Item Description: Letter dated 1 October 1864 written by W. H. Joyner. Joyner’s Uncle Sid was in prison at this time on Johnson Island.
Item Citation: From folder 18, Joyner Family Papers (#04428), Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Item Transcription:
Columbia SC
Oct 1st 1864
My dear Mother
I received your letter four days ago and was glad to hear from home. I didn’t think that I was forgotten; knowing that you was no great writer, and have so many things to occupy your mind I don’t expect you to write very often.
I didn’t think there is any probability of the clerks in the Dept. being called out so you need have no uneasiness about me. I certainly will not leave here if I can help it for I think I can serve the country as well or better in my present position than in any other.
I hope they will not call out the 11 year old boys in N.C. I don’t know how you could manage without Tom and I think it would be very hard to take him from home, tho’ I don’t think you need be uneasy about as I don’t suppose there is any probability– that they will be needed in N.C. and they can’t be sent out of the State.
I have written to Dr Blacknall att Mr Jackson and hoped to hear from him soon. I will keep a look out for their box and think I can safely promise you that the contents will be well attended to. I have just enjoyed a nice treat from Richmond. My room-mate received some delicacies from his mother in R_ and a letter telling him he must be sure and give me some of it.
I left a brown coat at home which I may want this winter, but you need not trouble yourself about sending it now. One of the young men from our office will go to Raleigh soon and will bring it to me. I will let you know when he goes and you can parcel it to stow
I left twenty ($211) dollars with Mr Ellis to give to Belle for Aunt Martha, also one dollar and fifty cents that he owed in which I asked him to send to you. Let me know if it has been received, as he may have forgotten it.
Miss Maria Allen is at home in furlough, so I am free now for a while. I have just received a letter from Sid. He was well and wishes me to try and find an officer of his rank here who has influential friends in the North and try by that means to get a special exchange for him. I don’t know that it will do any good but I will make the attempt. My love to all at home regard Mrs. Kearney + all my friends.
Your affectionate son,
W.H. Joyner
