The following letter was written by James Beasley (1840-1903), the son of James H. Beasley (1804-1854) and Hannah Cowgill (1811-Aft1880) of Winchester, Scott county, Illinois.

James enlisted on 13 August 1862 in Co. D, 129th Illinois Infantry. At the time of his enlistment, he was described as a 5 foot 6 inch tall, dark-haired, hazel-eyed, single farmer. He mustered into the regiment on 8 September 1862 and mustered out on 8 June 1865 at Washington D. C.

Also serving in the same company with James was his younger brother, George A. Beasley (1843-1924). He wrote the letter to his younger sister, Amanda A. Beasley (1848-1931). He refers to his younger brothers Dick (b. 1844) and Ben (b. 1846).

Transcription

Near the Chattahoochie River
September 12, 1864

Kind sister,

I now seat myself to answer your kind letter that has just come to hand and found me well and in good health. I was glad to hear from you and that you and all the rest of the family were well. Well, Mandy, I have no news of importance to tell you at the present for we don’t get any news—only what we can get out of the papers, and I suppose that you can get them at home as quick as us. We have not had any papers for four or five days until today on the account of Old Rebel Wheeler tearing up the railroad between Nashville and Louisville. But it is now in operation again so we will get our mail more regular.

We are still camped near to the bridge that crosses the Chattahoochie river—that is, our Brigade—and the rest of our Corps are in Atlanta. And the rumor in our camp is that we are going there to join the rest of our command but no one knows how soon. But Mandy, I tell you what I think about it, I don’t think that we will for our Brigade is here guarding the river bridge and the railroad and I know that it won’t be left without any guards. And there is no troops to take our place. unless they are brought from the rear and I am positive that there is no spare stroops behind. And we are detached from the main army anyhow and I am glad of it because I do think that our company is over until next summer and then the other five hundred call will be out. And if the war lasts until then—which I don’t think it will—we will have another campaign.

Well, Mandy, I would like to see you and all the rest of the family the best in the world but I don’t expect that I will ever get a chance to come home until my time is up. And then I come to stay, you may bet. Mandy, I want you to write me and tell me all the news and what is going on at home and how Dick and Ben gets along and whether Dick liked the show or not. I often wondered why you and the Boys didn’t write any oftener than you do. This is the second letter, I believe, that I have got from you and only one from Dick. Write and tell me if the old place looks like it did when I left home. I think lots times that all the folks back there has business that they had rather do than to write to me for I never get any letter from anyone but Mother. I did get one or two from Jack and Jane in the last year. I would like to see Mother. Tell me if she looks much older or have broken much since I left home or not.

I like to get letters from home and I like to write letters, but we have a mighty poor way to write—that is, we have no table or anything of the kind. I generally get to a stump or old log and it is a poor thing to write on. I am still your brother, — James Beasley

The following letters were written by George A. Beasley (1843-1924), the son of James H. Beasley (1804-1854) and Hannah Cowgill (1811-Aft1880) of Winchester, Scott county, Illinois. George was 19 years old when he enlisted in Co. D, 129th Illinois Infantry. At the time of his enlistment, he was described as a 5 foot 5 inch tall, dark-haired, hazel-eyed, single farmer. He mustered into the regiment on 8 September 1862 at Pontiac and mustered out on 8 June 1865 at Washington D. C.

The third letter suggests that some time between his enlistment and March 1864, George was married to Mary Elizabeth Long. The couple were divorced in 1878.

Also serving in the same company with George was his older brother, James Beasley (1840-1903).

Letter 1

Nashville, Tennessee
February 3, 1863

Kind and beloved sister,

It is the will of God that I am permitted to write you a few lines. The letter you wrote last came to hand the other day and found us all well. It was received with joy by me. I was truly glad to hear that you had not forgotten me but I was sorry to hear that you had all been sick. I hope by the time you get those few lines they may find the health of the family good.

Sister, you wrote as if you thought I had forgotten you but you need not cherish any such idea. I ofttimes think of you when the camp lights is blown out. This is a beautiful day. The sun shines brightly. The air is mild and pleasant but there is considerable stir in camp. We have orders to march to Bridgeport, Alabama—the distance of one hundred and thirteen miles. The roads are very bad at present and it looks as if it will be a hard trip for us to travel.

Tell Mother that I have not had a letter from her for some time. I have wrote several letters to you since I left Gallatin which I have got no answer from. There is no telling when I will have the opportunity of writing to you again. If you please, write to me for you have a better way of writing than I have.

I will give you the prices of produce as follows. Eggs is worth thirty cents a dozen. Butter sixty cents per pound. Cheese thirty cents per pound. Chickens is worth 6 dollars a dozen. Fresh pork $10 a hundred. Beef the same. Corn is worth 60 cents per bushel. Oats the same. Board is worth 7 to 10 dollars a week. Money is plenty and trade is scarce. Wood sold here this winter as high as 24 dollars a cord and there was some families have had to do without wood. There was a woman told me she had to do without a fire in her house for two days before she could get wood to buy.

Sister, I must begin to make arrangements to march so I will close. Your loving brother, — George A. Beasley

Look over mistakes, bad spelling, &c. Direct your letters to this place and they will follow us.

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Letter 2

South Tunnel, Tennessee
March 24, 1863

Dear Sister,

I this morning take my pen in hand to answer your kind letter. It was dated March the 15th. Your letter found me in middling health. Sisterm you wanted me to tell you what the present cost I sent you. It cost me 450 cts. Sister, you are welcome to them and ten times as much more if you need it.

Sister, you wrote that you thought the war would come to a close. I think it will myself and then if I am alive, I will come home to see you. The Boys is in middling good health and good spirits. They say that they will be at home before long. The rebels is getting what they need at all points and I think they will have to sue for peace before long.

Sister, I have underwent a good many afflictions since I last saw you which I hope is for my good. James [Beasley] and Peter [Frame] is both well and hearty. Sister, I read your letter with ease and I think you have improved in your writing and if you keep on it, it won’t be long before you will be a good writer. I am very sorry to hear of you having the small pox back there and so many deaths. It looks [as if] the curse of God is upon the people at this present time.

Sister, I went out on picket last night for the first time since I came to the regiment. Today it is cloudy and looks like for to rain. It has been very warm and windy ever since I came here. It looks like spring. The grass looks green and the birds sings sweetly. The buds on the trees is beginning to swell and I don’t think it will be long before the trees will leaf out. The wheat crops look well. The prisoners which the Boys have taken arrive every day in route for Camp Chase, Ohio.

Sister, I must bring my letter to a close. Your affectionate brother, — George A. Beasley

Write soon. Write soon. Write soon.

Dear brother, this morning I take the opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well, hoping these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. Since I have been away, I have heard and seen a good many things which I would like to tell you something about it which I will not write at this present time. So goodbye for this time. Your brother until death. — George

Tell Richard Gea and Mother I send my much love and good wushes to them. Tell them I would like to hear from them. Write to me very often. Write to me very son. Letters from dear friends are like flower buds in June.

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Letter 3

Nashville, Tennessee
March 11th 1862 [should be 1864]

Kind and loving sister,

It is with the greatest pleasure I seat myself to answer your kind and loving letter which came to hand a few days ago. It was gladly received with joy by me. Sister, I would like to tell [you] that I was well but I cannot. There is some disease like the [ ]. This has been very hard on me. We have an attentive physician to attend us and are in a good hospital which many a poor soldier has not. Therefore, I think I have no room to complain. It is true my bodily health is not good, but that is nothing strange for me. It looks like I have been afflicted so much that it comes natural to me for to be so. Therefore, I am contented with my lot. This is the second time I have been up since I have been here.

Our regiment left some time last month. Jonas and Peter was both well the last time I saw them. There has been several died here in the last few days with the measles and erysipelas here. The smallpox is very bad in this city. The city is crowded with soldiers who has reenlisted and are going home and returning to the front. They appear to be determined to put down this rebellion at all hazards.

Mary went to western Virginia a few days before I was taken sick. My father-in-law has been to see me several times since I have been here. He brought me some clothing and honey butter and apples and several little notions. He says if it is possible, he will get the doctor to discharge me. He lives 25 miles from this place.

Tell Mother not to think hard of me for not writing sooner for I was not able to. Tell Mother not to think I have forgotten her for I have not. I ofttimes think of her and wonder why Mother don’t write to me oftener. Tell Mother I have ofttimes thought how cruel I have been to her in boyish hours when I was to home. I ofttimes think if it was in my power to repay her for the trouble she had with me I would, but can only thank her for her kind and carefulness she watched over me in my youthful hours.

Sister, my hand trembles and my head aches so I will close, hoping these few lines will find you all enjoying the blessing of good health, — G. B.

Direct your letters to Nashville, Tennessee, No. 19, Ward 1

Write soon.

Sister, you was telling me about that nut cracking [and] how you girls had such a jolly time and how you wished me there. It is true I would like to have been present with you. It gives me much joy to hear of you girls enjoying yourselves back there in Old Scott [county]. You was saying you wished for the war to close. Yes, and so do I.

Mary was to see me before she left. It was a sad parting to us both but Grandpa was sick and she had to go take care of him. The enjoyment of life will soon be gone, our youth hour no more.

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