The following letters were written by James W. Carswell (1845-1862), the son of Joseph Carswell and Priscilla Gillean Baker (1826-1897) of Buena Vista, Marion county, Georgia. James enlisted on 15 June 1861to serve in Co. K (“Marion Guards”) of the 12th Georgia Infantry. He remained a private from the time of his enlistment until the date of his death on 28 August 1862, killed in action at 2nd Manassas.
Letter 1
Richmond [Virginia]
June 27, 1861
I again seat myself, pen in hand beside a camp chest to let you understand my situation and feelings. We were mustered into service yesterday and have moved our camp from two miles east of Richmond to one mile and a half west of Richmond, the last being the best camping ground. Our regiment is filled out and not a man was refused and none backed out, and as yet Davis has appointed no Colonel. We left home with the expectation of having [Zephania Turner] Conner for our Colonel but now we are not certain that the President will appoint Conner. He says that if he does not appoint him, that he will give us no man inferior to him so we are certain of receiving good regimental officers.
We are all in fine spirits and better pleased than ever, having nothing to do and everything to eat. We have good hams and shoulders, fresh beef, sea biscuit, meal, flour, sugar, coffee and the tobacco chewers a plenty of tobacco. The crops here are young, there being scarcely any corn above knee high.
The war feeling is more pregnant in Georgia than it is in Virginia and the Georgians are more excited concerning the war than the Virginians. We expect to remain here until we are well drilled. Therefore, write soon and direct your letters to James W. Carswell of the Marion Guards, Richmond Virginia. If mailed otherwise, it may not reach its destination.
Your affectionate son, — James W. Carswell
Letter 2
Monterey, Highland county, Virginia
July 15, 1861
Dear Parents,
After long and severe marching, I again seat myself to write to you. We left Richmond last Sunday morning was a week for Staunton where we arrived Sunday night and laid over until Tuesday morning when we set out for Laurel Hill, distant one hundred and twenty-five miles. We traveled between ten and fifteen a day until we arrived within fifty miles of Laurel Hill where we met a Virginia regiment commanded by Colonel [William C.] Scott which had been cut off from Laurel Hill. And news came in that this regiment was pursued by 17,000 of the enemy well equipped with all the accoutrements of war, and our Colonel [Edward Johnson] thinking us unable to withstand the onset of such a host, ordered us to countermarch and we traveled back the same road all that night and the next day until we arrived at Monterey, 44 miles from Staunton.
During our night’s march, [William C.] Scott’s [44th Virginia] Regiment was in advance of us about a half a mile and the vanguard of the regiment which always marches a little in advance of the regiment had a prisoner which attempted to escape. The guard fired on the prisoner and the whole of the Virginia Regiment, thinking the enemy at hand, and in the confusion fired without orders, killing four men and wounding several others. This appears to be an unfortunate regiment. It was only a few days ago that three men were killed by the upsetting of a wagon.
A part of Scott’s Regiment had a brush with the enemy the other day but I will not give you the details of the affair as you will probably see an account of it in the papers before this letter reaches you.
There is nothing here but everlasting mountains, full of game of all descriptions, with road so winding that you could throw from one mile post to another. The weather is cool enough for frost if the nights were not so short. The wheat is too green to cut and the corn is about a foot high. There is here between three and four thousand troops while others are hourly arriving. It is not known by us how long we will remain here. We may have to march before night.
The people on the road favorable to our cause are packing up their things and giving their eatables to the soldiers and leaving by wagon loads for the land of Dixie. I am well and have had good health all the time. I have received no letters from home. Willis [P. Burt] got one this morning. I am anxious to hear from you. If you have written, write again, and direct your letter to Richmond as there is no knowing where we will be and they will forward it to us. You must direct it in this manner or it will never reach me, there being so many daily soldiers receiving letters. “James Carswell of the Marion Guards [Co. K], in the care of Captain [Mark H.] Blanford, 12th Georgia Regiment.”
Yours affectionately, — James Carswell
Letter 3
Camp Jackson, Pocahontas county, Virginia
August 1, 1861
Dear Parents,
Our regiment is by itself, camped upon the highest ridge of the Alleghany Mountains. The enemy is camped upon another ridge of the same mountains about fifteen miles distant. The scouts of the enemy and the militia of the country have had several skirmishes near Greenbrier River in one of which several of the enemy were killed. It is useless to say anything of the late brilliant victories won by Beauregard and Wise or of the positions of the contending armies for you know more about it than I do.
There is a good deal of sickness in camp owing to the dampness of the weather for it rains here nearly every day and it is also very cool. As for myself, I have enjoyed splendid health, having had no sickness except a bad cold and a headache. In the cooking line I am a thorough graduate and am also a very good washer although I dislike to perform in either.
It is sixty miles from here to Staunton. Consequently you get the news of what is going on before I do and you also get it more correctly. I have just heard that another battle has been fought near Washington and perhaps that if it proves a victory, with the Manassas battle will soon conquer a peace, for the thunder of cannon and the rattle of musketry will speak louder to Northern fanatics than the beautiful string of words which is issued from their Congress, and Lincoln will perhaps soon realize what he has already said—that there is more peace in the mouth of one 40-pounder than there is [in] the mouths of all the members of Congress. God send that he may realize such a fact.
I have written six or seven letters home and have as yet received no answer while all the other boys have received letters except [John] Weaver who has also received none. 1 I have already written what is necessary and under the present circumstances it is not convenient to write more. So give my respects to enquiring friends and connections and tell them that I hope soon to be with them and I think that my hopes are not groundless.
Your affectionately, — James W. Carswell
P. S. Direct your letters to J. W. Carswell, College. Johnson 12th Georgia Regt., Northern Army, Beverly, Virginia.
N. B. A company of our regiment and detachment of the enemy had a skirmish today in which the Yankees gave leg bail. No one of our men were hurt.
1 John Weaver died of measles at Camp Alleghany on 1 September 1861.
Letter 4
Greenbrier river
September 1st 1861
Dear father and mother,
I received your letters daye the 12th and the 20th of last month and in them I found much which gave me great satisfaction. Mr. Harvey and the doctor arrived here in safety and as Mr. Harvey will return in three or four days and as it is Sunday, I take this opportunity to prepare a letter for his return. You stated that Willis [P. Burt] reached home in bad health. I am sorry to hear it for I was in hopes that he had entirely recovered for he appeared to be in excellent health when he left camp, Tell him that I have received two of the letters directed to him and also that he must write to me as soon as he is able. The health of the regiment has greatly improved since its removal to Greenbrier. About all of the men have had and have got well of the measles but some of them while recovering caught the typhoid and some of the new mo__ and the result is a great many of them have died. Some companies have lost as many as nine men. We have lost but one man—Corporal [William H.] Robinett. 1 I and Weaver have both had the measles and in addition I have had the chills and fever but I am as well and as strong as ever. But [John] Weaver is very sick and I fear for his life.
There are eight regiments in the camp here under the immediate command of General [Henry R.] Jackson, but subject to the orders of General [Robert E.] Lee. A portion of the enemy are on Cheat Mountain about ten miles from our camp and are supposed to be strongly fortified. General Lee is some fifteen miles from here and it is reported that he has or is about to surround General Rosecrans, the commander of the Northern army in western Virginia. But how many men he has with him, I do not exactly know. It is highly probable that there will be a fight in this vicinity in a few days. It is rumored that next Tuesday is to be the day of general attack, both here and upon the Potomac. But for the truth of the rumor, I cannot vouch. But one thing is certain, some important movement is close at hand for all communications between camps and other important places has been stopped for the next ten days.
You stated that you had had a good deal of rain and had experienced considerable trouble in saving fodder and that the rain had injured the cotton crop. I am sorry to hear this, but I am pleased to learn that notwithstanding the crops are very promising. The weather here has also been very wet, it having rained nearly every day and generally all day long. And to a sick person, it has been very disagreeable indeed. It has also been very cool. We had our first frost here on the fifteenth of last month and the weather has been cool ever since.
The old mountaineers around here say that snow will begin to fall about the middle of next month. So you see the necessity of having warm clothing. It will be almost impossible to obtain the necessary winter clothing here. I am not at present in need of anything of the kind but this winter I shall need some woolen socks, 2 or 3 pair heavy drawers made of any material which you think best, 1 woolen over shirt, 1 pair heavy pants, and 2 or 3 common shirts. I believe these are all the things that I shall need.
Pa, you stated that you had thoughts of coming out here this fall. I would be very glad if you should do so. You could have an opportunity of seeing and knowing something of the soldier’s life. I shall to the best of my ability give heed to the advice contained in your letter. Tell Aunt Panthia that she must write to me and also tell her that Mr. Elam sends her his respects and begs of her is she can conveniently do so to go down and stay awhile with his wife. I have written all that I can think of. I send my love to you and the whole family—especially to grandma. Write often. I remain yours most affectionately, — J. W. Carswell
1 Corp. William H. Robinett died of fever at Camp Allegany on 16 August 1861.
Letter 5
Camp Barto, Pocahontas county, Va.
September 28, 1861
Dear father and mother,
I wrote a long letter to you on the 1st of the month and one also to Willis [P. Burt] on the 15th in both of which I stated what clothes I should want so there is no need of saying anything more about them. Dear parents, I write this morning to let you know that I am enjoying good health and am doing well so that you need not have any anxiety with regard to me. And also to inform you of the health of the company & regiment which is in a miserable condition. Half of the men of our company & of the regiment are on the sick list and since I wrote to Willis, our company has lost three men—William Hale, George Perry, and Athrur Watson. The last named died yesterday evening. Besides we have several other men dangerously sick. Our sick all starts for Harrisburg this morning which place is some 15 or 20 miles below Staunton. Our baggage has been sent to Staunton and we perhaps will follow it in a few days.
We are at the present fortifying this place but do not expect to remain here. We have had for the last two days some very disagreeable weather. Day before yesterday we had a storm which blew down several tents exposing the occupants, mine being among the number. There was frost and plenty of ice this morning. Mr. & Dr. Harvey are sick at a private house but are improving. Capt. Blanford has gone to Richmond & Dr. Brown leaves for home today and furlough of six weeks.
I have nothing more to write. This leaves me enjoying the best of health & I hope that it may find you enjoying the same. Give my love to all. — J. W. Carswell
P. S. When you write, send enough paper to answer your letter for it is a scarce article here.
Letter 6
Camp Barto, Greenbrier river
October 20th 1861
Dear father and mother,
I write to you to inform you that I am enjoying the best of health & that I am also very well satisfied. The health of the whole camp is gradually improving, Most of the sick has been moved to Staunton or its vicinity. Our company has lost but one man lately. James [W.] Hogg died at Staunton a few days ago.
We have some stirring times here. Skirmishing between our outposts and the enemy occur almost daily. You have already seen in the papers that we had a battle here on the 3rd [see Battle of Greenbrier River] in which our regiment and company acted nobly. But we regret the loss of [Richard] Crye 1 who fought bravely & we came very near losing our 1st Lieutenant [James Robert McMichael] whose bravery was witnessed & testified to by our Colonel.
We are still fortifying here. We have completed several batteries and are making more. If the enemy again attempts to take this place, he will meet with a warm reception. It is not known how long we will remain here but it is to be hoped that we will not stay here much longer. We have not received the clothes which Mr. Perry left at Augusta though they may be in Staunton.
Lieutenant [James F.] Brown has resigned. I have written all that is interesting so I must close hoping that this may find you all in the best of health. I send my love to you all. You must write often. — J. W. Carswell
1 Pvt. Richard Crye was killed at Greenbrier river on 3 October 1861.
Letter 7
Camp Allegany, Pocahontas County, Va.
December 1st 1861
Dear father & mother,
I received your letter by Mr. Perry. Also one from Willis [P. Burt]. I answered Willis’ and sent the letter by Mr. Perry & as the time has again come for me to write, I take this opportunity to write to you. We have moved from our old camp on the Greenbrier river to the top of the Alleghany Mountain where we expect to spend the winter. Captain Blanford has gone to Richmond with petition to get this regiment moved somewhere further south, signed by all the commissioned officers of the regiment. But it is doubtful whether it will have any effect or not. It is to be hoped, though, that it will.
If we are doomed to remain in this northwestern prison house, pinned up between mountains of snow and ice during the war, I wish to be removed either by a substitute, transfer, or discharge. Either would be gladly accepted, but I do not want you to go to any trouble in trying to get me off, If you can conveniently get me either of the things above mentioned, you would greatly gratify & oblige me.
I am young and uneducated & the war is likely to be a long one & I would like very much to go to school more than I have for I am here where I cannot apply what I do in any manner except in writing letters. My education is consequently on the decline. I hope that you will this letter immediately. I am well at present with the exception of a severe cold & cough. There is very little sickness in camp but half the regiment is sick at Staunton & its vicinity. I have nothing more to write. I send my love to you all. — J. W. Carswell
Letter 8
Camp Alleghany, Pocahontas county, Va.
December 16th 1861
Dear father & mother,
I have not received a letter from home since Mr. Perry came. I am consequently getting very anxious to hear from you. The brigade at this post had a battle [See Battle of Camp Allegheny] with the enemy on the 13th in which the command suffered severely both in killed and wounded. There is about 150 out of the whole command missing, killed and wounded. Out of our regiment, 47 killed & wounded, and out of our company two killed and four wounded. The killed & wounded of our company is as follows: [Wiley D.] Hadaway & [Augustus] Phelps killed, Moses [J.] Harvey slightly wounded in the head & a flesh wound in the arm, John [W.] Cantrell slightly wounded in the face, [Joseph W.] Worrell & [James A.] Thacker dangerously wounded—one in the leg and the [other] in the thigh.
Our boys fought like tigers and gained a victory but dearly did they pay for it. I am well with the exception of a cold. You wrote to me to get a furlough if I could but I think that it is almost impossible for a well private to do, so owing to the exposed condition of the post, I have nothing more to write. I send my love to you all. Write soon. — J. W. Carswell
Letter 9
Alleghany, Pocahontas county, Va.
January 20, 1862
Dear father & mother,
I received yours of the 22nd in due time and would have answered it before now had I not been waiting for my discharge. I carried the affidavit enclosed in your letter to Colonel [Zephania Turner] Conner (you have perhaps heard of the promotion of Col. Johnson). He said that I was entitled to be discharged & that he would get it for me; he miself did not have the authority to give one. He wrote to the War Department & sent the affidavit with the letter. I went to see him this morning. He has not received an answer yet and probably will not. He says that he does not know what course the War Department will pursue in relation to it but says that he will inform me of any information which he may receive of it. So you see that if Col. Conner receives no answer that I can do nothing more at present.
It is probable that the regiment will leave here soon. If so, I will stand a better chance of getting off. Capt Blanford & Sergt. [Nathaniel W.] Parker expects to start for home in a few days on furlough. If I could go with them to Richmond, my discharge would be almost certain but that I cannot do.
Since last I wrote you, we have lost two of our company—[Hugh] White and [William S.] Story. They died [of pneumonia] within a week after they were taken sick. There is at present very little sickness in camp. We have some very disagreeable weather. It rains and snows most of the time & is consequently almost indurable. I am in good health & hope you are enjoying the same. Tell all at home to write to me & you must not be so long between letters.
Yours most affectionately, — J. Carswell
Letter 10
Alleghany
February 10, 1862
Dear parents,
I received yours of the 29th yesterday and in compliance with your request, I hasten to answer it. You stated that you had not received a letter from me since the 1st of December. You must have been mistaken for I have written to you three times since I received the affidavit & once directly after the battle. I received the affidavit in due time and immediately carried it to Colonel Conner who wrote next day to the War Department & has not yet received an answer. He says he does not think the War Department intends to do anything for e so I have no hope of getting a discharge from that application.
I think the best way to get me off is to write to President Davis sending an affidavit of my age & stating your reasons why you wish me discharged saying that when I joined, schools were generally broke up & that there was no prospect of my doing anything more that year, and being chivalrous like most boys are, I enlisted. But now things are greatly changed and it is your intention to educate me. But if I remain in the army four or five years, or any considerable length of time, my prospect for an education will be ruined for life. By doing htis you will make out a case that he can hardly refuse. But if you do not want to proceed in this manner, you can go to Capt. Blanford who is now at home. I am very certain that he could get me off if he would. Perhaps you can get him to do things which I could not. But do not trust in his word too much for he is a wily man & I have not much confidence in him. And if he thinks you do not know much about such matters, he will deceive you in respect to them.
If both these should fail, you could perhaps get a substitute. If you can get one for nothing, do so. If not, I will pay as much as a hundred dollars for one which is my wages and computation money. If all these should fail, my only hope is that the war will be a short one. I do not want to put you to much trouble for I should have taken your advice and remained at home. I have learned though too late that a boy of my prospects has no business in the army and I have learned several other valuable lessons—one of which is that friendship cannot be trusted far. This fact is [rest of letter is missing]
Spared & Shared 23 