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Object Description
| Title | He is prepared to die in peace with God |
| Creator | Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), 1834-1911 |
| Date Created | 1863-01-14 |
| Digital Collection | John B. Alexander papers, 1855-1911 |
| Description | This letter, dated January 14, 1863, was sent by J. B. Alexander to his wife, Ann. It was written from "Camp Gregg, near Guinee [sic] Station." Guinea (sometimes spelled Guineas) Station, Virginia, was the location where Confederate Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson died at Fairfield Plantation. It is now part of the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. In this correspondence, Dr. J. B. Alexander discusses the declining health of his father and he requests that his wife, Ann, visit him. He also discusses his efforts to get appointed to the position of surgeon in his regiment. A handwritten note at the top of the first page reads"Bob sends his congratulations to John, hoping that he has enjoyed great pleasure with his bryde [sic] etc." "Davy" most likely is referring to Alexander's brother, William Davidson Alexander, and "Bob" probably is referring to Robert B. Lowrie. "Sam" may be a reference to Samuel J. Lowrie. The senior surgeon mentioned in the correspondence may refer to Dr. Guild, Medical Director for the A. N. V. during that period of time. |
| Transcription | "My dear wife, I was gratified last night to receive my first letter from you since I returned to camp, just three weeks from the time I left home. It makes me feel sad to think of Father's condition, to think it more than probable that I will never see him again, yet I feel glad to believe that he is prepared to die in peace with God. Whether he lives long or should die soon, but to sorrow for those we love is natural to us all, especially to mourn for so kind and indulgent a Father. [The writer is referring to Robert Davidson Alexander, 1796-1863.] I hope that you will visit him as often as you can, to administer any little comfort that may be in your power, for he knows how to appreciate kindness, and I know that he has always been very fond of you; yet I would not have you to expose yourself & children in bad weather, but when the weather is good I hope you will visit him often. Davy has not yet applied for a furlough, from the fact that he cannot get it recommended at present, but I know that he will get one sent up for him as soon as Col. Barber returns, which will be in about two weeks. I hope that he will not be too late to be with Father at least once more. I think Sam did wrong to go back to the army before Spring, but probably his health may not fail this time. You say that you have got the tobacco beds all finished, and I hope how well you may succeed. Tell Zeb to see Billy Alcorn and get him to lay off the hill-side ditches for him, to have a plow to follow after him, marking them off so as not to be at the trouble of setting stakes. The ditches need not be more than four or five inches deep. If they are wide enough, say 15 inches wide; have the flows runing [sic] whenever the weather and ground is suitable. Have all the ditching done soon, so that the wet places will have time to dry off before planting. But I reckon I ought not to medle [sic] so much with your affairs. (I wish I was at home to help you) The officers of the Reg., I hear, are sending up a petition for me to be appointed Surgeon of the Reg. I do not know how they will succeed, but I am almost resolved that if I am not appointed that I will quit the field, and repair to my home and family. What do you think of my resolution? The Senior Surg. of my Brigade, and myself have been sparring several times since I came back, and I know that if he can keep me from getting the position that he will do it. When we meet he treats me very kindly, but we write very crusty notes to each other. It may be a month or two before the Surg. post will be filled in my Reg. I received another letter from B. A. Johnston last night, wanting me to advise him what to do. I can give him very good advice but without the power to put it to practice, the advice would be very little account. His health is not improving much. Bob got a letter from his wife last night. She make [sic] a mighty fuss about him etc. I think I will let him go home if Davy gets off. He has plenty of money to pay his way. Tom Alcorn has jaundice, but able to eat all the time. The boys are generaly [sic] well. Bob sends howdy-do to all of you and says that he is anxious to visit you all. Write me soon and always let me know how Father is. My love to you and babies [son, Robert, and daughter, Dixie]. J. B. Alexander." |
| Subjects--Names |
Lowrie, Samuel J., 1830 or 1-1866 Lowrie, Robert B., 1832-1869 Alexander, Ann Wall Lowrie, 1834-1893 Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), 1834-1911 Alexander, Carrie Brevard (Dixie), 1862-1909 Alexander, Robert Davidson, 1860-1901 Barber, William M., 1834-1864 Alcorn, Billy (William) Alcorn, Thomas P. 1838?-1863 Alexander, Robert Davidson, 1796-1863 Alexander, William Davidson, 1840-1927 Guild, Lafayette |
| Subjects--Organizations |
Confederate States of America. Army--Leaves and furloughs Confederate States of America. Army--Surgeons general (Military personnel) |
| Subjects--Topics |
Military morale Tobacco--North Carolina--Mecklenburg County--History--19th century |
| Subjects--Locations | United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Leaves and furloughs; |
| Coverage--Place |
Fredericksburg (Va.) Camp Gregg (Fredericksburg, Va.) Guinea Station (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_4_01 |
| Date Digitized | 2011 |
| Rating |
Description
| Title | Alexander_MS218_1_4_01a |
| 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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