Tag Archives: courtship

8 October 1864: “Write as you feel”

Item Description: Letter dated 8 October 1864 from John A. Ramsay to Margaret Beall (Maggie). Maggie was recently widowed by his cousin Julius D. Ramsay who died earlier in 1864. This is one of many letters of courtship that John … Continue reading

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24 March 1864: “…as I mentioned yr name a flush spread over her and there was a momentary flash of the eye as if I was treading on forbidden ground.”

Item description: Letter, dated 24 (and 27) March 1864, from George S. Barnsley to Lancelot Minor “Lanty” Blackford.  Barnsley writes about his time as a surgeon in Richmond, and also discusses gossip regarding Blackford’s brother and a popular “Miss Jennie.” … Continue reading

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17 December 1863: “I can tie my mustache in a bow-knot under my chin and am very handsome generally (see enclosed carte-de-visite).”

Item description: Letter, dated 17 December 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his mother, Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford.  The letter is written from his camp on Topsail Sound, and it is he expresses his disgust with Wilmington residents, who have … Continue reading

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5 October 1863: “I am outdone with these people, the soldiers are spiritless & cowed, ready to revolt at hardships which our troops laugh at, and looking forward to the time when they can be taken prisoners.”

Item Description: Letter, 5 October 1863, from Benjamin Lewis Blackford to his mother Mary, discussing his transfer from Virginia to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, his opinions of North Carolina and its citizens, his living conditions in Wilmington, a young girl he … Continue reading

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25 May 1863: “I am glad to see by your let-ter to me that Mr. McKay is a gentleman…”

Item description: Letter, dated 25 May 1863, written by Charles L. Pettigrew to his brother William.  The letter discusses the engagement of their sister Annie to the Reverend Neill McKay and William’s plans to leave the town of Winston for … Continue reading

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9 May 1863: “Twas a splendid charge, straight forward for two miles, while their cannon were pouring an iron hail into our ranks.”

Item description: Letter, dated 9 May 1863, from Harrison Wells to his sweetheart Mollie Long.  Wells, a sergeant in the 13th Georgia Infantry Regiment, describes his homesickness and his experiences at the Battle of Chancellorsville.  He notes the injury of … Continue reading

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25 March 1863: “… I have full permission to marry from Mr. Castin I don’t like to have to beg but when I know it is my own owner from whom I am asking these favors it prompts me to do so…”

Item Description:  Letter, dated 25 March 1863, written by a slave named “Jimmey” working for the DeRosset family in an office in Wilmington, N.C., stating that his owner has given him permission to marry. “Jimmey” is James W. Telfair, Jr. (born … Continue reading

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