The following letter was written by John Primrose (“JP”) Dewar (1844-1864), the son of Andrew Henry Dewar (1803-1873) and Margaret Mary Beamont (1802-1883) of Summerville, Harnett county, North Carolina. JP’s father was an emigrant from Scotland; his mother was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. Following their marriage in 1826, the Dewars moved to New York for a time and then relocated to the northern part of Cumberland county, North Carolina, which eventually became Harnett county. Here Andrew farmed his property, assisted by several slaves. Andrew was also the postmaster and a store keeper in his locality (“Chalk Level”) for a time and after the war he petitioned President Johnson for a pardon claiming that he never rendered any help to the rebellion.

In 1861, when JP was 17 years old, he enlisted in Capt. McKay’s Co. I, 31st North Carolina Infantry. His older brother, William Ambrose Dewar (1830-1902), served in that same company and eventually rose to be its captain. In 1863, William was taken prisoner and confined at Fort Delaware. He was one of the officers taken from that fort to South Carolina to be used as human shields on Morris Island. See Immortal Six Hundred. Another older brother, Henry Beamont Dewar (1826-1875)—who took over his father’s store—also served the Confederacy by joining the Second Artillery (36th State Troops) at Fort Fisher.

JP was captured at Roanoke Island on 8 February 1862, but paroled not long afterwards. He was promoted from Corporal to 3rd Sergeant of Co. I in February 1863. He was wounded on 4 June 1864 and hospitalized in Richmond, Virginia. He died on 30 June 1864 at Petersburg.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Wilmington, North Carolina
May 1st, 1864

Mary B. Dewar,

Dear Ma, it’s with pleasure that I embrace the opportunity to write you a few lines by Jas. Arnold to let you know that I am very well at this time, hoping when these few lines comes to hand, they may find you enjoying the same state of health.

I received a letter from J. A. Johnson yesterday. He was mending slowly. I haven’t much news of importance to write. The Garda left here day before yesterday to go to Charleston. She had a load of cotton and coal. The Nashville is a going to start back a Saturday. She is a going to carry cotton. We have got to organize and elect officers. We was to do it today but it was put off so I can’t tell when we will. I expect that it will be a mess of it.

We are expecting an attack here every day. They have sent off for men. They come last night and are sent to Fort Fisher. I heard that Capt. McKay’s company was a going to reorganize last Tuesday but I don’t know whether it is so or not.

I must come to a close asking you to write soon. So good day. Yours, — J. P. Dewar