"Letters From Home and Field"
History
Letters
Personal Accounts
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Thomas Weyman Houston
The following two letters are from Private Thomas W. Houston, Company K, 5th Georgia Cavalry, to his brother-in law, Jim Wright Baggs, a state rep from McIntosh County (Now Liberty) Co., Georgia. Dear Brother: I have just received your kind letter and I was glad to hear that you were all well I am as well as common. I have no news worth your attention, only I think that our people are about to give up Charleston for I see that they are moving a great many of the cannons out on the railroad. The Yankees have taken John's Island since we left it. They killed one or two men and wounded six or seven and took eight horses and two guns. You talk about gaining our Independence. I can't see any chance for it for our men are too much demoralized. home. And this Regiment is not alone for it so everywhere I can hear from. The Yankees have completely got us in their power and they can subjugate us in a short time and never fire another gun for they can soon starve us out. They have got Tennessee and Kentucky completely cut off from us and you know it will be impossible for the State of Georgia and South Carolina to feed out soldiers. I don't see what our Congress is doing that they don't try for peace on some terms. I think they might come on some terms that would be honorable to both sides. I can tell you if they don't do something pretty soon the men will do it for them. I believe these big officers will carry on the war just as long as they can. As for my part I am tired of it, being half starved and our horses dying. I think if they can't do any better they had better quit and let the men go home and make something for their families to live on. As for the Yankees making slaves of us, I don't believe they ever will do that, for Lincoln, in his last proclamation says that if we will come back into the Union, that he will guarantee to us all the rights of property excepting, slaves and I think he would do a great deal better than that if our men would try for it. Oh, James, I never wanted to see home so bad in my life as I do now and there is no telling when I ever will get the chance to go there. I do hope this War will soon end. I want you and William to be sure and hire a hand for Esther for if you don't, I don't see what she is to do. There is no chance for me to help her where I am for it takes all of our wages to buy something to eat. I think it is a very hard case that the Government can't feed her soldiers, but I need not say any more about that. I want you and William to see to my hogs and mark the pigs for me and if I ever have the chance I will do as much for you. . . . .I must come to a Close. You must write soon and let me know all the news out there. So, nothing more, bull I remain your brother, T. W. Houston (P. S. Do Send this letter to Esther as soon as you can).
Camp Finnegan
March the 20th 1864 Dear Brother, I seat myself to write you a hoping they may reach you and family all well. I am as well as common I have no news of interest to write you at this time only our men and the Yankees is pretty close together. Our men is camped 7 miles from Jacksonville. Some of our men desert and go to them and some of them come to us. I have seen plenty of wounded Yankees and Negros and some prisoners. I walk over the battle field and from the appearance it looks almost impossible for a man to escape. I saw between 70 and 90 horses dead on the field and I saw several Yankees and negros that was not burried lying on the field- swelled up. I can tell you James it is a horid site, I dont think that there will be any more fighting in this part of Fla. I am in hopes that we soon will be order(ed) back to Georgia for we are fareing badly here, Col Anderson is gone to Jacksonville today with a flag of truce. I want you to write and let me know if there is any chance for me to get out for I am tired of this cruel war, We have got about 13 thousand soldiers here now. I have seen Sammy Hope he is a Capt of an Infantry Company in the 6th Fla Battalion and I have seen George Calder here too. I must come to a close write soon direct you letter to Baldwin Co. K 5 Regt Ga Cavalry E. Fla I remain as ever your brother Fraternally T. W. Houston
PRIVATE BAILLIE KELL LETTERS
The following letters, drawings, and comments are from Dr. Ian Baillie. These letters are from Private Baillie Kell of Company H, 5th Georgia Cavalry, to his sister-in-law, Julia Blanche Munroe Kell. LETTER TO BLANCHE KELL
"Baillie took us quite by surprise day before yesterday, his regiment has been ordered to Florida, and they had reached Valdosta the night before, so poor fellow, he could only get one days leave, and rode on horseback 18 miles to get here, he arrived about one o'clock in the day and started on his return between 8 and 9 at night. If was a great pleasure to see him even for a few hours. Mother busied herself at once seeing to what clothes he had brought being washed and mended and I got up all the nice things l could and filled his haversack for the next day's march. He looks thin and his horse looks badly too. He has had to do a great deal of riding he says, which has worn down both man and beast, but he looks healthy and in good spirits . . . ." (KELL PAPERS, DUKE) Submitted by Dr. Ian Baillie To Blanche from Evey, "Retreat", March 1864 "Baillie is near Jacksonville and we have been dreading to hear of another battle there, but by the last reports the Yankees have gone to Pilalka‑‑he writes in low spirits poor fellow, do write him, he seems .so dull and is going thro' many hardships, and he enquires so affectionately of you in all his letters and begs us to let him know whenever we hear from you, and says you have always been so kind and affectionate to him‑‑when you write direct to Capt. Brailsford's care, company H, 5th Gen. Cavalry, Lake City, Fla. Among other duties his regiment has been going out on picket duty, the whole regiment at a time, alternating with one another and they stand bridle in hand by their horses 12 (underlined) hours at a time, and only three men allowed to be absent at a time‑‑it must be most fatiguing there. He did not take Jim with him either, thinking it would be troublesome to get him there, as no transportation was allowed for him and he sent Jim to Rushland‑‑so I suppose he has to attend to his own horse, unless he has been able to hire some one to do it." (KELL PAPERS, DUKE) Submitted by Dr. Ian Baillie
Baillie Kell letter June 18th, 1864 In the front 6 miles from Marietta June 18th 1864 My dear Sister I received your pleasant & affectionate letter a few days ago, but postponed answering it until (sic) rejoined Wheeler's Corps. I am quite well, excepting a cold which is very disagreable (sic), making me feel almost useless to myself & to any body else. I have not been yet to find out where Nath is, as we are on the extreme right of the Army & there is nothing but cavalry here: I was told that the 47th regt. Of which Jimmie Holme is Ordinance Serg. is a mile & a half on our left, but no ones allowed to leave camp out of hearing of the bugle; I am very anxious to see all of my friends in the army, but as we are expecting every moment to hear boots & saddles sounded, we cannot go off anywhere. Day before yesterday, we had some skirmishing in our front: but our squadron of our regt. was engaged in it, but lost no men our squadron & the remainning (sic) two, held a very strong position upon the side of a high hill & behind a fence, against which we piled up the rocks formming (sic) as perfect a battery as we could wish & with the Enfield rifle, the best that is in use anywhere, we were spoiling for a fight; upon the top of the hill in our rear there were two batteries of cannon & a line of sharp shooters, but the Yanks were of course repulsed before they reached us. We left Augusta a week ago last Saturday arriving in Atlanta the following morning; in the afternoon I walked out to hunt up Mr Pinkerton, but did not go far before I met him in the street and my presence there was so unexpected & my uniform such a complete disguise that he did not recognise me for some moments, he took me immediately to his house. Keeping me untill(sic) next morning. I had received a few letters from Mother since my arrival here & mentions not having heard from you, but concluded that you had not returned yet from Griffin. I am very glad to hear that your health is much improved & also that Johnnie is looking so well, but I beg my dear sister that you will not allow the loss of those dear little treasures to affect you too seriously. Tell Johnnie that I will certainly bring him a Yankee pony if I can catch one. I am very much obliged to you for your kindness & will certainly avail myself of your offer if I have the opportunity of being sent to the Macon hospital. I really do not know when the great battle is to come off, but it is thought as soon as the roads become passable, after the excessive rains that we have had. I can hear the booming of the cannon & firing of small arms, but that is nothing at all unusual. Col Anderson has been given command of a brigade & he intends using our regt. for charging only. taking (sic)
the rifle from us & issuing us with sabres (sic) and revolvers. [Reproduced by kind permission of the Rare Book, Manuscript, & Special Collections Library, Duke University, Durham NC.] Notes: Baillie was involved in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain of which this letter is the prelude to. Interestingly enough, his brother John McIntosh Kell, Executive Officer of the CSS Alabama was about to fight the famous duel off of Cherbourg France on the next day; June 19th 1864. Blanche (Julia Blanche Munroe Kell) John's wife affectionately called Sister by Baillie, has just lost her two youngest children Boysie and Dot to diphtheria. She was in a state of great distress, hence Baillie's comforting words. She then volunteered to be a Nurse in the Macon hospital, in order to keep busy and to overcome her grief. Hence her kind offer to nurse Baillie if he is wounded in the coming action. Johnnie her eldest son survived the illness and became a Medical Doctor after the war, but tragically died of TB just after qualification in his early twenties.
LETTER OF JUNE 21, 1864 June the 21s I write you a few lines more to inform you that our cavalry had a severe fight with the enemy two days ago, about two thousand strong on each side, but our squadron was not engaged in it, the loss in the two squadrons engaged was 4 killed & 25 wounded; in the other cavalry there was only two killed & I don't know how many wounded, the Yanks were finally driven back with great slaughter. I enclose you a few dollars with which please get me a pencil for letter writing: you can cut it in half if it is too long to enclose the full length & please send it as soon as you are able to get it. I suppose Nath's regt. is on the left as all the forces are being concentrated there & towards the centre as Johnston is doing his best to bring on a general engagement. Ever Your Affectionate brother Baillie
On the reverse side. Gen. Lee has telegraphed Gen. Johnson (sic) that he has given Grant the most complete whipping of any Gets. That has been in command of that army & our army here has all confidence in Johnston the opinion is that he will serve Gen. Sherman as he did McClellan before Richmond having retreated over a hundred miles & had it not been for Magruder and Huger, the whole Yankee army would have been compelled to surrender. Do let me know when you hear anything more of brother and send it to H Troop, 5th Ga. Cav. Wheeler's Corps. Army of East Tennessee – Atlanta- Ga.
With my best regards to your father, I remain Baillie P.S.. Please excuse the condition that my paper is in which became so after writing the letter & had to keep it in my pocket not being able to get it to Marietta. [Reproduced by kind permission of the Rare Book, Manuscript, & Special Collections Library; Duke University, Durham NC.] Note: This letter is clearly written just before the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, June 27th 1864. The regiment was engaged at Kennesaw Mountain on the 19th and at Big Shanty on the 20.
Winfield Wickliffe
Geiger
Headquarters
Anderson’s Brigade My Darling Wife, As I am having more leisure time today than usual, I have concluded to drop you a note, as I know you are always glad to receive my letters, and feel disappointed each mail at Long Branch when you fail to get one. I have tried to be punctual in writing, but sometimes I have not had an opportunity to write until the latter part of the week, and in such cases I am afraid my letters won’t reach you until they are getting old. I am writing this on Monday to be mailed in the morning, and I hope you will receive it by the mail arriving at Long Branch P.O. on Tuesday, July 19th, which will be one week after leaving here. I am still enjoying first rate health, and faring much better than I anticipated I would before I arrived here. My mess has had bacon and greens for dinner about every other day for the last week, and a few times we have had some onions, and Irish potatoes several times; and a plenty of it too. I have never suffered yet. I find more inconvenience about getting my clothes washed than almost anything else, as we have been retreating from above Marietta to this point 13 miles, and I was afraid to let a negro have them to wash while on the retreat, not knowing what hour we might be ordered to fall back further. We, however, reached and crossed the Chattahoochee River in a Pontoon Bridge on the morning of the 5th Instant, and have been in this place since that time. I ventured day before yesterday to give my clothes out, all of which wanted washing but one shorts (which I am reserving for "hard times") and succeeded in getting them washed and dried. I can now do pretty well as far as my clothes are concerned for some time. I am watching out the best I can to keep clean of lice, and so far I have not seen one. In regard to the work I am required to do, it remains the same. My place would be a little hard to fill, if I must say it myself. I can write anything that is wanted, from a 12 hour pass to an Official Communication to the Secretary of War. I simply want to know what the subject is, and I am apt to fix it up about right. I am in hope of getting into a position I would like better in the course of two or three months, if I live that long - I don’t care for you to say anything about it yet except to your mother’s family. I have this day written an Official Communication to General S.Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General at Richmond, Va. for Col. R.H. Anderson, in which he has recommended Lieutenant Geo. S. Barthelmess to be appointed Regimental Commissary of the 5th Regiment Ga. Cavalry with the rank of Captain. Lieut. Barthelmess has told me repeatedly that in case the War Department does give him the appointment, he is very anxious that I go with him as Book Keeper, and asked me if I would consent to go. I have told him I would, and also that I considered him as acting the part of a friend to get me detailed for that purpose. He has just promised me again not half an hour ago, that he would use his utmost exertions if he receives the appointment, which I think he will. If this thing works out all right I think I will like my business much better. The Adjutant says all he is afraid of about getting me off with him, is that Col. Anderson may not want to give me up from his Office. If, however, I succeed in getting off from this Office with Lt. Barthelmess, we will always be several miles in the rear of the Army, and our work will be to attend to supplying the Regiment from the RailRoad Station with something to eat, and if there is anything a little better than Common, we can then get our share of it, and will have no use for a sword and Pistol. The work will be very light, I can have a good place to write, and my situation will be more like home in many respects. A few hours later July 11th 1864 I have been pulled to do a lot of writing for the Col, but I am even again and will now proceed to write some more for you. I will mention for your gratification, my dear, that I have not lost any of my clothes yet. I always stay with the Col and have my clothes in his wagon. (Several pages are missing) 9O’clock P.M. July 11th ’64 Honey, since completing the 5 preceding pages I have had the pleasure of reading your sweet letter of Saturday July 2nd. Thankful indeed to hear that you are all well, and with grateful heart can inform you that your expressed may be realized as a fact, in regard to my health. I am blessed with excellent health, and in every respect as strong as you ever saw me. The good Lord has borne me up under all my trials, and preserved me safe through all the dangers to which I have been exposed, and I am tonight, after doing all the government required of me, permitted to sit quietly at this writing table, in plain and distinct hearing of the enemy’s horns, and drums and write this letter to you. O, may his mercy be continued to us I humbly pray for the sake of our blessed Lord; and may we be spared to meet in sweet, sweet peace when this war shall have ended. I do hope if we are this blessed, my dear, that a portion of your trouble will then be over, and I can have the pleasure of doing many things which will add to your earthly comfort and happiness. You say you heard that our Regiment had been in another fight and had got nearly all their horses killed. I can say in return that you need not confidence half the reports you hear. It is very true our Regiment has up to this time been in (4) four skirmishes but not near all the horses are killed. I think (25)twenty five horses in all killed and wounded will cover the loss in our Regiment up to this time. James McFail of Liberty County was wounded on the 20th June in the fight at Noon day Church, and has since died. I think he died in Atlanta. I understand that Lieut. Seaborn Rustin is getting much better. John Moody has never been heard of by any of us since he was taken prisoner by the enemy. I would recommend that you do not put confidence in every report you hear, until you hear it from a source on which you can rely. I have never been in a fight yet, nor on picket even since I came here. I have only fired one gun since I’ve been here and that was a gun which had been loaded till the Adjutant told me to shoot it off in the air. So far I am always out of danger when a fight comes off. My horse is all right yet. I am so much rejoiced to hear that Sister Mary Jane has made a profession of Religion before the church and the world. This is the way to heaven and to glory to openly acknowledge the blessed Lord and walk in His Commandments. I have ever regarded Mary Jane as a good girl and worthy of the best Society, and I am very sure that she could have found no better Society than those who love the Lord, and are endeavoring to walk worthy of the Christian name. May the Father of her Spirit and of the Lord Jesus Christ bless her efforts to do His will, fill her with his Spirit to comfort and console her, and give success to every energy in glorifying Him on earth and finally save her immortal Soul in the ultimate Kingdom of glory. I congratulate Dear Mother Edwards and entire family that as promising a daughter, so amiable a young lady as Sister Mary Jane has received strength of the Lord, acknowledged Him, and joined the band composed of Christ’s followers. I always loved Mary Jane, and now I am proud to claim her not only as a Sister-in-law, but as a Sister in the Lord Jesus Christ. O May she study His divine and holy nature, and learn to incalculable advantage, of Him who shed His own precious blood to redeem her perishing Soul. Give her my love and let her read these scattered thoughts of an absent and affectionate Brother, who will pray for her successful warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Give her to read the book which Bro J.B. Murrow presented to me, Titled "Advice to a Young Christian" and tell her that it is my request that she read it carefully. I am sure she will like it for it is congenial with the Christian Spirit, which I believe she has. I had heard of Uncle John Edwards death before I received your letter this morning. O what a pity he had not spent his days differently to what he did. I would rejoice to know that he experienced a change of heart before he died. You speak of the crop as being inferior in consequence of excessive rains followed by the scorching sun. I trust there will be a sufficiency made anyhow. The Lord I believe will provide for us. I am sorry to hear of so many deserters about our neighborhood. I trust they will not interfere with you and hope the time is not far distant when I can be at home to allay all fears you may now entertain on account of such characters. Give my respects to Mr. O’Neal and family when you see any of them and kiss my children for me, and tell them you are kissing them for their Pa. It is now late and my candle is almost gone. May our Lord watch over you while you slumber this night; may his Spirit inspire your heart in the morning and attend you all through life is the constant prayer of your own dear Winfield
SGT. JOHN ALEXANDER MARTIN
Letter:
Taylors Creek,
Ga
Submitter: Tommy Houston
H. G. EDENFIELD TO HIS
SWEETHEART
[Note this letter was written when 16 year old H. G. Edenfield was in Company D, 54th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Camp Hay : June 26, 1862 Miss Jane Bragg My dear darling I seat myself to let you know that I received your kind letter, which reach[ed] me some better than I was when I wrote to you. I was so that I could go about, but I am getting very bad off again. Oh, my dear, I was very sorry to hear that you was a-grieving so about me. But I do not want you to grieve about me, for the camps and war is [for] the best and I think if you were to grieve about me like I do about you, it will nearly kill you. For I don't think that there is a day but what I am a thinking of you. Oh, my sweet little darling, it made me nearly shed tears to read that letter that I received from you. For it made me think of old times when we used to sit and kiss each other and you would talk so sweet. But, oh my dear, it don't look like I can ever get my health again. If you could a-seen me before I was taken sick, you would not hardly a know[n] me, for I was as fat as I ever was in my life. But I am a-falling away every day. Oh, my dear, I would like to see you, and I intend to try to get a furlough to go home. And if I can I will go to see you. My dear little darling, I wrote to you a month or two ago to know if you had received my likeness or not, and you never wrote to me whether you did or not. And if you have got it, when you see it, remember me. I must close, yours truly, darling. H. G. Edenfield
H. G. EDENFIELD TO
HIS WIFE
Camp Finigan State of Florida March 12the 1864 … My Dear one I am now in the Sorriest country that I Ever saw we are right where the Yankees has been & they is but few people lives hear & the country is Eat very near out Except a few hogs & cows the Government gives us about half enough to eat I thought that we were fairing bad Enough at Green Pond but we ware fairing well to what we are now … Camp Finigan East Florida May 2… … My Dear I have not Received a letter from you in a long time & I am afraid I will not get one to _______ for we leave this hole To morrow Morning for Green Pond again and I am very glad of it for I am tired of this place & If we go to Green Pond I will have the pleasure of Seeing your Dear Face again …
Red Bluff So. Ca My Dear Wife I take the opportunity of writing you a few lines which will Inform you that I am well at this time & hope those may reach you enjoying the Same blessing. I arrived Safe at Camp Yesterday by walking 15 miles as My Company is at Red Bluff & I had to walk from Hardeville the Regt is Split up it is Stationed all along the coast of Carl [Carolina ] from hear to Johns Island I hear …
Army of Tennessee Sept 28th My Dear Father
I this morning seat my self with the intentions of addressing you a
few lines which I trust may reach you arid the family all well and
this will inform you that I am Enjoying good health at this time Dear Father I am happy to tell you that we have same great meetings in our Camp I feel that the Lord is visiting us and I hope much good will be done & Father I am harpy to say to you that I am yet trying to serve the Lord though I have many tryals and tribulations to under go with I as out of from many privileges & away from my home & Dear Wife & family Connection though I can go in the silent grove & pray to mar God to Spair me through this Bloody conflict & I do feel that my prayers do others has been heard in my behalf for I never no what sickness is and I have been lucky through this War Every Way My Dear Father I will have to close our horse is still at fort gaines You can Direct your letter as I told you before I hope this War may soon End for I sin home Sick May the Lord bless you all
Your Son
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