Alexander_MS218_1_3_28d |
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Object Description
| Title | I wish I had a mess of strawberries & cream |
| Creator | Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), 1834-1911 |
| Date Created | 1862-05-19 |
| Digital Collection | John B. Alexander papers, 1855-1911 |
| Description | Writing on Davidson College letterhead, J. B. Alexander writes his wife a long letter full of homesickness and frustration towards a war that was proving to be much longer than originally expected by both sides. At the time he wrote it, he was encamped near Madison, Virginia, in May of 1862. |
| Transcription | "My dear wife, I received your letter by Sidney Potts, an [sic] also one on yesterday that was written on the 30th April. I sent you two letters by Sidney. Since he left we have seen rough times. On last Friday we left Rapidan for Gordonville. From there we took up our line of march for Madison on Saturday. By sundown we were in 5 miles of the town, and halted for the night. We now have orders to remain here untill [sic] father [sic] orders. We are camped in a pine grove of woods, without tents or shelter, but the weather is very fine. I never was so completely worn out in my life as I was when we halted on Saturday night. We had marched 15 miles in the mud, with all we had on our backs. It was impossible for me to go any father. My legs & shoulders are still very sore, but I will be able to march again by tomorrow. Dave [his brother, William Davidson Alexander] has improved very much, he stood the march better than I did. I am in hopes that his health will be good if we stay in the mountains. Our rations for the last few days have been quite scanty, and no sign of getting better. Of late I have got so I love to eat tolerably well. There is very little in this section that we can buy; chickens sell at 75 cts., turkey $4.00, and everything else in proportion. I can put up with the rations of flour and bacon, if they would not make me walk. You know that I always was opposed to walking. I have heard no war news since last Thursday, but I see that President Davis is determined to defend Richmond, let it cost what it will. I think it is right, for Richmond is the key to all the southern states. If Richmond falls I fear our cause will be seriously injured if not ruined. You can find out more about the "doings" of the two large armies at Richmond than I can here in the woods. All the movments [sic] are kept secret from us here. It is generaly [sic] believed in camp that we will be sent to Fredricsburg [sic], but I think we will be kept here untill the fate of our capital is decided, so that we can advance into Maryland, or fall back into N.C. as the case may be. For my part I would be glad how soon I could fall back home. I suppose Capt. Potts will bring the papers when he comes, and then I assure you that I will do my best to make a visit to see you where I hope to spend the remainder of my days in peace & happiness, doing good to those around us, and at the same time serving my country better than I am doing here. I sent my valise by express on last Saturday, to Col. B. W. Alexander in Charlotte. If you have an oppertunity [sic] you can send for it. I kept a plenty of clothes with me, so do not be uneasy when you find so many in the valise. Do not send me any clothing at all for I can not carry any more that I have. All of our boys are pretty well at present. I reckon your Uncle Billy Potts will be glad to see Sidney return. My love to you and babies [son, Robert and daughter, Dixie]. J. B. Alexander [ps] If you write direct to Gordonville. I wish I had a mess of strawberries & cream." |
| Subjects--Names |
Alexander, Ann Wall Lowrie, 1834-1893 Alexander, J. B. (John Brevard), 1834-1911 Alexander, Carrie Brevard (Dixie), 1862-1909 Alexander, Robert Davidson, 1860-1901 Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889 Potts, William Graham, 1818-1865 Potts, Sidney Xenophone, 1844-1925 Alexander, Benjamin Wilson, 1804-1865 Alexander, William Davidson, 1840-1927 Potts, James M. |
| Subjects--Organizations |
Confederate States of America. Army--Military life |
| Subjects--Topics |
Military camps--Virginia |
| Coverage--Place |
Madison (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_28 |
| Date Digitized | 2011 |
| Rating |
Description
| Title | Alexander_MS218_1_3_28d |
| 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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