The following letter was written by Robert A. Nelson of Mecklenburg county who was a 31 year-old farmer when he enlisted in September 1861 to serve in Co. H, 35th North Carolina Infantry. He was discharged for disability in mid-June 1862 but apparently regained his health and reenlisted in the same company in late March 1863.

Muster rolls indicate that he was absent from the regiment in November 1864 for wounds.

Robert wrote this letter to Margaret C. Dewese (1841-1910) who also lived in Mecklenburg county. She was the daughter of John Allison Dewese (1811-1870) and Mary Ann Sloan (1819-1911).

Transcription

Weldon, North Carolina
October 25, 1863

Miss Margaret Dewese,

I will rop you a few lines to inform you that I hadn’t forgotten you yet. I am in common health at the present time, hoping these few lines will find you and all the rest enjoying good health.

I haven’t got no news of importance to write at the present. The health of the army is good as far as I know. We have been lying here a resting for the last month. I don’t know how long we will stay here. It is reported that we will go west before long. Our camp is in fifty yards of the 56th [North Carolina]. I would be glad to see them get back for I want to hear what for times they have had.

Some grand rascal stole James Chill’s tent last night. Cousin Berry made a search for it this morning, Didn’t get it.

I have wrote to Davey and Liz both but got no answer yet. I would like to hear how they are getting along and also how Alford Markham has got [along]. I would like to hear from you all if the times are as hard as they are here. I think the Confederacy is about broke. It is as much as [broke for] we can’t get enough to eat and they give us cloth shoes to wear, and don’t know what will turn up next for to wear. It looks hard to see how soldiers is treated and so many speculators at home a living at their ease.

Give my best respects to all enquiring friends, if there should be any such—the girls in particular. So nothing more at the present. Only remain your absent friend until death. Write soon, — R. A. Nelson

This letter was written by Alexander McDonald(1829-1863) of Co. C (“the Moore county Scotch Riflemen”), 35th North Carolina Infantry. Alexander mustered into the regiment as a private on 6 November 1861 when he was twenty years old along with Hugh McDonald who may have been his nephew. At the time of his enlistment he was described as a 32 year-old farmer standing 5 foot, 7 inches tall. He died in February 1863 from disease.

In his letter, Alex mentions a couple of relatives which may provide clues to his ancestry. He mentions receiving a letter from brother Neill. This was probably the same Neill McDonald (1833-1862) from Moore county, NC, who served as a private in Co. H, 30th North Carolina Infantry. This regiment was mustered into service at Wilmington on 8 October 1861. Neill was wounded in the Battle of Antietam (gunshot wound to the shoulder) and later died of disease at home on 25 December 1862. Neill’s parents were Norman McDonald (1800-1880) and Sarah Catherine McNeill (1810-1883).

James W. McDonald (1830-1862) as his “cousin.” James was also a farmer from Carthage, Moore county, NC, who served in Co. C, 35th North Carolina. He enlisted at or near the same time as Alexander and he also died of disease in the service—his death occurring on 13 January 1862.

See also—1864: Hugh M. McDonald to Sarah Jane McDonald

Transcription

[Camp Mangum near Raleigh, North Carolina]
December 11, 1861

Dear Brother and friend,

I take this opportunity of informing you all that I am well at this present time hoping these lines to find you all enjoying the same comfort. I would write home oftener than I do only there are so many passing between here and home. McBlue and some others reached our camp last night. They brought a large amount of bed clothing and provisions. They brought potatoes that was damaged by being out so long. I got my bed tick. I would [advise] you and all that anything to camp to send it in the care of the captain and the regiment. The turnips you sent me reached camp next Wednesday after they left home. All of Capt. Kelly’s company was in Raleigh that day getting arms and the men could not find any owner and he carried the turnips back to Raleigh and I have not got my turnips yet. Anything that is to be carried by a stranger must be well marked or it may get lost.

A good many of the company is complaining but none bad off—only cousin James W. McDonald. He has got the typhoid fever. It is expected that the regiment will leave here before Christmas. As to where we will go is not known.

I received a letter from brother Neill some 12 days ago of which he stated that he was well. We have the promise of overcoat and if I don’t get a coat before we leave here, I will send home for one. There are nearly three regiments in camp here. I have some letter [ ] in my trunk. I want you to send some of them to me by some person that will pass by here.

Elias Harrington was in camp here the 3rd night of this month on his way to Norfolk, Virginia, to get salt and I sent 5 dollars to get some salt. I heard since he left that a man from Raleigh came from that place and he said that 800 hundred wagons was waiting at the place so I think it is a doubtful case that I will get any at all. If he does get any, you can find out very soon. I heard that none in this regiment will not get to go home after the 20th of this month. I thought I would go home but I see a bad chance for it now.

Some think that peace will be made before two weeks and some say we will never have peace till the South go over to the North and fight there. Nothing more at present. I must close. — Alex McDonald