This is a copy of a letter dated December 23, 1863, from William Willis Slatten to George Slatten:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago. Fresh eyes may see something a little differently, and I would appreciate hearing about it if they did.
Camp McGouen Virginia, Dec. the 23, 1863,
Dear Son, with pleasure this morning I seat my self to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well as comon at this time truly hoping these will reach you in due time & find you well and all the rest. I have nothing strange to write to you. All is quiet with us now. It is now snowing and I am bar footed and I want you to go to Elip Barkley and see if you can git him to make me a pair of shoes and if he can I want then to take them to Alphred Neale by the 16 of next month and he will send them by his boy Jim. Write to me as soon as you git this letter and let me know the price of them.
(Pg. 2) and I will send the money by the first one passing. If he can do so, he will oblige a friend. Make them No. 11 and very high quarters and rais them tolorable well. Write to me a little oftener than you have bin doing for I have not received a letter in over a month and I feel like ther was something the matter. So nothing more but remains your father until death, W. W. Slaten to his son George.
This is a copy of a letter dated December 7, 1863, from J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley to George R. and Martin V. Barkley:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago. If fresh eyes read something a little differently that I did, I would appreciate hearing about it.
December 7th 1863
South Carolina Anderson District
Dear brothrs, I take this oppertunity of writing to you to let you know I am tolerble well hoping these lines may find you boath well when theay come to hand. I hant nothing new to write to you onely war newse and I recon you have moore nuse thn I can git but from all accounts Braggs armey is badly whiped and has fell back to Atlanta, Ga. The report is that Gen. Longstreet is defeated in Tennessee. If them reports be true I count us in a bad condition but not wors thin I was expecting for I have thought that we was ruined for a long time and now it is a plain case but we couldent expect nothing better from such treatment as we have met with all the time. The big men has no pitty on the poore soldiers and the treatment gits wors but I think it will soon stop for this war is coming to a close as fast as it can. I was sorry to heare of you a having to go on Sullivans Island but I hope that you will be pertected as well there as aney other place. The same pertecktion is on the island as was on the main land. I was sorry to dis a point you a bout not a goin to see you but maby all things turns out for the best. I wood a liked to a went and a brout your salt thrue but I hope it will come thrue. I want you to send your trunk home by the first that comes. I sent you a box by Corpl. King and I sent you 8 3/4 lbs. of lather. I want you to make your own out of it. Lather is a fetching from 5 to 8 dollars per lb. You put on price a nuff to hold your own on the lather.
(Pg. 2) I was sorry to heare that Capt. Bramlett was not promoted for I think it was his place to a bin Major, but tell Capt. Bramlett to still hold on to the captain's place for I wood rather hear of him a bin your captain thin to hear aney thing els. I want you to write to me how much salt E. V. Elrod is a sending with you and what it is in. I want you to write what the salt coste that you sent up in the box for Eliab got that and I got the letter I sent to you by Corpl. King and we want to know the price of the salt so we can settle. I was glad you had bout you another watch for I had rather have aney thing thin money it will by somthing but it is at a powerful price. Besure and send me all the lead and powder you can. I wood be glad you could come home in a few days for time at killing hogs and I wood be glad you could be hear to help us eat spear ribs and back bone. George, I think you could get better rations thin you did at Fort Cedar. All is quiet at head quarters armey of the watermilion. If I can git the lather you shal have your boots but lather is heard to git. The neighbors is in tolarble good health. I will have to come to a close. I still remain your brother till death. J. B. O. Barkley / G. R. Barkley, Martin V. Barkley / Write soon.
Here is a copy of a letter dated November 8, 1863, from J. M. Watson to J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley:
A few years ago I transcribed the letter as follows. I welcome fresh eyes; please let me know if you see something differently.
Camp of 18th S. Ca. November 8th 1863
Mr. J. B. O. Barkley, dear sir, I seat my self this eevning to drop you a few lines & inform you that I am well and hoping these few lines may reach you and find you well and doing well. I hav nothing new to rite at this time. I hav bin looking for you to come down for a long time but it looks like you ar not a comin and i thought i would giv you a few lines. The times a round heare is a bout as they hav bin for some time. They are not shelling as much as they hav bin. I am in hops they will stope there foolishness down heare. I wish I could get home and fly round the girls with you but I racon you hav quit flying round the girls an gone to nursing. I want to no whether you have ever seen youre boy or not.
(Pg. 2) I would giv any thing to see youre boy but i think he is a fine boy and I want you to take good care of him for you no that boys are a going to bee scarce and will bee needed whin this ware endes. I want you to come down as soon as you can and see us. We hav a heep of fun down heare. Neal, I am geting as fat as a bare and I feel like flying a round the girls. I want you to right soon as you get this and news and fear not righting sooner, so I will close, nothing moor at this time, only remain youre friend till deth.
J. M. Watson
J. B. O. Barkley
Here is a copy of a letter dated October 18, 1863, from George R. and Martin V. Barkley to their family:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago as follows. Fresh eyes may see something a little differently, and I welcome any suggestions.
South Carolina Comp. 18th Regt. Lagrees Pint, James Island / October 18th 1863
Dear father and Mother, Brothers & Sisters, I we write you a few lines to let you know we are well hoping these lines may find you all well. We received your kind letter & we was glad to hear from you & to receive your kind favors in the box Blake got. All is quiet here. We hear of a great battle a being fought at Manassas, Va. It is thought that we wont have to stay here but about one week longer. The Col. thinks we will go back to Mount Pleasant where we left. They read out the boys sentence last eavning on dress parade. G. R.'s sentence forfeit one month pay & police the streets 2 hours each day for fifteen days. Blakes the same. H. Y. Spence forfeit 20 days pay & police the streets for ten days. E. V. Elrod has to mark time on a box 2 hours each day for fifteen days and forfeit one months pay. It seems heard but justice will come some day to stripes & bars as well as poore privates. Gods will be done.
(Pg. 2) D. C. Kelly has to double quick 10 minuts in every hour for 6 hours in the day for 10 days, forfeit one months pay. Mrs. Stone and Ellison arrived night before last. They look well & are a doing fine. Dr. Daniel Pope quit our regt. last week. Dr. Tolon suceeds him. He has done more for the regt. already than Pope had done for the last 6 months. E. H., you can do as you pleas about sending Popes shoes for he told me to be sure to have them made & then he left without saying one word about his shoes. Do as you think best. If I had them here I could sell them at almost any price. I cooked the cabbage you sent to day & G. R., myself and all the boys in our mess is all goiley after eating greens. George is as cheerfull as you ever saw him. Fifteen days wont be long. Neal a wanted to no how long we would stay here. I cant say though. I think we will go to Mount Pleasant in one week for we only come to stay here 2 weeks. I can not in sist on you a coming here till we get back to the brigade or Mt. Pleasant for you can come on to Charleston and
(Pg. 3) & get with some wagon. If T. Lenard Blake comes with you, you could get here very easy. The only disadvantage is it is 9 miles from here by land and we are on regular duty every other night or picket. George ses he wants you and Mr. Blake to come down in about 15 or 20 days and buy your salt. You can get it for 12 1/2 to $20, that is $12.50 for soldiers with families or widowed mothers, 3 bushels each. The agent was here today. You come as soon as you can. George wants you to bring him some 20 or 25 dollars for the Col. sais we wont draw any money till Christmas & he will need it. George wants his hat & knife. I want my pants & drawers & gloves & boots if Eliab has got the leather to make them, a bottle of vinegar & some soft shoe wax. Eliab, I hope you wont have to come in to service under this call. Dick Fowler was over here & took diner with us. He is complaining with his back. I am a shoemaking every day. I could get moore to do than 3 men could do but I go on picket every other night. We had a grand review of our troops on this island last Friday by
(Pg. 4) Major General Beauregard. He looks like old Maj. Whitfield use to. Dear Mother, I dont want you to be uneasy about us for my health is geting good and I have bin stouter since I went to Miss. than I ever was since I had the rheumatism. George is fatning every day. I want you to give our best respects to Aunt Polly, Mrs. Wilson & Miss Jane Vaughn, Mr. Watson & family. J. M. Watson, W. B. Garrett, K. H. Blake are all well. We draw the best rations we have drew for a long time. I must close for the present. We remain your sons & brothers till death. May God continue His many mercies and prepare us for that place not made with hands, eternal in the havens where the wicked cease to rule and the weary are at rest. G. R. & M. V. Barkley
Write all the news good & bad. I sent a letter the mato of Miss. by Hamp Stone. Write if you got it. George ses bring him a pocketbook.
Here is a copy of a letter dated October 13, 1863, from George R. and Martin V. Barkley to their family:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago and am posting that here. If fresh eyes see something a little differently than I did, please let me know.
Oct. 13th 1863
Camp 18th Regt. on James Island
Dear Father & mother, brothers and sisters, we write you a few lines which leaves neither of us well. We are both troubled with dierrhaea but we are still doing duty. I expect we are permanently stationed in full a view of the yankees on Morris Island. The fleet and most polls looks like a forest & the island is coted over with white tents. We will have to do picket duty every other night long. It is at the battery, they could shell us at any time. We are about 2 miles to the right of Fort Johnson. They keep a shelling once in a while first from one side and then on the other. We are the best fortified you ever saw, though they may shell us to pieces but they will have something to do. We hope these few lines may find you all well. The boys have not bin put under arrest any more since we left Mt. Pleasant. Jas. Cartee & Browning runaway from the regulars last Sunday night. They sent a lieut.
(Pg. 2) after them. Col. Wallace had them put under arrest but I think we will keep them. Eliab, Dr. Pope has returned from home and sais he wants you to make him as neat a pair of shoes as you can, about a half number larger than Maj. Bramlet's. He wants them sewed. He ses he will pay you 25 dollars for them. Send them by the first chanse you have. Do some of your nice work for two or more reasons, one to show the regt. the sort of work you can do. Have them as slick as posible. If you get to stay at home you will have several jobs from this regt. & I do hope you may get to stay at your peacefull home. I want you to be sure to make my boots as I wrote the other day for I can sell the shoes that Neal sent me. I want you to write what my sole leather cost per lb. so I may no what to charge for halfsoling. Neal, I want you to come and see us. Though we are stationed 9 miles from Charleston, though we have wagons comeing from pontoon bridge every day so you get some chanse of comeing any day. Take the road at the bridge
(Pg. 3) for Secessionville insted of Fort Johnson, then enquire for the 18th regt. on the east end of the island. I wish you had a come with Ellison. We hear little or nothing from Braggs army. There is no signs of any early demonstrations being made here. I wrote to you about the salt J. V. Spence was a sending home & Ellison & Murphy, are in two sacks both marked, one bottle to H. Y. Spence, all the little tricks to you that is not marked otherwise. Eliab, if you need the salt you can take what I am a sending home or G. R. ses he will give you half of the salt and you may take the other. You pay the freight at Williamston & write what the cost of freight is on the salt. E. H., do try & get a detail from the sec'ty of war so you may go in to some Confederate shop if you leave home.
(Pg. 4) Mother, Lucinda, Vashti, & Hannah, I want you to be as cheerfull about us as you can for we enjoy ourselves very well. Mother, I would write for you to come & see us but you could not come past Columbia, so if I get sick & go to the hospital there I want you to come & take me home though I hope I may have my health. I feel some better this eavening. George ses he wants to no what has become of Vehoon if he is gone to his command or not. Hannah, I want a pair of gloves for I lost mine on big Black Miss. I have my cap now, boys, so please pay the Mrs. Spences that money, they may need it. I will draw a blanket before long & all the good clothes I can & what I dont need I will send home. I expect to sell or swap my watch for there is severold that need it in Co. D. Boyce got 17 & Forrow 7 votes. Write the return. Dear friends I want to see you all bad. God defend the right & save us threw the blood of Christ. Write all the news.
G. R. & M. V. Barkley
J. M. Watson is on guard.
Here is a copy of a letter written about June of 1863, from Josiah M. and Elizabeth Barkley to J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago as follows. If fresh eyes see something a little differently, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Neal, your mother has not tim to writ as she is goin to send this off this morning. Your father and mother and all the rest is well as comon. Neal, your mother sas for you to doo the best you can for your self and trie to git back as soon as you can. Your mother sas if you git wors she wants you to writ as soon as you can for she wont to know it and som of us will com to you. Your mother dont want you to have your leg worked on for she thinks it wold kill you rit off, so if you cold prevail with the Dr. not to under tak it, I think it wold bee the best. J. M. and Elizebeth Barkley
This is a copy of a letter dated June 20, 1863, from Eliab Hazard and Anna Loucinda Barkley to J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago. If fresh eyes see something a little differently than I did, please let me know.
June 20, 1863
South Carolina Anderson District
Dier brother, wee tak this oppertunity of writing to you to let you know that wee ar tolreble well hoping this may com to hand and find you well. Wee reseeved a letter from you Friday and was glad to hear from you and to hear you had landed saif. I was sorrow to hear that the Dr. was goin to trie to straiton your leg for i think you can not stand that for i think it wold bee more painfoul to you to have that dun then it was when you was first wounded. If I was you i wold not have it dun tho doo as you pleas. Wee have not heard from the boys sence you left hear. As for that shou thredd you nead not git it for i know you think it will bee a hard bargin and I think so my self. Thar has nothing accurd sence you left hear. I will have stop writing as your mother is goin to writ. She is so mutch apposed to havin your leg straton, so no more, E. H. and A. L. Barkley to J. B. O. Barkley.
Here is a copy of a letter dated June 5, 1863, from Martin V. Barkley to Josiah and Elizabeth Barkley:
I transcribed this letter a few years ago as follows. Please let me know if you find that I transcribed a word incorrectly.
Camp near Jackson Miss
June 5th 1863
Dear father and mother, brothers & sisters, I write you a few lines which leaves me tolerble well. My thumb is nearly well. I had a sick spell 2 days ago, but I am getting over it. George left here yesterday morning. He heard that I was not well. He came down with some butter milck which done me a heap of good. Recv'd yours of 24th May and you dont no ho glad I was to hear from you but I was still moore sorry to think that you was on the train. I did not get to see you on the account of the Holcum Legion being fools. I was sorry to think that that box I sent & salt had not come threw. There must be something rotten some where. I sent the receipts of the salt by Mary Oldham which you have rec'd. I want you to keep them & try if the salt don't come to get my $53.00 from the railroad co. That is the Wilmington Manchester Road. I was glad to hear you stood your trip tolerble well to Charleston
(Pg. 2) District as before to Jackson. I am your humle son till death. Write soon & I will try to do the same.
E. V. Elrod and all the boys except Lieut. Bryant, he will be in to night-6. I was very sorry to hear that M. T. Walker was dead. They said he died at Columbia & they sent him home. We are under marching orders to march out in the direction of Canton in Big Black and have but little time to write. I think there is an awfull bloody fight in a short time. The yanks have been marching on Vicksburg for the last 20 days. We can hear the cannon plain. I saw Wm. Duncan yesterday. He is in 40th Al. Regt. Capt. Bramlett's brother preached for us last night. He believes this will be the last battle. Eliab & Lucinda, I rec'd your kind letter you sent from Charleston 2 days ago. I will write you a long one in a few days. Give my respects to all the girls. Tell them that the girls of Georgia, Ala., and Miss. are a laying off their hoops & I think peace will come for pride goith before distruction. Father I was glad to hear that you & george were geting along with your crop. The neighbor boys are all well except J. King. He is still complaining. My respects to Mr. Foley. May God continue His many mercies. Fare well for this may be my last, M. V. Barkley
Here is a copy of a letter dated March 15, 1863, from Daniel Dendy to his sister:
A few years ago I transcribed the letter as follows. If you see anything I transcribed incorrectly, I would appreciate hearing about it.
Camp Jeter Diascon Bridge
New Kent County Va March 15 1863
Dear Sister,As it has been some time since I last wrote I seat myself this P.M. to let all know that I am well at this time. I have just returned to camp from picket. I was out three days and it snowed every day. We had a false alarm from one of the posts in about one mile of the one I was in comand of. They reported to me that the enemy was gone up the Garrett Rode and was cutting us off from camp. You ought to have seen us leave it all prove to be false. I know of nothing new to write. R. F. Spearman has been quite sick for the last week but he is better to day. We are pretty hard up for provisions at times. We got a smal box to day in our mess or rather Mr. Coleman with nice ham and some lard. It was quite a treat indeed. I was very sorry to hear of the discontentmen in the family on account of the sale of Bill. Has Pa succeeded in geting him back. I hear that the money was counterfeit that Walter paid for him. I am in hopes he is back home before this. You wanted know I gave the hat to. I gave it to J. A. Hill, fits verry well. The yanks had just given
(Pg.2) Thomas Hill a chase and made lose his hat so Joseph gave the old black to Tom. I want you to take special care of my old hats that I left home. Such as they are sells for $25.00 in Richmond and gose up every day. Has Papa ever got my saddle from Chappells Depot. I sent it by F. Scurry. Did you receive the letter with Franks money in it. I sent the letter by F. Scurry care of A. M. Smith. I and Silas Walker sold the Yankee horse for $300.00 three hundred dollars. We had to $150 for him the appraisement Gen. Wise said that returned to the Goverment that was captured or appraised and their value sent so Col. Tabb said we must have him appraised after giving it to us. When is Bob Hill coming out to join us. It is reported in camp that we will be sent back to No. Ca. in a few days but camp tales are so erronious we know not what to believe. We cannot be badly worsted. We have very arduous duty to perform in the way of picket, short rations for both man and horse. We have so far to hall it in wagons from the station. Is Sister Mary going to school this year and John and ?? to. I must close as it is raining and so dark I cannot see to write. Write soon. Nothing more but remain your affectionate brother, Daniel Dendy.
Here is a letter dated March 14, 1863, from Nancy King to Jasper King:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago as follows. If fresh eyes see a word a little differently than I did, please let me know.
March th 14 1863
Dear Jasper, I am once more spaired to write you a few lines to let you now wee are all well at this time hopeing those lines may reach yore distant hands and find you well. I have nothing new to write at this time only I am nearly distracted to hear from you. I have not got a leter from you since the one you wrote the 8 of febuary. It is seventeen days now since I herd from you. You shorley could write to me evry week for that is all the satisfaction I have is to get leters from you if I can't see you. It is a great pleasure to me to hear from you. I herd to day that thare was a batle at Kinston last Saturday but I did not hear no particulars a bout it. I hope you was not in it but I will be weary till I hear.
(Pg. 2) Yore Mother and family is all well. Your Mother ses she never did want to see you as bad. We have very prety weather at this time to work. It is no use to say to you I want to see you for you now that but I never did want to see you as bad. I dreamed last night of seeing you. I thought you was at home. I can see as well how you looked. I thought you looked sweet and prety as ever. I wish my dream would come to pass. So I will bring my few lines to a close for this time. I will write more when I hear from you. This makes three leters I have wrote you in march and got nary one from you. Write to me often as you can. It does me so much good to hear from you. Write evry week any how and I will try to do the same. Remain yore loveing wife, Nancy King to Jasper King
Here is a copy of a letter dated February 18, 1863, from William Turner and A. Campbell to J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago and am posting it here. If fresh eyes see something a little differently, please let me know.
February 18th 1863
Camp Gregg near the Rappahannock, Va.
Dear friend, I seat my self to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well and doing tolerble well. I received your letter that you wrote to me when you was at the hospitle requesting me to take your clos and sell them. I don so and sent your money home with mine. I sold all of your close that came in my box except one scarf that Frankford Scott took and said he would pay you what you ask for it. Your knapsack has bin lost. I took some of your paper and envelops and brout them to this camp and sold them with your other things. Times hear is hard, we only git quater rashens to eat and some times not that. We hav some cold weather hear. We hav a snow hear now a bout six inchise fell yesterday. This morning it is a raining. We hav bin a looking for a battle hear for the last two weeks. I think this will stop it for a while. Well I will begin a gain. I had to stop writting to go and git one of my teeth pouled and I hav got it out and now I can write with some satis faction. The boys is all as well as common. Capt. Moor gives his best respects to you and wishes you grate luck and hopes you will be well in a few weeks. Capt. Moore has just bin releaved at this minute
(Pg. 2) with out any trial and he is a bout mad a nough. J. J. Lolless come from the housepitle yesterday, his hand is not well yet and he ses it wont be well in two months. I would be glad to be at home and go to see you and hear you talk a bout the girls and drink some good old honey and brandy. You may tell Mr. Barkley that I haven't got old Abe's coat buttons yet but some of his men lack to have got mine but as it hapent I come out saif with out a scratch. Neal, I would lack to see you when you get able to go over and see your little boy. I heard that they had named it after you. If you see any of my people you may tell them that I am well. You musent git mad at my sake but if I could see you I could tell you more than I could write in a week. I will come to a close, so no more but remain yours until death, Mr. J. B. O. Barkley from Wm. Turner.
Write soon if you pleas and let me no how you are a giting a long and all of the nuse both good and bad.
Mr. J. B. O. Barkley,
I will write you a few lines, I am fat and hearty as a pig. Beef and bread is most too good for poore folks like us. I am glad to hear you hav got home but dont do like some of the boys, marry before you leave. We are getting along finely. Turner I guess has given you all the news I will ad noune at this time - give my respects to all enquiring friends. W. E. Pagett sends his respects to you. Capt. J. B. M. restored to his command. A. Campbell
Here is a copy of a letter dated December 18, 1862, from Daniel Dendy to his sister. Actually the letter looks to be dated Dec. 18/26, but surely the 2 and 6 are transposed.
I transcribed the letter a few years and am posting that here. If anyone sees where I transcribed a word in error, please let me know.
Camp Cane
Ft. Andrews Parish Dec. 18/26
Dear Sister,
I drop you a few lines to let you all know that I am well at present. Hoping those lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. There is a great deal of excitement about Charleston. The yankeys have landed on South Ediston Island yesterday. The threw bums amongst our rifle regment as they were on Dress Parade and their Col. gave them orders to retreat. I understand they have landed on Johns Island. We are under orders to march in the morning to Pon Pon which is about 15 miles from this place. We are now about eight miles from Charleston S.C. We came down
(Pg.2) from Columbia Saturday night, arrived in Charleston at 2 a.m. We get plenty of pickeld beef to eat which is very salty. Our horses have suffered for something to eat since we left home. I have seen two regments pass hear this week going down to meet the yankeys. One team of Va. Reg. passed to day. We are under Col. Stephens, Holcombs Legeon. John C. Williams Company belongs to the same legeon. I saw Samuel & the two Isaacs yesterday. Well, Sister, I must close as the boys want to go to bed. Write soon direct to Charleston care of Caldwell Blakely Co. Newberry Rangers, Holcombs Legeon. Nothing more, your brother. Give my love to all of the family. D. Dendy
This is a copy of a letter dated November 18, 1862, from George R. Barkley to Josiah and Elizabeth Barkley:
A few years ago I transcribed the letter as follows. If anyone sees where I transcribed a word in error, please let me know and I will correct it.
Nov 18 1862
Camp near Kinston N.C.
Dear Farther and Mother, sisters, brother, I seat my self this eavning to write you a few lines which will inform you that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you all well. I have nothing new to write. I have drawed my money and I will send home 70 dollars and Jasper King is going to send 20 dollars in with mine and I want you to send Nancy King twenty dollars if you pleas. I will send it by David Engram. If you get it I want you to write to me for I will want to heare. I want you to pay my dets and then use the rest if you want it. I wanted to draw Martins but they said they could not unless you artharised him to pay pmt. to me. If I could have drawed it I could sent it to you so I will close that subject. Our boys is all in tolerble health. Greenlee Elison came back from the hospital this eavning.
(Pg. 2) I want you to write to me all the news. I will send Mother and Lousindia a book The Second Battle of Manassas and you can tell something about whar I have went through. I want Eliab to write to me what Jeff Hallum owes him. He ses he will pay it to me, so will close for this time as Mr. Enghram is going to start. Give my love to all enquir friends. Jasper King is well and sends his respects to you all. J. T. Stone is well, so farewell, write soon. I remain youre affectionate son and brother till death, G. R. Barkley to Farther, Mother, sisters, and brother one and all.
Here is a copy of a letter dated October 31, 1862, from J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley to Josiah M. and Elizabeth Barkley:
As with all the other letters, I transcribed this letter a few years ago to the best of my ability then. If fresh eyes see something I missed, please let me know.
Richmond, Va. Oct 31st 1862
Dear Father and Mother, I take the present oppurtinity of writing to you to let you know that I am improving in health but it is vary slow. I hope that thease lines will find you all well when theay come to hand. I hant got nothing vary new to write to you for I have bin heare so long at the hospitle that I doant git to see nothing. I think I will starte to the Regt in a few days. I wood a bin gown before this time but I heard that the army was a falling back and if the do I woant have to walk and if I meet with the luck not to have to march it will suit me vary well for I doant feel lik marching fair if I can help it. I see a little account in this morning paper of peace. I am in hopes that is true for I want this war to come to a close for it has caused trouble anuff. W. N. Watson hant got his furlough yeat but the dockter sais he shall have a furloug and as soon as he startes home I will starte to the Regt.
(Pg. 2) I heare that theay have got the small pox in the camp but I cant vouch for it but theay have it between heare and wheare the armery is and I will have to go by whare it is but I hant much afraid of the small pox but I had rather not be wheare the are. The weather is vary pritty and it hant bin coalder hear yeat thin I have felt at the same time a year in S.C. Some thinks that we will go back to Charleston or some wheare on the coast but I think it doubtfull but I had rather be on the cost thin to be heare. I wood like to be at home for I am tyred of camp life and wore out be sides but I think this war will close this winter. Give my best respects to Aunt Polly and to Eliab & to Loucindey and to all the neighbors & friends. I will write to you the day I leave to starte to the Regt. I will close for the present still remaneing your son till death, J. B. O. Barkley
Josiah M. Barkley
Elizabeth Barkley
Doant write till I write again.
This is a copy of a letter dated September 8, 1862, from George Barkley to Josiah and Elizabeth Barkley:
A few years ago I transcribed the letter to the best of my ability. If fresh eyes see some of the words better than I did, please let me know.
Maryland Sept 8, 1862
Dear farther and mother
I am onse more spaired to drop you a few lines which will in forn you that I am well as common hoping these lines may come safe to hand and find you all well. I have a heap to write but not much time to write. We are in Maryland marchin on towards Baltimore. I think there is where they are going. We are in 40 miles of Baltimore and if we keep on we will soon bee there. I dont know how us and the yankyes will make it on their own soil.
(Pg. 2) But I hop we may bee sucessful and I hope peace will be made for I feel like I would like to see old Carolina and my old farther and mother, brothers and sisters again. I have not heard from Martin since I wrote before so I will have to clos for this time. N. B. Ben Ducus got three fingers shot off his left hand and Vehoon got shot in the leg but not bad, so fare well, I hope I will heare from you all soon.
G. B. to farther and Mother
Here is a copy of a letter dated June 28, 1862, from Josiah M. and Elizabeth Barkley to George R. and Martin V. Barkley:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago and am posting the transcription here. If anyone sees something differently than I did, please let me know.
June the 28 1862
South Carolina Anderson Destrict
Dear sons, we take this opertunity of writeing a few lines to you to let you no that we are all in tolerable helth at this time. I feel thankful to God for all His kind blessings He has bestoed upon us, hopeing that the same kind blesings may find you both enjoying good helth when the come to hand. We resceived your letters date the 22 & 23. We was glad to hear from you both that you was tolerable well after undergoing the hardships of war ever sence you have bin ther. You wrote that maby you might go to Virginia. I wish you could git of that ilant. I dont think anybody can have ther helth there. If you cold git to a better place i would be so
(Pg. 2) glad. Eliab ses he thinks Virginia is a hard place for soildeirs. Hampton Stone and David Braszeal went thear sence the battle at richmon and tuck a box of perversion to the boys. The found thim with out any thing to eat. The have to march abundance and that in a hury and in mud and water wast deep. Neal writes that the hav no tents and his chanc to sleep is to rol himself in his blanket and ly in the rain or set up, and flour, bread and bacon was all the had to eat. The had nothen to cook with thear meat, bad fair. I am verry uneasy about you all. It is sed the battle is on at richmon now and i am afraid ther will be a battle wher you are too.
(Pg. 3) Margret Stone sends her best respects to yo and gorge. If we had any chance we would send you a box of perversion and your brow pants too. I am afraid you will both need them bad before i can git the chance to send them. I cant hear of any body coming up from thear. The Sunday before Neal left I heard a letter read that James Fowler sent to his father. He said the had bin three days at a time with out eateing any thing. It is hard times thear and i am a frade worse acoming. Martin, your pigs looks well for thear chance and our crop looks tolerable well for the chance. George, the taters looks well. You rote that you wanted to come home if you went to Virginia.
(Pg. 4) We would be too glad to see you both come home once mor. If you could git to come we would be so glad if Neal cold git to come home too so that you all could be with us wonce more. There was twenty or more negros whiped last wensday at Williamston for makeing a attemt to rise. Eliab and Lousinda is well as common. Your aunt Polly and Vashti and Hannah sen thear respects to you both. (illegible) remembers hear love and good wishes to you both. Mr. Trainham left hear sence diner, he left his family all well. He wishes to be remembered to you both. Mr. Watsons family is well. William Watson fingers ant well yet. Write soon so i must come to a close, no more at presant but stil remaining your loving father and mother until death, Josiah M. and Elizabeth Barkley to George R. and Martin V. Barkley
Rite soon
We hant heard from Neal sence we rote to you.
This is a copy of a letter dated June 23, 1862, from George R. and Martin V. Barkley to Eliab Hazard Barkley:
I transcribed the letter as follows. Please let me know if I made a mistake so that I may correct it.
James Island June 23rd 1862
Dear Brother, I write you a few lines to let you know that I am tolerble well hoping these lines may find you well. I returnd from picket yesterday almost eat up with the musqueters and junippers. They are the worst I ever saw. They can nip you threw your coat & shirt. I would like to a had you a long when we left Arsenol green. You never heard such
(Pg. 2) hollowing in your life. We hear that William N. Watson is at home. If we cant get to come home we will get him to bring our clothing to us but I hope we will get to come home to our old sweat home once moore. We are tired of this place. We want you Eliab to make us a pair of shoes apiece. George wants his maid the old fashion. I want mine high up & water proof. Write soon, I will close for the present.
G. R. & M. V. Barkley
Here is a copy of a letter dated April 18, 1862, from A. Campbell to J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley:
I transcribed the letter a few years ago. If you see an error, please let me know and I will correct it. Thanks.
Sullivan Island April 18th 1862 1 1/2 oclock
J. B. O. Barkley, Dear Sir,
I take the opportunity to let you know that we are generaly well, our mess all well. I nothing of interest to write you & not more than 10 minuets to write. Please buy some dried peaches for our mess. We will settle with you when you return. N. S. Gambrell wants you to bring some corn meal from his house for his chicken. We are all doing fine & in very good spirits, health very good considering so many. Sorry to hear of Martin being sick. I must close or not get it of to day. Nothing more. Yours truly,
Lieut. Van I guess will go home this evening, I am not certain.
A. Campbell
Here is a copy of a letter dated March 9, 1862, from J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley to M. V. "Martin" Barkley:
I transcribed this letter a few years ago to the best of my ability then, but if fresh eyes see something I got wrong, please feel free to let me know. Thanks!
March 9th 1862 S.C.
Sullivans Island Charleston
Dear brother, I take my pen in hand to let you know I am well with the exception of a bad coal that I have had for 3 or 4 days, but Im better of it hoping that the lines may find you and all the rest well when they come to hand. I hant nothing of interest to write to you for all is quiet heare. I hear of ther fighting in Tennessee but I recon you heare that as soon as I do. Martin, the boys are wanting shoes heare very much. I want you to send 4 or 5 pair down heare as soon as
(Pg. 2) you can. Send No. 8 and No. 9, that suits the most of the boys. There is 4 or 5 that is a waiting for you to send and has the money to pay for them. I want you to have the shoes ready and send them by H. B. Arnold when he comes back and I think he will leave if he gits able about the 18 or 19 of this month so have them ready and Berry will fetch them to me. I want you to git me another side of soal lather and have it ready to send to me for the one you sent to me I have cut a rite smart off of it and I doant want to git out of
(Pg. 3) lather. Yeastarday I mended 4 pair of boots and shoes and didint git don by 3 or 4 pair what had come in. The first chance I have I will send you $20. and I may starte it to day if I have a chance to send it by aney boddy. I woant risk it by mail. I want you to make all the shoes you can and bring down hear when you come and if you do not git the chance to come, make all you can and send along and I will sell them for you and send you the money. That is if you can hoald your own at the price I sell at.
(Pg. 4) Wm. Turner, M. N. Gambrell, & L. J. Scott & William Leavell, J. M. Watson, J. W. & J. M. Fowler & R. E. Cartee & E. J. Hay is all well with the exception of coal on last Friday. We had a skiff of snow and it give the most of us a considerable coal. J. M. Watson sais he will write to you in a few days. Give my best respect to all the neighbors and friends, so no moure but remaning your loving brother till death,
J. B. O. Barkley to M. V. Barkley
Write soon.
Here is a copy of a letter dated March 7, 1862, from Reuben Wilson to J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley:
A few years ago I transcribed the letter as follows. If fresh eyes see something differently, I would welcome hearing any corrections.
Camp Wigfabull Hampton Legion
March 7th 1862
Dear friend,
I received a letter from you yesterday dated the 2nd and was happy to hear from you. I got to the camps last Sunday about twelve oclock. I tell you Virginia is a hard road to travel. We lay over one day in Richmond. The bridge across James river was blown up or broken down so that we had to get off in Chester. We then had some two miles to go & it was apouring down rain. I tell you we had aright sloppy time of it. I enjoyed myself fine while Richmond. We took the cars again Friday morning. We got such a dreadful account of Manassas that we concluded to get off at Bristo some four miles before we got to Manassas. We arrived at Bristo about sunset aFriday evening which left us about the same distance as when at Manassas. We went over to Brentsville some three miles from Bristo and remained there until Saturday evening. We then set out for Bacon Race a distance of twelve miles. We got there about eight oclock Saturday night which left us about the same distance to go the next morning. It is hardly worth while to try to describe the roads as you could have no definite ideia unless you could see them. When we left Brentsville Saturday the ground was frozen pretty hard but (page torn) but it would brake every few steps and when ever it did we was certain
(Pg. 2) to go in up to our knees and sometimes deeper. Asunday every thing was frozen so and the roads was cut up so it was like walking on round rocks all the way. It commenced snowing on us Sunday before we got to camps and continued until late in the evening. It was the largest snow I have ever seen. It then set in to raining in the night and continued until Tuesday evening. I found most of the boys enjoying tolerable good health with the exception of two or three: James Burdine was taken yesterday with asevere attact of pneumonia. I stood my trip fine and feel well as ever if I can only maintain it. I find we have agood deal more to do than when I was here in the fall. They have picketing or other fatigue duty to do every day. I have not done any duty yet from the fact I blistered my feet so a getting here that I have not been able to wear my boots but they are in about well. We are expecting afight every day. We are in two miles of the enemy. I can hear their drums every day. We had alittle fight Tuesday night with our pickets & theirs. We killed ten of them & they killed one of ours or wounded him so he is oblige to die and wounded another slightly in the hand. I was surprised when I heard of Ellen's wedding as I thought she could adone very well without confineing herself so closely but I had better not say any more on that subject. I hope the time will soon come when we may return to our home in peace and enjoy the blessings of life as we have hents fore done. I would write more but it is extremely cold & I have no chance to write only on my knees. Dr. Knight sends you his best respects; give (page torn) to (torn) acquaintance & retain the same. I remain as ever your (torn) to J. B. O. Barkley
Here is a copy of a letter dated February 26, 1862, from J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley to Martin V. Barkley:
I transcribed this letter a few years ago as follows. If you see that I transcribed a word incorrectly, I would welcome hearing any corrections.
Feb 26th 1862
Sullivans Island Charleston S.C.
Dear brother, I take this oppertunity of writing to let you know that I am well hoping that theas lines may find you and all the rest well when they come to hand. I received your letter to day and was glad to hear from you all. There is nothing new hear. We have bin lucky to have a fight hear but it hant come yeat. There has bin a fight expected at Savannah but it hant took place yeat as I have heard of they have a little brush every few days down about Johns Island and a little below there, but there hant bin no damag don worth naming. It is said that there was 2 of our men takin prisoner down on Johns Island,
(Pg. 2) but I dont no what the don with them. I was sorry to hear of Reuben Wilson goin back so soon for I am a fraid he cant stand it. I think he had better a staid longer and a got stouter. I would a like to a bin at your muster, you spoak of to a seen H. B. Rogers a took command. I want to know if he maid Pack dress or not. You may tell Mr. Breazeale that his rice is on the way. I had to take a flower barel full of rice. It waide 227 lbs. neat, I got it at 3 1/2 cts pr lbs. I don the best I could for T. W. Major and myself was to gather. Rice has ris sinse I lift to go home. I will pay half that the rice costes and then you
(Pg. 3) and Mr. Breazeale can divide it or I expect that T. W. Major will be at home by the last of this week or the first of next and he will bring a bill of the rice with him. The rice is direct to Mr. Breazeal, it will come to Belton. I want you to be sure and send my lather by James Watson. Tell him to be sure and bring his box with him not to risk the frait to bring it. Tell mother to send me a peace of taller to greese my shoes with. I want you to send all the shoes that you have maid with James for I have sole all I brout with me and could a sole 100 pair if I had a had them. I have bin mending shoes all day to day and hant got dun.
(Pg. 4) My soal leather is almost gawn for I have don a heep of mending sinse I have got back. We have drawed our money to day but it ant paid out. I will try and send you some money by T. W. Major when he comes. As for the chang of the name of the regmt I no nothing about it. I think it will go by the name of Orrs Regt but it may be changed but I hant heard it. M. N. Gambrell, L. T. Scott & Wm. Turner & Wm. Leavell & T. W. & J. M. Fowler & R. E. Cartee & E. J. Hay is all well. I will have to come to a close. Give my best respects to all the neighbors and freind, so no more but remanes your brother till death, J.B.O. Barkley / Martin V. Barkley
Write soon and let me know all the news.
