Georgia 8th Infantry Battalion, Savannah, Georgia

1862: George Robertson Scott to his Family

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The following letter was written by 21 year-old George R. Scott 1840-1917), the son of McKinney Scott (1810-1873) and Martha [?] (1815-1850) of Fairmount, Gordon county, Georgia. After Martha died, McKinney took Margaret M. Acker (1828-1898) as his second wife.

It is claimed by the family that George and his younger brother, Aaron “Green” Scott (b. 1840) both enlisted at the same time in the 8th Georgia Infantry Battalion, Co. E. The Georgia 8th Infantry Battalion was organized with six companies during the early spring of 1862 at Savannah, Georgia. Some of the men were from Adairsville and Thornburgh, and Gordon County. They were on duty at Charleston, S.C. and the Georgia coast, until May 1863, when they were sent as a part of Gist’s brigade, from South Carolina, to the reinforcement of General Joseph Johnston at Jackson, Mississippi. They were in battle at Jackson in May and July and participated in the march to the Big Black River, via Yazoo City, for the relief of Vicksburg. 

After the evacuation of Jackson, they were transferred to the army of Tennessee in time to take part in the Battle of Chickamauga, in the siege of Chattanooga and the battle of Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, including the battles of Rocky Face, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta (July 22nd), Jonesboro, and the winter campaign in Tennessee.

We learn from military records that George stood 5 feet 11 inches tall, that he had dark hair and hazel eyes. We also learn that it was while being held a Prisoner of War by the Department of the Cumberland, George opted to take the Oath of Allegiance at Louisville, Kentucky, on 12 June 1864 and he was subsequently “released north of the Ohio River” where he was to remain for the duration of the war by order of Major General Thomas. It appears that George was taken into custody as a prisoner of war in Georgia in the spring of 1864 having been absent without leave from his regiment for the better part of a year, having in his possession the Austrian rifle that was issued to him.

George married Mary Elizabeth Gibbs (1841-1932)—a native of Shelbyville, Kentucky—on 10 November 1864 in Floyd county, Indiana.

[The following transcript was provided to Spared & Shared by Peggie Bloodworth, a family descendant who believes the original letter has been “lost” since it was transcribed by her grandmother. Though I don’t normally publish letters without the original letter so that I can verify the accuracy of the transcript, I have made an exception in this case. As a consequence, I can’t verify the accuracy of the names mentioned in this transcript.]

Transcription

Camp Savannah, Georgia
February 9th 1862

Dear Father, Mother and brothers & sisters,

I this Sabbath evening seat myself to write a few lines to inform you that I received your kind letter and was glad to hear from you all [and that you were] enjoying the same like blessing. I have nothing of importance to write more than we are all doing about as well as could be expected. Some of the people from up there is a writing back that they have heard the city [Savannah] was burnt up. I can inform you that is a mistake though they are expecting a fight here every day. But they have not had any fights here yet—to say a fight—but they have had some little brushes here.

I can inform you that I have been at work here a throwing up breastworks preparing for the Yankees. I can inform you that I went down on the boat the other and I had the pleasure of seeing two Yankee vessels. I could hear them firing at our boys.

I can inform you that all the boys that went from our settlement are all well and seem to be in good spirits with the exception of Samuel Carter & Ephraim Moses & Scott Garrett & James [  ] in which is very sick. Col. Littlefield is very sick and General Lawton has throwed Maj. Reich out of office and put in John [W.] Gray of Cars as Major and it is a contrary to all of the Battalion. I can inform you that Lieut. Owens died last Saturday night—was a week ago. But I reckon you have heard that.  I can inform you that we are all put under General Walker. He bears down upon us pretty tight but we have seen an easy time so far. I had to stand guard last night in the rain all night. You must excuse me for not writing sooner for I thought I would wait till we received pay but we have received no pay yet though I think we will in a few days. The Captains and Lieutenants have drawn their pay the 4th of this month and they said we would get ours in 8 to 10 days—that is as quick as they can make out their pay rolls.

[Brother] Green received a letter from Minervy and Sarah the 5th of this inst. She stated in her letter that J. M. Scott would be at home in a few days. I was glad to hear that but had much rather see him but that is out of my power at this time. I would be glad to see you all [too]. So I will close. Write soon and give me all the news. I remain your affectionate son till death, — G. R. Scott

Direct your letter as before.

CSS Alabama, St. Alban's Raid, Vermont Homefront

1865: Thomas Hubbard to Erastus Hubbard

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Unfortunately there is no photograph of Thomas but here’s a CDV from the period of time with an unidentified gentleman approximately his age.

The following 4-page letter was written on 15 January 1865 by 54 year-old Rev. Thomas Hubbard (1811-1907) in Gaysville, Vermont (in the central part of the state) to his older brother Erastus Hubbard (1798-1877) in Franklin, Vermont (on the border with Quebec). Thomas and Erastus were the son s of Samuel Hubbard (1763-1844) and Elizabeth Swan (1767-1840). Thomas was an 1834 graduate of Middlebury College and an 1838 graduate of the Andover Theological Seminary. He then entered the pastorate of the Congregational Church and served in various pulpits throughout Vermont.

In his letter, Thomas expresses the outrage of Vermont citizenry with the notorious October 1864 Confederate raid on St. Albans and the Canadian government’s handling of the matter. The raid was conducted by 21 Confederate soldiers crossing into Vermont from Canada for the purpose of robbing banks to raise money for the Confederacy and to trick the Union army into diverting troops to defend their northern border against further raids. They got the money, killed a local, and escaped back to Canada with apparent impunity. As an unintended consequence, the raid served to turn many Canadians against the Confederacy since they felt that Canada was being drawn into the conflict without its consent.

Hubbard also conveys his anger at the British government for their actions in support of the Confederacy, mentioning specifically their association with Confederate naval vessels, including the Alabama,  which plundered Union shipping. In this regard, he specifically mentions the British Premier, Lord Palmerston, as well as the Foreign Secretary, John Russell, both of whom were ready at various times during the war to support the South (though they never formally did so). In addition he mentions Henry Ward Beecher as a source of his information as to British sentiments; Beecher being a very well-known Union preacher and writer who visited Britain in 1863 on a lecture tour, in which he encouraged British support for the Union cause. The name Beecher is actually now more frequently associated with Beecher’s sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, who in 1852, wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a book which also served to accentuate feelings against the Confederacy. 

Hubbard goes on to briefly discuss the negative response of the Vermont citizenry towards the Federal draft call of 19 December 1864 which was extremely unpopular, coming, as it did at a time when many in the Union had had enough of the war. Most of the men whose names were pulled in the draft lottery found some way out, often by purchasing a substitute, as noted in this letter, leading to charges of class favoritism by the government.

Finally, Hubbard discusses various matters of discord within the British Anglican Church and the linked American Episcopal Churches, in which considerable turmoil was present during the time of the Civil War.

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Richard Weiner and was transcribed and published by express consent on Spared & Shared.]

Transcription

Gaysville, Vermont
January 25th 1865

Brother Erastus,

Probably the last letter between us was from this place but perhaps that is not a reason why another should not be sent. I have been anxious to hear how the passport system works with you & how the Videtts, or night guards, progress in watching raiders, & how the peace of the contiguous sections of Vermont & Canada is affected by these eruptions & changes, I would [like to] know it St. Albans is affected by the loss, & what is said about things there. Do you know anything of the feelings of Canadians in your vicinity? Are they as hostile as ever? Do they rejoice over the robbery, and the infamous course of Coursal, & the dirty officials in the Province that cover up and justify murder & robbery? Of all the opprobrious conduct civilized man of neutral nations was ever charged with, that of the British government towards this is the most shameful & revolting. Its high officials making and sending into practical service vessels that have destroyed $30,000,000 of our commerce—with the avowed determination to destroy its commence because it had become greater than theirs. This has been avowed in the English parliament & by great numbers of men to [Rev.] H. W. Beecher & to other American travelers.

Old John Russell—a disgrace to the name and a pest in any nation—proclaims his own shame when he faintly justifies his own hypocrisy in permitting the Alabama to go out when he had according to oath of credible witnesses sufficient evidence to justify him in preventing it. Palmerston is as sly noncommittal & hostile as ever. Probably the Canadians justify all this & think it is smart. But passports grind & I hope they will grind until the province learns to behave.

I hope non-intercourse will be proclaimed & let England find markets where she can for her wares & goods & obtain cotton, timber, ashes, petroleum from other nations—with flour and meat. But let history judge her & the verdict will not be anticipated by me. 

You know of course that Katy went to Columbus with her aunt & Tommie is in Burlington Commercial College preparing for a clerkship which is promised him in the spring. The school is not entirely a [    ], but it is very expensive & that expense might be mostly saved if boys were inclined to improve all their advantages of other schools. He learns penmanship, accounts in all forms, commercial law, annuities, &c. &c. Such things as an accountant would wish to know and if possible, I mean to keep him there till March, or towards April. The expense, I hope, will be a little less than $200, but not much.

Our quota of the last 300,000 call is nearly made out by substitutes bought, generally for $600 each in Boston & put into the Navy. Few if any will go from this town. But the town is loaded with debt—about $25,000. This district—Gaysville—has also built a school house, shall own it this season, costing about $7,000. So the taxes here are prodigious. So we can hardly support the burden.

I would like to know your local news, as before stated. Also your homestead affairs—that premium colt, calf, sheep, &c. and as much of your neighbors East as you feel inclined to let me know.

Do you hear Mr. Deming preach? I have heard a good name of him & should suppose he might please & edify. You perceive that there is a great demand in England for Church reform—as in governmental support—relief of Ireland from the tithes—revision of the church service, &c. &c. Where they will cover to the New Testament polity & prescription as seen in Mat. 18:15-17, Luke 9:46-48, Mark 9:34, 1 Peter 5:1-5, Titus 1:4-7, and 2 Fin 5:1-6/ Please read with caution these scriptures and see if a bishop as we understand that work was found in the Apostolic Church. Arch. Bishops, Arch Deacons, Cardinals, Pope, &c of course you will say are entirely out of the ring. These are the scriptures which determine the officers in a church & as an overseer is translated bishop. We hear that word in our version—but as Bishop Onderdonk in controversy acknowledged—with no office such as is fulfilled by the Episcopal Bishops of the present day. Where therefore they come to the New Testament polity the church organization will be very simple & the church will be spiritual—attached to Christ as the branch to the vine. Christ established this heirachy—made no high no low—but all that bore his name were brethren. May we hear his spirit, endure his cross, & wear his crown.

From your brother, — Thomas

13th New Hampshire Infantry

1862: Amaziah Joshua Foss to Woodbury Marden Foss

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I could not find an image of Amaziah but here is one of George H. Bannister of Co. H, 13th New Hampshire Infantry (Ancestry)

The following letter was written by Amaziah Joshua Foss (1839-1863), the son of Woodbury Marden Foss (1804-1869) and Eliza Foss (1811-1887) of Strafford, New Hampshire. Amaziah and his younger brother Lemuel Perkins Foss (1841-1871) both served in Co. F, 13th New Hampshire Infantry during the Civil War.

Amaziah enlisted in August 1862 and was mustered into the regiment on 19 September 1862. He wrote this letter a few weeks later while at Aquia Creek, Virginia, less than a week before the Battle of Fredericksburg. He survived the attack on Marye’s Heights at Fredericksburg but a few months later he received a severe wound in the right leg while fighting at Providence Church Road (Suffolk) on 3 May 1863. His wound required amputation of the limb and he died from loss of blood on 7 May.

Transcription

This enveloped was addressed to Edwin F. Foss, Strafford, Strafford county, New Hampshire. Edwin was a younger brother.

Camp near Aquia Creek, Virginia
December 8th 1862

Father,

I take my pencil in hand to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and so is Lemuel. I suppose that you have been wondering why I have not written before but we have been on a march [since] last Monday. We are brought up for a support, so I heard. I suppose that there is agoing to [be an] advance on Fredericksburg as soon as they can get ready.

We had a good time to march until Friday when it began to snow and rain which made it muddy. Some of the boys went off and got a pig and brought into camp Friday night.

You want me to tell you if I got the money and postage stamps, I got them both but the box we did not get and I suppose we shall not get it at all now but still we may. They say that we are in camp where there was a Rebel cavalry encamped last winter but they have all gone now. 

There is five brigades in camp here now I believe. The sick we left at Camp Casey but some of the them has gone to New York and three of them has come on after us and the rest is in the hospital—all there to Camp Casey.

I can’t stop to write anymore now so good[bye for] now. From your son, — A. J.

Direct your letters as before.

1st Confederate Engineers

1864: David Crockett Joyce to Harriet (Martin) Joyce

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Capt. William G. Williamson of Co. F, 1st Regt. Confederate Engineers

The following letters were written by David Crockett Joyce (1822-1895) of Co. F, 1st Confederate Engineer Troops. David enlisted in September 1863 in Rockingham county, North Carolina. He was initially an artificer in the Courtney Artillery (“Henrico Artillery”) and by the spring of 1864 was in the Confederate Engineers. He was still with the Engineers at the time he was paroled at Appomattox in April 1865.

The 1st Engineers Regiment was organized at Richmond, Virginia, during the fall of 1863 with men from North Carolina and Virginia. In December about 250 of these men were repairing roads in the Richmond area. Later the unit served as prison guards, then repaired railroads and bridges. During the winter of 1864 – 1865 it built Bevill’s Bridge over the Appomattox River about twenty-five miles above Petersburg and sent a pontoon bridge to the Richmond and Danville Railroad Crossing of the Staunton River. In preparation for the spring campaign, it readied another pontoon bridge for use at the site of the roads from Richmond and Petersburg to the several crossings ot the Appomattox. The unit last 2 men killed and 28 wounded during the war, and when the 

David wrote the letters to his wife, Harriet (Martin) Joyce (1831-1915) of Ayersville, Rockingham county, North Carolina. The couple had at least ten children, some of who are mentioned in these letters.

Letter 1

March 6, 1864

Dear wife,

I seat myself this Sabbath morning to answer your kind letter which come to hand last night. I got three letters from you which was the first word I have heard from you since I saw you at home or harvest. You don’t know how glad I was to hear them say, “A letter for David Joyce.” But oh! how sorry I was when I saw the black [border] although I was a look[ing] for such any moment. Oh my dear and great mother. I hope she is gone to that great and blessed sweet home where we will all meet again. So farewell, my dear mother, forever until we meet in Heaven.

Harriet, this leaves me & John Ree well. I think I have fatten[ed] about fifteen pounds since I saw you. Harriet, I feel first rate today in the way of health, thank God. I hope this will find you & my sweet little children all well. Harriet, you wrote to me about buying something over there. I can’t tell you what to do. If there is anything old that you want, do as you like about it. That is the way I do. If I was up there I could  tell you something a what to do, so do as you can.

Harriet, I would have [  ] now to you than I have but I have been waiting for Ree & Joe to come home. But they ain’t got off yet. I reckon they will come next week if nothing happens. They would have come before now but the Yanks made a little raid a few days ago so I think it’s over for awhile. The General had us all out the other day to stand picket for to catch the Rebels but I didn’t see nery one. They have been fighting a little about Richmond, I understand, but no damage done. I understand they have had a brush down near Washington. Our men [have] taken and killed about five hundred and got about the same amount of stock and killed one general but I forgot his name.

Harriet I see some pieces in the papers that make me just [feel] like fighting forever. Harriet, I don’t think you feel like fighting but I hope I will fight enough for me and you too. I want you to send me word if they have catched any of them bushwhackers and tell Sam I want him to catch the last damn one of them if he can. Tell him if he wants help, get some for [   ] Douglas and David Joyce. 

Letter 2

Henrico county Camp near Richmond, Va.

June 13, 1864

Dear Wife,

I seat myself this morning to answer your kind letter which came to hand last night but Harriet, you do not know how glad I was when they said, “A letter for D. Joyce.” Oh, it done me good to the heart to hear you all was as well as you was. Harriet, I am not so well yet but I am a heap better than I have been for the last week. If I had anything that I could eat, I think I would soon get well, but we have not had anything to eat but some rotten meat and rotten meal for five days, We sent our meat back today to Richmond to sell it if we could. We draw again today but I don’t know what sort we will get. But I told them if they didn’t get no better than they did, they need not fetch me any for I could not eat rotten meat. 

We are here five miles below Richmond on the river with our boats. We come here to practice a lay down of our bridge boats. I don’t know how long we will stay here. Harriet, I wrote Abetha three days ago but I thought I would make up the lost time. I will write a letter every week if I can get the chance for I know how glad it makes me when I hear from you all. Harriet, you must write often as you can. I am glad to hear that you get milk enough for I know how good it is. Harriet, I wish I had some good butter milk. I think I could eat a half gallon if I had it. I ain’t eat a bit since I ate dinner at Henderson as I came on out here. You know that has been some time.

Harriet, I have no good news to write. I hear some cannons a shooting this morning. I hope they will have the big fight in a few days, let it go as it will. I hear that Old Morgan has given them a good whipping in Kentucky and captured a heap of property. We sent fifteen of our men down to the Bluff this morning to guard a bridge and there are a bridge here where we are too. It is two miles below here.

Harriet, I have studied so much about matters that I can’t think what to write. Harriet, I don’t sleep none atall hardly. Some nights I sit up after everyone is gone to bed a thinking so much about you all that there is no sleep in me atall and I get up the first one every morning for my bones ache so bad that I can’t lay [any longer]. There is nobody knows the trouble that I see about you and my poor little children but I hope to see you all again before long.

Harriet, if your hog is with pig, had better put it in the pasture with the cows before she pigs. And tell Sam to be sure and have the [    ] like he told me he would. Harriet, there is a heap of sickness here in our company. There ain’t much more than half of our men that is fit for duty. Johnson has been sick for two or three days but is some better this morning. Joseph Richardson is well as common. He is gone down to the boat bridge to stand guard. He has stood it well.

Harriet, I think I weigh 145 pounds. When I left our winter quarters I weighed 150 pounds. Harriet, I will send you a piece of cabamas [?] for the children. There is a patch right here. There is bushels of it here so I will send you a little. Tell little Mary that Pap ain’t got a bit of sugar and I am out of money nearly but I have no use for her money. We can’t buy a thing to eat atall. Harriet, I will send you some money as soon as I draw it.

…Harriet, you said that Dick had been over to settle. Tell him to wait till I come home—that I am the one to settle with and don’t you settle with him atall. And don’t you deal with him no more than you can help…I want you to tell Old Mr. Oakly and Aunt Sock that I send my best respects to them. If they can help you any way about something to eat that they shan’t loose a cent for if I live, I think I will come out of the kinks yet. Tell Mr. Oakly I wish I could see him and have a dram for me and him to drink. Harriet, I got me a good drink of peach brandy the other day in Richmond for two dollars. That is all I have bought since I got back. I ain’t got but two dollars now and I will send Nick and Dog one of them in this letter to encourage them to work. Boys, you must work good and make all you can. Send me word how your crop looks and plant all the taters slips you can get for I want some of them to eat next fall yet. I ain’t forgot you and I never will. When I draw some money, I will got to Richmond and get something that is fine if I can get it. Nick don’t work good…You must tend to the chickens and raise all you can for it is a going to be the hardest time that ever was next year. 

Negro Hanging

1837: James Dunbar to George Towers Dunbar, Sr.

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The following letter was written by James Abell Dunbar (1816-1852). He was married in 1840 to Ann Elizabeth Eugenia Langley (1823-1879). James wrote the letter from New Orleans where he was temporarily domiciled and employed in the sale of Cooking Stoves under the name of Dunbar & Company with its office at No. 59 Tehoupitoulas Street.

James’s letter was written during the Panic of 1837 and is the reason that business was “dull” and resulting in numerous financial embarrassments to businessmen. Jackson’s veto of a National Bank was also the cause of differences in valuation of money which lead to speculators playing State banks against each other, as mentioned in the closing paragraph.

James wrote the letter to his father, George Towers Dunbar, Sr. (1774-1843), the son of Joseph Thomas Dunbar and Henrietta Carpenter of Baltimore county, Maryland. 

Advertisement for cooking stoves sold by Dunbar & Co. in New Orleans

Transcription

New Orleans, [Louisiana]
1st May 1837

My dear father,

I received yesterday a letter from William saying that I must not draw, I have no occasion for I have not done it. There is absolutely nothing doing here & people are leaving pretty fast. I find it almost impossible to make collections but as I have no urgent demands, my only trouble is to find out what to do to keep the mill a going. I may possibly come on in July or August in order to get more consignments & to purchase stoves, &c.  I must again visit the Yankee States & also several places in Missouri, &c. &c. If I could manage to collect I should be off somewhere in a short time. My expenses are small—rent $50 per month, board & lodging 41, clothes $15, pocket $10—say $120 per month. It has been a loss of profit of at least $300 by not having plenty of Rotarys [Rotary Cooking Stoves]. I have calls for them every week. I gave you a statement in my last of the state of my affairs & to William a similar one a few days ago. It stands about 6900 to pay $5700—whereas last summer it was minus $2500. If I had had a proper supply of stoves I could have made $1000 or more. I have done as much as could be done by a lame duck.

If the times were not in such a horrid state, I could make 1000 more before July but as they are, I shall not more than make expenses. William says “you must not deal in Mississippi notes.” The advice is needless as I have not enough cash to make it an object & further I am not so daring as to risk anything in the present state of affairs. I sent you by Mr. Sumner a neat snuff box & hope you will be pleased with it. George has just returned from the river Jordan where he and Mr. Ranny contemplate erecting a steam saw mill which promises to be very profitable. Uncle Sam knocked in the head for the present.

Ralph Smith is gone up the Red River to locate a railroad and will probably be married to Miss Leocarde Baham in the fall. 1

Love to all & do not let the bad times have an effect on your spirits. There’s no use in it.

Your son, — James

2nd. The dullness of business, George’s going away and the hardness of collections have made me quite melancholy today.

A young man of highly ([William C.] Reynolds) respectable connections who some time since murdered a man by the name of [Jules] Barré, yesterday shot himself in prison to avoid the fate he saw coming. George will relate the particulars. A man by the name of Cadiche was hung a few days ago for the murder of a Spaniard. Refer to George for particulars. A negro was hung about 10 days ago for attempting to kill several persons who seized him. I hope to hear of every murderer high or low, paying the forfeit.

May 3rd. Theodore Nicolet, merchant, shot himself today. Gen. Jackson or Van Buren will have to answer for it as it was caused by his being ruined by the derangement of business. Mr. Lemonier shot himself a few days ago a few minutes after he had heard of the death of his mother. These things are done & forgotten in one day or so.

The merchants, or rather some merchants, make money by drawing a few thousand specie at one bank & sell to another at 2.5 premium. $5000 at two operations a day make $250. 6 days 1500. 12 days 2010, &c. &c. Some one will get bit most abominably. I expect we shall see some Bank of Maryland sort of blown up before long.

1 Ralph S. Smith (1806-1883) of Chatham, Connecticut, was married in St. Tammany county to Leocardie Baham (1809-1848) on 5 August 1837. In 1850, Ralph resided in Alexandria, Louisiana, and owned 42 slaves.

23rd North Carolina Infantry

1864: James Nunn to Nancy E. (Bingman) Nunn

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This letter was written by James Nunn (1838-1864), the son of James Nunn (1802-1886) and Ursula Usey East (1800-1892) of Stokes county, North Carolina. James was married to Nancy Elizabeth Bingman (1845-1917) in May 1861 and fathered two children prior to his enlistment as a private in Co. H, 23rd North Carolina Infantry in October 1862.

According to his service record, James was killed at the Battle of New Market, Virginia, on 15 May 1864 when his regiment with others—including the young cadets of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI)—were ordered by Gen. Breckinridge to attack Gen. Franz Sigel’s army as they advanced up the Shenandoah Valley with the objective of destroying the railroad and canal complex at Lynchburg.

One artist’s depiction of the VMI cadet’s charge at New Market where James Nunn of the 23rd North Carolina lost his life.

Transcription

Greenbrier county, Va.
March 2, 1864

Dear wife,

I seat myself to inform you that I am well at this time and I hope when these few lines comes to hand, they may find you and the baby enjoying the same good blessing. I received your kind letter this morning which gave me great satisfaction to hear from you and the baby to hear that you was well.

I have nothing to write of any importance at his time. Only bad weather here and hard times and no prospect for it to get any better as I see. You said they had took some prisoners in North Carolina and hung them. 1 They say there was sixteen left here the other night and went to the Yankees and they never catched them. Then they got one in the Droop Mountain fight and they shot him. Joe seen him shot before I got here. There was two [should] of been. One shot last Friday and he got away from them and cleared himself.

So I will bring my letter to a close to you. Write soon and give me all of the news from home. So I remain your husband until death.

— James Nunn

to Nancy E. Nunn

1 The hanging incident referred to in the letter was no doubt the execution of Union prisoners at Kinston, North Carolina, ordered by Gen. George Pickett during February 1864. See “Cloaked Vengeance: George Pickett and the Hanging of Union Prisoners,” by Ron Soodalter.

48th Alabama Infantry, 4th Alabama Infantry

1862: Henry Stokes Figures to Harriet (Stokes) Figures

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The following letter was written by 18 year-old Henry Stokes Figures (1844-1864), the son of William Bibb Figures (1820-1872) and Harriet Stokes (1826-1900) of Huntsville, Madison county, Alabama. Henry’s father was a leading figure in Huntsville and served as editor/publisher of the Hunstville Southern Advocate.

Henry Stokes Figures (left) of the “Huntsville Guards” (Ancestry)

Henry first enlisted as a private in Co. F (the “Huntsville Guards”), 4th Alabama Infantry in July 1861, rising in rank to Orderly Sergeant. In July 1862 he claimed to have participated in the Battle of Manassas, Seven Pines, and Gaines’ Mill. Henry the following letter while serving in the 4th Alabama Infantry.

Sometime in May 1863 he was transferred into the 48th Alabama Infantry and commissioned 1st Lieutenant. He was made adjutant of the regiment soon afterwards. He was killed on 6 May 1864 in the Battle of the Wilderness while rallying the men in his regiment. His body was wrapped in his blanket roll in lieu of a coffin; a makeshift wooden cross marked the spot. His sister, Mattie, wrote later, “Kind hands carried him from the battlefield, and laid him to rest, in an orchard under an apple tree, in full bloom, which cast its rosy petals near his head.” Henry’s father went to Virginia two years after the War to retrieve the body. His remains are in the family plot at the city cemetery.

Henry also fought at Fredericksburg, Chicakamauga, and Gettysburg where he wrote his sister that his regiment (48th Alabama) charged up the mountain for two miles, when it became so steep that we could not go any farther. We then fell back and charged it four successive times but could not take the heights. The enemy were upon the top of the mountain – the steepest place I ever saw in my life. . .killed and wounded in our regiment…Captain Leftwich, Tom Lanier, Jim Duff…Tell Mr. Leftwich that I have his son’s sword and will send it to him as soon as I have an opportunity.”

Transcription

Camp near Culpeper Court House, Va.
November 13th 1862

My Dear Ma,

I will try and write you a few lines by Mr. Winston who is going home this morning. He came out to see his son who was wounded in Maryland, but went home from Winchester. 1 I wrote to you by him. I received Pa’s letter & answered it about the 1st of November. I was very sorry to hear that you was sick & I am in hopes that you are now entirely well. Mr. Elyin & McCallaghan came out with Mr. Winston. The former told me that you were a great deal better. You don’t know how glad I was to hear it. Give my love to all at home & kiss the little ones for me. I was very much disappointed in not getting a letter from one of you by him.

I have not yet got my clothes from Henry Weeden for I think we will fall back to Gordonsville very soon. All our baggage that was at Gordonsville & other places has been sent to Lynchburg. We had a very good snow three days ago. 

I seen an Advocate the other day that had my letter in it. What made Pa publish it, I can’t see. All the boys laid it on me, but I would not own it.

Col. [Pinckney Downie] Bowles sent up a petition to the Secretary of War the other day signed by all the officers of the regiment for our regiment to be transferred to Gen. Forney’s Brigade at Mobile. I don’t know how it will succeed but live in hopes. The 11th & 2nd Mississippi Regiments that were in our brigade are transferred to Gen. Joe Davis’s Brigade in Richmond. He is the President’s nephew. Two North Carolina regiments are in their place—the 54th and 57th. I must bring my letter to a close.

I remain your affectionate son, — Henry S. Figures

1 Edmund Martin Winston (1837-1928) was an unmarried 22 year old mechanic from Huntsvile, AL when he enlisted as Private on 26 April 1861 in Company F, 4th Alabama Infantry. He was present with his Company in engagements from First to Second Manassas, VA in 1862. He was severely wounded in action on 17 September 1862 at Sharpsburg, and “left in the hands of the enemy.” His arm was amputated, and he was discharged for wounds on 8 November 1862.

Antebellum Maryland, Slavery

1815: Frederick A. Schley to George Towers Dunbar

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The following letter was written by Col. Frederick A. Schley (1789-1858), the son of John Jacob Schley (1751-1829) and Anna Maria Shellman (1754-1843) of Frederick, Maryland. Frederick’s first wife was Eliza Asbury McCannon (1794-1816) with whom he married in 1812. The “Mrs. McCannon” mentioned in the first paragraph would have been Frederick’s mother-in-law, Anna (1760-1838). Frederick had a long legal career in Frederick and was at one time the law partner of Roger Taney—the Supreme Court Chief Justice best remembered for handing down the Dred Scott decision.

Frederick wrote the letter to George Towers Dunbar, Sr. (1774-1843), the son of Joseph Thomas Dunbar (1818-18010 and Henrietta Carpenter (17xx-1801) of Baltimore county, Maryland. George was married to Frances McCannon (1788-1868), making Frederick and George brothers-in-law.

Frederick’s letter speaks of purchasing a young negro named “Dan” who “is a very smart, active boy, and with a Master who would occasionally trounce him with ‘the cat of nine tails’ would make an excellent servant.” Slavery would not be abolished in Maryland until the end of the Civil War.

Transcription

Addressed to Mr. George T. Dunbar, Howard Street, Baltimore [Maryland]

Frederick [Maryland]
January 4, 1815

My dear Sir,

I have been anxiously waiting to hear from you whether Mr. Betts accepted my proposition or what he has said and done relative to it. Also whether Stewart called & paid you $125 as he promised me he would, And further whether you have succeeded yet in procuring house for Mrs. McCannon or whether you have any prospect of getting one this winter. The old lady is as you well know extremely anxious to settle herself and have her children with her. If you can’t get a house for her, I think she had better rent Doctor Colegate’s for one year during which time a desirable situation may probably offer and you can then purchase for her.

I understand sugar has fallen very much in price. If so, will you be so good as to purchase 150 or 200 lbs. and send me a Bill of it. I will then send by some waggoner for it and forward you the amount of “Saline” paper which I understand is 3 percent above par.

Mrs. Dunbar said something to me about purchasing a negro boy for you. If you want one, I have no doubt I could get one. I, however, think you would do well to purchase “Dan,” who has 15 years to serve from the estate. He is a very smart, active boy, and with a Master who would occasionally trounce him with “the cat of nine tails” would make an excellent servant. If I had not my Jacob who I will never sell, I would purchase him myself. He is worth 40  Henrys. Suppose you take him upon trial for a week or two. Isaac Shriver wants to buy him but I would rather sell him to you.

If my house is not sold and any person will give you $6800 for it, you can sell.

You have no doubt seen and read with the proud and gratifying feelings of an American the treaty dictated by the gallant Decatur to the cruel and lofty Dey of Algiers. There is a sample of Federal Policy for you. What think you? Is it not an improvement [over?] Jefferson’s treaty? The treaties made with [  ] face, Grey-eyes, and the Shooting Tiger excite little interest comparatively speaking. Our “red brethren” however seem to have been completely outmaneuvered by Jackson to the Southward, and to have got much less advantageous terms than the Kickapoos and other Northern tribes. Poor Devils. I wish they were all in a better world for I much fear we shall never be able to keep them quiet in this. 1

My love to Mrs. D. and believe me yours, sincerely, — Frederick A. Schley

1 This is a reference to Commodore Stephen Decatur’s Algerian Treaty which, once ratified, ended the Second Barbary War. The treaty was repudiated by Dey Omar Agha of Algeria, however, and it was several more years before a final treaty was ratified. Frederick contrasts that treaty against the treaties made between the US Government and the Native American Tribes. See Treaties of Portage des Sioux.

Antebellum Illinois, Chicago, Illinois

1850: Daniel C. Nicholes to John Hastings

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The following letter was written from Chicago in November 1850 by Daniel C. Nicholes (1817-1889), the orphaned son of Daniel Nicholes (1773-1847) and Diantha Holly (1785-1845). We learn from the letter that Daniel and his brother Ira James Nicholes (1819-1881) had a law practice in Chicago at the corner of Randolph and Clarke Streets, conveniently located opposite the Court House.

Transcription

Chicago [Illinois]
November 10, 1850

Dear Sister,

We received a letter last week from Phebe containing a general history of the times and of all matters which she thought would interest us. I was also very happy to learn your whereabouts. It has been a long time since you have written to me or since I have heard from you. I wrote a letter to John some time since and directed it to Shuylerville, not knowing where his post office address was. I have received no answer and presume he did not receive it. I was very glad to hear that you were all enjoying good health and prospering in business. I have been in hopes that John would find it for his interest to visit the West and perhaps settle somewhere in this vicinity. Whether he could do better here than where he is, I am unable to say. The people here complain of hard times and I presume they do in most other places. We would be very glad to have you make us a long visit and if it would be for your interest to do so, to live near us. We have a home of our own such a one as it is and we think it is tolerably comfortable.

Out lot cost us about two hundred and fifty dollars. We have got a fine fence around it which cost us about thirty-five or forty dollars. I will give you a short description of our house. It consists of a dining room, kitchen, bedroom and vestry below, and two rooms and two closets above. The rooms are all small as our house is small. We have got it carpeted and papered below. We are getting fixed so we can begin to live comfortably. Our law business has increased so that if it continues as good as it is at present, we shall keep our heads above water we think.

Out house is on Edina Place Street and our office is at the corner of Randolph and Clark Streets opposite to the Court House. Chicago is improving rapidly and we think is destined to be one of the largest cities in the West. It contains a population now of about thirty thousand. The city is connected with the Mississippi river by the Michigan and Illinois Canal & will be connected probably within a year with the same river by railroad. We have railroads now commenced connecting Chicago with the Mississippi river at Galena, also with the Ohio river at Cairo, and with the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile and with the Atlantic at New York City, and with the Pacific at Sacramento. The Pacific Railroad we think will commence at Chicago and will be continued from Chicago to Galena, from Galena to Council Bluffs, to the South Pass, and from thence to the Pacific. 

During the past season, gas works have been erected here and the city is lighted with gas. We have had a Marine Hospital erected here this summer by the United States Government. The Tremont House which is six stories high and a hundred and eight feet one way and a hundred and sixty the other, has been finished this summer. It is furnished in the most splendid style. Mr. [Ira] Couch, the proprietor, purchased fourteen thousand dollars worth of furniture at one house in Boston. The furniture in the Bride’s Room at the Tremont cost three thousand dollars. It is one of the finest hotels in the Union. 1

We have also a new theatre [Rice’s Theatre], 80 by 100 feet, erected this summer and a great many other fine and large buildings. But perhaps you have heard enough about the city.

Ira and I are in company in the practice of Law. We have a great many cases but rather a small income compared with the amount of business we do. If we received as large fees as we get in New York State, we should make money fast, We have had about four hundred cases in Justice Court within the last year and a half and upwards of sixty cases in Courts of Record in this county. The highest fees we have ever received is thirty-five dollars and in Courts of Record from ten to twenty-five though some receive as high as from fifty to sixty for a suit. The business here is of a far more trifling character than it generally is in the State of New York.

Amanda and I shall probably visit New York State another summer and if you remain where you are now, we shall make you a visit. I and my wife made Hawley a visit a few days ago. We found him well. He had sold his house and lot and had bought two quite large lots and was building him a new house. Tell Calista that I would be very glad to see her and would like to have her come to Chicago and spend the winter with us and go to school. We live close by a large three-story brick school house. The public schools in this city are all free. There was given to the city a square mile of land situated in the city for the use of schools, the proceeds of which build all the school houses and pay all the expenses of the schools. My wife sends her best respects to you all and we expect you will write to us soon after the receipt of this. Very truly your brother, &c., — Daniel C. Nichols

1 The Tremont House…is one of the chief ornaments of the City, and reflects great credit upon its proprietor, Mr. Ira Couch. The Tremont fronts 120 feet on Lake and 180 feet on Dearborn street. It is five and a half stories high. Its internal arrangements, finish, furniture and decorations are in the highest style of art, and of the class denominated princely…The cost of the building was about $75,000.

Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter

1865: David Dixon Porter to Thomas Francis Meagher

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The following letter appears to have been dictated by, and signed by, Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter in answer to a letter received from Brig. Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867)—the famed former commander of the Irish Brigade. By this time of the war, Meagher was in command of the Provisional Division of the Army of the Tennessee and had recently joined forces with Sherman’s army in North Carolina.

The letter was datelined from the US Flagship Malvern anchored in the Cape Fear River following the Battle of Wilmington (Feb. 11-22, 1865) in which Rear Admiral Porter and Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry coordinated their naval and land forces to capture Fort Fisher.

Though I am not a handwriting expert, it is my impression that Porter’s signature appears genuine though the remainder of the letter seems to have been written with different ink and in a different hand.

The USS Malvern was an iron side-wheel gunboat and saw service as the flagship of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She was present at the capture of Fort Fisher in 1865. Following the fall of Richmond in early April 1865, she transported Pres. Lincoln up the James river to visit the city.

Transcription

Map on the opposite side of the letter.

North Atlantic Squadron
U.S. Flagship “Malvern“
Cape Fear River
February 22nd 1865

Thomas Francis Meagher
Brig. Gen. USA
Commanding Prov. Div. Army of the Tenn.

General, your note of the 9th inst. has just been received. It would have given me great pleasure to have obliged you but the “Britannia” in which your young friend is serving is no longer under my command. I have ever made it a rule to examine officers when recommended and I should have taken great pleasure in doing this for the young man at any time should his commanding officer have desired it.

Most respectfully yours,
— David D. Porter, Rear Admiral, Commanding North Atlantic Squadron