The following letter was written by an indignant 18-year-old Alexander Derr Peebles (1843-1913), the son of Robert E. Peebles and Eliza Derr from Pana, Shelby County, Illinois. In May 1865, he entered into matrimony with Amy Downs in Shelby County, and in 1882, they moved to a farm in Kansas, ultimately establishing their residence in Eureka, Greenwood County, Kansas.

Alexander wrote the letter to his friend, Pvt. Matthew H. Karr (1839-1862) of Co. B, 14th Illinois Infantry. Most likely Matthew received this letter, but it may have been his last. He died from injuries and exposure on the battlefield at Shiloh on 11 April 1862. His parents were Charles and Jerusha (Harvey) Kerr of Shelby county, Illinois. Mathew’s sister Nancy Karr (b. 1845) is mentioned in the letter.

Transcription

Shelby county, Illinois
March 10, 1862

Mr. M. H. Karr—sir,

I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well at this time and hope these few lines may find you. the same. John Rhoads was married the next Sunday after you left here. ¹ Nancy is well. I was up there yesterday. I had a fine time with her.

Now I must tell you what happened last night. Dick Riggs was up to see Jane, the God-damned Sarl top. I wish he was in hell. I got the mitten by God from her. He is a God damned greenhorn as well as myself. I wish you had a been here last night and seen the fun. Almon Simmons is here on a furlough but it going back this week to Fort Donelson.

I don’t think Jane wanted to slight me but I think she was put up to it by that God damned pewter bollocks Dick Riggs. If he did that, I will break his neck. He was there all day with her. I thought [it] strange that she was not at meeting with the girls. I began to smell a mice so I went up to see what was up and they all looked as mad as hell. Jane looked like she did not know what to do. When I asked here if I could stay, she could not say at first and at last she whispered no. So I left.

I have not much to write. I will write to you again. So no more at present but write soon. — A. D. Peebles

Direct [to] Pana, [Illinois]

To M. H. Karr

¹ Shelby county marriage records inform us that John Rhodes was married to Lurany Myers on 23 February 1862.