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Object Description
Title | A most beautiful Sunday |
Creator | Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), b. 1834 |
Date Created | 1862-06-15 |
Digital Collection | John B. Alexander papers, 1855-1911 |
Transcription | "My dear wife, This is a most beautiful Sunday morning, which makes me feel like going to church; but alas! we have no church here, and scarcly [sic] know when Sunday comes. On last Thursday, I returned to camp after an absence of ten days. My trip through Western Virginia & Eastern N.C. was not very pleasant. I scarcly ever met a man that I knew, and you know that I dislike to be in a crowd of strangers. When I got back to camp I was surprised how many changes had taken place in ten days. Three of our Capts and several Lieuts had resigned for reasons best known to themselves. [The three Captains were probably James Reed, Moses N. Hart and James Monroe Potts. All three resigned during the time period Alexander is writing about. The Lieutenants were probably Joseph R. Gillespie, William A. Gaddy, and possibly Thomas Kirkpatrick Samonds. Their resignations fit into the period in question, also.] I think Monroe did right to resign. If I had been in his place I would have acted as he did. In fact I advised him in all his plans since we left Newbern [sic]. The health of our Reg. is very bad, we have not more than 450 men fit for duty. Our company has 25 men in hospital. Gillie Wilson is not expect to live, he has typhoid fever. Jas. Gibson, I suppose, is not much sick, he has rhumatism [sic] [Quite possibly referring to James J. Gibson, who died just a week or two after this letter was written, cause of death not reported]. The Col. has put a stop to elections, and appoints the officers. I think it a good idea in our company. Lasson [sic] Potts was appointed 3rd Lieut.; Kerns raised to 2nd.; Brown is Capt. We have no 1st Lieut now. I would not be surprised if Hugh Torrence [Hugh L. W. Torrence?] should receive the appointment. He is very obsequious with the staff officers; but a bird chirped his character into the ear of the col. and that may prevent his getting it (do not breath [sic] this to anyone). I understand that I have been recommended, but I feel very indifferent about it. We have lost Tom Kerns. In one of of our moves, he was sick and got into a waggon [sic], & the driver put him out, and the Reg. moved on leaving Tom setting at the root of a tree. That is the last we have heard of him and that was ten or twelve days ago. I suppose he is in a private house or gone to a hospital in Richmond. He is absent without leave, and I reckon will be courtmaritaled [sic]. A great many breast works are rappidly [sic] being constructed on all sides of Richmond, about 4 miles from town. I think it a good idea. They are mounting very heavy guns on the earth works. I think our capital is safe, although thousands of lives may be lost yet. I think our force here is superior to the enimy [sic]. We sent on Friday a large reinforcment [sic] to Gen. Jackson. I heard that the 6th N.C.T. went to him. I have enquired for Houston but cannot hear of him, so I suppose he is safe. We had beef for supper and breakfast, the first I have seen in camp in 6 months. It was very palatable. Will you have salt enough to do you this year? If not try and get some more this summer. I presume by this time you are done cutting wheat that is if it was worth cutting. I hear that you have had a very washing rain, was our land injured much? I have written to you very frequently of late, have you got my letters? I got a short note from you when I returned to camp, being the first that I have got since the 20th May. I have heard from no one else since then. We have heard nothing about Hux or Sloan since the battle & do not know whether they were killed or taken [Samuel L. Hucks and Thomas A. Sloan (or Sloane) were both taken captive]. Everything here is quiet at present. There was a slight skirmish yesterday somewhere about here, I understand our men took some prisoners. I am getting to think that we will not have another big battle here for I think the enimy will fall back. I expect to send you 50 dollars by Mr. [Illegible]. You can pay it to some one. I have written so often that I have nothing new to write. I saw Capt. Brem in Petersburg on last Monday. He looks very lean. I have heard nothing from the petition that was sent on, and I suppose that I will hold on here untill [sic] I get futher [sic] orders. My health is pretty good, except that I am not strong. I never carry my knapsack. Bob always manages to get it into the waggon, and that is a great help to me. I suppose before this time you will have got all the news from Capt. Potts or Lieut [Joseph R.] Gillespie. Gillespie's resignation took the company by surprise. They are down on him. I have just heard a sermon from our Chaplain [Albert A. Stough?]. He says that our officers pay so little respect to him that he is going to resign. He thinks that he is doing very little good here. I will be sorry to see him leave. He is a good friend of mine. Tell Billy to make a real good mill for you [sic] molasses corn, to make it soon so that it will have time to season some. Get Beard to make you a barrel or two to hold the syrup in but I need not tell you these things for I know you will have it all attended to. I would like to raise a horse colt from silver. I will write to Father about it, and he will see to it. I will write to you every oppertunity [sic] and I will always be glad to hear from you and the babies [son, Robert, and daughter, Dixie]. My love to you three. J. B. Alexander p.s. I send by Mr. Armer [sic] to J. S. Johnston 50 dollars. You can get John [A.] Torrance's money and let his ma know it or send her word that J.S.J. has it. Several of [us?] send money to Jim by Mr. Armer. J. B. Alexander." [Mr. Armer was most likely Thomas S. Armour.] |
Subjects--Names |
Brem, Thomas Hamilton, 1816-1876 Potts, James M. Alexander, Robert Davidson, 1796-1863 Alexander, Robert Davidson, 1860-1901 Alexander, Carrie Brevard (Dixie), 1862-1909 Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), b. 1834 Alexander, Ann Wall Lowrie, 1834-1893 Sloane, Thomas A. Hucks, Samuel L., 1841-1922 Wilson, Gilbreth M. Kerns, Thomas J. Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863 Johnston, James S. Brown, Owen N., 1837-1863 Monroe, Daniel A., 1829-1863 Potts, Lawson A. Lowrie, Houston B., 1832-1862 |
Subjects--Organizations |
Confederate States of America. Army--Military life Confederate States of America. Army--Officers--Selection and appointment |
Subjects--Topics |
Military camps--Virginia |
Subjects--Locations | United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military facilities; |
Coverage--Place |
Richmond (Va.) |
Digital Publisher | Charlotte, N.C.: J. Murrey Atkins Library University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Object Type | Text |
Genre | manuscripts (document genre) |
Finding Aid | http://library.uncc.edu/manuscript/ms0218 |
Format | image/tiff |
Relation | Forms part of : John B. Alexander Papers, 1855-1911 |
Language | eng |
Repository | J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Rights | Materials in the Digital Collections at Atkins Library are provided free for educational use under fair use as outlined by current U.S. Copyright law and accompanying guidelines. Written permission from the J. Murrey Atkins Library or the rights holder must be obtained before using an item for publishing or commercial purposes. |
Location of Original | Manuscript 218, Special Collections Manuscripts--10th Floor, J. Murrey Atkins Library |
Note | Atkins Library has provided the description and subject analysis for these images. We encourage you to contact us at spec-coll@uncc.edu with your comments and feedback. |
Identifier | Alexander_MS218_1_3_30 |
Date Digitized | 2011 |
Rating |
Description
Title | Alexander_MS218_1_3_30a |
Creator | Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), 1834-1911 |
Digital Collection | John B. Alexander papers, 1855-1911 |
Digital Publisher | Charlotte, N.C.: J. Murrey Atkins Library University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Object Type | Text |
Genre | manuscripts (document genre) |
Finding Aid | http://library.uncc.edu/manuscript/ms0218 |
Format | image/tiff |
Relation | Forms part of : John B. Alexander Papers, 1855-1911 |
Language | eng |
Repository | J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Rights | Materials in the Digital Collections at Atkins Library are provided free for educational use under fair use as outlined by current U.S. Copyright law and accompanying guidelines. Written permission from the J. Murrey Atkins Library or the rights holder must be obtained before using an item for publishing or commercial purposes. |
Location of Original | Manuscript 218, Special Collections Manuscripts--10th Floor, J. Murrey Atkins Library |
Note | Atkins Library has provided the description and subject analysis for these images. We encourage you to contact us at spec-coll@uncc.edu with your comments and feedback. |
Date Digitized | 2011 |
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