written you, and endeavor to explain to him in the best possible manner the consequences of his joining any company after he has received transportation to this company. Tell him also that I, believing that the fact of his joining our company was fixed, have made arrangements for him in my mess, for the mess being divided I have remained by myself in order to make a mess when he came that would suite him. I cannot believe that he has joined Capt. Stanley’s company, but if he has under the circumstances, it can he settled by his telling Capt. Stanley that after joining his company, he received transportation to Capt. Shooter’s company and therefore he is hound more closely to Shorter than he is to him.

You say you heard that we had been given flintlock muskets. In part that is true, for we have borrowed about fifty flintlocks from the state of Virginia, but these muskets are not for our arms. We only borrowed them to drill with until we could get the rifles which the Secretary of War himself promised to Capt. Shooter in person. As long as we are here where we are in no danger flintlocks are as good as any to drill with. But you need give yourself no uneasiness about our being armed with them, for the men would not have them, and if they would, Capt. Shooter would not lead them into action with them. But there is no danger of our getting into action before next spring for there is no probability of our moving away from here before that time. There are several of our men sick with the measles, and two men from the Horry [Rebels] company [Co. F] died a few days ago. These are the deaths we have had among the soldiers of our regiment. Our regiment has been increased to eleven companies by arrival of the Carolina light infantry [Co. L] from Charleston. It has been a fine company and contains eighty-six members.

Our band also arrived a few days ago which is quite an addition for we now have good music. Your affectionate brother, — Charles

I could write more, but my paper will not allow it, so I must close. You must answer this immediately. Give my love to Grandma.

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Letter 2

Camp Gregg, Virginia
March 30, 1863

Dear Brother,

I received your letter of the 25 inst. by Mr. Johnson and glad to hear from you. I wrote to Pa a day or two ago and sent the letter by Capt. Shorter who went home on a leave of absence of twenty days. I expect you will see Capt. Shorter and I hope that you and Pa will come back with him, or before that time. Times are as dull here in camp as ever. Mr. Johnson met with a serious accident on his way back to camp. He had his bag of provisions stolen from him at Richmond. He had a fine supply of rice, potatoes, hams, sausages, team and their loss was a great disappointment to his mess, as well as himself. The drum has beaten for dress parade and I must wait until it is over before I write any more.

Dress parade is over, and I resume my writing.

I expect to go fishing tomorrow. I have everything in readiness to start early in the morning. There is a millpond near here where I understand one can catch fish so I want to try my luck. I hope I will be successful. If you come to see me, I will take you over the battleground at Fredericksburg and show you the position we occupied, and many other things that will interest you. You will also get a chance to see the Yankees across the river. I found out a new substitute for tea a few days ago. I think it is better than any substitute that I have yet tried. It is nothing more than the leaves of the ordinary holly tree. It resembles the real China tea very much in taste, and I understand that it is a very wholesome beverage. I encourage you to try it at home and let me know how you like it. Write soon. Give my love to Ma and all the family and excuse the miserably written letter.

Your affectionate brother, — Charles