This letter was written by Thomas J. Barnes (1827-18xx) of Jackson, Mississippi, who wrote of the scarcity of men left in Hinds county and the crop failures due to the hot, dry weather in the summer of 1862.

Thomas wrote the letter to his uncle, Robert D. Marshall (1808-Aft1880), a native of Virginia, who was a merchant in Sweetwater, Marengo county, Alabama. He was married to Susan Daniels (1802-1855). By 1880 Robert had relocated to Kaufman county, Texas.

Transcription

[Jackson, Mississippi]
August 31, 1862

Capt. R. D. Marshall,

Dear uncle, I seat myself this Sabbath morning to write you a few lines to let you know that this leaves myself & family all well, hoping it will find you enjoying the same blessing. I have nothing new to write. All that I hear is war—war—war, and nothing else. I have not gone to war yet. I am too old for the present Conscript Act and as I now belong to the militia, have taken my chances several times in drawing, but have not been drafted yet. I am now acting as captain of a company. I shall not go until I am compelled as all the men are gone now nearly. Out of 1300 voters, nearly 1100 is gone out of this county.

If Congress lengthens the conscript to 45, then I shall go without one word. But some men will have to stay and try to make bread for our families and the army. Our crops are burned up. I never saw such prospects for a support in my life. After we saw our corn was ruined, we then planted more peas & potatoes and it has stayed so dry so long that we will neither make corn nor potatoes. So what we are to do, I am unable to say. But the good Lord knows best and will direct things in the right way after all although we can’t see it at the time.

We see several Alabama soldiers in Jackson. Dossey has stayed ten days with us. Also Bill Loftin from Liberty, and John Barnes—uncle Isaac’s son. Also Brother Stephen Etheredge’s son. I don’t know what his given name is. He was in Capt. Rembert’s Company. Etheredge has now been removed to Brandon Hospital, the county seat of Rankin county. He was improving slowly when I saw him last week.

I was very sorry to hear of the death of cousin Tom (your son). Please write me a long letter on receipt of this & give me all the news and be sure to let me know what has become of Uncle Tom. I have not heard from him since I saw you & I am anxious to hear. My mother’s family have nearly all died off except yourself and Uncle Tom and it affords me great pleasure to hear from you. I should have gone to seen you & stayed with you last winter but my time was so short and as I had a good deal of business to attend to, did not have the time. I took dinner with Bob and cousin Susie & Ginnie at Linden, and was much pleased with the way Bob was getting along. I have learned since that he has left for the war. He told me then that he was going ot get up a company.

I am not pleased with this country and if times ever get any better, I shall move back to Alabama or somewhere else. I have seen A. F. Knight several times, He still says he will pay that note as soon as he can sell cotton and not before. I believe I have written all I can think of at present. Excuse this bad writing as this is mean paper and a still meaner pen. I hope you can be able to read it. Judson and his children join me in love to you. Sister Lucinda and Kiah Nettles are living near me. All well.

Your friend & nephew, — Thomas J. Barnes

Be sure to write and direct to Jackson.