The following letter was written by James Hervey Edwards (1837-1899), the son of Cader King Edwards (1790-1851) and Ann Payton of Barren county, Kentucky. Family oral history has it that he was called “Honest Jim” by his peers because he lived by the law of iron-clad honesty. Two of James’ brothers are mentioned in the letter: Cephas D. Edwards (1837-1899) and Christopher “Columbus” Edwards (1842-1863), and one sister: Angelina Edwards (1828-1906). Both James and Columbus served together in Co. H, 21st Kentucky Infantry. James survived the war, Columbus did not. Columbus died of chronic diarrhea at a military hospital in McMinnville, Tennessee on 7 July 1863. James mustered out of the regiment at Huntsville, Alabama, on 23 January 1865. He was described as standing just shy of 5’10” with brown eyes and dark hair.

James wrote this letter to his brother who must have been Edward Steele Edwards (by virtue of elimination). Edward (1826-1900) was the oldest child and the head of the family after Cader’s death in 1851.

Transcription

Camp Negley near Shelbyville, Tennessee
May 26th 1862

Dear Brother,

I have the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know how I am. I am well at present and hope these lines will find you and your folks the same. I received Cephas’s letter the 24th & was glad to hear that you were all well though was sorry to hear of the misfortune in Cephas’s family and of Ben being so low. Columbus received Angelina’s letter the same day. He is still at the hospital. I have not heard from him today. The doctor has gone over there. Before I close my letter, I will know how he is. I went to see him last Friday. He looks very bad though he was going about and said he was better. The officers has been very tight on us but they are a little easier now. They roused us up last night at ten o’clock to cook two days provision and to be ready at a minute’s notice to march. We are not gone yet and we may not go at all.

I have no news to write. The papers tell you of the war affairs. Angelina wanted to know how far we are from the road. You may tell her we are in one mile of the depot in Shelbyville.

Mrs. Catherine Locke wants to know how Nute [Newton] & [William] Harrison Brooks are. You may tell her Nute is in good health and as fat as he need be but Harrison I think is not in very good health though is going about. I want you to write me when you get this letter and tell me if Mr. Pruitt has gone home yet or not. If he has, tell me how he is. Give me all the information you can from there.

I heard they had taken J. W. Edwards up for treason. Tell me if it is so. If so, what they have done with him. I wait to hear from Columbus. In case I might forget, tell all the friends when they write, not to fail to put the letter of the company on the letters for they may come to the regiment and we would never get them.

The doctor has returned. He says Columbus is going about and is gaining some strength. He keeps me uneasy all the time for fear he will throw himself back again. I think they had better discharge him for I do not believe he will be able for duty any more this year. He has never got over that spell of fever he had last winter. I wish they would let him go home. If he could be where you could see to him, he might soon recover.

There is a very strong Union sentiment for this state here. The ladies come here every day to see us on dress parade and of Sunday evenings to preaching. We are camped in a bend of Duck River on a high place in the prettiest place I ever saw a regiment stationed at. It is such a shady place, the sun scarcely strikes us the whole day.

Tell your folks to write to me. I would like to see you all. I have nothing more of importance to write. I am in hopes it will not be long till we can see each other. Be sure and write soon. Give my best respects to all who may inquire. No more at present but remain your affectionate brother, — J. H. Edwards