Ask Pa if I will have any money left after paying my debts. #civilwar150

November 12, 1864

Petersburg Nov. 12^th 1864

 

My Own Darling Wife

I have delayed writing longer than usual in the hope that I would be able to get a short leave to visit you but after waiting a week my application came down disapproved for the present. I only asked for 5 days, but Genl Lee thought it imprudent to allow me that at this time. I was fearful it would be so, yet was much disappointed when I found that I could not go.

We occupy pretty nearly the same position as when you left except our lines are more extended & I shall send for you as soon as I feel that we are permanent. To send before that would or might subject you to a great inconvenience. You must therefore be patient as I shall certainly send the very first moment I deem it safe. The weather is getting quite cold & we get orders today to find winter quarters & I shall start out today to find my winter quarters.

You must make Stephen put up some large boxes or barrels of sweet & Irish potatoes & peas & whatever else he has. We shall need them as I fear provisions will be very scarce here this winter. Make him have those things ready by the time you start. In my next letter I hope to be able to tell you to come on. Dick will send for his wife & you will be together.

I look for Effie’s money today from Richmond and will send it to her the first opportunity. The amount will be about $14.00. She can draw the balance when she needs. I would advise her to do whatever the Dr. thought ought to be done for Benney but I fear it will not be in my favor to go with her to Richmond.

Lincoln is certainly elected and there is non telling when the war will end. We must first determine to fight it out and look for the end when it comes. I saw Genl Lee yesterday and he was in fine spirits and more dispensed to joke that I ever saw him. My good lady friend, God bless her, Mrs. Waddell told me the other day that she prayed that I might not get hurt, but if I did, I must not go to a hospital but come to her home.

Tell Pa when he comes down that I have a lot of 30 or 430 logs all piled up out of which he can make himself a nice selection. I didn’t go through the trouble of gathering them up but found them placed away in an old camp by some soldiers. He must bring you down, I am anxious to see you and hope to see them all this winter. Are they fixing up a box for my Brig? They ought to send two or three boxes & no box must weigh over 100 pounds and should be filled with tobacco. They ought to be plainly marked post as this letter is addressed.

It look his morning as if it would snow & I hope roads will still be in a condition to stop all enemy movements here. Give my best love to all & be ready at any time when I shall send for you. Ask Pa if I will have any money left after paying my debts. I shall need some this winter if I can get it in addition to my wages. Farewell my darling wife, hoping that I will see you soon & write my correct prayer that our God will shield and bless you.

I am ever your devoted husband,

AM Scales

PS I have first learned that Genl Wilcox will leave the division this winter & that Genl Custis Lee will probably be our Maj Genl

 

 

 

Source: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 1. Original in the AM Scales Collection, State Archives of North Carolina

I am sorely tempted. I am passing through a great trial.

November 9th

I am sorely tempted. I am passing through a great trial. I know that God’s grace is sufficient for me, I will look to him to deliver me, my trials are great but Christ is a great Saviour. Oh my Heavenly Father, I pray thee to comfort my troubled soul.

Nov. 10th

I feel some better today. I know that the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and I will continue to look to him and call on him to deliver me out of my temptations and great trials. There is nothing too hard for the Lord.

Source: Mary Jeffreys Bethell Diary, 1853-1873.  #1737-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/imls/bethell/menu.html

Cloudy & gloomy this morning, it well accords with my unhappy temper. #cw150

Monday 7^th October 1864

Cloudy & gloomy this morning, it well accords with my unhappy temper.  I must write several letter today. Mr. Henry has gone to town this day. ‘Tis reported there was a fight a Spring Creek yesterday. I can’t believe it. No news in town.

Source: Diary of Cornelia Henry in Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journal and Letters of the Henry Family. Clinard, Karen L. and Russell, Richard, eds. (Asheville, NC: Reminiscing Books, 2008).

Dear wife: I am to be shot in a week #civilwar150

Kinston, NC

November the 2 1864

My Deir Wife and children

I seate my self this morning with a troub beld harte and a de strest mind to try to rite a few lines to let you no that I hiered my sentens red yesterday and hit was very Bad. I am very sory to let you no all read dy that I hafte to bee shot the 9 of this month. I am sory to in form you that I hav but 7 dayes to live but I hope and trust in god when thay have slane my body that god will take my sole to este whier I will meete my little babe that is gon be fore. My dier wife I think I could die better sadesfide if I could see you and the children one more time on erth and talk wih you but my time is so short I done exspct to ever see you and my dier lile dchildren eny more on erth.

I can in form you that I receved 2 leters for you yesterday witch I red with plesur witch you giv me some sadesfaction to heir that you was all well and doing well.  I receved the close that you sent to m by lt smith. I exspect that will be my bearying close. I receved a canteen of brandy also but am in too mutch truble to drink. My dier wife I wante you to come to see mee if you can gi abner brooks to come with you if can my dayes be perlonged. My dier wife if I see you no more on erth donte grieve for mee nether lamente nor morne mee. I hope I shal with my Jesus bee while you ar left a lon. I pray that god will be with you and helpe you rase your children up in the noledge of th truth and the lorde and savior Jesus christe.

A woird to my children witch is in my harte in nature seem to bind. James I wonted you to bee a good boy and obey your mother. Also sissy you muste bee a smarte little girl and bee good to the babey and call to Jobey. I hope that god will bee with you all so far well children you cane se you papy no more on erth.

My dier wife thes times has ben sweet.  I have spent with you but no I muste depart from you and nevr more return but let this no griv your hart. I pray that the lorde will bee with you and helpe you out in all your troubles and trile hier bee low. So far well dier wife

J.R. Redmond condem to die

 

Source: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 2. (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2003). Original in the Military Collection, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.

Our boys Jamie and George are at home again, as Mr Hagen their teacher has been called off in home defense. #cw150

October 29, 1864

Saturday night

Our boys Jamie and George are at home again, as Mr Hagen their teacher has been called off in home defense. They are all playing in the nursery so happily. Sallie MacNeill & Annie Williams are spending the week with our dear little Jennie, who is an invalid at this time. She had a fall two weeks ago & hurt her arm very badly. It is still so much swollen that the Dr. is unable to tell whether or not it is broken.

Source: Jane Evans Elliot Diaries #5343, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/e/Elliot,Jane_Evans.html

 

I have been severely tempted and tryed this week #cw150

Oct. 28 [1864]

I have been severely tempted and tryed this week, but it is all for my good, the waves of sorrow run high, I look to my Saviour, he is our only help, he will help me for I trust in him.

 

Source: Mary Jeffreys Bethell Diary, 1853-1873.  #1737-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/imls/bethell/menu.html

 

This day twelve years ago my dear little Pherba died from the effects of a burn, she was burnt on Saturday, died Sunday night #cw150

October 24th 1864

This day twelve years ago my dear little Pherba died from the effects of a burn, she was burnt on Saturday, died Sunday night at 8 o’clock and Jesus took her to his bosom. I feel sad today, I do not feel well. I feel tired from a long walk I took yesterday to attend prayermeeting at Union, and was disappointed there was no meeting. I now consecrate myself to God, I beg him to direct me in all things. I look to him as my saviour who I know has been with me in every trial, and I believe he is my best friend who will never leave nor forsake us. All my trials are permitted to cut loose my affections from this world. I will thank God for them. I go to God as a weak and dependant child to it’s Father, he knows our wants, he is able and will help us at the right time. I long and pray to be filled with the Holy Ghost, I shall expect it, for I will fast and pray for it.

Source: Mary Jeffreys Bethell Diary, 1853-1873.  #1737-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/imls/bethell/menu.html

Confer with my friends if possible & let me know who are still living if you can. #cw150

Raleigh Oct 22nd 1864

Dearest Will

Yours from City Point reached me safely, although that from Bermuda Hundreds did not come to hand. We all rejoiced over it & praised & blessed God for your safety. He has mercifully preserved you through so many dangers, devote yourself to His service at all times & in all places. Your Father is at his country home. I have appointed no time for leaving for I am enjoying myself & I have gained 3 & 1/2  lbs. by weight. The Genl. cannot put his foot to the floor yet & is a great sufferer at times. He now desires company & we all read aloud to him by turns. Yr sister is very kind in reading to him. Mr Thos Branch has rented Dr. Richard Haywood’s house & is moving in. Mr. Henry Brian has rented the one your Uncle occupies & yr Uncle has determined to return to the country. It is his fault for he would not secure it when it was offered to him. Old Mr. Sheppard has died recently & also Judge Donnell. Mary Mason is to assist us in making a burl frame for yr portrait. It is a great comfort to me to look at it. The Devereux are well. Annie is with us very often. George is really gaining strength at last. The others well. I sent up letters to yr Father to gladden his heart. He missed you sadly. All send heart felt love. Confer with my friends if possible & let me know who are still living if you can. Would that I could write more.

Most affectionately & devotedly

yr Mother.

 

Source:  W.H.C. Burgwyn Papers, State Archives of North Carolina and found on www.ncecho.org

Mr. Henry brought Starnes lien last Thursday, gave 3000$ in Confederate money. #cw150

Tuesday 18^th [October 1864]

I have knit and read today. Reading “The Deserted Wife,” ‘tis very interesting. I thought of going to see Belle today but Mr. Henry’s teeth pain him so at night I will not go till they get better.  He is so kind to stay with me when I am unwell. I will wait on him & try to get him well.

 

Saturday 22^nd [October 1864]

I went to town on Wednesday & came back Thursday evening. Mr. Henry took Willie, Gus & I. Rose walked to the bridge. We worked the Neilson horse to the buggy for the first time, he seems to be gentle. Hanes came after me, brought Zona so we had a buggy full of children. Rose rode behind, I sit up till two o’clock at Mollie’s Wednesday night. Bell is getting better. Eliza & I went up after supper. Willie & Gus were both asleep. Rose carried Gus & Bill Willie. I had the headache all day Thursday, took a long nap at Sister Jane’s. Mr. Neilson came home Wednesday night. I had headache all day Friday but did not go to bed for it. I knit and finished reading “The Desert Wife.” Matt is weaving. I have been doing odds & ends today and nothing generally. Mr. Henry brought Starnes lien last Thursday, he came this morning. Gave 3000$ in Confederate money.

Source: Diary of Cornelia Henry in Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journal and Letters of the Henry Family. Clinard, Karen L. and Russell, Richard, eds. (Asheville, NC: Reminiscing Books, 2008).

many people, within the Yankee lines…suffering from yellow fever, without medical attention

Relief for Confederate Sufferers at New Bern

We are glad to learn that Gen Baker is performing a most humane act in sending relief to the Confederate suffers, by Yellow Fever, at Newbern or vicinity. Having learned that many of our people, within the Yankee lines, were suffering from this fell disease and that they were without medical attention or care of any sort, Gen. Baker asked and obtained permission, from the Secretary of War, to send down such medical aid and other means of relief and succor as he could obtain, and as the enemy would allow him to furnish.

Under this arrangement we learn that Dr OA White of the Medical Examining Board, at this post has volunteered his services for the arduous but humane duty, and will be send down to Newbern, perhaps with others, under flag of truce as soon as arrangements to that end can be completed.

Goldsboro Journal

We learn from a subsequent number of the Journal that the yankee authorities at Newbern refused permission to send aid.

Source: Western Democrat, October 18, 1864 as found on www.digitalnc.org