Source "OUR CALVERT KIN" Morman family History Library
All Letters are as they were written



JANUARY THE 17th , 1859 WILLIAM CALVERT

DEAR UNCLE AND CHILDREN I WILL NOW SPEND A FEW HOURS TO LET YOU NO WE ALL ARE NOT WELL NOR WEL SATISFIED FOR WE HAVE GOT TO THE LAST PLACE THAT EVER GOD MADE. WHERE THEY IS NO BODY NOR NOTHING ELS. WE WAS 6 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS ON THE ROAD AND AN AWFUL TIME IT WAS THE ROAD WAS THE MUDYEST THAT EVER WAS IT RAINED ON US ALL THE TIME MITY NY IT. IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE ROAD CORN WAS 6 TO 10 BITS A BUSHEL AND FODER GENERLY 3 BITS EVERY THING ELS IN PREPO~ON TO IT FERAGE AND PIKEAGE WAS HIE YOU ALL HEARD YOUR DADY A BRAGING ON HIS INDEPENDENCY NOW I WILL TEL YOU SOMTHING A BOUT IT I WAS A GOING TO BEAR MY OWN EXPENCE BUT THAT WOULD NOT DO SO WE LET HIM GO ON WHEN WE GOT TO WASHTOW RIVER AT HARISBURG HE HAD SPENT THE LAST SENT HE HAD AND WHAT CHANG THAT I HAD SOLD THING THERE FOR AND THERE HE BORED A 20 DOLLAR GOALD PEACE FROM ME THAT DUN US TO THE SABINE RIVER THAT IS THE LINE BETWEEN LOU SIANIA AND TEXAS AND THERE HE WAS OUT A GAIN WE WAS OUT OF EVERY THING MEAL MEAT AND CORN. WE WANTED MEAT MEAL AND CORN AND WHISKEY AND THERE WE ALL A LITTLE MAD WE STOOD ABOUT? A ? EVERYONE WAS ? AND SUN OF THE (THERE SEEMS TO BE A PAGE MISS[NG)-- HIM WHAT WAS THE LEAST HE WOULD TAKE FOR IT AND HE SAD 8 DOLLARS THEN DAVIS CAME TO ME AND SAD HAV YOU GOT AS MUTCH AS 8 DOLLARS IN SILVER AND IF I WOULD LEND IT TO HIM HE COULD MAKE THE MONEY OUT OF THE REVOLVER AN PAY IT BACK TO ME. I SAID HE WOULD DO BUY IT LIKE HE DID YOUR HOGS AN DHE SAID HE MAKE A TRADE WETHE JOHN HARE ISON AN LET HIM HAVE IT AND SO THEY GOT REVOLVER AN THAT DUN HIM THERE. SO TELL M R DAY THAT HE WAS BADLY MASTAKEN WHEN YOU SAD THAT HE WOUD NOT HAV THAT MONEY HE AS SPENT $30 AND A HALF AND IS NOW A QUARLING FOR THE REST BUT CANNOT GIT IT HE HAS NEVER TRIED TO SELL NUN OF HIS OLD GUNS NOR HIS WAGON HE LENT IT OUT IN A FEW DAYS AFTER CUM HAND I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT YET ALL HE CARSE FOR IS THAT LITTLE MONEY HE BRAGED ON WHAT HE HAD HERE AND WHEN HE GOT HERE HE HAD NOTHING. BILL RODEN HAD SOLD THE CORN AND FODDER THAT HE LEFT HERE FOR HIS PONY AND COLLECTED ALL THAT WAS COMING HIM ONLY A LITTLE THAT KINARD OWED HIM HE GOT SOME AND HE THEN? THE DAY WE GOT HERE WE MET A (LETTER WAS TORN HERE) THE NAME OF GAFF THAT HAS NOING (TORN HERE)HE SAID JOHN if YOU WANT TO GO GET ANY THING YOU SHALL HAVE MY HORSE AS QUICK AS I GIT BACK AND HE OVER TOOK US SOPELL AND HIM AND JOHN WENT ON AND LEFT THE WAGONS AND WENT A PEACE AN TURNED BACK AND NEVER TRIED TO OVER TAKE HIM AT ALL
JOHN HARBISON HE SAYED AND HELPED THEM TO BUILD A HOUSE AN THEN WENT OFF A TRIP WITH THE WAGON SAM MULLENS HAS SET IN WITHE A MAN FOR A YEAR AT 12 DOLLARS A MONTH I HAVE NOTHING MUTCH TO TELL YOU JOSEPH CALVERT IS HERE HE BOUGHT WILLIAM RODENS PLACE AND 2 COWS AND SOME HOGS AND HE IS BAD DISSATISFID BECAUSE HE CANT GIT NOTHING TO EAT AND CAUSE THEY ARE SICH A BAD CHANCE OF GITING A GOOD RIGHT TO THE LAND I WANT YOU ALL TO RITE TO ME UNCLE WILLIAM I WANT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO WRITE TO ME DAVID if YOU AND JAMES AND MATT COMES WORKE YOUR MILK COWS LIKE OXEN AND DON'T SELL THEM SO NOTHING MORE ONLY REMAINS YOUR AFFECTIONATE MOTHER?

NOTE: THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH MCCUTCHEON CALVERT FROM POLK CO. TEX.



January the 12th , 1861

DEAR CHILDREN I THIS MORNING SFT TO INFORM YOU THAT WE ARE ALL IN REASONABLE HEALTH AN FEEL THANKFUL TO GOD FOR HIS MERCIES TOWARD US HEWHAS RESTORED US TO OUR HEALTH ONE MORE TIIME I HOPE THESE FEW LINFS WILL REACH YOUR HAND SAFE AN FIND YOU ALL WELL AN DOING WELL WE RECEIVED YOUR LETER THE 11TH OF THIS MONTH WE WAS GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU AND GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU WAS ALL WELL AND GETING ON AS WELL AS YOU ARE I HAD COT VERY ~ERD A WAITING FOR YOU TO WRITE OR TO GET A LETER FROM YOU I AM MITY GLAD TO HEAR OF YOU HAVING YOUR CRIIB FULL OF CORN FOR WE ARE OUT AND I WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU HAVE MEAT ENOUGH TO DOO YOU FOR WE HAV NUN WE HAVE ONLY ONE COOD CILLING HOG AN 7 SHOTES AND THAT WONT MAKE ENOUGH I HAVE KILLED ONE OF MY SHOTES AND THAT IS ALL THE MEAT WE HAV HAD IN THE HOUS SINCE LEAST MARCH ONLY SUM BEFF AN VEMSION I AM GLAD TO HEAR OF YOU HAVEING SUCH A PRETTY BUNCH OF PIGS WE HAVE 3 SOWS THAT HAS 18 PIGS AN ONE MORE SOW TO HAV PIGS BUT IT WILL BE LATE I AM GLAD TO HEAR OF YOUANS DRYING SO MUTCH FRUIT AN RAISING SO MANY POTATOES FOR WE MADE 5 OR 6 MESES AND PUT 3 BUSHEL FOR SEED CORN IS SELLING AT II «$BUSHEL AN SALT 3$ PER HUNDRED AND FLOUR IS 12$ AND A QUARTER PER BBL IN MOSCOW BUT [N WOODVILLE AND LIBERTY IT IS CHEEPER AN COFFEE 4 '/2 LBS TO THE $ AND PORK 6$ PER HUNDRED THOMAS CALVERT IS CONE TO DREWS LANDING TO HAWL BREAD STUF FOR US AND GEORG AND MORE OF THE SETTLEMENT HE IS COING TO LIVE IN A BOUT A MIILA OF US THIS SUMER JOHN HARBISON IS LIVING IN POLK COUNTY CLOSE TO LIVINGSTON THEY SAY DOING VERY COOD BUSINESS SAMUEL MULLEN 515 AT WORK IN WOODVTLLE HE WAS A CHRISMAS TIMES AND FRANKLIN IS LIVING IN TRINITY COUNTY IN A BOUT 16 MILDS OF SUMPTUR HE WAS HEAR A WHILD BEFORE CHRISMAS HE WAS WELL THEN AND JOHN HARBISON WAS WELL FRYDAY AFTER CHRISMAS NOW I HAVE TOLD YOU NEARLY ALL I NO BUT NOW I WILL TELL YOU OF SUM MORE OF MY TROBLES DAVIS HAS QUIT US HE IS GONE TO ANGELENER COUNTY ABOUT 60 MILDS HE IS RENTING LAND FOR THE HALF HE MAKES HE HAS THE TEAM FOUND HIM AND FEED FOUND HIM TO FEED ON THO HE BOARDS HIS SELF HE LEFT HERE THE 27TH OF DECEMBER HE SAID HE WOULD CUM BACK IN THE SPRING WHEN HE GETS DUN PLANTING I COULD NOT BLAME HIM FOR COINT THO IT IS HARD FOR ME TO GIVE HIM UP HE HAD TO LIVE GIMA JUST LIKE YOU DID ALWAYS IN A CURS AND A FUSSIIE WENT ONE TRIP WITH THE WACON HE MADE 40 SUM ODD DOLARS AND HIS DADY TOOK 20$ OF IT AN PADE PART OF A DEBT AN THE OTHER 20 WE NEVER KNOWED WHAT WENT WTTH IT HE WOULD NO LET DAVIS HAV NOTHING OF IT TO PAY EXPENSES DAVIS PADE THE EXPENS OF THE TRIIP HIS DADY WAS ALWAYS A CURSING AND QUARLING AT HIM AN SAYING HE WAS NOTHING BUT AN EXPENS AND DAVIS SAID HE WOUL TRY TO DO FOR HIS SELF BUT HE IS YOUNG AND UN~ARNT if YOU WANT TO WRITE TO HIM DlRECT YOUR LETERS TO ELISURE POST OFFICE CHILDREN IF I COULD ONLY SEE YOU I WOULD TELL YOU A THOUSAND THINGS THAT I CANNOT WIUTE TO YOU I NEVER HAV RUED LEAVING THERE BUT ONCE AN THE LONGER WORS I DONT SEE HOW I COULD A LIVED THERE YOU NO WHAT WOULD A BIN DUN IN THAT LETER FROM YOUR UNCLE JOHN THEY WAS ALL WELL AN DOING WELL HE ADVISED US ALL TO CO BACK HE WROTE A PRETY LETER AND A VERY PLAIN IT MADE YOUR DADY SO MAD HE WOULD NEVER ANSWER IT I AM LOOKING FOR ANOTHER LETER FROM HIM GREENS FOLKS IS ALL WELL ONLY ELISABETH STIILL HAS THE CHILLS I SEEN JESSE COFF LAST SUNDY THEY WAS WELL AS COMON GEORGE IS WELL AND LILA AN THE BABY IS WELL DEAR CHILDREN I SEND MY LOVE AN BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL TELL SARAH TO SHEAR A PO~ON TOO WE HAVE THE SAME LORD AN MASTER TO SERVE AS THE SAME TO LOOK TO FOR PROTECSION LET US TRY TO SERVE HIM IN A WAY TO BE ACCEPTED IN TIME TO CUM FROM YOUR MOTHER TO YOU ALL ONE AN ALL

NOTE: THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH MCCUTCHEON CALVERT



WELL BROTHERS AND SISTERS DONT NO AS I HAV ANY THING OF IMPORTANCE TO WRITE TO YOU I WANT TO SEE YOU ALL BAD I HAVE NEARLY FORGOT HOW YOU LOOK I WISH I COULD SEE YOU ALL SHORE I WILL TELL YOU MOTHER WAS TELLING YOU OF HEN AN DAVY HOGS I HAD TO OF THE PRETYEST SOWS YOU EVER SEEN AN I SOLD THEM TO DAVIS AN I HAVE TO BORROW YET AND I RECON THEY WILL KEEP MY STOCK UP IT LOOKS LIKE THEY AUGHT TO THO I DONT NO WHETHER THEY WILL MAKE GOOD BREEDERS OR NOT THO THEIR MAMA WAS IF I HAD TIME I WOULD TELL YOU A BOUT LUSINAIS BENW THO HE IS MITY PRETY AN SMART AN JOSHUA SEND HOWDY TO YOU ALL YOU ALWAYS HAVE MY LOVE AN BEST WISHES AND ALWAYS WILL HAVE FROM LAVINA C. TO YOU ALL THOUGH WRITE WHEN YOU CAN DIRECT YOUR LETERS TO MORGANVILLE MOTHER AN SINDA SAIS WRITE

DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS I DO WEITH PLEASURE I SEAT MY SELF TO INFORM YOU AM WELL AT THIS TIME BUT I HAVE BIN SICK SO LONG THAT HAV GOT INTIRELY OUT OF PRETICE OF RIGHTING BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD TRI TO RIGHT A LITTLE I WISH I WAS BACK THEIR TO LIVE AND TO SEE THOM LITTLE CHILDREN OF YOURN AND___AN EMELYS I CANT THINK OF NOTHING TO RIGHT FROM MANDA CALVERT TO YOU ALL FAREWELL FRIENDS

NOTE: THE ABOVE LETTERS WERE FROM TWO OF JOHN CALVERT'S CHILDREN


NOVEMBER THE 1ST 1863

CAMPS NEAR CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE

DEAR WIFE I SEAT MYSELF TO RIGHT YOU A FEW LINES TO INFORM YOU THAT I AM WLL ONLY BAD COLD I DOO HOPE THIS WILL FIND YOU ALL WELL I WISH_____HOW YOU WAS DOING AND I WANT TO NO WHETH SARY AND LISABEH HAS GOT WELL OR NOT I WANT TO KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE GOT YOUR CORN GATHERED AND PEES PICKED AND POTATOES DUG AND WOOD HALLED I WANT YOU TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN I MAY GET HOME SUM TIME AND I MAY NOT THEY ARE EXPECTING A BATTLE THE YANKYS IS REINFORCING AND SO IS THE SOUTHERNS AND I BELIEVE THE WILL BEE A BIG FIGHT I GOT HERE THE 29TH I HERE THE CANNON EVERY DAY I SEE A GOOD MANY BOYS HERE FROM WALKER JOHN M STUARD, JOSEPH COLE, JAMES COLE MANLY CORNELIUS, AND SEVERAL OTHERS HERE WELL THO DON'T GET A NUF TO EAT WEE GOT HERE DAY ABEFORE YESTERDAY AND THIS MORNING WEE DRAUD SUM BEEF THO DON'T GET A NUF BEEF NOR A NUF BREAD I HOPE NONE OF MY FRIENDS HAVE TO CUM HERE EVERYDAY SEEMS TO ME LfKE A WEK IF YOU HAD ALL BEEN WELL I CULD DUN BETTER BUT I HAVE TO DOO THE BEST I CAN AND BAD IS THE BEST BROTHER DAVIS IS HERE I HAVE NOT SAW HIM HE WAS HERE IN THIS REIGMENT TO SEE THE BOYS THE DAY BEFORE I GOT HERE HE IS IN THE 5TH TEXES REIGEMENT A BUT 2 OR 3 MILES FROM HERE I TRIED TO GET A PASS TO SEE HIM TO DAY BUT I CULD NOT GET TO GO BUT I AME TO GO TOMORROW GET THAT WHEET SUODE IF YOU CAN AND OATS GET ALONG THE BEST YOU CAN YOU CAN DOO AS WELL WITH OUT MEE THERE THE WAY TIMES IS I WANT YOU TO RIGHT TO ME LET ME NO HWO YOU ARE GETTING ALONG I WOOD GIVE ALL I HAVE GOT IF I COULD GO HOME AND STAY THERE I WOOD RATHER STAY AT HOME AND WORK NIGHT AND DAY ON HALF A NUF TO EAT THAN TO STAY HERE RIGHT AS SOON AS YOU GOET THIS DIRECT YOUR LETTERS AS FOLLOWS:
TO MR. JAMES CALVERT
CO. L 28 REGT.
ALA VOL CHATTONOOGA TENNESSEE
I MUST CUM TO A CLOSE CANT WRIGHT ALL I WANT TO TELL YOU NOTHENG MORE ONLY I REMAIN YOUR AFECTIONATE HUSBAND UNTIL DETH

NOTE: THE ABOVE LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO DELILAH STEWART CALVERT BY HER HUSBAND JAMES.



NOVEMBER THE 8TH 1863 DEAR WIFE I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF RIGHTING YOU A FEW MORE LINES THIS WILL INFORM YOU I AM TOLERABLE WELL YET I HAV A BAD COLD AND COUGH I HOPE THIS WILL FIND YOU ALL WELL I WANT TO HERE FROM YOU I CANT TEL MUTCH A BOUT WHAT IS GOING ON HERE I HAVE BIN IN THE LINE OF BATTLE 10 DAYS AND HAV BIN OUT ON PICKET TWO DAYS AND NIGHTS I HAVE SAW YANKEYS A PLENTY I HER OF RIGHT SMART OF SICKNES IN CAMPS THER HAS BIN SEVERAL OF THE CROLD THAT CUM WITH ME HAS BIN DOWN SICK IT RAINED ON US THE DAY WEE GOT HERE AND A PART OF THE NIGHT AND THEN TURNED COLD AND WEE NEVER GOT DRY Tm NEXT DAY IT IS FROSTY MORNINGS NOW I THOUGHT I WOULD GET TO SEE BROTHER DAVIS BUT I RECKON I WILL NOT HE WAS HERE IN 3 OR 4 MILES WHEN I CUM HERE BUT I DII) NOT GET TO GO TO SEE HIM Tm THE BRIGADE THAT HE WAS IN MOVED SUM 10 MI OFF I SUPOSE AND IT IS DOUBTFUL WHETHER I GET TO SEE HIM OR NOT I HAVE HERD THAT THE YANKEYS IS INWALKER I WANT TO HERE FORM THERE WHETHER IT IS SO OR NOT I WANT YOU TO RIGHT TELL ME WHETHER YOU HAVE GOT SHET SODE OR NOT RIGHT WHAT YOU HAVE DUN AND WHAT YOU CAN GET DUN RIGHT WHAT ALL THE NABERS IS DOING TELL THOMAS WILSON TO SELL THAT JACK IF HE CAN SELL HIM TO ANY ADVANTAGE DOO THE BEST YOU CAN AND IF YOU CANT GET A LONG WITH OUT ME LET ME NO I THINK MORE OF MY FAMIILY THAN I DOO OF THE CONFEDRACY I HOPE YOU GET MORE TO EAT AND SEE MORE SATIFACTION THAN I DOO FOR I DONT GET A NUF TO EAT NOR I DONT SEE NO SATISFACTIN A TALL NOR I NEVER WILL Tm I GIT HOME IF I EVER DOO AND I DOO HOPE AND TRUST TO GOD THAT I WILL RETURN HOME SUM TIMIE IT ISJUST AS IT HAPENS IT LUCKS LIKE I MUST CUM TO A CLOSE RIGHT AS SOON AS YOU GET THIS AND TELL ME ALL THE NUSE AND WHAT THE YANKEYS HAS DUN AND WHAT NAB ORS IS DOOING THE CANON CEEPS RORING BUT I DONT NO WHETHER THE ARE DOIND MUTCH DAMEDGE OR NOT MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND THEM BLESSED LITTLE CHILDREN NOTHING MORE ONLY REMAIN YOUR AFECTONATE HUSBAND TIL DETH JAMES CALVER




CAMP NEAR SHELBYVILLE TENN. THIS JNNE THE 2ND, 1863

DEAR FATHER, MOTHER, AND BROTHER,
YOUR VERY KIND LETTERS CAME TO HAND TODAY AN THE PLEASURE IT GAVE ME TO HEAR FROM YOU CANNOT IMAGIN AND ESPECIALLY TO HEARE THAT YOU WERE ALL WELL AN GETTNG ALONG SO SMOOTHELY WITH YOUR CROP. I DO SINCERELY HOPE YOU WILL SUCCESSFUL IN MAKING A GOOD CROP. I WAS ALSO GLAD TO HEARE THAT WHEAT CROPS LOOKED SO WELL. IT IS NOW ABOUT OUT OF DANGER OF THE RUST. THE GREATEST OBJECT WILL BE IN GETTING IT CUT BUT I SINCERELY HOPE THEIIRE WILL BE SOME WAY PROVIDED FOR TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THE WEATHER HAS BEEN VERY DRY FOR A FEW WEEKS. A FEW DAYS AGO THEIR FELL A VERY GOOD RAIN MAKING THE GOUND TO WET TO PLOW AN THEIRE HAS FELL MORE OR LESS EVERY DAY AND KNIGHT SINCE SO THE FARMERS IN THIS SECTION HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PLOW FOR SEVERAL DAYS ON ACCOUNT OF THE GROUND BEING TOO WET. BOTH WHEAT AND CORN CROPS LOOK AS WELL AS YOU COULD IMAGIN IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY FROM THE BEST INFORMATION THAT I CAN GATHER BOTH WHEAT AND CORN CROPS ARE GENERALLY GOOD THROUGH THE SOUTH SO IF NOTIHNG HAPPENS FROM THIS TIME ON THEIRE WILL BE PLENTY MADE TO DO THE PEOPLE AS HOME AND FURNISH THE ARMY. THIS PORTION OF THE ARMY IS IN EXCELLENT HEALTH NOW AN IN FINE SPIRITS. I HAVEN'T ANY MORE NEWS OF INTEREST TO WRITE. THE YANKEE CALVERY MADE A CASH ON OUR CALVALRY AN TAKEN A GOOD NUMBER OF PRISONERS SEVERAL OUT OF CAPT. INGRIMS COMPANY. NONE I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE PERSONALLY ACQUIANTED WITH. THEY ALSO COT A GOOD MANY HORSES. URIAH LOST HIS HORSE. GREEN FROUST LOST HIS THOUGH I SUPPOSE HEARD IT BEFORE NOW. I HEARD FROM URIAH DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY HE WAS WELL. CALIP KING WAS ALSO WELL. EVERTHING SEEM QUIT IN FRONT NOW NO APREHENSIONS OF A FIGHT AT THIS TIME. WE ARE LWING HERE IN CAMP NOT DOING ANYTHING MUCH ONLY PICKET DUTY, WE ARE 8 MILE ABOVE TENN. FOR THT PURPOSE. WE HAVE BEEN HERE SOME 12 DAYS I SUPPOSE WE WILL STAY HERE 2 WEEKS LONGER BEFORE WE ARE RELIEVED THEN WE WILL GO BACK TO TOWN OR NOT VERY FAR OFF. IT IS ONLY 4 MILES FROM HERE TO WHERE ITRIAH IS. THERE IS GREAT REJOICING OVER THE VICTORY WON BY OUR MEN AT VICKS BURG WHJCH IS SAID TO BE THE GREATEST OF THE WAR. I EXPECT ISIAAAH WAS IN IT FROM THE INFORM~ON I HAVE GAINED FROM THE PAPER. THEY STATE THERE WAS ONLY ONE BRIGADE LEFT AT FORT HUDSON. EVERYTHING IS VERY HIGH HERE, WIIIAT US SOLDIERS HAVE TO BUY. I WILL GIVE YOU THE PRICES OF A FEW THINGS. TOBACCA IS SELLING FROM 1.50 TO 2.00 PER PLUG PAPER IS SELLING FROM 3 TO 4 DOLLARS PER____INK 10 DOLLARS FOR A BOTTLE THAT USED TO COST 10 CTS., PENS 25 CENTS A PIECE, PICKET KNIVES FROM 8 TO 15 DOLLARS, BOOKS 4 TO 8 AND SOME AS HIGH AS 10 DOLLARS. COMMON WOOL HATS SUCH AS THE ONES I GET FROM YOU 10 DOLLARS, FINE COMBS FROM 3 TO 4 DOLLARS A PIECE, CALICO 4 DOLLARS PER YARD, IN THE EATING LINE EGGS FROM 2.50 TO 3 DOLLARS A DOZEN, CHICKEN, HENS 2.00, TURKEYS 5.00, FLOWER 40 CENTS A POUND, BUTTER FROM 2.00 PER POUND, BUTTER MILK FROM 1 T02 DOLLARS PER GALLEN, SWEETMILK I DOLLAR PER CANTEEN AN WE ARE GETTING ALL OF 11 DOLLARS A MONTH. IT DON'T LOOK ANYONE COULD GET ALONG. I SPEND A RITE SMART OF MONEY BUT MAKE SOME IF IT BACK OCCASINAL. SO I WILL CLOSE AND STILL REMAIN
YOURS AFFECTIONAL UNTIL DEATH
JAMES M. TIDWELL



WELL BOB I'LL TELL YOU AND FRANCIS ABOUT OUR MAKING RINGS. WE HAVE GOT TO BE MOST AS GOOD AS THE YANKEES. WE HAVE TRIED AN EXPERIMENT ON A DIST OF MUSCHELS. WE FREQUENTLY EAT THEM BUT THEY ARE MIGHTY SLICK AND WE MAKE RINGS OUT OF THE SHELS. WE DON'T EAT THEM BECAUSE WE ARE NEEDING SOMETHING TO EAT BUT BECAUSE WE NATURALLY LIKE THE TAST OF THEM. WE ARE GETTING PLENTY TO EAT SUCH AS BACON AND CORNBREAD IT IS VERY SELDOM WE GET ANY FLOUR. I CAN SEND YOU SOME CAPS BY THE FIRST CHANCE AND IF YOU CAN KILL A DEER YOU MUST SEND ME A HAM SO NO MORE BUT REMAINS YOURS,
JAMES M. TIDWELL
NOTE: THE ABOVE LETTER WAS WRITTEN FROM JAMES M. TIDWELL WHO WAS THE FATHER OF JANE HANNAH TIDWELL HENDERSON, MOTHER OF LETHA R HENDERSON NIX.



CAMP 28TH REGT._______
___IN LINE OF BATTLE
ON MISSIONARY RIDGE
NOVEMBER THE 9TH 18

MY DEAR BROTHER,
I NOW AVAIL MYSELF OF THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR DROPPING YOU A FEW LINES TO INFORM YOU THAT I RECEIVED YOUR VERY___AND INTERESTING LETTER TODAY AND HASTEN TO WRITE TO YOU IN REPLY, YOUR LETTER FOUND ME___GOOD HEALTH AND WAS PROUD TO HEAR THAT YOU WAS IN GOOD SPIRITS AND HEALTH AND WAS ENJOYING SUCH GOOD HEALTH. YOU ARE HAVING A PLEASANT TIlME THERE TO WHAT YOU WILL HAVE IE YOU COME HERE. WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME HERE. WE HAVE____TO THE COMPANY AND YOU KNOW THEY ARE NOT SUCH ACCOUNT. THIS WINDY WEATHER. AS MANY AS CAN STAY UNDER IT. THE BALANCE OF US HAS LITTLE SHELTER LIKE YOU WOULD BUILD OVER A POTATO HILL. ON THE OTHER HAND WE ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT. ALL TOGETHER WE GET CORN MEAL MOSTLY AND BEEF ALL TOGETHER THE WORST OF ALL. WE CAN'T GET ENOUGHT OF EITHER. THE BEEF IS THAT POOR THAT WHOLE CAMP KETTLE FULL OF IT WON'T MAKE A SPOONFUL OF TALLOW, BUT YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NO DOUBT. THE ARMY IS THINLY CLOTHED AND SORROWLY PROVIDED WITH BLANKETS. THE HEALTH OF THE TROOPS IS FINE BUT THEY SEEM IN TOLERABLE LOW SPIRITS. THE MEN ARE STILL DESERTING OCCASIONALLY FROM THE REGT. AND FROM MOST ALL THE REST ROUND THAT I CAN HEAR FROM. 5 LEFT THE 19TH ALA. LAST KNIGHT. THEY WAS ALL FROM COMPANY KKK. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY MIGHT STAND IT UNTIL THEIR TERM OF SERVICE EXPIRES AS IT IS NOT VERY LONG BUT THEIR FAIR IS VERY RUFF. WE HAVEN'T ANY FIGHTING NEW TO WRITE. THE YANKS SEEM VERY QUIET THOUGH THEY ARE CLOSE BY. OUR PICKETS AND THEIRS STAND IN 250 YARDS OF EACH OTHER BUT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FIRE AT EACH OTHER UNLESS THEY ADVANCE. WE HAVE A HEAP OF PICKET DUTY TO DO. OUR REGIMENT HAS TO GO ON PICKET EVERY 4 DAYS AND STAND 24 HOURS BUT WE HAVE NO OTHER DUTY TO DO ANY MORE THAN WE HAVE INSPECTION EVERY DAY. WE HAVE BEEN LYING HERE IN LINE OF BATTLE EVER SINCE THE 23RD OF OCTOBER. I HOPE IT WILLNOT BELONG TIL WE CLAN GET TO GO IN TO REGULAR CAMP FOR THE WINTER. WOOD IS MITY SCARCE HERE. WE ARE IN AN ALA. FIELD. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED BUT ONE LETTER FROM HOME SINCE FATHER WAS HERE BY MAIL MR. REAVERS BROUGHT ME ONE IN ALL I HAVE ONLY GOT 2 FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT IS THE MATTER. I WANT YOU TO WRITE OFTEN AN LET ME HEAR FROM YOU AND HOW YOU ARE GETTING ALONG. SO I WILL CLOSE STILL REMAINING YOURS AS EVER
JAMES M. TIDWELL



IN WRITTING GIVE ME ALL THE GENERAL INFORMATION. ISIAH I HAVE BEEN OUT A LITTLE PEACE FROM THE LINE TODAY AMONGST THE WAGONS. I FOUND SOME LOAF BREAD FOR SAW AND KNOWING THAT I HAD NOTHIING TO EAT AT CAMP I THOUGHT IT BEST TO BUY SOME AND WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. I GAVE 5 DOLLARS FOR 4 LOAVES AND THOUGHT I WAS DOING WELL. I HAVE NOT EAT ANY OF IT YET. I HAVE ONLY EAT ONE MEAL TODAY AND I AM TOLD THAT THE RATIONS CANNOT BE AROUND TIL MORNING SO YOU SEE ITS VERY WELL THAT I GOT THE BRED AS SOON AS I FINISH THIS I AM GOING TO GET ME SOME SASSAFRES ROOTS AND MAKE SOME TEA AND HAVE LOAN BREAD AND SASSAFRES TEA FOR SUPPER. I HAVE JUST SUGAR ENOUGH TO SWEETEN IT. WON'T YOU COME OVER AN TAKE SUPPER WITH ME AS ITS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE DINED TOGETHER.
NOTE: THE ABOVE LETTER WAS WRITTEN BY JAMES M. TIDWELL



SEPTEMBER THE 18TH 1905
MR. JAMES CALVERT
PUNPFIREY TEX.
DEAR SON I WILL DROP YOU A FEW LINES IN ANSWER TO YOUR LETTER I GOT SOME TIME AGO AN WAS GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU AN THAT YOU WAS WELL THIS LEAVES US ALL WELL AT THIS TIME AN HOPE WHEN THESE FEW LINES COME TO HAND THEY WILL YOU WELL JAMES I WAS NEARLY SICK WHEN I GOT YOUR LETTER BUT I AM WELL AS COMMON JAMES I WAS BUSY PULLING FODDER WHEN I GOT YOUR LETTER AN HAVENT HAD TIME TO ANSWER YOU JAMES I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE ASSOCIATION LAST NIGHT LILIA AN LOVEY WNE WITH ME WE HAD A GOOD TIME I HEARD A HEAP OF GOOD PREACHING JAMES WE AR AT WORK AT OUR CAIN TODAY IT HAS ALL BLOWED DOWN AND IT IS IN A MESS YOU BET JAMES YOUR MOTHER SAYS TELL YOU SHE SAW M. T. HARBISON AN HE SAID YOU WAS COMMING BACK NEXT CHRISTMAS I WOULD BE GLAD TO SEE YOU. JAMES, GEORGE AN SAM HELPED ME PULL FODDER I GOT I 8 HUNDRED AN 44 BUNDLES SAVD THOUGHT SOME GOT WET WE HAVE HAD THE MOST WET WEATHER I EVER SAW. WELL JAMES I SAW MR. KURKS HE TOLD ME TO ASK YOU IF YOU WOULD SELL YOUR PLACE IF SO HE WANTED THE FIRST CHANCE AT IT AN IF NOT HE MAY WANT TO STAY THERE NEXT YEAR YOU CAN WRIGHT TO HIM AN LET HIM KNOW WHAT TO DO HE SAYS HE HAS GOT A GOOD CROP FOR THE YEAR WELL I WILL CLOSE FOR THIS TIME I MUST GO TO WORK SO I HOPE TO HEAR FROME YOU SOON
YOURS TRULY
M.D. CALVERT
CRANE HIILL ALA
NOTE: THIS LETTER ENVELOPED WAS POST MARKED ON BACK WITH FOLLOWING:
CULLMAN SEPT 19TH - WINTERS, TEXAS SEPT.22- PUNPHRE~, TEXAS SEPT.23, 1905



JAMES CALVERT DIED ON JANUARY 15 , 1864 AS A PRISONER OF WAR IN ROCK ISLAND BARRACKS , ILLINOIS



HOME INDEX FAMILY PHOTOS STORIES TREE LINKS