Tag Archives: Ruffin Thomson

5 August 1863: “Isaac, Henry and John were left behind to take their chances. Sarah and Diana ran away, and I suppose are with the Yankees…”

Item Description: Letter, dated 5 August 1863, from William H. Thomson to his son Ruffin Thomson. More about Ruffin Thomson: Thomson was the oldest child and only son of William H. Thomson and Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He studied at the University … Continue reading

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2 July 1863: “My dear son, you are passing through one of the severest ordeals that the world has ever known. “

 Item Description: Letter, 2 July 1863, from Willam H. Thomson to his son Ruffin. Ruffin Thomson was the oldest child and only son of William and Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He studied at the University of Mississippi and the University of North … Continue reading

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9 June 1863: ” Your name was in the list of supposed prisoners, but for the most part all was vague and uncertain…”

 Item description: Letter, 9 June 1863, from William Thomson to Ruffin Thomson. William H. Thomson, born in Hillsborough, N.C., lived there and in Chapel Hill, N.C., attending the University of North Carolina. He taught in Alabama and attended medical school … Continue reading

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24 April 1863: “Every day serves to increase my anxiety to exchange my present service for some other less laborious and equally necessary branch.”

Item description: Letter, dated April 24th, 1863 from Ruffin Thompson to his father, William H. Thompson.  In it he recounts details of camp life and his failed attempts to transfer to a less physically taxing position. Item citation: From folder … Continue reading

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1 March 1863: “With proper application, why cannot I exchange the snows and mud of Virginia for the dancing billows of the Atlantic?”

Item description: Letter, 1 March 1863, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his “Pa” (William H. Thomson). More about Ruffin Thomson: Ruffin Thomson was the oldest child and only son of William H. Thomson and Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He studied … Continue reading

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26 February 1863: “Many a time have I, when I would awake in a puddle of water, console myself with the reflection that some one else was in a worse fix than myself, and with a shout and a laugh we would make merry over the misfortunes of each other.”

Item description: Letter, 26 February 1863, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his “Pa” (William H. Thomson). More about Ruffin Thomson: Ruffin Thomson was the oldest child and only son of William H. Thomson and Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He studied … Continue reading

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20 February 1863: “Possibly we may go to the railroad and ride to the seat of war – probably our legs will furnish transportation, as has been the case ever since we landed in this state.”

Item description: Letter, 20 February 1863, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his “Pa” (William H. Thomson). More about Ruffin Thomson: Ruffin Thomson was the oldest child and only son of William H. Thomson and Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He studied … Continue reading

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10 February 1863: “When we first began the life of a soldier our biscuits would have given a mule the despipsia; now rolls, light and luscious, grace our table.”

Item description: Letter, 10 February 1863, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his “Pa” (William H. Thomson). More about Ruffin Thomson: Ruffin Thomson was the oldest child and only son of William H. Thomson and Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He studied … Continue reading

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2 February 1863: “We are quartered in the splendid brick mansions of the opulent and luxury-loving citizens of Fredericksburg…”

Item description: Letter, 2 February 1863, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his “Pa” (William H. Thomson). More about Ruffin Thomson: Ruffin Thomson was the oldest child and only son of William H. Thomson and Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He studied … Continue reading

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4 December 1862: “Dear Pa, It has become my painful duty to inform you of Preston’s death.”

Item description: Letter, 4 December 1862, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his “Pa” (William H. Thomson). In the letter, Thomson informs his father of the death of his slave, Preston (“Press”). More about Ruffin Thomson: Ruffin Thomson was … Continue reading

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