Tag Archives: Civil War

7 March 1865: “Troops are assembling at Lynchburg and Fitz Lee will move up James River.”

Item Description: Letter from Robert E. Lee to Alexander Robert Lawton.  He discusses Union troop movements and gives orders for the movement of Confederate troops. Item Citation: Folder 4, in the Alexander Robert Lawton Papers, #415, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 7 March 1865: “Troops are assembling at Lynchburg and Fitz Lee will move up James River.”

5 March 1865: “The building after they were rifled were nearly all burnt & the Provisions & stock destroyed.”

Item description: A. G. Magrath was the confederate governor of South Carolina during the Civil War. This letter reports back on relief efforts sent to Columbia after it was burned and remarks on both the condition of the town and … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 5 March 1865: “The building after they were rifled were nearly all burnt & the Provisions & stock destroyed.”

2 March 1865: “we are living on very simple fare and it is likely to become worse so”

Item Description: Letter written by Godfrey Barnsley to his son George.  He discusses food shortages in the area.  He writes that it is hard to cultivate crops because Union troops and marauders have been stealing all the horses and mules. … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 2 March 1865: “we are living on very simple fare and it is likely to become worse so”

1 March 1865: “the enemy was sharp shooting all day.”

Item Description: Zaccheus Ellis was a lieutenant from Wilmington, N.C. This letter to his mother recounts how his battalion left Wilmington, and engaged with their enemies in some detail. He was killed in action in Bentonville, N.C.  Item Citation: From Folder 1, … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 1 March 1865: “the enemy was sharp shooting all day.”

26 February 1865: “I now have the honour to tender my resignation”

Item Description: Frank G. Ruffin turns in his resignation to his commanding officer. He cites his failing health and other personal reasons. Ruffin owned a plantation in Virginia before the war. Item Citation: Folder 58, in the Frank G. Ruffin … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

23 Febrary 1865: “There is one thing sertain this war cannot last many months longer”

Item Description: A letter from Theodore W. Skinner to his family regarding his thoughts on Wilmington, Jefferson Davis, the War, and the moral of his fellow soldiers in the aftermath of the Battle of Wilmington. Item Citation: Unit 45, in the Federal Soldiers’ … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

13 Febrary 1865: “You have no objection to my marrying on the spot or do you prefer my waiting until I am Brigadier General”

Item Description: A letter from R. Roulhac to his mother regarding, provisions for clothes, his romantic pursuits at home, as well as his rank in his regiment. He speaks at length about how much letters from home mean to him. … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 13 Febrary 1865: “You have no objection to my marrying on the spot or do you prefer my waiting until I am Brigadier General”

12 February 1865: “The shells were thrown at the fort but when they exploded, the fragments flew in different directions, which caused us to do some tall dodging.”

Item Description:  Letter written by Zaccheus Ellis to his sister.  He discusses the living arrangements at Fort Anderson in North Carolina including the shelling by Union gunboats.  He also mentions fall in morale regarding Wilmington and lack of faith in … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 12 February 1865: “The shells were thrown at the fort but when they exploded, the fragments flew in different directions, which caused us to do some tall dodging.”

8 February 1865: “the enemy have repaired burnt bridge and are crossing”

Item Description: George Anderson Mercer was a lawyer and Confederate officer from Savannah, Ga. He kept an intermittent diary throughout his life. During the War he was captured in Macon, Ga, and returned to service after his release. During this period … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 8 February 1865: “the enemy have repaired burnt bridge and are crossing”

7 February 1865: ” I am in a big hurry to get away from this place as I fear we are all destined to go up if we stay here long.”

Item Description: Letter from William Henry Tripp to his wife Araminta Guilford Tripp.  He describes evacuation Savannah and Bald Head.  He also details the dire situation at Fort Anderson which is under attack from Union naval ships.  He has submitted … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 7 February 1865: ” I am in a big hurry to get away from this place as I fear we are all destined to go up if we stay here long.”