This letter was written by Nancy Caroline Murphy (1836-1916), the daughter of Hiram Byrd Murphy (1807-1889) and Elizabeth Jackson (1812-1908) of Sharp Top, Cherokee county, Georgia. Nancy later (1877) married Francis (“Frank”) Marion Moss (1854-1926). In her letter, Nancy writes of her three younger brothers in the Confederate service, John “Franklin” Murphy (1838-1862), Isaac “Martin” Murphy (b. 1843), and “William” Lial Murphy (1843-1867). She also refers to her older sister, Julia Murphy (1831-1923), the wife of Pearson Lumpkin Worley (1831-1919).

Franklin (“J. F.”) Murphy served as a private in Co. D, Phillips’ Legion (Georgia Infantry). Co. D—known as “Polk’s Rifles” was with the regiment in the battle on 14 September 1862 at Fox’s Gap on South Mountain (Southerners referred to this as the Battle of Boonsboro). An 1863 death claim filed by Franklin’s wife, Phebe Ann (Worley) Murphy, states that Franklin was wounded and taken prisoner in the battle and died at Baltimore in captivity in late October 1862.

Serving in the same regiment with his brother, Isaac Martin Murphy was wounded in the back at the Battle of Sharpsburg and taken prisoner. He was exchanged at Fort Monroe on 13 October 1862 and furloughed home. He never returned to his regiment.

As stated in the letter, William Murphy served in Co. B, 34th Georgia. Accepting a bounty of $50, William enlisted in May 1862. He was taken a POW at Vicksburg on 4 July 1863 and paroled shorty afterward. He died young, however, in 1867.

Transcription

Cherokee County
State of Georgia
April 5, 1863

Miss Susan A. Hart,

Dear cousin, after a long delay, I seat myself to write you a few lines which if received, will inform you that we are all in tolerable health, hoping this will reach you enjoying the best of health. I reckon I will surprise you as think you have almost forgotten me. I thought I would write to you one more time & perhaps cause you to think of me again.

We have very cold weather for the season. The spring is uncommon late here. There is not a bud to be seen in the woods almost. Everything appears dull and lifeless. Times is very hard here as provision is very scarce.

I reckon you have heard that my brothers is all gone to the army as brother Martin saw your cousin Tucker at Richmond. Brother Franklin was either killed or captured at the battle of Boonsboro the 14th of September last & has not been heard from since. We think he was killed in the battle. He left a wife & two little children. Brother Martin was wounded at the battle of Sharpsburg the 17th September. They was falling back when he was shot in the back, the ball passing through his cartridge belt, glancing down bruising his right lung and lodged in his right side & could not be taken out. He was taken prisoner & stayed with the Yankees one month. He was paroled & came to Richmond. He came home in November & has not been able to go back since. I don’t think he will ever be able for the service any more.

Brother William is at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the 34 Regiment Ga. Vols. We received a letter from him last week. He was well but suffering for something to eat. Cousin, I need not say anything about my troubles for this war brings troubles for all. I think the time has come when all flesh shall mourn. Life is uncertain & death is sure.

Cousin Susan, I want you to write me & tell me about your brother & cousin, I guess, children and all the news that you think would interest me. Sister Julia sends her love to you all. Susan sends howdy to you and says tell Mother that she has not forgotten her. Mother says tell your mother she often thinks of her and would [like] to smoke with her. Cousin, I wish I could send you and cousin Betsy a large potato that growed in Georgia as we have then plenty, e and mother has some new dresses in the loom. They are bark dye.

My hand is trembling. You must excuse bad writing, My pen is bad and my paper no better. So no more. I am as ever, your sincere cousin, — Nancy Caroline Murphy

N. B. I forgot to say that Mr. Bishop is not gone to the war He is over the age for the conscript. Julia’s husband has been discharged & never went to the army on account of his being deaf in one ear.