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39. Conscription and Defiance

 

 

 

 

On April 16, 1862 the Confederate Congress passed a conscription act requiring all able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five to be available for service in the army for a period of three years or the duration of the war.  Additionally, those twelve-month volunteers already serving in the army would have their service extended by two years.  Exemptions were to be made for state employees, ministers and other professionals, including, it turned out, the wealthy who could afford to pay someone else to serve for them or who had connections in high places.  Many northern sympathizers who had avoided service simply by refusing to volunteer fled through the mountains northward to join the Union army.  The law was also resented by many who had no other choice but to serve in the Confederate army when called-up, but who increasingly came to view the war as “a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight”.

 

 

 

 

Headquarters 25 Reg N.C. Vol Jan the 13 1862

 

Mother, with a great degre of pleasure I take this opportunity of droping you a few lines in answer to a letter I recd from You today. I was truly happy to here from you and here you were all well I can say to you my health is good at this time Bradford is well I hope these few lines may find you all in good health I have wrote so much, I hardly know what to write to interest you We are getting alone finely we havent fought any yet, though the yankees have been very close to us at times We are expecting a fight shortly, the yankees keep coming up Broad River, close to us, we dont know how soon they many land and bive us a battle. Let them come when they many, we will give them the best we can. we have got brest works to fight behind we will draw over coats tomorrow. The State finds us fifty dollars worth of clothing, for twelve months, all the clothing that we have drawed and the overcoats goes in the first six months clothing. If  we draw no more clothing we will draw 25 dollars in money. I would like to see you all very well, tel the children howdy for me and I will do better next time I will close for the presan excuse my short letter

yours as ever Morgan Meece No2 [1]

        

 

 

Louden, Tenn.

Feb-17, 1862

 

Mr. A.M. Ferguson

Dear Sir

In haste I write you, late last night we received marching orders to Morristown, Tenn. We were to go today but cars failed to come to transport us, guess we will move in the morning. There have been several very hard battles in a few days past in which the Yankees have overpowered our forces in an instant. A heavy fight of five days ended last Sabbath at Fort Donalson on the Tennessee River below Nashville. The three first fights, our forces repelled the enemy, but they reinforced, renewing the attack and the fourth effort completely overrun our forces taking them prisoners. Nashville is given up with $3,000,000 worth of public stores. I understand no effort on our part will be made to save Nashville. Hope it is not disastrous as reported. Passengers on the train this evening say this place will be in possession of the Lincoln forces in less than a week. Now is the time to try men’s souls. Let every Son of the South that can shoulder a musket resolve to do or die, and we are free if not we are subjugated, awake you sons of noble sires, come to the rescue of our country, our all is at stake. May God give us the victory and then exalt himself. If die we must in bloody gore, may God help us to die like Christian heroes, fighting for country, freedom and all that is dear and sacred to generous spirits and noble hearts. Be not panic stricken for he who cannot brook defeat never survives.        

Andy you have no idea how demoralizing and hard hearted the army is in the aggregate, some soldiers can fiddle and dance over the corpse of fellow soldiers. Death is common, it is no terror to a great many but to see a soldier die from home and friends always effects men, but not so much as it once did. I expect to re-volunteer for the duration of the war or for two more years and I think most of our company will but not for sometime yet. As I will write home in a few days when we get stationed again. Write me all the news. I mean more home news when you can.

Yours truly

W.B. Ferguson [2]

 

 

 

Mary Bell to Alfred W. Bell, March 5, 1862 -

Whilst some are made to mourn all the days of their lives on account of some dear one who had died whilst fighting for their country, others will be glorying in the wealth they have made by staying at home and speculating while the war was going on and other poor wretches were fighting for them. [3]

 

 

 

April 25, 1862

 

Dear Father and Mother

With pleasure I can inform you that I am well this morning and have been most of the time since I came to the Gap (Cumberland). In fact since I recovered from the fever. I left my command at the Gap being ordered to this place to sit on a General Court Martial trial. When I left the company the health of some of the men was very bad, seven protracted cases of fever but I think they all would recover with care. Now I am more anxious to hear from the Gap than any place else. I do not know what length of time I will be kept here but I fear several weeks. There is much uneasiness on hand. Doubtless you have seen the conscript bill which puts all twelve months troops in for the war and also places all the men between 18 and 35 in the service as a reservoir. Actually you need not expect to see me home till the war is likely to last many months yet and per chance several years. We have no foreboding of peace but many war like preparations.

Unexpectedly the other day on the Street, I met with Frank A.M. Boyd of the 40th Georgia Regiment Company A. He is 2nd Lieutenant in the Company. You know our Haywood Frank Boyd, well he’s the man. He requested me to write of his whereabouts so that his friends may know he yet lives. He has not heard from home in 3 or 4 months. Merchandise is very high. A respectful suit of common goods will cost about $60.00. I want you to make me a suit of nice mixed blue jeans, let it cost what it may. I want it for uniform. Let me hear from you often.

Your absent son

W.B. Ferguson [4]

 

 

N. W. Woodfin to Davis L. Swain, President of the University of North Carolina -   

May 12, 1862

Now upon the subject of your negroes.  If you will send them up to this country I can yet hire them to advantage for the rest of the year.  The men especially will command high prices, particularly before harvest commences.  There is great need for labor indeed. . . . It won’t be easy to place the women & children, but it can be done. [5]

 

 

 

Cumberland Gap

May 8, 1862

Mr. A.M. Ferguson

 

Dear Brother,

I hasten to drop you a few lines to let you know I am well and that the health of our company is moderately good tho we have some sickness. Doubtless you have seen the conscript law which all men in service between the ages of 18 and 35 our Regt. has reorganized. Col. Vance re-elected Col. - Capt. Lowery re-elected Lieut. Col. Maj. Gardner was re-elected Major in Co. E, Lieutenant Teague is Capt. Myself 1st Lieutenant, F. Murry 2nd Lieut. J.S. Henry 3rd Lieut. A.J. Ferguson, First Sgt. and so on - I think we have good field and company officers. If you and Robert join the army I do not think you can do better than come to the Company E, 29th Regt., N.C. troops. We want about 50 recruits. Get as many as you can and report yourselves immediately to this or any camp of instructions in the state of N.C. as recruits for this company and Regt. and you will be sure to get here. The late battles we had here did not amount to much, only a few wounded and killed several of the enemy. It is rumored here that Col. Conley’s main Regt. have been taken prisoners but thought to be untrue.

Write soon. Give me the news and let know what you plan to do.

Yours Truely

W.B. Ferguson

 

P.S. You will be paid $90.00 bounty if I understand it, fifty anyhow.[6]

 

 

 

May 28, 1862

 

Dear Father,

This beautiful evening I’ll drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well and in sight of the Yankee tents. We have skirmishing daily. Doubtless the battle will open in earnest in a few days at most. This morning the enemy burnt some buildings formerly used by us as a hospital, and seem to be advancing, at least they are moving some of their tents. We have had but little commandering today, not as much as usual. I am nearly bare footed and money in my pocket, but no shoes to buy. Hope I’ll meet up with a pair for sale in a few days, these are truely the hardest times I have ever seen. If you will see Mr. Young Bennett he can give you a full history of our way of doing as he has been here for several days.

I received this morning brother A.M.’s letter the 19th inst. Glad to hear from you all. Guess he and Robert are gone to camp by now. You must write me where they are so I can write to them. heard from N.J. and G.S. lately? They were well except M.C. Rogers. Our company are nearly all well. When you have an opportunity come over and see how we fare and cook. It is useless for me to say I would like to be at home.

As it is growing dark I’ll have to quit writing, how much it reminds of the end of man’s days. There is day in which to work- night comes when no man can work. My respects to you all and even to those who may think to inquire.

Yours Obediently

W.B. Ferguson [7]

 

 

 

 

Private Calvin Leach’s Diary

 

Tues. 1^st [July]

This is the commencement of a new year with me in the history of this war. This day twelve months ago I left home for the field of war. During the past year the Lord has been with me and graciously delivered me from the hands of my enemys, but during the past year I have not been as faithful to my Lord and Master as I should have been, but the Lord who is righteous and juste to forgive is always with us to smile upon us in all of our troubles. Oh Lord thou art righteous, deliver me from trouble.

We also had a fight today, but I was sick and did not partake in the fight. I became so weak I could not go any further and my commander gave me permission to go to the rear. This was the battle of Malvern Hill. This was a sever fight. Great bravery was displayed on both sides and many of our co fell while in the engagement. The ball was opended about 1 oclock and continued untill after dark. [8]

 

 

 

Richman Va

 

Peter and Nancy Meece July 6 1862

 

Dear Father and Mother

it is with pleasure i have the oppurtunity of dropping yo a flew lines. This leaves me well at presant I have ben alittle unwell a fiew days ago with a cold and soar throat I received a leter from yo yesterday which gave me much stisfaction to here from yo I was in a fight at the sevan pines I will not try to mension who was kild or wounded for yo have herde of the fight they have ben fighting for several days our regiment has ben kiled nearly all and wounded yo will have th result of the fight soon the yanks has been compley routed from every posnriy our lose is not exactly thout heavey I have ben with wagons for sevral dase the 25 by monte in this army I hade not been eny of them yet I sent 100 dollars home by Robert A Penland I want yo to pay detes with it I will send some moore soon So I moste close

Mathas Meece [9]

        

 

 

 

 

August 1862

Mr. A.M. Ferguson

Dear Brother,

You wrote me you had joined Capt. A.T. Rogers Company with the understanding you was to be transferred to this company. If you want a transfer and have not drawn rations received pay as a soldier of Capt. Rogers Company you had better ask Mr. Rogers to give you the transfer which I guess he’ll do. Should he refuse to take the transfer, you are not lawfully bound in his company from the reports here you were deceived a little of the worst by those wishing to raise companies, being told you could not get here would not be paid the bounty ect. all of which are base lies: I must close. I am well, alright here.

Yours in haste

W.B. Ferguson [10]

 

 

 

W. H. Younce –

About this time the Confederate Congress passed the wholesale conscript law, including every one between the ages of eighteen and forty- five, and as I had just reached my twentieth year, it was then my real trouble began. It was then I began casting about to find some way of escape. About the 1st of August [1862] myself and three other companions, under the leadership of a good old Baptist preacher, started on horseback through East Tennessee with the purpose of reaching Kentucky and the Union army. After several weeks' scouting and maneuvering we found we could not make our escape by that mode of travel, and in September returned to our home. The Governor of my State had issued a proclamation ordering all conscripted men to report on a certain day at their respective County seats for duty, and failing to do so they were to be arrested as deserters. The militia between the ages of thirty-five and forty- five were ordered into camp in their respective Counties to enforce the conscript law. On the 5th day of October there were in camp about a mile from my father's home.

The scenes of which I am now about to describe will never be forgotten while life lasts. The militia was regularly organized and under the command of Colonel Gentry. My father's family consisted of father and mother and myself and one brother three years my senior. On that day he and I and two other companions mounted our horses and started for Tennessee, the State line being but six miles west. The people of that part of Tennessee being extremely loyal to the Union, and there being no soldiers in that country, we felt comparatively safe among our friends there. We crossed the State line late in the evening just as the shadows of the tall peaks around us were climbing the sides of the mountains over in the east. A short distance beyond the State line, in the edge of Tennessee lived a family whom I will call Carroll, consisting of father, mother, and three daughters. They were the only family for miles around, save one or two, whose sympathies were with the Southern cause. I will not attempt to describe the personnel of the Carroll girls, but will only say they were noted for their beauty for miles around.

I had been a frequent visitor at their home for some months previous to this, paying my attentions to Miss Edith, the youngest of the three sisters. She and I had often talked of the issues of the war. She was extremely loyal to the South, and believed, as did thousands of other Southern people, the Yankees would not fight; that they were an inferior and cowardly race and that one Southern man was more than equal to five of them. She used all the persuasive powers at her command to influence me to volunteer in the Confederate army, but I always met her arguments with my side of the question, and her influence proved of no avail.

On the evening above referred to, as the road passed near the door of her home, it occurred to me to stop and remain over night. I so stated my intentions to my companions. Each of them vigorously entered his protest against it, and used all the arguments he could command to have me go with them about four miles farther down the country, among friends, where we would be safe. It was of no use, however. I designated the place I would meet them next morning at eight o'clock. I dismounted, entered the house, and my companions went on. My horse, as usual, was taken to the barn.

Miss Edith expressed some surprise at my visit just at that time, but I carelessly turned it off, saying I was going down in the country to be gone a few days, and it was quite convenient for me to come this far on my journey this evening. She knew nothing of the real cause of my unexpected appearance, and it was a question in my mind as to whether I ought to tell her or not. After supper she invited me to the parlor, and she at once began to talk of the war, saying she had understood that over in my State all conscripted men were being arrested as deserters; that the militia was in camp and scouring the country for conscripts.

"Your information is correct," said I.

"Then, sir, perhaps I can surmise the cause of your unexpected visit this evening," she retorted. "But, oh, no; it can't be possible that you are fleeing for refuge! You can not only be turning your back on your own country in the darkest hour of its peril, but by this act blasting every hope for an honorable and useful life in the future, to which you have always aspired! O, if I were only a man, how I would teach you a lesson in patriotism by shouldering my musket and marching to the front!"

"Miss Edith," said I, "you talk very prettily, and grow quite eloquent, but you represent a wicked and unjust cause. Your surmise if correct. I am fleeing for refuge, and know to where I will find safety. The Government to which you refer so eloquently is not my country. I owe my allegiance to that country only that is represented by that beautiful emblem of the free, the Stars and Stripes. It is true this is my native land, and I love its mountains, but I cannot and will not fight for a Government that seeks to enslave me, and whose cornerstone is slavery."

"Yes," said she; "but what will you do? You cannot escape. Besides, you are risking your life in the attempt."

"I know," said I, "the last statement is true. There are men in my country who would be cowardly and mean enough to take my life; but my purpose is to try to escape, and get to the Union army, and I have faith that, if the God in whom I trust notices even the fall of a sparrow, He will deliver me from the hands of my enemies. And, now, Miss Edith, I have made a clean breast of it to you as to my purpose for the future. In the morning I will bid you good-by, having perfect confidence that you will not betray me until I am beyond the reach of all those who would do me harm."

"It grieves me," said she, "that you have determined on this course, but I assure you that, come what may, no word or deed of mine shall ever do you harm. I will shield and protect you so far as it is in my power to do," and laying her hand on my arm, and the tears welling up in her eyes, she said: "As you are determined on this course, I pray that God will guide you, and that you may safely reach your destination beyond the reach of your enemies."

It was now between nine and ten o'clock, and time to retire for the night. I went to my room, and had just got comfortably settled in bed and began to wonder what another day would bring, when suddenly I heard the rattling of horses' hoofs on the stony highway. My heart leaped to my throat. My first impulse was to spring from my bed and try to make my escape from the house, and then, not knowing whether or now there was real danger, I thought that would be cowardly. Nearer and nearer they ap- proached, when suddenly they halted in front of the house. I knew then that it was too late, and I at once began to try to nerve myself for whatever might happen. In less time than it takes to tell it they had surrounded the house and were making an alarm at the front door.

They were admitted by Mr. Carroll. I heard the question asked if I was there, which was answered in the affirmative. I then arose and began to dress myself, and when I was dressed walked into the room.

Major Long (for that was his name) laid his hand on my shoulder and said:

"Sir, you are my prisoner."

"I acknowledge your authority, Major, and realize that I am," I replied. [11]

 

 

 

W. W. Stringfield -

Sixty-Ninth Regiment

This command was originally intended for local defense in the mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, and was generally known as part of "Thomas' Legion of Indians and Highlanders." Colonel W. H. Thomas, its founder, was an old-line Democrat, and a leading citizen and politician in Western North Carolina – was a man of considerable means, and was personally well known to President Davis and Cabinet. He was born in Haywood county and raised to manhood close by the Cherokee Indians and at an early day espoused their cause, and prevented the forced removal to the West, of those in Western North Carolina, by General Scott in 1836 to 1838. He was adopted by the Indians and upon the deaths of their old chiefs, Yona-gus-kee and Juna-lus-kee, he was made chief and for twenty-five years prior to the war was also the Government Agent for these Indians.

When the war had progressed for a year and conscription had become a necessity and a certainty, this command was organized at Knoxville, Tenn., into a regiment, and a battalion.

Several of the companies had been in service for several months, but General E. Kirby Smith, commander of the Department of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina (an old West Point army officer), was very much opposed to a temporizing or conservative policy, and would not allow Colonel Thomas the latitude he wanted; but the latter being a personal friend of President Davis, generally carried his points, and often went to Richmond to consult with him.

The organization of the regiment was completed at Knoxville, Tenn., 27 September, 1862, by the election of the following Field and Staff officers:

William H. Thomas, Colonel, Jackson county, N. C
James R. Love, Lieutenant-Colonel, Jackson county, N. C.
William W. Stringfield, Major, Strawberry Plains, Tenn.
Luther C. May, Adjutant, Virginia.
James W. Terrell, A. Q. M. Jackson county, N. C.
Lucius M. Welch, A. C. S., Haywood county, N. C.
John W. Lawing, Surgeon, Lincoln county, N. C.
John C. Love, Assistant Surgeon, Jackson county, N. C.
Hezekiah West, Chaplain, Haywood county, N. C.
Alex R. Carmack, Sergeant Major, Pennsylvania. . . .

Total number of officers and men in the regiment, 1,125. . . .

 

About this time the enforcement of the conscript law was begun in earnest, and consequently it was a serious time in the short life of the Southern Confederacy – and thinking men were fully alive to the herculean task before us. East Tennessee was placed under martial law and many of the most prominent citizens were in rebellion against the South. The celebrated Parson Brownlow, editor of the Knoxville Whig, a widely circulated paper, who was afterwards elected Governor of Tennessee, and after the war was United States Senator, took bold grounds against the South. His paper had some circulation in Western North Carolina, and quite an influence with the old Whig element. Brownlow was a kind man at heart, to those that did not cross him personally. If he had been reasoned with instead of being bitterly denounced he and numerous others would have espoused the Southern cause. But, then, as now, party passion often dethrones reason. Brownlow, with such men as Governor Andrew Johnson, then United States Senator, and afterwards President of the United States; Horace Maynard, member of Congress; Thos. A. R. Nelson, John Netherland, R. R. Butler, members of Congress; Rev. N. G. Taylor, also an old Congressman, father of Governor Bob. Taylor, with scores of smaller, but equally determined men, boldly threw themselves into the breach, openly defied the South, and in large numbers daily left Tennessee, crossing the Cumberland mountains and joined the Federal army in Kentucky and Ohio.

The wisest statesmen of the South were divided as to the best policy to pursue, but Southern blood was aroused and Southern men were expected to stand by the South, right or wrong. There was much homogeneousness between these mountain people of Tennessee and North Carolina, and there is an independence of thought, speech and action in the average mountaineer, not usually found elsewhere, superinduced perhaps by their grandly beautiful surroundings, combining, as some think, to the development of a high type of physical, intellectual and spiritual manhood.

A great majority of the people were poor and had no interest in slavery, present or prospective. But most of them had little mountain homes, and, "be it ever so humble, there is no place like home." So when husband, father and brother went into the army the wife, sister and daughter had largely increased home cares, and often went into the corn field.

No grander type of womanhood is developed anywhere than in these mountains. Neither the men or women were cowards, but when the Federal army occupied East Tennessee and threatened North Carolina, the women in their lonesome homes naturally became restless and timid, made more so when spies and forays of the enemy penetrated this country. Soldiers in the army would have been unnatural protectors of home, had they not become uneasy also, and oft times desperate, especially when informed, as hundreds were, that their homes had been robbed and the country pillaged, as was the case for two years in all the border counties along the Tennessee line from Ducktown to Watauga, a distance of near 200 miles. No people were more zealous for the South than Western Carolinians, after the rejection by the Lincoln regime of the peace overtures made by the border States. East Tennessee and Western North Carolina had a common heritage of ancestral heroes through the Seviers, Tiptons, Averys, Campbells, Lenoirs, Loves, McDowells, Brittons, and others, who fought at King's Mountain, Cowpens and Guilford Court House; in later years at Lookout, Emuckfau, Horseshoe, and New Orleans, and later still in the numerous battles of Mexico. Such an element may be easily led, but, never forced. In Tennessee this anti-war element was fully aroused and as soon as conscription was fully determined upon, Colonel Wm. H. Thomas at once went to Richmond to get a modification of the law. His efforts were unavailing, the law must be enforced, it was enforced and 33,000 were added to the Federals and a few thousand fire-tried veterans to the Southern army. Colonel Thomas largely recruited his own command, forming soon afterwards another regiment, with two companies of Sappers and Miners, and one company of artillery (Levy's Battery).

He had some unique ideas concerning these matters, and while known to be intensely loyal to the South, he had gained the confidence of this East Tennessee disloyal element and several thousand at various times had agreed to form companies for local defense, and for road and bridge building. Not being allowed to do this, these men went to the Federal army and ever afterwards were troublesome enemies.

From September, 1862, to June, 1863, there was little to break the monotony of camp life and provost duty. There was much of an unpleasant, nature to be done by men of similar characters. Enforcing conscription – disarming the people – the impressment of property, forcing magistrates and civil authorities to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, was disagreeable work. Much hard work was done in building block houses and stockades on the entire railroad line, 250 miles. This was a fine agricultural region and an indispensable line of communication between the armies of Lee and Bragg.

President Davis consented to evacuation only as a trap for Burnside's army, but the cowardly surrender of Cumberland Gap by General J. W. Frazer, 9 September, 1863, however, proved it a double triggered trap for us. The Federal authorities were fully alive to the importance of grasping from us and holding this section, so fertile for all, and so loyal to them, being urged thereto by the highest consideration of honor, duty and interest.

The Sixty-ninth Regiment was never idle, especially after current rumors of. Federal invasion early in 1862, following the defeat and death of the noble Zollicoffer at Fishing Creek. This defeat practically made the Cumberland Mountains our line of defense. The Union element became restless and defiant and many were arrested and sent South to prison.  [12]

 

 

 

 

Zollicoffer Tennessee

Sept the 25th 62

Kind Parents

 

with much respect I seat myself to drop you a few lines which leaves me and all the rest o the Company well and doin well. I hope these lins will find you well I have not much to write now. There was a letter addressed her to Ap Henson he not being present I broke it open and in it I found a few lines to me which is a part of the reason I write this I was going to learn in Hensons letter that he lost his 2 little boys we are stationd at the same place we were when I wrote you before and an other reason is that I write this I am sending 50 dollars home by lut burniette which I want you to pay over to Medford on Morgan which ever needs it the worst and lift my note I setle when ever I get some change I have no change now or else I would send it now, be sure to pay it over and lift my note as soon as you get the money if we stay here I expect to come home on furlough in a few weeks by that time we will draw our other 50 dollars bounty and some monthly wages which I am leving myself as I am compelled to come home if posable to fix up some of my business which I left undone take the best care of my thing you can and try to have as much fodder saved as you can Mother I want you to send me a Lincy Shirt and pare of Slips by ap Henson I wrote to you abaout them before but the man failed to bring them and also a pare of Pants if you can send them or get them made in time to send them by Burrette or Henson. I will close for the present and hope to hear from you when henson coms so excuse my shrt note and write concering the boys if you know anything about them I still remain yous in full

Robt Meece

Peter & Nancy Meece [13]

        

 

 

Tyre York to Zebulon Vance, October 12, 1862 -

Mr. Burgess has within the last few days lost his wife leaving him six little children, the youngest only a few days old & the largest not able to do anything in the shape of work and without any assistance in the world Save the father. . . . [We] most humbly pray your excellency to do whats in your power to get a discharge for Mr. Burgess that he may save his little children from starvation. [14]

 

 

 

Camp Zollicoffer Tenn

Oct the 12th 1862

 

Kind Parents

 

with much respect I again avail myself of droping you a few lines responding to those brought by Ap Henson I were highly grattifide to hear you were all as well as common and dong well. These lins will inform you that I am well and am yet at the same place I were when I wrote you before. we fare very well yet and I hope we will continue in that favor, there is not prospect as yet of us leaving here and I dont care if we get to stay here during the war for I am highly pleased with our situation. My Dearest frinds I would be glad to be at home with you during these troublesome tims but circumstances alters the case the time has come when evry parent had to sacrafy something. you must bear you wait of trouble as best you can duty calls and our country calls and your Sons must sacrafic their livs on the alter of their country or gain our liberty, our ams have met with some misfortuns in their asent into Maryland but I hope our brave troops will retrive thier losses in a few weeks I hear some bad news from the 25th & 26th Regts I hear that some of the 25th has been taken prisoners and still wase from the 16th I see capt Howel The other day from the 16th and he told me that Mathias was dead had died with the fever

I hope you will contrive to see the capt as he is now at home and posable asertain whethr it is a face or not. I still hope it is not So, as Mathias has not been with the Regt lately it may be a falts report. I don’t know that I have any thing more interesting to write at presesent I am very glad to hear that you have saved my foder and is doing with my things as well as you are and I hope you will continue to do so, Father I want you to be certain to take good care of my corn have it getherd and cribed and pay yourself out of the corn for all your trouble and keep the balance for me and not sell it untell I give you further instructions it may be that I can come on furlough by the time corn is gethered then I can give you the nesesary instructions be certain to make all the money you can and pay your debts this fall for hard tims will shut in before long. Mother I never can pay you for your kindness to me I got the tings you sent by Henson a pare of pants and pare of drawers and a shirt I got them in a very good tim I have got your a pound of copperas which I will send you by the first chance and if you need any thing els I will get it for you I can get soda, oil, salt, as any thing of that kind. I must close for this time hoping to hear from you soon and often the boys are all prety well ap is a Little unwell by his trip from home I remain your son untile death

                                                                                                          Robert Meece

Peter Meece [15]

        

 

 

 

Camp Carter

East Tennessee Octr 13th 1862

Dear Cousin

You will perceive by this that I am at least in the Confederate service and stationed in the above mentioned place. Since I have been here I have had a severe sickness but am glad to say at present I am well though I fear my sickness would have incapacitated me for active service. It has left me quite thin but I feel much stronger than I did some time ago. In all probability our regiment will be stationed here permanently for the winter to guard the bridge across the Watauga River against the incendiary attacks of the tories of this unfortunate state. I suppose owing to the warm and unprecedented dry summer, we will experience a very cold winter.

We are tolerably comfortable here but still there is room for improvement both in the Quarter Masters & Commissary’s department as to our comforts. I do sincerely hope that this more than barbarous war will soon be over so that we all can return to our dear ones at home it has cost us a great deal of blood & treasure and will perhaps cause the hearts of many to bleed afresh yet. What is all this worth as compared to bondage & chains? No long as a true Southern heart burns in defence of all that his dear & we will never be slaves to a licutious corrupt nation as our would be Yankee rulers wish to see Lincoln’s proclimation has had the happy tendency of. I hear of uniting the people  of East Tennessee together and causing them to stem the tide of Yankee invasion that may yet set towards our own fair Southern shores.

I wish I could see you once returned to old Henderson County, and having the plaudit ringing out from a grateful people well done through good and faithful service. When I last heard from home my wife and child was well. I have lost one. I do not suppose you ever heard about it. I hope this letter will be received and answered as an apology for my long silence. Write soon. I shall be delighted to hear from you and when you write direct your letter to me at  Carter Depot E Tennessee Co “E” 62nd Regt NoCa Troops. I must now bring my letter to a close hoping this may find you enjoying good health is the sincere wish of your attached cousin

John H. Phillips [16]

 

 

 

Governor Zebulon Vance to Jefferson Davis, October 25, 1862 -

Thousands are flying from our Eastern Counties with their slaves to the centre & West to devour the very short crops and increase prospects of starvation. [17]

 

 

 

Moristown Tenn Oct the 30th, 62

I.M. Meece

 

     Dear Brother with great pleasure I again am permitted to drop you a few lins responding to one I recd from you the other day this will inform you that I am well we are now stationd at this place and the boys are engaged in working for the government we have no idea how long we will stay here, the opion of all our officers are that we will stay here all the winter Dear Brother I woul be glad you could come over and see us. you could bring several little things that would bear your expences such as Aples and Butter I think I can get a furlough some time this winter as soon as the old men are furloughed I have nothing much to write at present not having heard any thing veiy important cince I wrote to you before your wrote that you wanted some sulpher I left Zollicoffer before I had the chance to get it & I have not had time to go about cince we got here I will get it if I can and send it to you as soon as I can write soon and often Receive these my best respects yours Inful

R. Meece [18]

 

 

 

D. W. Siler to Governor Zebulon Vance, November 3, 1862 -

You know all about men and their powers of endurance and of their wives and children.  They can turn away from the graves of comrades and brothers firm in their resolve to die . . . for the sake of objects coming to their recollections with thoughts of home.  But what consolation or encouragement can come to a man’s heart in an hour of trial from a home where the helpless are perishing for want of his hand to provide. [19]

 

 

 

To: Governor Zebulon B. Vance

Bald Creek N. C.

Nov 3d 1862

After my Compliments and good wishes for you and your family. I hope You will excuse me for troubling You When You are So presed with business. About fourteen Months ago I Vollenteered in the Servis of my County was advised at the same time not to do so as my health was quite bad Col. R. B. Vance promoted me to the office of Quartermaster of his Regt which I accepted and Served them faithfully for nearly a Year by taking the greatest care of my Self finely on  account of bad health and nothing else I had to Resign my office and come home it was with great Reluctance that I left the Regt. for they cant be a better and Kinder man in the Army than Col R B Vance, he regretted very much to have to give me up but advised me to Resign, as he thought I could not stand it much longer.

I suppose in a short time all men to the age of Forty Years will be called out I am not quite that old it would make no difference with me about age If I could stand the hardships of camp life. If You Kneed any help in the way of Agents in this part of the State or any thing that you could give me to do that would release me I will be truly glad. I do not want you to think that I ask this of You merely because I was your warm and faithful friend in your Election for Governor. I Vote for all men that went in to this troublesome war as You did, do me a faivour if you can and it will be highly appreciated by your many friends in This section. Do Something if you can through the Legislature to put down the Rascal extortioners. Excuse this bad letter and write me Soon to Bald Creek

PONC [20]

 

 

To: Governor Zebulon B. Vance

Marion, N. C.

Nov. 4th /62/

Will your Excellency permit me a private individual, a Minister of the gospel of the grace of God; one who feels the greatest possible concern for the interest of your Excellency, as well as for the interest of the State at large, to address you in an unofficial way? If so, I proceed.

Your humble correspondent has always been an earnest and devoted friend of your Excellency; and though he has never enjoyed the privilege of seeing your Excellency but once, (when you past last through Marion to Asheville) yet he exerted all his limited influence in putting your Excellency in the Chair of State, and now he desires to lay some facts before you, which he conceives to be of vast importance to the interests of the people of Western N. Carolina. If it is Constitutional, and if your position as Governor of N. Carolina gives you the power to do so, in the name of God, of suffering humanity, of the cries of widows and orphans, do put down the Speculation and extortion in this portion of the State.

Here in Marion, beef is being sold to the poor wives of soldiers who get but $11 per month in the field, at the enormous price of 11 and 12 cents per pound! Leather at $4 per pound Bacon at 40 & 50 cents per pound; Corn from the heap, at $1.50 per bushell Salt at near 50 cents per Pound And every thing in proportion. If this thing is not put down, our Country is ruined forever. Many children of the soldiers in the Camps are nearly barefoot and naked without the possibility of getting clothes or shoes.

Here in Marion, Messrs Maroney and Halyburton have a large Tannery, and the tanner is allowed to remain by virture of the Exemption Act, and yet one pound of leather cannot be bought of the concern by private purchase. The leather is put up in lots of 250 sides and sold to speculators at $4.00 & $4.50 per Pound! Your correspondent went him- self in person to the concern of these gentlemen, and though he laid his case before them, that he had 6 little bare-foot children that must have shoes, and offered to give any reasonable price for leather—just one side. But the reply was, if we sell to one man privately we must sell to others, and we will not do it.

In the name of the Great Gov of the universe, what are we to do? Pardon my presumption in addressing your Excellency, for I could not restrain.

Rev. R. L. Abernethy [21]

 

 

 

D. W. Siler to Governor Zebulon Vance, November 5, 1862 -

Our people . . . have learned to subsist mainly on the immediate productions of their own labor.  Deprive us of that labor and the innocent & helpless must perish. . . . What consolation or encouragement can come to a mans heart in an hour of trial from a home where the helpless are perishing for want of his hand to provide? [22]

 

 

Ella Harper to G. W. F. Harper, November 8, 1862 -

. . .  if there is not something done for the support of the soldier’s families, they will not stay away when their wives write to them they are suffering for the necessarys of life, and many of them are doing that now. [23]

 

 

 

Moristown Tenn

nov the 9th 62

 

Kind parents

 

With much pleasue I again seat myself this morning to drop you a few lins which leave me well. I have not much to write. We are yet at this place and well siturated have good tents and plenty meat and bread to eat. but as to other eatable we got none here Moristown has been so near Sacked that it is hard to et any saw that has been more than 10 thousend soldiers passed through here in about 2 weeks, as for news we have none worth relating evry thing seems to be still in this deparment at the present. the reason I write this is that Liut Murray will start home in the morning and can bear this to your hands and as I want to write more concerning my thing I dont know that I can get off on furlough for some thime yet. and when I do the weather will be cold and I cant do any thing when I come I want you to be certain to have my corn and Ruffness taken car of I know you have a good deal to do but it is imposable for me to come and do any of it. I want you to gather my corn at the lower place and crib it to its self to feed my horse and I want you to as you are Scarce of Stables, fix a lot around the old house and feed my colts thare all winter fix a traugh in it an save all the corn you can but if you want to keep my little colt for Brad, keep it and feed myother colt thare. I want you to gether my and Aps corn or see that it is getherd and measher out two thirds for me and one third to him and if you get as higher it getherd pay one of each ones part in propotion to what each one has.

hall mine down and crib it safe and as long as you can keep I dont know that I will sell it before nix sumer if then be certain I feed my stock well. I let some person have my lower place to see in any you might save one acre to sow in oats in the spring. if you or medford dont want to see the place let Aason Henson have it as I promised it to him before I left. let Clark as I have promise have a part of my upper place to tend in corn but you have the us of the pasture this winter. Mother I want you if you can conveniantly send me by Liut Murray one pare of socks and my over coat and one peck of dried aples and a half dozen buff aples as for my other cloths I can make out some time yet. Untell Icome any how I could come shortly if I would ask it but thare are so many older and marid men wanting to come I will wait untell they all get home once then I can come for the present hoping to hear from you soon and often

yours in full, x.e.

R. Meece [24]

 

 

 

To: Governor Zebulon B. Vance

 

Knoxville

Nov. 22 1862

. . . One consideration now animates us all. What will ensure success not what would be most agreeable to us. The Legislature appropriated two millions of dollars to defend Eastern North Carolina and the Western frontiers? Both are now in danger. The western Counties are in danger of being over run by deserters and renegades who by the hundred are taking shelter in the smoky mountains. The men between 35 and 40 west of the Blue Ridge should be furnished with arms and ammunition, and required to aid in guarding their homes And the Confederate should be required to place Military compys at every trap in the Smoky mountains from Ashe to Cherokee. As long as we can hold the Country encircled by the Blue Ridge and Cumberland mountains and their outside slopes we have the heart of the south, which commands the surrounding Plains. The loss of this country larger than England or France is the loss of the Southern Confederacy and we sink under a despotism.

W. H. Thomas [25]

 

 

 

[Niece] to Lizzie Lenoir, December 26, 1862 -

When the war broke out all I thought about was our friends going off & getting killed.  I did not think about the small pox and evry kind of disease getting all over the country , and people starving to death and all that. . . . As I heard an old woman say the other day, ‘seems like this country is might nigh tore up!’ [26]

 

 

Letter to Editor of a Raleigh newspaper, 1862 –

Will you be so kind, Mr. Editor, as to inform Jeff Davis and his Destructives, that after they take the next draw of men from this mountain region, if they please, as an act of great and special mercy be so gracious as to call out a few of their exempted pets . . . to knock the women and children of the mountains in the head, and put them out of their misery. [27]