My husband starts to Richmond tomorrow to see our dear Willie #cw150

June 18th

I feel cheerful and happy today. God has forgiven me, I have peace and comfort in Jesus. My husband starts to Richmond tomorrow to see our dear Willie, who is in the army two miles from there. I expect Willie home if God permits, the 16th of July. I saw in the newspaper that the Federals had taken Memphis, after a fight and some bloodshed. Mr. Williamson lives near Memphis, I would be glad for him to bring Mary Virginia here to stay until the war closes. I know they feel uneasy, but I pray that God may take care of them and shield them from all harm.

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

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My dear Father died just 14 years ago this day, the 15th of June 1848 #cw150

June 15

This is a hot, sultry day, bright sunshine, just what we need. My dear Father died just 14 years ago this day, the 15th of June 1848. He rests in Jesus.

I have been very uneasy about dear Willie because he was sick in the army. Dr. John Williamson is just from there, he says that Willie is well, thanks and praise to our God.

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

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6-2-1862: Deaths of soldiers reported in today’s paper #civilwar150

Died.—InAshland,Va., of a relapse of the measles and mumps, on the 1st of May, 1862, Pleasant Bodenhamer, aged 17 years, 5 months and 15 days.  His body was brought home and interred in Sandy Ridge church-yard.  The deceased was a member of Capt. Cole’s company, Twenty-second Regiment N.C. Troops.  He made a bright profession of the religion of Jesus Christ before his death.  He was the eldest son of David I. And Elizabeth Bodenhamer, and was a faithful son at home, and loved by all in camp.

KILLED.—Among the killed in the Battle of Richmond was Julian Beckwith, son of Dr. T. S. Beckwith, and grandson of Dr. John Beckwith formerly of this place.  He was a private in the Petersburg Riflemen.—Ral. Register.

 

Source: Greensborough Patriot, June 6, 1862 as found in Confederate Newspaper Project

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tell Cynthia Stepp that her boys does not speak of coming home, they are going to go on for the war #cw150

KinstonNC

May the 21st 1862

Dear Sister

I once more take up my pen in hand to pen you a few lines which leaves us all in tolerable health hoping this may find you all enjoying similar blessings.  I received a letter fromRaleighthe other day.  Capt Lanes Company is there and all well and were satisfied.  I hope they may continue to be so for it must be a very hard life when one becomes satisfied.  (My Company is in good health.  I have narry a man in the hospital, but there is some complaining and there has been several deaths in this Briggade recently, several deaths in the 35th Regt to which Capt Jordans old Company belongs.  Leander Case and one of the Riterese, and others lying at the point of death.  I think it is attributed to their lying out without tents after the Battle of Newbern.)  You can tell all who have friends in my Co.that they are well, and getting along finely.  I have just got thorugh paying them their State Bounty which is forty dollars cash to the conscripts which received ten each at Asheville and I paid them their Confederate Bounty sometime since which was fifty dollars.  I also paid them their monthly wages not long since and money is very flush in our camp.  You can tell Cynthia Stepp that her boys does not speak of coming home, they are going to take the places of some that are between the ages of eighteen & thirty-five and go on for the war.

Gen. Ransom had the Commanders of Regts and separate companys summoned to attend at his head quarters this afternoon and gave them instructions to hold their commands ready to march at an hours notice and it is pretty generally the opinion that we will go to Richmond as they are soon expecting an engagement there soon.  Others think we will go to Weldon.  We are having a power of rain here lately and the weather is extremely cold for this time of year.  Hoping to hear soon I will add nothing more.  Direct in care of Col. Rutledge.

M.N. Love

Sources: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 2. (Jefferson,NorthCarolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2003).  Original in Matt Love Papers, Special Collections Library,DukeUniversity.

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