Letter Dated May 20, 1864, from William Willis Slatten to George Slatten

This is a copy of a letter dated May 20, 1864, from William Willis Slatten to George Slatten:





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.

Spotsylvany C. H.
May 20th/64 Va.
Dear Son,
I received yours the 10th and was glad to hear from you. It is so seldom that I ever heare from home. I am sorry to informe you that I am very sick at this time. I have ben very unwell for several days. I feare I am going to have a searvear spell before I get better but I hope I will recover soon. It has been from exposure, I think. It has been very bad weather heare for the past weak leaveing our winter quarters and being exposed to the wet ground is the course of me suffering so, I think, after we left camp for 5 or 6 days was very dry and warm and then it comenced raining and it rained for a weak but to day is a pretty day. I

(Pg. 2) hope it will continue to be so. If I was with you I could tell you the newes concerning the campain witch is going on heare but I cant give you a feull history of it in riteing but I can tell you we have had one of the bloodyest campains so far that ever has ben since. The war theare has ben harder fighting than we have ever had yet. The yankeys have ben more stuborn and determine than they ever have ben with us. We have lost a great many men out of our army but they say nothing to what the yankees have lost. Our regt. has ben in two very harde battles since we left camp and suffered severly in wounded but not many kiled.

(Pg. 3) The first fight they lost 10 kiled and 84 wounded but the most of them was slite som very slite. It was on the 5th & 6th of this month. The last fight was on the 12th. Our regt. had som 60 wounded and som 8 or 10 kiled that they know off but theare is several that is missing. They cant tell how many is kiled for certain. They have ben in line of battle for 15 days night and day. They have fighting every day more or less untill to day. Theare has ben no firing up to this time 12 oclock but they may commence before night. Theare was not much yesterday untill in the evening late and they commence and fought untill after night. Som times they fight all night but

(Pg. 4) they have not don much damage so far in fighting at night. The two armys are in sight of each other all the time. Our men just lay in theare brest works and waits for them to charge. I no but very little about the battle field as I am at the hospittle somthing neare 2 miles from the line. I have ben very buisey atending the wounded untill I was compelled to take my bed but I hope I will get better in a few days. If not I think I shall go to Richmond or som other hospittle if we have to leave heare soon. I dont no how I will get alonge. Rite as soon as you get this and give me the news. Give my love to all of the familey. I remain your affectionate farther till death,
W. W. Slaten

Letter Dated December 23, 1863, from William Willis Slatten to George Slatten

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.

Letter Dated December 7, 1863, from J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley to George R. and Martin V. Barkley

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.

Letter Dated November 8, 1863, from J. M. Watson to J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley

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

Letter Dated October 18, 1863, from George R. and Martin V. Barkley to Their Family

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.

Letter Dated October 13, 1863, from George R. and Martin V. Barkley to Their Family

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.

Letter Written About June 1863, from Josiah M. and Elizabeth Barkley to J. B. O. "Neal" Barkley

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