The following letters were written by Jacob Alison (“Ally”) Frierson (1846-1914), the son of Robert Burdell Frierson (1821-1902) and Elizabeth Singleton Alison (1827-1884) of Kingston, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana.

18 year-old Ally wrote both letters in September 1864 from the camp of the 27th Louisiana Volunteers near Alexandria, Louisiana. Muster rolls show him in Co. G (the “Dixie Rebels”) under the name J. A. Friarson. He is also listed as having served for a time in Collins’ Scouts.

Most of the 27th Louisiana men were taken prisoner at Vicksburg inJuly 1863, but were declared exchanged in the fall of 1863. In the summer of 1864, six companies, reduced in strength, re- organized at Alexandria. Companies A and H reorganized at Clinton, Louisiana, and became part of Gober’s Regiment Mounted Infantry. One source states that Company D never reorganized, but some records show at least part of it at Clinton in June, 1864. The regiment occupied a camp at Pineville until the end of the war. Occasionally, detachments would help garrison Fort Buhlow and Fort Randolph near the town. Many of the men began dispersing to their homes in late April, 1865. The remnants of the regiment marched to Mansfield and disbanded there about May 19.

Letter 1

Camp near Alexandria [Louisiana]
September 1st 1864

Dear Ma,

I received your welcome letter on day before yesterday together with Pa’s and proceed to and answer it. I am glad to hear that you are all enjoying good health, It is surely a great blessing. I am thankful that I have not been sick any more. In yours of the 27th, you said you had not received a letter from me in several weeks. I cannot account for your not receiving one every mail since Mr. Scott has been here, except the first, and the reason why I did not write then was because I was sick.

The news of yesterday from across the Mississippi is cheering. The papers states that Gen. Lee has tried another mine on the Yankees and blown up about six thousand. Ohio is for peace. Grant is still falling back. Washington being threatened by our forces. The Yankees are very uneasy for fear of being invaded.

A protracted [religious] meeting is being carried on about a half mile from here. We have meeting every night. A private of the 31st preaches on one night and Mr. Faucher (who was appointed by the Convention at Kingston) on the next, and so on. Mr. Faucher is a splendid minister. I like him better every time I hear him. The other would preach very well if he would omit the (an a) after every two or three words.

On last Sunday I heard the first sermon I had heard in nearly three months. We have been going to preaching every night since. On night before last Mr. Faucher preached us a splendid sermon from the text, “He hath bourn our graves.” ¹ His composition and delivery are both splendid.

In your letter you asked if you must send my over shirt when you send my winter clothes. In answer I say you need not send it as one will be as much as I can pack. The things you send by Mr. Crawford all arrived safely. I am very much obliged to you all for them. The clothing and hat fit finely. Many thanks to cousin Martha for making the hat. Tell her I say it is beautifully made and fits me as well as though it was made on my head.

By the by, while talking of my head, I have had my hair shingled at last. The boys all say it is an improvement. Many thanks also to Aunt Annie for the cake. It was fine. Thanks also to the children and Susannah for the apples set. Give my love to Uncle Asa, Aunt Mary, and family. Tell cousin Emma I am very much obliged to her for the book she sent me. Tell her I will write to her next week. Tell Mary, Anna, Aunt Mollie and cousin Martha that they must answer my letters. I wrote to Pa and Sissy last week. You must all write every mail. You must tell Sissy and Emma they must not wait for me to answer their letters as I have to write so many…

Believe me as ever, your affectionate son, — J. A. Frierson

P. S. Howdy for the negroes.

¹ Ally’s letter appears to read, “He hath borne our graves,” though the actual passage from Isaiah 53:4 is “He have borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…”

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Letter 2

Camp near Alexandria [La.]
September 14th 1864

Dear Pa,

Again I take my pen to write you a few lines though I have no news of interest to communicate. It has been very pleasant early in the mornings and late in the evenings for the past ten days. I expect you will have heard the nominees for President and Vice President ere this reaches you. It is reported in Yankee papers that Atlanta has fallen but it is not believed. If that is so, I believe Lincoln will be elected. I hear that you are all expecting peace March next, but I think from what I can learn here that you will be very much disappointed. I think from what I can hear, that we will have another four years war.

Major [A. W.] McKee who was courtmartialed and sentenced to be shot for swindling the government and giving information to the enemy but he was turned over to the civil authorities for another trial. I understood on yesterday that he was ordered to be conscripted by Gen. Buckner so I am afraid he will be cleared. He wrote a letter to one of Banks’ army when they were at Natchitoches. He gave one of our men $60 in gold to carry it to him but the man he gave it to happened to be a true Confederate and carried it to Gen. Taylor. The letter advised Banks by all means not to go any farther north. He stated what size army we would have and that he would surely be whipped if he advanced.

September 16th. I hate to inform you this morning that Atlanta has certainly fallen. It is surely a great blow to us. Gen. Morgan is said to be killed. If that is true, we will miss him a great deal. Grant still driving at Petersburg. I think we can look for another four years war.

There is to be a man shot over in the “Crescent” on tomorrow for desertion. I do not know whether our brigade will be ordered out to see it or not but if it is not, I intend going anyhow as it is so close. Give my love to Uncle Lock’s family. Give my best respects to all enquiring friends. Love to Ma and yourself. Kiss the children for me. Remember me in prayer. Your affectionate son, — J. A. Frierson