|
South Carolina C.S.A.
|
|
of William B. Green University of South Carolina
|
|
South Carolina C.S.A. |
|
16th S.C.V. |
|
I am placing the letters in chronological order. None of this would have been possible without Susan's help. Susan' also provides the following biographical details concerning Wm. B. Green.William Green was the son of John and Mary Green, Mary names him as "my son William B. Green", as executor. |
|
1
Camp Colledge Green Columb, S.C. Dear Nancy I seat to write you a few line informing you that I am not so well today I have taken cold and have the head ake Dear Nancy it seem to me that I have been from home a month I want to see you and my little children very bad but don’t no when I will get the chance to come I want to come before we go to Charleston if I can. We are now camp one and one half miles from Columbia but will move tomorrow about 3 miles further you will want to no how I like camp life. I would like it tolerable well if I had no wife and little children to think about but you are allways in my mind. Camp life is a hard life very much I espesial of night sleeping on the cold ground. It came to my turn to act as office of the day last Friday and I have to be up all night to place out the gard and release them and see that thare was no disturbence in the camp. To have all the filth removed and caried off I have ben to see Brother Durham and mary three times they are well. Mary is in a family way. Mary put my stripes on my pantleoons and coats for me. Columbia is a large town I wish you could visit. Sunday went to …… time in the town took dinner with brother Durham, there is about 1000 or 1200 camp at this place. Bales and Janes is well and all the boys write to me as soon as you get this letter Sorry you are not getting along an if you have got it badly to say with your brother you do get somebody to stay with you. Write to me all about how they are getting along sewing wheat without the hogs and how you are sattisfied. Write how your mother has got and Wilson’s family. I told Lewis to git you some enveleps to mail your letters in. Tell Emma to write me a small letter. This is written by Brother Martin to his wife. Dear Wife I drop you a few lines inform you I am well hope this may find you all well. I am well sattisfied write to me how you are sattisfied and how you are getting along and how you like the Negro woman I sent you. I have Ben to bro Druham twice we have preching evry night in camp. We are write to me direct your letters to Columbia S.C. ceare of Captian Blakely. Camp Life is a Hard Life This is a very early letter, although undated we know that the 16th was on the horseshoe at the University of South Carolina for a very short period of time in November and early December of 1861. He mentions moving camp tomorrow so the letter is probably mid-December of 1861, when the Sixteenth moved to Camp Hampton outside of Columbia, S.C. It is interesting to compare his description of Columbia in 1861 to the description of Columbia given by Dr. Gibbes in 1865. Sherman has just marched through in 1865, and destroyed the busy town Green describes. Lt. Green, like most of his counterparts, found camp life different and the adjustment was difficult. The Sixteenth was to have more time than most to adjust to this new life, remaining on the coast for nearly a year. Bales and James are probably Baylis Crowder, a nephew, who serves in Company F with him and Janes maybe James Green of Company C, Sixteenth South Carolina who will be killed at Franklin in November of 1864. Thanks to Susan's alert eye and quick mind we know that Brother Durham is either Dr. I.D. Durham or Dr. A.K Durham. While still working on the issue, the first glance seems to favor Dr. I.D. Durham. Both men were known in the Brushy Creek Community of Greenville County. Jean Flynn in her authoritative work on the Taylors Community provides much information about both men. Dr. I.D. Durham helped organize Chick Springs Baptist Church in 1864. Dr. A.K Durham was a member and pastor of Chick Springs Baptist after the war. However, from 1862 to 1865, Dr. I.D. Durham was the publisher of the Confederate Baptist, which would place him in Columbia at the time of these letters. Work is being done to establish the name of his wife and if this meets the criteria for Mary, as set forth in the letter, then we can be fairly certain he is Brother Durham. Brother Martin is unknown but could easily be Lieutenant G.W. Martin, Company F, Sixteenth South Carolina, who stepped down during the reorganization of 1862. Martin is buried at Mountain Creek Baptist Church. Lt. William Green will serve in the Sixteenth as a Lieutenant and then in the South Carolina Reserves, as a Captain, commanding Company E, Third regiment (Colonel Elford, 1862). He hired a substitute in 1863, but will eventually serve with the 22nd South Carolina, as a Private in the hard battles of Shanks Evans Brigade around Petersburg. He was wounded at least twice while serving with the Twenty-second S.C.V. in the fighting around Petersburg and Richmond. A poor early war photo exists of the lieutenant and he may very well be wearing the uniform he speaks of in this letter. The four letters of Wm. Green to his wife, from the war, are found in the collection of U.S.C. Two of these letters are from his service with the 16th and two are from his service around Petersburg and Richmond with the 22nd. Nancy is his wife, Nancy Taylor, the sister of Washington Taylor and daughter of Thomas Taylor. Nancy was related to most of F Company through the marriages of her brothers and sisters. Suzanne Matson provides the following information concerning others mentioned in the letter: "Emma is a daughter still living at home according to the 1864 letter (This letter is presented below.) from Nancy to William. Other children mentioned in that letter are Willy, John, Mary, Pinckney, Austin, Theresa, Nancy, Amanda. I get the impression from the letter that all of the above are still at home. She mentions further men that have to go-Alfred, Willson and Robert-I assume she is referring to the calling up of all available men late in 1864. Lewis mentioned in this letter (to get envelopes for Nancy) is a brother. He is also mentioned in Mary Green's will." "Dr. Isaiah Davis Durham was pastor at Brushy Creek May 1854-early 1855. He is listed as just Dr. Durham in the church minutes, but the Tyger Association records give his full name. He and A. K. both studied at Furman. He was born 1832 and graduated with honors from the Medical College of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. He later received an honorary degree of D.D.S. from the Philadelphia Dental College. Dr. Isaiah D. Durham was the publisher of the Confederate Baptist." "This info comes from the South Carolina Dental Journal, January 1848, p. 3-an article called "What's Past is Prologue: Isaiah Davis Durham, M.D., D.D.S., 1832-1890" and this quote is from the Brushy Creek Baptist Church History written by Susan Frazier Kahl." "Dr. Asbury K. Durham was born July 11, 1830. He attended Furman 1852-54 and became a dentist in Greenville. He served as pastor of Brushy Creek from 1877-1880. Dr. A. K. Durham was one of the founders of the Baptist Courier. He also preached at Chick Springs, which his brother (I. D. Durham) had helped establish. A. K. Durham later moved to Kershaw to live but returned in 1900 for a visit. The next morning he died while visiting on the front porch with Alfred Taylor, Jean Flynn." "William B. Green was always a member of Brushy Creek as far as is known. He is mentioned often in the minutes and was clearly one of the leaders. George W. Martin was a member there as well. this would be reflected in the minutes." As always, these pages are complete only because of the devotion of people like Susan and Suzanne, my thanks to both of you. |
|
2
Dec. 12, 1861 Camp Hamton Richland District Dear Wife, I now seat myself to answer your letter which come to hand by Capt Blakely. I was glad to Here from you and that you was all well. I began to think you was not going to write to me. I looked for a Letter Every night for a week. We have Stering news in camp tonight, we ware mustered in to Service to day for 12 months and to night received orders to cook three days provision and be ready to take the cares (cars) in the morning at 6 oclock. It is teligraphed that Charleston is on fire. I esespeced to have come home when Capt Blakly came Back But no chance now. I do not know when I will come whether Ever or not as it is thought that this regement will be in a fight very soon. But we don’t (k)now. Nancy I have Ben trying to night to make a will. It is the Hardest thing that I Ever undertook to do in my life. But I thought it would be better for you and the children. I do not know how to make a will for the Best But I have done the Best I could under the cercumstances. We are all flustrated preparing to Go down in the morning. No sleep to night By the most of us. I will send this Letter and the Will by W(?) Morgan and you must Send me word how you Like it. I have appointed you and Washington Esceutors. You wanted to know what to do with the Hogs. I don’t know which would be the Best to sell it at 25 cts in Bacon or 15 cts net. Ask Ethel Holtzclaw and WB Crowder what would Be Best . don’t kill it until you have a cold time to save it. If you could Git 15 cts Groce it would be Best. But I do not (k)now how to advize you. Get council from Ethel. You can Let Mr. Ellis have one the same way you sell the rest. If you conclude to salt the meat tell WB Crowder or Ethel or A Tyler to Get you a sack of salt. Pork is worth 32 cts here. You can have all the wheat Ground up. Send it to Lewis when his Waggon passes. I was sorry to hear of Edg death. I herd it Before your Letter cins James Tyler Received a letter stating the death of Edg. I was sorry to Here of ____fortune. I was to Durham Last Sunday and met with Y___ Thompson and Eliza _____, Mary Durham lost her child it was about 8 months Gone. She had liked to died. She had 60 fits but is better. I want you to write to me often for we may not have the chance to write Long till it is over. Tyler and all of them________________and that I have _____________interest in ___________ so nothing more at present. I will write again as soon as we git down. WB Green until death Dec 12, 1861 Captain Blakely - Captain James F. Blakely - first Captain of F Company of the 16th South Carolina. W.B. Crowder - father of Balis Crowder - Company F, Sixteeth South Carolina. Nancy - Nancy Green - wife of W.B. Green. Washington - Washington Taylor - brother of Nancy Taylor Green. Mr. Ellis Ethel - Ethel Holtzclaw - father of Captain George Holtzclaw, Company F, Sixteenth S.C.; Captain Thomas Holtzclaw, Company H, P.B.L.A.; and J. Frank Holtzclaw, Private, Company F, Sixteenth S.C. A leader in the movement to leave the union and the community of Brushy Creek, South Carolina. Tyler - Taylor - Nancy Taylor Green's family - A. Tyler - Alfred Taylor W. Morgan - could refer to one of two men - probably W.P. Morgan - Lieutenant, Company I, P.B.L.A., who also served as a Private in Company H, Sixteenth S.C. There is a also the W.F. Morgan of Company H, Sixteeth, who may in fact be a copy error for W.P. Morgan. Mary Durham - See Dr.Dr. Isaiah Davis Durham and Dr. Asbury K. Durham - I. D. Durham's wife was the niece of WB Green, Mary Anne Smith. |
|
3
Greenville S C Jan the 12 1862 Dear Husband In answer to your leters I seat myself to knight to inform you that I reseived one Monday evening Wenesday evening fryday evening. the reson I did not answer them was that when Mr. Fosters Jess came up he said that you was much better and that you would be up in a few days and I thought before a letter would reach you that you would leave Carleston but since I reseived your last letter I found out that you was not so well as I thought you was if you was only able to sit up and write that you was not able to come home since that time. WB Crowder sat last thursday to Start from that to Monday from that till P Gilreath Starts and he is got the mumps and I do not know when he will be well enough to Start. I will write to you not knowing whether you will reseive it or not before you leave Charleston. I wrote you a leter last Sunday but it did not have the chance to Start till tuesday. I directed it to Elfords redgement Capt. Blakely. Brother Vauchn has the measels and has been very sick but is broke out and is better. I heard from him this evening. Jes has not got the mesels and I under stand he is a going back to morrow. Susan Sammonses baby died last night and was to be here at Farthers this evening. Mother was down to day to hear from you. She seems to be very desireous about you. She Sends her love and best respects to you. Wilson and Alfred and all of them are very ancious to hear from you and to hear that you are beter. Washington was hear yesterday, he says he is a going to write to you. Amandy Moon(?) has no school yet. Lewis Green Sent for her last Thursday evening and she went down there last fryday. Jane was very sick with the ____fever. They did not know whether she would live or not. I have not heard from _____ and they have not got back yet. I heard today that ____ Brown started down last Friday. when he was hear he said he was a going with __B Crowder or I would have sent a leter by him. Mr. Fosters Jess - W.B. Crowder – Baylis J. Crowder, Company F, Sixteenth is a close friend a relative of the Wm. Green. W.B. is his father. P. Gilreath – P.D. Gilreath, Second Captain of F Company of the Sixteenth Eilford’s Regiment – Greenville Regiment or the Sixteenth South Carolina. Elford was the first Colonel of the Sixteenth. Elford later command the Third States Troops as a regimental commander as well. Captain James F. Blakely – First Captain of F Company, Sixteenth South Carolina Brother Vaughn – Members of Brushy Creek Baptist are often referred to as Brother or Sister. This is probably Ludwell Vaughn. In the History of Roper Mt. Baptist Church it says that Rev. Ludwell Vaughn and William Green came over and assisted in the start up of the church, which was founded by Willis Taylor and several members of his wife Susan Watson's family Susan Sammons - Susan Sammons is Susan Gibson Taylor Sammons – Wife of Zion Taylor and Dudley Sammons. The mother of Willis, WP and Harvey Taylor. She stayed close to the Taylor family even after Zion Taylor died and she remarried Dudley Sammons. There is no recorded pregnancy at this time for Susan. Amandy Moon - probably Amanda Moore - Sister Amanda, Wm. B. Green sister, Amanda Green Moore. Lewis Green - Brother of William Green Jane Wilson – Wilson B. Crowder Alfred – Alfred Taylor brother of Washington and Nancy. Washington Taylor – Washington Taylor was the brother of Nancy and Alfred, he was apparently the brother closest to Nancy. The patriarch of the Taylor family was Thomas Taylor, father of Washington, who according to the published works of Laura Smith Ebaugh,was one of eight Commissioners appointed by the state to locate the county seat of Greenville County. They chose the site of the Reedy River. |
|
4
Camp Goldsmith Dec 9 1862 Dear Wife I received your letters one dated the 4 and the other dated the 6th and was glad to here from you But was Sory to here that the children was Sick. But I hope they are better by this time. I hope you will attend to them close and doctor them in time as it Greaves me till yet that we did not attend closer to Little Amanda. But you must do the Best you can for I cant assist or give you any council. My mind is constantly Emploid. We are under Strict orders being near the Enemy and do not Know when we may be attacted. We are camp 1 mile from the Pocataliga ____. We have moved 5 times Since we came to camp. It is hard in this country to get a peace of ground high enoughf to camp as the ground is Swampy and Low. We have just completed a new camp ground today where I think we will remain Some time. You Stated that you have killed two Beeves and was going to kill Charley. I was Sory to here that you was going to kill Charley but I reckon it is Best as corn will be very high this yeare and I am afraid you will not have enoughf to do. You tell Gust he must be Saving with the corn and feed the Hogs on meal as I think they will fatten faster and I think you had Better kill them as fast as they will do to kill and not let them Eate up the corn…….. …tell Lewis Green that he must give you ten cents for Stable fed Beeves 8 cents is too low. Write to me which ones you have let him have and how many you are still feeding and what WB Crowder has done with the rest of the Beeves, what he is going to do with the large Steers and what you have done with the kids(?) what kids are worth and what Charley weighed. If you have killed Pete. You must not feed many Beeves. You will have to buy corn at a high price. Tell Gust to take good care of the things and I will pay him well when I come home if I ever get to come. He had better pin down the crib for fear the corn may be Stolen as I hear of Stealing up thare and I think thare will be a good Eale of Stealing this winter. We have very Little news in camp. We are regarly Engaged in the duty of camp and know but little else that are going on. I want you to Save me Some Butter if you can and pork and Light Bread and Busquits and pies and Some fruit. I Exspect Lieut Beacham will be up in a short time after the rest of the men and you can send me Some things By him. I will write to you agane. You need not make my close yet. I don’t know what I will do yet. thare is no Such Good Luck as the regiment coming home as Mr. Ellis supposes and I am afraid he will be dealt with for Leaving without Leave. He did very wrong a soldier dos not belong to himself when he goes in to camp. I think he Had better report back to camp than for them to Send after him. But he thinks he knows best and would not take council Camp Goldsmith - is not cited in the musters and rosters list of the Sixteenth. Green departed the Sixteenth in June of 1862. This is during the call up of the State Troops in December of 1862, where Green is serving as a company commander. Just prior to the move to Wilmington by the Sixteenth, Green and his old company of the 16th are passing in the night. The Sixteenth is recorded as having left for N.C. on December 15, 1862. Green's new unit, Company E, Third State Troops, June-1862 to January-1863, is in camp at or near Pocotaligo. There is probably a direct relationship between the move of the Sixteenth and the call up of the State Troops. For more information about this unit, see the rosters linked above, Elford to the Public, and Benson's letter, "it is right funny to sea these old men." All of these relate direct to the Reserve Unit Green is a member of. Little Amanda - one of Wm. Green's children. Pocotaligo - Pocotaligo, South Carolina - A vital point on the Charleston Savannah Railroad. Following the defeat of Union forces at Secessionville in June, the Federals continued to probe the Confederates, in an attempt to cut this vital link between Savannah and Charleston. Lewis Green - Brother of Wm. Green W.B. Crowder - Wilson B. Crowder - William's brother in law, married to Nancy's sister Mary Polly, and the father of Baylis Crowder Lt. Beacham - Wm. A Beacham - Company K, 16th South Carolina - Beacham would serve with Wm. Green as his Captain in Company E of the Third South Carolina State Troops from June of 1862 to January of 1863. Mr. Ellis - |
|
5
Dear Father it was your request for me to write you a small letter. I will now seat my self to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well at this time and I hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. I am very sorry that we are parted so far apart. I want to see you very bad you must come home as soon as you can. Little John is well and playing about in the yard every day. Please send me a piece of Palmetto if it is convenient. Truly Yours Emma V Green |
|
6
South Carolina-Greenville District Dear Husband I drop you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at present and hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. You wanted to know how I am satisfied I am as well satisfied as I espected. Me and the children want to see you very much. We have Sorwed that way. I have not killed the hogs yet. I did not get the Salt until last Saturday. I espect to kill the hogs just before Christmas. Nothing more at present but remain your afectionate friend. I would like to know if you got any thing from Brother Durham. Written the 10 of December Edy Martin |
|
Click for more information about Company B, Twenty-second, particularly at the Crater |
| Name | Rank | Additional Info - Click Link Above if needed | Death if during war and known | Allen, John | . | . | Allen, John D-7/30/64 The Crater |
Ashmore, John S. | . | . | . | Atkins, M. Jackson * | . | . | Atkins, M. Jackson D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Atkins, John P. | . | . | Atkins, John Perry D-3-2-65 |
Atkins, M.L. | . | . | . | Atkins, R.D. * | . | . | Atkins, R.D. D-10-31-62 |
Atkins, R.J. | . | . | . | Atkins, W.M. | . | . | . | Atkins, Will | . | . | . | Ballenger, A.R. | . | . | . | Ballenger, Alberry | Sgt. | . | . | Ballenger, Delingham | Second Lt. | (Link to Info/Bio/Photo)(K) | . | Ballenger, Peyton | First Lt. | . | . | Barker, I. | . | Letter 27 (Barker Family) | Barker, Isham D- 5-3-62 |
Barker, Joseph A. | . | . | . | Barker, Josiah A. * | . | . | Barker, Josiah A. D-7/30/64 The Crater |
Barker, Thomas | . | . | . | Barker, William T. | . | . | . | Barker, W. Thomas* | . | . | Barker, W. Thomas D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Barnett, Josiah | . | . | Barnett, Josiah D-4-20-62 |
Barnett, William | . | . | . | Bennett, B. | . | . | Bennett, Berryman D-5-27-62 |
Bennett, West | . | . | Bennett, West D-5-26-62 |
Benson, W.A. | Captain | (Link to Bio/Photo/Roster)(K) | Benson, W. Alexander D-6-18-64 |
Bershears, L.S. | . | . | Bershears, L.S. D-3-21-62 |
Bishop, Joel | . | . | . | Bishop, Milton | . | . | . | Bomar, George W. | . | . | Bomar, George W. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Bomar, John W. | . | . | Bomar, J. W. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Bomar, Thomas | . | . | Bomar, E. Thomas D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Brown, Albert | . | Letter 27 (Brown Family) | Brown, Albert D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Brown, Burrel | . | . | Brown, Burrell D-Unknown |
Brown, D.R. | . | . | Brown, D.R. D-6-16-62 |
Brown, Hiram | . | . | . | Brown, James | . | . | Brown, James D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Brown, James* | . | . | Brown, James D-9-14-62 |
Brown, John H. | Sgt. | . | . | Brown, Joseph | . | . | . | Burns, B. Clenny | . | . | Burns, B.C. D-Unknown |
Campbell, Terry | . | . | . | Campbell, W.T. | . | . | Campbell, W.T. D-9-4-62 |
Cannon, Jesse W. | . | . | . | Carney, Ely | . | Letter 16 | Carney, E. D-9-21-64 |
Clayton Jasper | . | . | Clayton, Jasper D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Clayton, J.N. | . | (Link to Info) | Clayton, Joseph D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Clayton, John G. | . | (Link to Info) | . | Collins, Lazarus S. | . | . | Collins, Lazarus D-Unknown |
Collins, Lorenzo D. | . | . | Collins, Lorenzo D-Wounds Crater The Crater |
Cooper, Franklin P. | Sgt. | . | Cooper P.F. D-Unknown |
Coronwell, James | . | . | . | Cunningham, R.C. | . | . | Cunningham, R.C. D-11-3-63 |
Darby, David | . | . | Darby, David D-9-14-62 |
Darby, James | . | . | Darby James W. D-8-23-62 |
Darby, John C. | . | . | Darby, John C. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Darby, Stephen T. | . | . | . | Davis, H.L. | . | . | . | Dobson, Andrew B. | . | . | Dobson, Andrew B D-Unknown |
Dobson, W.R. | . | . | Dobson, W.R. D-5-3-62 |
Duncan, Judge | . | Letter 27 | Duncan, Judge D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Duncan, Reeves J. | Cpl | Letter 9 & 10 (Duncan Boys) | Duncan, R.J. D-Unknown |
Duncan, George W. | . | Letter 27 (Duncan Family) | . | Duncan, J.M. | . | . | . | Duncan, James A. | . | Letter 27 | Duncan, James D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Duncan, Joel | . | . | Duncan, Joel D. 7-30-64 The Crater |
Duncan, W.W.* | . | . | Duncan, W.W. D-6-25-62 |
Duncan, Wiley J. | . | . | Duncan, W.J. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Evans, Daniel | . | . | Evans, Daniel D-6-23-62 |
Evans, Moses | . | . | Evans, Moses D 7-30-64 The Crater |
Flemming, Robert G. | Captain | (Link to Info, Roster) | . | Floyd, Pinkney | . | . | . | Ford, William | . | Letter 27 (Ford Family) | Ford, William D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Foster, A.J. | Captain | . | . | Green, J. Alex | . | Letter 27 (Green Family) | Green, J. Alexander D-5-21-65 Prison-E-New York |
Green, J.E. | . | . | Green, J.E D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Green, James | . | Letter 27 | Green, James D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Green, William B. | Cpl. | . | . | Harbin, R.D.A. | . | . | . | Haskins, Miles* | . | . | Haskins, Miles D-3-3-63 |
Haskins, William S. | . | . | . | Hasting, R.V. | Second Lt. | (Link to Roster)(K) | Hasting, R.N. D-8-10-63 Lt. |
Haynes, J.H. | . | . | . | Henson, M.A. | . | . | . | Hix, Jordan | . | . | . | Hopkins, J.H. | . | . | Hopkins, J.H. D-6-24-65 |
Hoskins, Miles | . | . | . | Hoskins, Z.J. | . | . | . | Howe, Nathaniel S. | . | . | Howe, Nathaniel L. D-11-23-64 |
Hutchings, Samuel B. | Sgt. | Letter 9, Letter 28, Letter 29, Letter 30 | . | Hutson (Hudson), Landy M. | Cpl. | Letter 16, Letter 27 (Hudson Family) | Hudson, L.M. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Jackson, H.Bailus | . | Letter 18 | . | Keller, John | . | Letter 27 (Bee Keller) (Link to Info) | Keller, John D-8-23-62 |
Keller, Thomas W. | . | . | Keller, Thomas W. D-5-12-65 Point Lookout |
Keller, Y. Alex, Cpl. | Cpl. | . | Keller, Y.A D-4-13-65 Point Lookout |
Kimbrel, Robert W. | . | . | . | Kindrick, John | . | Letter 27 (Kendrick Family) | Kendrick, John D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Lake, George B. | First Lt. | Letter 27 (Link to Info/Bio/Photo) | . | Lake, William, | Second Lt. | (Link to Info/Bio/Photo) | . | Lee, J. Miles | . | . | . | Lee, Ransom | . | (Link to Info) | Lee, Ransom D-Unknown |
Leister, A. | . | Letter 27 (Lester Family) | . | Leister, Austin H. | . | . | . | Leister, E.C. | . | . | Lister, E.C. D-3-6-62 |
Leister, Jefferson | Cpl. | . | Leister, Jefferson D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Lister, Adam | . | . | . | Lister, Alexander S. | . | . | Lister, A.S. D-10-27-62 |
Lister, James* | . | . | Lister, James A. D-12-1-62 |
Mason, Benjamin F. | . | . | Mason, B.F. D-7-3-62 |
Mason, Gipson W. | . | . | Mason, G.W. D 7-30-64 The Crater |
Mason, J. Ross | Sgt. | (Link to Info)(K) | Mason, J. Ross D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Mason, J.P. | . | . | Mason, J.P. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Mason, T.N. | . | . | Mason, T.M. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Mason, Thomas | . | . | . | Mayfield, I.J. | Cpl. | (Link to Info)(K) | Mayfield, I.J. D-Unknown |
Mcalister, M* | . | . | McAlister, M. D-3-3-65 |
McAllister, K. | . | . | . | McCue, H.W.* | . | . | McCue, H.W. D-Unknown |
McCue, James M., Cpl. | Cpl. | (Link to Info)(K) | McCue, J.M. D-Unknown Sgt. |
McCue, James* | . | . | McCue, James D-Unknown Pvt. |
McCue, M.A.* | . | . | McCue, M.A. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
McCue, Thomas A. | . | . | . | McElrath, Marion | . | . | . | McElrath, W.A. | . | . | . | McHugh, H. Wood | . | Letter 16 (Wood McCue) | . | McHugh, Manning A. | . | . | . | McHugh, Thomas | . | . | . | McMakin, Peter | . | . | . | Moore, Wilson | Cpl. | Letter 27, Letter 28 (Link to Bio/Photo) G.W. Moore Letter 30, Letter 34 | . | Moran, J. Samuel | First Sgt. | . | . | Owen, G.H. | . | . | . | Owens Richard | . | Letter 27 (Owens Family) | Owens, Richard D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Owens, Harrison | . | Letter 27 (Owens Family) | Owens, Harris D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Owens, James H. | . | . | . | Phillips, G. Marion | . | . | Phillips, Marion D-6-30-62 |
Pollard, John | . | . | . | Pollard, William A. | . | Letter 29 Mr. Pollard, Letter 16 | . | Prewet B.C. | . | . | . | Prewet, A. | . | . | . | Prewet, Marcus | . | . | Prewitt, Marcus D-9-8-62 |
Prewett, Jesse | . | . | Prewitt, J D-Unknown |
Rees Zopha S. | . | . | . | Rees, Robert M. | Sgt. | Letter 27 (Reece Family) (Link to Info)(K) | Reese, R.M. D-11-14-64 P-N.C. |
Reese, E.S.* | . | . | Reese, E.S. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Richards, John | . | Letter 27 (Richards Family) | Richards, John M. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Richards, Levi | . | . | Richards, Levi D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Riddle, Berryman | . | Letter 27 (Riddle Family) | Riddle, Benjamin D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Smith, C. | . | . | . | Smith, J.R. | . | . | . | Smith, J.W.* | . | . | Smith, J.W. D-10-16-62 |
Smith, Joseph | . | . | . | Vaughan, B. Kelly | Sgt. | . | . | Wheeler, David B. | . | . | . | Wheeler, J. S. | First Lt. | . | Wheeler, J. Smiley D-7-10-63 |
Wheeler, James A. | Sgt. | . | Wheeler, J.A. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Wheeler, John | Captain | . | . | Wilson, Jasper | Sgt. | . | Wilson, J.N. D-11-11-63 |
Wilson, Manning A. | . | . | Wilson, M.A.W. D-Petersburg |
Wood, Benjamin P. | . | . | Wood, Benjamin - 22/D D-7-30-64 The Crater |
Wood, Robert C. | . | . | Wood, Robert C. D-7-30-64 The Crater |
* Kirkland Only | . | . | . |
|---|
|
7
Greenville Distr S. C. Feb 28th 1864 This is to certify that WB Green Co. B 22nd Regt SCV whose fur -lough expires this day is confined to the house with Sickness and is not able to travel. I further declare my belief that he will not be able to travel before next Thursday (March 3rd) it is recommended that he have an extension of furlough to that time and that he then be furnished with transportation to go to his command. H(?) W. Green, MD |
|
8
Sullivans Island April 4, 1864 My Dear Wife I take my Seat this evening to wright you a few lines which Leave me well hoping they may find you all well. I have just receivd your Letter dated the 30 of March which has reached me in 4 days after it was written. I was very glad to here from you and that you was all well for that is a great blessing. I have receivd 4 letters from you in all one dated March 20 one the 24 one the 28 one the 30. I have nothing of interest to write. It is raining this evening and we are all Shut up in our Little Houses But those who are on gard. I came off of picket Last night. We have to go on picket evry other night walk 3 miles and Be Stationed on the Edge of the ocean about two Hundred yards apart. We have to walk the post 3 hours at a time. I don’t know how the Boys has stood it through the winter for it is very cold now. Thare is always a strong wind off of the ocean and it is very pearsing and we are not allowed to have a spark of fire. The Boys Say they had to run all night some nights to keep from freezing. The groun is as level as my yard at home and the Ebs and flowes and our only chance to Ly down is to Spread our Blanket down on the weat ground and very often we have to move our Bed to keep the warter from runing under us as the tide Ebs and flows and we have to walk on the weat ground. We have to watch and if the yanks goes to land we have to Shoot in to those Boats and give the alarm. If they ware to Land I don’t see how we could escape. We would have to Stand and Shoot until the rest of the Regment come to our Releaf. We can see the Shells flying Some nights all night. They Shell the fort and the city all night Last night. I don’t (k)now how to advise you in Buisnef. But they ought not plant corn when the ground is two weat. if the Bottoms keeps two weat Let them plant the up Land first. When the ground is two wet tell them to hawle wood and fence and they wont have to Stop When the ground gets dry to hall wood and put in manure in the Sugar Corn ground. If any of the yearlings is gitting weak don’t Let them go on the River. Give them a Little Brand and have the Stock Salted once and awhile. I don’t think if my patition was accepted this I would have to furnish it until fall and I could make Some Shift. I think to rais it and get the amount. I did not agree to furnish all meat. It was meat or the amount in grain. But I don’t know what they may put down the amount at. I have written to Esquire Stocks(Stokes?) too Let me know when the patition comes Back. It may be two or 3 months if it comes at all. I tried to make the swap to Holtzclaws company but the Big offices would not sign it. But I think I will make another effort for there is not much chance for a man up the contry to be favoured as we have some Low Cuntry officers and they will always work for thare friends. Tell Gust to See that nothing don’t destroy the wheat at Shockley Mill House and not to let the pigs run on the wheat at the house as it will injure the wheat and kill the pigs. I am afraid that the Soldiers will come along and take your corn. If they should take it make them give you a receit for the corn and foder that they take. But you had Better hide it for they will be pasing all the time. I have just returned from prayre meeting. We keep up a regular prayre meeting every night in our Company. Your Husband WB Green Squire Stokes - Holtzclaw's Company - Green most certainly means Thomas Holtzclaw's Company of the P.B.L.A., not his old company of the 16th which is Brother George Holtzclaw's Company |
|
9
April 5, 1864 I take my Seat agane this morning to write you a few Lines to let you know that I am well. We had a very Blustry night Last night. If you see any chance you might send me something to eat though I have enough yet my flour will give out before my meat. I want you to send my wool hat if you can for this hat has brok and wont last much longer and I can’t keep it on my head the wind Blowes. So SB wife is talking about coming down with Lovey(?) Fowler about the 24 April If you could find out any way when they come if they do come you could send a small Box by them or something in thare box. Tell Mr. Ellis that the Duncan Boys is all well and that thare is a letter at Chicks Springs for him. Tell him to Stay at Home as Long as he can and to write to me and give me all the newes. What has Became of Hembre Green if he has gone to Virginia. We have a very Sivel Company if the people at home would quit there parties and pray moore I think we would have Beter times. W.B. Green Lovey Fowler - Mr. Ellis - The Duncan Boys - There are eight Duncan boys in Company B of the Twenty-second. Five of them will die at the Crater, a sixth would die during the war. Chick Springs - a post office and resort of some note, located near the Brushy Creek Community. Hembre Green - Green's death is cited in a later letter from Nancy. |
|
10
April 9 1864 (Sullivans Island) Dear Wife Saturday morning. I will finish my lettter this morning. I have just returned from picket and it is raining hard and we all got wet. I am tolerable well Except a Sore throught. It don’t look Like it is possiable to keep well the way we are Exposed. My Blanket is a great friend to me but when I get them wet it is all I can do to tote them. We have to go 3 miles on picket. I see in the papers that they are calling for the Negras to work on the coast. Don’t let Henry go if you can help it. If you are oblige to send try to join with someone and pay them. I don’t see how we can spare the hands at this time. Tell Mr. Ellis that the Duncan Boys are all well and want to here from him. They hant had a letter Since I come to camp. Don’t let the cattle run on the wheat when the ground is wet. Mr. Ellis cattle is on the wheat and ought to come off. I am now Backing your Letters Mrs. WB Green . I For__ as there is another WB Green. Nothing moore at this time. But ask the Blessing of God upon you all. Tell Pinckny to see to his oxeans and colt and if the grafs is up enoughf they can turn them in Sany(?) field pasture. Your afectionate Husband until death WB Green Pickney - Son of Wm. B. Greene Mr. Ellis - The Duncan Boys - members of the 22nd South Carolina, there were eight of them, six would die during the war, five would be killed at The Crater. |
|
11
April 13 1864 Sullivans Island Dear Wife I now take my pen in hand to addrefs you a few lines which leaves me well hoping they may find you and the Little children well. I have been Looking very ansiously for a Letter to day but when the mail came thare was nary one for me and I turned away with a sad heart And commenced writing this Letter. Thare is nothing new in Camp the same roteen of dutys to perform daily. It may interest you to know that We are caring (carrying) on a meeting Every day at 11 o clock and at night. Perry Hawkins is with us. Thare seems to be a good feeling in the meeting. I think if the people at Home was was as anxious for peace and for this war to Stop that God would certanly give us peace. But I am afraid that it will take Some time to Bring down the pride that is in the world and I think it is the intention of God to Humble his people Before he remooved this calamity from us. We can here all Sorts of rumors about the Cavalry up the cuntry how they are acting. Stealing horses and Leaving thare old Broken down horses and taking a good one. If you heare of them coming By my House you had Better have the Boys to take them Horses and Mules off out of the way untill they pafs for they will get wors and wors taking Horses and Mules. Thare is all sorts of rumors about us Leaving here But we can’t tell when we will Leave for we woant know it until we Start. But I don’t think that we will leave Before the first of May. But cant tell anything a Bout it. I am all most getting out of Heart about my patition and Began to think it will proberly never return But Be Laid By for I have herd nothing from it But what Mr. Martin and yourself wrote. I have writen to Squire Stocks(?) about it But have got no answer yet. I tride to get to Holtzclaws Company But the Big officers rejected the papers and I think it a bad chance to get there. I am nearly out of flour and Rye But don’t know of no chance that you will have to Send me any. I want you to Send my Hat wool hat by Mrs Hips if She comes down. She can put in her Bosk. The one I have is all most wore out. Lying on it of a night on picket has Broke it and I cant Buy one without giving 40 dollars. Mayby She will Bring some Rye and Butter. I want you to write me how the cowes and calf and Sheep and hogs are getting along for my mind often runs Back to things at Home and I can See things in my immagination and See my fields but cant Be thare to Look at them. (Unsigned) WB Green Squire Stokes - Mrs. Hips - Mr. Martin |
|
12
Wilmington NC April 19 1864 Dear Wife I again take my Seat tonight to drop you a few lines to let you know that we are now preparing to go in the morning to Weldon NC about 180 miles from here. We have only been here a day and part of two nights and have to Start agane. Weldon is about 500 hundred miles from Greenville. It will take us two days and a night to get thare if we have no Bad luck. It is now about midnight. We are all up washing and drying clothes and cook us Something to take with us and writing Letters to Loved ones at Home which we can never forget as long as we are permitted to Live and have our mind. Nobody knows the anksity And trials of the Soldiers mind. Just as we were anticipating Staying here for Sometime we are ordered to Start. I have just written you a letter this morning But Receiving orders to night to go to Weldon I agane write to you to Let you know whare we are orderd to when you can direct your Letters to Wilmington and they will follow the Regt on. I will write agane when we Stop. I am not feeling very well to night. I have Been feeling chills and have a sort of headache tonight. If I should get sick I want you to Send after me if I Should write to you to that affect. They are Looking for a big fight between here and Richmond and at Richmond. WB Green |
|
13
Rinston N.C. April 24 1864 Dear Wife I am now seated about ¼ of a mile from the camp in the woods by the side of a large fine Log to addrefs you a few lines which Leaves me well hoping they may Reach you Safely and find you and the children enjoying the same Blessings of God. I started a Letter to you Friday the 22. We then campt at Weldon NC. We did not stay thare but 3 days until we were ordered Back about 90 miles to Kinston…… ……………..I don’t know how long we will remain here not many days. They are Exspecting fighting some whare neare here Soon if the Yankes don’t attack us. It is thought that Bougard will attact them. The Yankies hold____, a town about 25 miles from here and it is Believed that it is the intention of Bougard to try to take ___ back from them. If he dos undertake it there will be a many of us that will find our Grave for it is a strongly fortified place. Thare is no doubt But what they are Looking for heavy fighting Somewhare neare here Soon they are gathering a good many troops to this place. Our men took a town Last week by the name of Plymoth and about 2500 hundred prisoners they say. ………….. Rinston is about 400 hundred miles from Greenville. It is a right pretty little place…I would like to stay here very well but they don’t intend to Let us Stay long in one place. We will have to go whare ever they think the most fighting is to do. Every thing has the appearance that thare will Be moore hard fighting this Summer than Ever has ben. I don’t see no apperance of peace. Bothe parties appear determined to carry on the war to the Last _____. I heare that all the men from 45 to 50 and Boys from 17 to 18 are ordered out. Dear wife I feel Lowdown in Spirits this Evening. I have not Receved a Letter from you Since I Left Charleston. The last letter was dated the 11 of April But I feel confident that you have wrote to me Before this time. But we keep moving from place to place….. Direct your next letter to _______ 22 Regt Company B SC____Brigade. The Brigade is Nearly togeather and it is known as _______SC but direct them in this way and they will follow us whare ever we go. Write often as it will take a Letter some time to reach me. Nancy pen can not describe the anxiety and thoughts that roll through my mind hourly and daily to think of Being So far away from Loved ones at home under such Sircumstances that make it Extremely doutful if Ever we will meet agane. Some times the Burden is almost more that than I can Beare. I often retire to the Silent grove and thare unBusom my complaint Before God and ask him to help me to Beare up under all my trials and to take care of you and the Little children and to Spare ____. I close by asking you if I should get sick Bad or wounded to send for me For when a man got so he can not do his Duty he ain’t cared much for. Give my Love to your Father and Mother and all inquiring friends. Your Husband WB Green |
|
14 Tuesday Morning May 3 1864 Dear Wife as I Received your letter last night about a 11 oclock and as we did not get off as Soon as I escspected I will write you a few lines. We are now loading the wagon to Start. Tell the Boys to take some ground to plant Sugar Corn. Your Letter was dated the 24 April. I am sorry to hear that Ausin Hammett was dead. Your Husband WB Green Direct your Letter to Rinston N C 22 Regt Company B (?) Austin Hammett - |
|
15 Rinston NC May 13 1864 Dear Wife I now take this opportunity of addresing a few lines to you informing you that I am through the mercies of God well hoping this may reach you Safe and find you and the children well and enjoying the Blessings of This Life as well as you can. I have nothing of importance to communicate to you. They have been fighting in Virginia But we cant get no news from thare. The have Either Stop all communication or the yankes has cut the Railroad Between here and Richmond. It is reported that the yankes has Burnt Some of the Railroad between here and Petersburg but our men has driven them Back from all the apperances. It Seems Like the Big fight will come off Soon in Virginia. Almost all the troops has Ben sent from here to Virginia but our Brigade and it is Scatered along the Railroad to Gard the road and the circumstances Look favourable that we will remain here for a while. We may Be started at anytime, if the yankes finds out that we have got So few troops here they may make a raid from Newborn(?) on the railroad and we will have to Meet them. We had a fine rain yesterday and it was very much needed for it was getting very dry and dusty. Everything Look flourishing(?) and growing this morning and Makes me think of home and my farm and wonder how Long we will have to drag out Life in this way how Long it will Be Before this people will be sufficiently humble to turn thare hearts Back to God and ask him to give them peace above Every thing Else for when we consider how Short this Life is at Best and then to think of having to Spend it in this way. It is hard if it is right But we ought to receive Every trial and blessing and try to Bear it as patiantly as we can. Remembering that God don’t See as we See and that if we are his people he has promised to work all things togeather for good and that he Look not at our temperal interest But our Eternal interest and that he takes away our temperal Blessings that he may confer a greater Blessing. I feel Thankful to him for the preservation of my Life this far and feel that he is the only one that I have to Look to for comfort. (Unsigned) |
|
16
May 23 1864 Camp______ Petersburg Virgina Dear Wife I now take this opportunity of dropping you a few Lines to let you hear from me. This Leaves me as well as common hoping it may Reach you Safe and find you and My Dear Little children well. I Started a short Letter to you yesterday But did not have the chance to write Much. It is impossible for me to Describe what I have Seen and pafs through Since I com to Virginia. We are now campt about 8 milles from Petersburg about 12 miles from Richmond. We was Brought(?) here Thursday night. Friday Morning our Men commenced firing on the Enemy and the fight went on all day . Our men drove them Back until evening when It Seemed like the Yankes _____________________(line missing ?) was moving(?) our forces Back. Our Regiment was then ordered up. We went about a half mile in to the thick woods and there was such a continual firing that we could not tell which our men was for the hole woods was full of Yankes and our men and the woods was very thick. we could not see a man more than 20 yards. General Walker who is in command of our Brigade road up and told us to charge right through the thick woods. We had not went far Before we run Right up to where the Yankes had consealed themselves Behind there intrenchments and they poured a tremendious fire in to our Ranks and we returned the fire. We were then ordered to Lye down and I never heard the Like. The Balls fell thick as hail all around me wounding Corporal Hudson on one side of me and Eli(?) Carney on the other side of me. But in the mids of all I thought about them and ask them if they was hurt Bad and raised up Hudsons head to see if he was dead. But there wounds proved to be slight. But the fire Was so heavy that we had to fall Back and Leave our dead and wounded on the field. We fell Back about 1 hundred yards and formed Line of Batle and the firing Seaced at that place and Some of us went Back to Look after the wounded Men and I went about 50 yds further than the Rest and Staid Longer Looking for them and the Yankes fired 3 Gunes(?) at me I supose and I Left that place in a double quick and My own men Saw me runing to get back to them and took Me to Be a Yanke as one Man was taking aim at me and Some of the Men told him that I was down in the woods and he did not fire and thus through the Mercies of God I am Spared to see the 23rd day of May. But do not know that I will See the Sun Set for the firing has commenced on our Right This Morning and the Yankes has Been Beating thare drumms all the Morning and it is thought that the fight Will Soon commence. Our Lines is about 3 Miles Long. We have Been hard at work Entrenching our Selves and we have to Lay in the Entrenchments night and day. The Yankes Breast Works is about(4 or 11) hundred yards from ours and we can See them all the time at Work. Wood MCCue Killed dead on the field. Mr. Pollard Shot through the _____ ______Shot through__________ had 1 killed and 1 wounded(page torn last 3 lines) I wont undertake to describe to you the awful Specticle that I witnefsed. Some Men Shot through the head the Brains droping out. Some Men in the face Some with there Tongs Shot off and in Every Way that you could think. Some Lay upon the field until Sunday Evening from Friday Morning. The firing has Seased on the Right. Everything is still at this time. But Cant Remain so long. The two Army are two neare together to remain Long inactive. Monday Evening. All quiete today up to this time. The Yankes has Just Sent in a flag of truce to get Some of There dead. The Yankes attacted us Saturday night fired tremendious on us for awhile But was driven Back. We was in the Breast Works and not Many of our Men got hurt. Bowth Armys is strongly Entrenched and if we attemt to take thare Breast Works we will Get a power of Men Killed. We(?) have them in the fork of two Rivers and they will have to fight or Leave the Place in thare green Boats. General Walker got Shot and took prisoner when he charged us upon the Yankes he is in the hand of the (torn page) on legs cut off and shot. WB Green Cpl. Hudson - member of Green's Company, he would die at The Crater. Eli Carney - member of Green's Company, he would die in September. Wood McCue - Wood McHugh or H.W. McCue - both members of Green's Company Mr. Pollard - |
|
17
Camp near Petersburg Va May 30 1864 Dear Nancy I agane take my Seat to Let you heare from me. I am well Escept a bad coal caught By having to Lay on the weat ground in the ditches So much. I hope this may reach you Safe and find you well and Enjoying the Blessings of this Life the Best you can. This is Monday morning and cold. The nights is cold out here. I have nothing new to write to you. We are Still in the Same place behind the Entrenchments and the Yankes Behind thare Breast Works. Grant and Lee is moving close to geather on the other Side of Richmond and the Big fight is daily Exspected to come off. Thare is the greatest number of troops that has Ever Ben gathered to geather Since the war commenced and it Looks Like that this Battle will certainly end the war. But how many will Live to see it I cant tell. If the two armys get in a general Engagement thare will Be the greatest Slaughter that has Ever Ben on this continent. We will I Exspect if we don’t fight here Be Sent to Lee to Reinforce him or the two armys may Moove down this way and the Big fight May come off Some whare near here. Our Line of Entrenchment at this place is about 6 1/2 or 7 miles long and we are constantly working on it and don’t know when the two army may come to geather. The Enemy can Shell Some part of our Work from thare gun Boats. Some think Grant will prove two hard for Lee and Some think not or that Some compromise Might Be a greed upon and thus Save Such a Saccrafise of Human Life. I think if Ever thare was a time when Every one should Be Engaged in prayre to God it is now that this great calamity Might be remooved and that peace Might once Moore rain. Give my Respects to GW Martin and tell him that I often think about him and to write to me and give Me all the newes. I Received a Letter from you yesterday and it Revived me up considerably for yesterday Sunday was a Long and Lonesome day to Me. We are confined close to the Breast Works. Your Letter was dated the 19 it is you say all Seems to come off better than Me. I don’t expect to heare any thing from the patition for I think it only applied to the Last call of Men. I don’t think thare will Be any chance for me to get off the Last of June for they wont grant a well man a furlough under no considering so you Must do the Best you can. WB Green G.W. Martin - |
|
18
Camp neare Petersburg June 1 1864 Dear Wife It is with the greatest pleasure that I am agane through the Mercies of God permitted to addrefs you By Letter. This Leaves me in tolerable health hoping it may reach you safe and find you all well. I have nothing new to write only that I am Still spared through many dangers boath Seen and unseen to me. Night Before Last we was mooved about 1 mile to the right of our Line. This throughed us Right in Range of the yankes Battrys and we are exposed continualy to thare Shelling. I was out on picket yesterday. The picket Line is right Between our Breast Work and the yankes . The pickets are not alowed to fire on each other unlefs they go Beyond the Line. The pickets is in 1 hundred yards and some 50 yds of each other. We Some times talk together and Some times Exchange coffee and Sugar for tobaco. If they do commence shooting it will Be---------our heads. About 2 oclock yesterday our Batterys opened upon thare Battrys and the Shelling Raged terrifficalty about 1 hour the Shells from Boath Batterys pasing right over our heads Some time striking the ground Right at us knocking the dirt on the pickets. 1 Ball pafsed Between 2 of our men another struck close to 1 mans head. We had Little holes dug in the grounds and would Lay down in them or else we would all Be killed. But thank God none of us got hurt. This morning they had another Spell of Shelling. We hardly get to Sleep any. When we get a chance to Lay down we are Soon aroused up By firing Some whare along the Line. Almost all the time I can hear the cannons Booming Somewhere. We have Ben here in Line of Battle 13 days and you can imagine how dirty we are all getting. I got a chance to wash my shirt and drawers this morning. All is quiet at this time. We have Sent off part of the troops to Lee on the other Side of Richmond. Lee and Grant are still confrunting each other But the General Battle has not come off yet. It May Be Some time Before the Great Battle comes off. June 2 Thursday Morning. I a gane Seat Myself as I have a few moments quiet to Let you hear from me. I am only tolerable well this morning having the Bowell complaint But not rely Bad yet. The water is Lime Stone out here and don’t agree with Some of the Men. I am Still at the Same place in the entrenchment. |
|
19
Undated Dear Wife We have had a hard fight this morning. The yankes concealed themselves and our men supposing that they had all Left our pickets was ordered to charge thare pickets and find out if they had all Left. But to our sad disapointment they found them in thare rifle pits and a hard engagement took place. Our men took Some of thare Rifle pits and took about 150 prisoners and I expect they took about the same number but don’t know how many, Our colonel got Mortaly Wounded and 1 man killed and a good many wounded in the Regiment a good many mortaly. 1 man from my company. I happened not to be on picket. I was on camp gard Last night But had to Lay under the Shells and grape Shot But have Escaped this far. We are in it Every day and night. Thare fighting all most as eagarly as going to work in the farm. I cant have any hope of gitting through But my Life is in the hands of God So Goodly tell the children howdy for me. Tell them to Be Good children and mind thare Mother. My patition has never come to hand. I doubt if Elford Ever Sent it. I have no Idea that thare will be the Least chance to get off at the time you want me to come home. A man is no more than a Beast out here they hardly think noughf of them to Bury them. A good many don’t get buried at all But are left in the woods. It is all that a man can do to take care of himself in a fight and if his friend falls he has to Leave him. Thare is talk of us going to join Lee on the other side of Richmond. Lee has falling Back to nine miles of Richmond. I see no other chance But for one or the other armys to distroy the other or they may Be Boath all most distroyed. O that the angels of peace might once moore hover over us. We are exspecting to have it agane this Evening. Write often and pray for Me that the Lord may take care of me and that I may See you all agane so Goodly, Your Husband until Death WB Green The Elford mentioned is the first Colonel of the Sixteenth, Greenville newspaperman C.J. Elford. Green was still in hope of returning home through the efforts of Colonel Elford. Elford is buried in Springwood Cemetery in Greenville. That old enemy of the south, General Butler, the beast of New Orleans was on the advance across the Bermuda Hundreds in an attempt to cut the railroad at Petersburg. Thanks to his ability as a military man, he would fail but the cost would be high to the south, and especially high to the Twenty-Second South Carolina and the men of Shank Evan’s old brigade. The siege is beginning and the lines in front of Richmond and around Petersburg are being drawn. |
|
20
Petersburg Virgina July 1 1864 Dear Wife through the Mercies of God I am agane permitted to drop you a few lines to let you hear from me. This Leaves me only tolerable well hoping it May Reach you safe and find you are well. But I cant Exspect you to Be rely well But hope you may Be doing as well as could be Exspected under the circumstances. I am Still in the Entrenchments and has Ben continual fighting for the Last 8 days and nights not a Regular Battle But continual Shelling and Sharpshooting all the time and we ware oblige to Stay in the Entrenchment and Evry man that Showed his head was instantly Shot. We have had a good many men killed. They are continualy caring them out Shot through the head or mangled to peaces with Shells. The sight is too Horrible to Speak about. I of ten think How Long will God permit the Human family to distroy and take Each others Lives. But I cant see no Sign of peace. There is two powerful armys confronting Each other and Boath Seems Determind on what they have undertaken and it will take it a Long time to Settle it By fighting. Unsigned The siege of Petersburg is the harbinger of a war still some fifty years away. The mindset of trench warfare and what happens to men who suffer it is revealed all to well in the following letters. All is Quiet on the Western Front, and all the horrors of modern warfare were first made known to men like William Green in the trenches around Petersburg. It is at times like these that the cost of warfare is revealed to men. William Green would have known and understood the men of Flanders Field and he heard the voices of children yet unborn. |
|
21 Petersburg Virgina July 2 1864 Dear Wife I take this opportinty of Letting you hear from me. This Leaves me not very well though able to Be up But unlefs I can get Some Rest I dont think I can keep up much Longer. I hope this may reach you Safe and find you and my Dear Little children as well as could be Exspected for I don’t Exspect you to Be well about this time But hope you may have pafsed through your worst sicknefs and if this Should reach you and find you doing well. I have Lost so much Sleep and Ben so much confused and so nigh worn out that I can hardly collect my thoughts or ____ to wright anything. We have Ben in the Entrenchments 9 days & nights and fighting going on all most night and day not a regular engagement But when Ever a man Showed himself he was Shot and we have had a good many men killed by Shells and Sharp Shooting. They are continualy caring thare mangle Bodys off. We cant get Warter or nothing to Eat. We have had to cut a deep dich to the Warter and Back to the rear so they can Bring in Something to Eat. We have a little meat and cold corn Bread Baked a day or so and it is Soured and Soon Becomes moalded and we have to through it away and we are not allowed to_____(paper creased)___ was anything to Buy But this cuntry is Eat out and Looks like it is Entirely ruined. How Long this Seage will continue we cant tell. It is thought the yankes is digging under us and intend to try to get Petersburg in this way. They are continualy moanting big Guns and Seem determined to try Every Effort to get Petersburg. They have damaged already the city a good Eal By Shelling and I am afraid will mount Big guns and distroy the place. The Railroad is cut too between here and Weldon and we cant hear from home or get a letter to you But as one of the captains is going home I thought that I might get a Letter to you by him. I wrote one yesterday But for fear you don’t get it I will write agane. I have not got a letter from you about the 23 of June then I got five at one time. WB Green |
|
22
July 2 1864 I don’t know how to advise you for the Best and I have not got the heart to do it But feel it my duty to give you the Best advice I can as being anxious for the welfare of you and my Little children is all that I __ in this Life. It Seems Like a trial moore than I can Bear sometimes. But then I think All for our Eternal good though it seems hard to us now But perhaps we will know yet why it is so. It don’t Seem like thare could Be any harder to get than this to me. Tell Gust not to Let The wheat say in the Field any Longer than he can get it hauld out and not to put it up damp and Save the Best wheat for Seed and get hogs in the pasture and try and keep the hogs from falling off and Salt them. The pasture at the wellhouse(?) is ourn. If you can Send a Letter By Some person it can come through. I shall be very anscious to hear from you. Tell all the comescion howdy and that I wish to Be remembered by them. Your Husband until Death WB Green |
|
23
Dear Wife I have hardly got the heart to write to you. I have Ben so much confused and Lost so much Sleep that I cant compose my thoughts upon anything. Thare is a little calm this morning. The yankes holowed to our men this morning if we would quit Shooting awhile they would and it is quiet at this moment for the first time in 8 days and nights. I have neglected to write for some days in consequence of the Railroad being cut in two But thare is a man going from the Regment and I thought Maby this might Reach you and Let you know that I am Still alive. I had a bad dream about you Last night and am uneasy about you for fear you are bad Sick But hope when I hear from you are doing well. You must take good care of yourself and trust in God for all Blessings and pray for me and I will try and not for get you. Tell Gust to get the wheat out of the field as soon as he can and get the Stock in pasture and cover the pens well So the wheat woant Spoil and put it up dry and do the best he can and if I live to get home I will reward him for it. Give my Love to Sister Amanda Moore tell her I wish to Be remembered By her. Write Soon for I will be Rely anxious to hear from you. The Rail Road will Be fixed in a short time. Your Loving Husband WB Green Amanda Moore - Sister Amanda, Wm. B. Greene's sister, Amanda Green Moore. |
|
No Set of letters can better express the mindset of trench warfare than the next four. Green's mention and vision of the bird in a cage is nearly 70 years before the last scene in All is Quiet on the Western Front is written. The beauty he sees in something normal is so bright and so different that like the young soldier in that book, he cannot help but raise his head and to me that is chilling. Green is wounded and it is a light wound. William Green has not yet died, but he soon will. He will learn that his death is to be found in having to continue living. This wound he laments and yet is happy with, is certainly an act of providence, as he shall soon see. He will not be present on July 30 when most of the men left of the sixty he mentions as having entered this campaign will die. Cpl. Wm. Green and his friends from Holly Springs have entered the valley of the shadow and only Green and handful of others will pass through. Green can not see how the world he lives in can get much worse, but it will and very very quickly. We have had 2 Sermens preached today in camp By Mr. Dill and the Chaplain of the 17 Regdmet and it was quite a refreshing Season for I have not herd any preaching Since I come to Virgina. We are all washing off in a pond and washing the clothing. We cant keep But the one Suit with us and have to wash one garment at a time. I got Leave yesterday to visit Petersburg and go Back in the car(?) and I Saw a great eale. I cant Enumerate the horses and Wagons that I Saw from all most Every State in the confedecy. I had Ben so long cramped in the dich that I took the walk for the perpose of getting some recreation and to cleare my mind and try and get out of hering of the guns. I felt Like I Supose a bird feels when he is Let out of his cage. Petersburg is a butiful and Large town. Everything to Eate is very high. Little small pies are one dollare and it would take about 10 to make a meal So we cant buy much But save to do the Best we can on what we draw. But I can put up with all that if the Good God will only Spare my Life to get home one moore time to enjoy the quitude of peace and to See the faces of Loved ones at home. I must close for this time By asking an interest in your prayre. Give my Love to Sister A. Moore and all the rest of the friends. Your Husband Until Death WB Green Amanda Moore - Sister Amanda, Wm. B. Greene's sister, Amanda Green Moore. |
|
25
Petersburg Virgina July 12 1864 Dear Wife Through the Mercies of a kind providence I am agane permitted to take my Seat to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am Still Spared through many dangers Boath Seen and unseen to me. We are now Resting(?) in ½ mile of Petersburg. We come to this place night Before Last night after Lying in the Entrenchments 17 days and nights Since we went Back the last time making in all 57 days and nights and not allowed to go out of the diches and Being constantly Exsposed to the Balls and Shells and the Burning Sun. We have no Shade But Some times we Streach our Blankets. Thare has ben very little rain Since we come to Virgina and the Ground is very dry and vegitation is dried up almost. The crop is all most ruined But thare is But Little of the growing crop left for this part and all of Virgina that I have Seen is ruined and thare is hardly any trace that thare has Been a crop on this land. If it is as dry other places the crops will Be Enty (?) cut of But I hope it is not the case. The Last Leter I got from you Stated that you had plenty of rain But it has Been about one months Since I received a letter from you. The Last Letter that I recevid was dated the 15 of June mailed the 16. I Received 5 Letters at the Same time. I am very anscious to here from you all and now and particklarly as I Exspect you in Bed Sick Before this time But I hope that the Lord will Be with you and Blefs you and Bring you Safe through and restore you to health agane. I would Like to be at home to asist you But it is a thing almost impossiable to get off now. A man has to get wounded prety Bad Before he can get a furlough. Dar Wife I never have Seen Hard times and Sufered privations Before in my Life. We have nothing to eat But cold corn Bread and it Soured and Little meat. But I don’t care for that So much But we cant get hardly any Sleep or rest. We have to Ly in the diches in the dirt and dust. We get about 2 hours Sleep a night and Some times near continual firing night and day and Some of our men getting wounded and killed constantly. One of our men got wounded as he come out of the dich in my company. Dear wife I don’t know whether this Letter will Reach you or not but I know you are anxious to hear from me and I will start it whether it reaches you or not. The cars is Beginning to run agane if they will Let them Stay. I am tolerable well My legs and feet and ancles or swollen pretty badly. WB Green In Nancy's letter to William of Sept. 7 1864, she says "Little Willie is a fine fat baby and mighty sweet baby." This child is shown on the 1870 Greenville County census as Willie L. Green, aged 6, Female. Thanks Susan, for the help with William |
|
26
Petersburg Virgina July 19 1864 Dear Wife Through the Mercies of a kind providence I am agane permitted to drop you a few Lines to Let you here from me and that I am still alive though not feeling well. I Received a Slight wound on the point of the Sholder Sunday evening cutting about one and half inch Long But did not Brake the Bone. Half inch deeper would have unjointed my sholder and have ruined me. But I thank God that it is no worse. My Sholder is very Sore and arm feeles nump But I think will Be Better in a Short time. I am not feeling well otherways. I have a bad tong and am ferful that I will have a spell of fever. My feet and ancles have ben Swelling for Some time. I cant tell the cause. (Note in Margin: If the times was Like it once was I could get a furlough By my wound.) Undated but included With the Letter of July 19 1864 Dear Wife I have not got the Heart to write anything to you when I look around at the Specticle Before me. As far as I can see nearly the ground is covered with men two thirds of them sick and wounded Lying on the ground. Some of them have not got Eaven a Blanket to Lay upon but Lay upon the naked ground and the wounded and dead coming in Every day. One Poor fellow has just died right close By me. Such scenes as I am surounded with Sometimes puts me out of all Heart of Seeing you all Ever in this Life. to look at what Surounds me it Look Like a thing imposiable But there is nothing imposiable with God. Our company when we come to Virgina numbered over 60 men now we number 45. We are Losing men all most Every day all though we are not all engage in a fight all the time. But it may be Said to be a continual fight all time night And day for thares continual Shooting going on all the time and we are getting a great many men killed and wounded and I think the Yankes will Stay here a Long time and try to distroy the city. But thare is talk of our men having to charge thare Breast Works. If we do have that to do I cant See how any of us will Escape for they are strongly fortified with two or three Lines of Entrenchments to fall Back Behind. We don’t (k)now one day what moovement will be maid next day. Petersburg is a Large and Butiful city and the people are moore Like the Greenville people than any people I have met up with. It has Ben Rely dry here Ever Since I come here and the gardens and growing crops are about Ruined and Everything to Eate is very high. Irish Potatoes 3 dollars a quart. Little Pies 4 dollars you cant get enough for one meal for Lefs than 15 dollars. I would Be glad you could Send me a Little money But if I had it I could not get anything hardly with it. If you send it don’t put moore than 5 dollars in a Letter. I have Sent you several Letters By hand while Road was cut But don’t know whether you got them or not. I have got the patition that Elford drawed But I have no idea that it will do me any good for I think it only has referesce to men that come in under the Last call. I don’t know whather I will do anything with it or not. I have got no faith in it. Give my Love to all the friends and father and mother and pray for me and I will try and not forget you. Your Husband until Death WB Green |
|
27
Petersburg Virgina July 3(?) 1864S(Is likely Aug. 3) Dear Wife it is with a sad heart that I seat Myself this Sunday Evening by the Side of a Large oak to write to you. This leaves me not well But I think improving. My wound is nearly healed over and I am improving in the bowels. I have Been Bad off for a week with my Bowels. I have Been at the Hospital two weeks to day and it Seems like a providential thing for I have the Sad Entelligence to communicate to you which I Supose you have herd of Before this time By the Papers. Our Regiment is nearly all Distroyed and taken prisoners. The Yankes Blowed up this company and part of the fourth company of the Regment. My company was all Blowen up and all Buried under the dirt. Some of them no doubt 10 feet and Some not so deep. 5 men is all that we have herd of that has Ben got out namely Wilson Moore Bailis Jackson, Bee Keller, James Green and Lieut Lake. The Yankes charged amidiately after the Explosion and took our Breast Works and dug out the 5 men I have mentioned above. took Bee Keller, James Green prisoners the rest Being so Bad hurt they could not walk. They say they never herd Such praying in all thare Lives as the men don under the ground. Ough it is two Sad a picture to write about But it is neverlefs a true one. Ough the Sad Enteligence to reach home ough the grevans of the widdows and orphans. The most of the Men Lived about the factory and in the Holly Spring Settlement. The Duncans, Reeces, Richards, Listers, Ford, Kendricks, Browns, Owens Barkers, Ridle, Hudson, Green. Tell Mrs. Ellis I had just Stated to her in the Last Letter I wrote to you that Judge & James Duncan was well But now I have the Sad Enteligence to communicate to her that they are Boath Dead and Buried Beneath the ruins. Judge I think had joined the church and was a good Boy. The Boys all Seemed Serious and felt the danger they ware in that thare Lives ware Exsposed all the time. But poor fellows they are gone never Moore to Gladden the hearts of Loved ones at home never Moore will they here those Sweet voices agane. I was all most Ready to moan and complain when I got wounded But now I can See He was taking care of me all the time. If I had not Ben wounded when I was I would no doubt have Ben Buried with the rest of the poore fellows But God has Ben Merciful to me and I am still alive. Ough let us Ever give him thanks for his Mercies. They charged the Yankes and drove them Back and took the Breast Works Back. Killed a great many Negros and Yankes and took a good many prisoners. We lost a good many prisoners killed. WB Green This letter is written following the Battle at the Crater. Company B, Twenty-second South Carolina was at the epicenter of the explosion. William Green sees and understands the role of Divine Providence in his having been absent during that terrible battle. For more information about Company B, Twenty-second at the Crater click here, you will leave my site, to return simply hit your back button. The factory, which is mentioned in another letter, could well be a factory owned by Green’s brother, Lewis. The Battle of the Crater was fought on July 30. While Union Generals drank in a bunker, Union soldiers were sent to certain death in a blind assault into this pit. The Confederates were especially fierce, as so many were buried alive and black soldiers were used by the union during the assault. In a war of horrid battles this one stands almost alone. |
|
28
Saturday Morning Sept 3 1864 Petersburg Virgina Woods Hospital As I did not get to start my Letter yesterday Evening I will write a few Lines this morning. I have nothing new to write. I am not feeling so well this morning as I felt yesterday. My skin is yellow and Looks Like I might be taking the janders But I think it is caused by my Liver not acting. I am taking Calimel Blufills quinine and Laudeum and hope I will get Better. Thare is no chance to get a furlough unlefs a man is nearly dead and very often it is too late But a poor soldier Life is nothing Moore than a hog____. You stated that you had understood that we ware coming Back to Charleston. Thare has Ben such a talk But I think it has only Ben amonst the soldiers and I dont Look to come Back Before winter if then. The chance is good to stay here all winter and I dont know how I am to Stand the cold climate. The nights are getting cold all ready and we can Lay under two Blankets very well. The Chicago convention is in session now and I do hope they will offer some Resolutions that will be Esxcepted By our Congrefs and that thare may Be an armistes and stop the fighting. The Election for presidency takes place in November and if a peace man is Elected thare will probly be a change and the fighting may seace. But how many of us may Live to see it God alone can tell. You stated you would send me something By SB Hutchings But I think it doubtful about his coming Back if he can get off. Wilson Moore that Lives near Lewis Greens factory is at home on furlough. But it will Be a good while Before he comes Back. But maybe you can send something By him if I need it at that time. Nancy I would not sell any thing for Confederate Money only what I needed to pay my debts and taxes for it will all Be certain to be killed when Ever peace is maid and if you have the property then you can get Good money for it and it will do you and the children some good. Take good care of the old corn that you have and not Let them steal it all from you. WB Green S.B. Hutchings - Green's close friend in the Twenty-Second. Lewis Green's Factory - Brother of Wm. Green, the factory was located in the Holly Springs Community |
|
29
Petersburg Virgina Sept 1864 My Dear wife once moore I embrace the opportunity of dropping you a few Lines which will inform you that I am as well as common and doing the best I can under the circumstances hoping this may reach you safe and find you and the children well and doing well. I have nothing new to wright. We are still at Petersburg occuping the diches and you dont know how tired we are of such a place. I have Laid on the weat ground and poles until I am nearly worn out and it is getting cold out here and we began to sufer already with cold at night. I dont see how we will stand it through the winter and it Looks Like now we will have to stay here all winter. It is thought the yankes will remain here all winter if they dont take Petersburg. It is thought that thare will be a desperate Battle fought Before long for the posesion of the other Railroad. If they got that they will have us cut off from our supplys. We dont know one day what will take place the next day. We are out about half mile in the rear resting and washing a few days at the time. We was ordered Back Last night about 3 oclock to the dich But no fight came off and we come Back this morning. My company is out to day to wash. I am now seated at the cook yard writing this Letter. Nancy I want you to prepare me some winter clothe and send them as soon as you can for I will need them Before I can get them. I want some socks par pants 1 pare of drawers. My old pants will do for drawers though they are pretty Badly worn But will do to wear under neath. I have drawn 1 pare of cotton pants. I will need a flannel shirt 1 jacket and over coat if I cant get one. If I can get one I will Let you know. But send the shirts and pants and socks as soon as you can. I know I cant stand it out here without good clothe to have to Ly down on the weat ground with nothing But 1 Blanket to keep from freezing. I am getting very ansxious to here from you. I have not received a letter from you in about 14 days. I received a Letter from A. Taylor about a week ago stating that you was at meeting the day Before. I saw William Shockley the other day and was glad to see him as he was just from home and could tell about the time at Home. If you had known he was coming you might have sent something By him. We are campt close to gether at this time. John Shockley is at Home. If he come back soon it may be you can get him to put some Little things in his box. SB Hutching has not come Back nor William Pollard. They Boath Live at the factory and thare time is out But I don’t know when they will come Back. I have sent you By Mr. Harry Collins a peace of oil cloth as a preasant to make you what we call a Haversak in place of the one you give me when I left. I have got it yet. He is to Leave it at Lewis Greens factory. You can inquire about it and pay Lewis Green thirteen dollars for Mr. Collins. I boried from him. We can spend 10 or 15 dollars here and not get enoughf to Eate one time. Thare is a great many apples & peaches But so high the soldiers cant get many of them. From 2.00 to 3.00 per dozen. Watermelons 10 to 20 dollars a peace. WB Green John Shockley - a John Shockley is mentioned in the Brushy Creek Baptist Church minutes as having died during the war. Wm. Shockley - Lewis Green - Brother of Wm. Green Wm. Pollard - Member of Company B, Twenty-second South Carolina Harry Collins - S.B. Hutchins - Green's friend and fellow member of the Twenty-Second. A. Taylor - Alfred Taylor of Brushy Creek Community Lewis Green's Factory - Brother of Wm. Green, the factory was located in the Holly Springs Community. |
|
30
September the 7 1864 Dear Husband: I again taking pen in hand to write you a few lines to inform you that we are all well at present and hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. I rescived a letter from you last fryday and was glad to here from you and here you as well as comon but sory to here you have to be so much exposed. I have been in hopes you would get to come home but you do not write anything about comeing. I have heard today that all the detail men has to go off down to belton below Greenville on the rail road. We here they have got atlanta the yankies and if they have we may look out for them to come on us. Mr Dawson Smith was buried yesterday his cancer on his face kiled him. It got in his eye and cut off part of his nose. Ervin Gren is dead he’s been dead two weeks last Sunday. He was in Virginia between two hospitals. They war moving him from one hospital to another. They sent word to them in Virginia to sell his horse and saddle. They are going to sell his property here at home this fall. He was writing to jane Bradley. She got a letter from him fryday before he died. He wrote he was well and the next news was he was dead. He wrote to aldridge Green to write soon for he did not know whether he would ever write to them again. He must have had some thought that he wasn’t going to live. Murty Cuningham, Alberts daughter that was deaf and dumb has lost her Husband. He died sometime lately. The meeting at the Springs has broke up. Last Thursday night was the last meeting there is prare meeting there tonight. There was 39 baptised in all and some 5 or 6 to be baptised yet. Mr Durham staied with them until it broke. Mr. Green and Mr. Vauchn was with H-------. Mr Green I supose will be there rufly for the next year. They have turned him off from pleasant grove. I think his feeling is hurt about it. Mr. Flyn is mitly taken up with Mr. Durham, he has given him one of his daughters and took her home with him. Mary went back with him she is in rather delicate helth. Mr. Flyn had 7 of his family join the church. --------- Minny Joined. Tilldy Bridwell Jack Balys wife. Jim Bridwell wife. Jim is dead. Tom ------- and his daughter lizzbeth ------- and Mrs. Tipiner and daughter and sons. ------- --------- daughter Emily. Mr. Lud Vauchn caled to here from you and sends his love and said he would be very glad to see you he often thought of you. Morther sends her best love to you and say sshe is very desireous for you to get back home. Robert and willson and Alfred has to start Monday morning all from 16 to 60 has to go. The men about the factorys all detailed men. The boyes is pulling fodder. They have the sugar mill fixt new rolers redy to go to grinding the corn as some of it ripe enoughf to begin on. I sent to SB Huchens to know when he was going to start and he said sometime this week but could not cary anything for you. I was very sory for I have been saving buter for you and I thought he would be sure to cary you something but there is some thing alwahys in the way. I gave Lewis 10 dolar to pay Rily Vauchns wife. Mr. Martin has the mule you let Jones have he let the young boy go for him. G.W. More is at Greenpond and Hembre Green is there somewhere not far off. Washington was beter when we herd from him and is expected to come home in a bout 30 days on furlow. I will send you 50 dolars bill in this letter. I could send you some stamps. You thought I might forgot to put in the 5 dolar bill but I did not forget that time. Nancy Green. I put in two leters a sheet of paper and a 5 dolar billl – one of the leteres was about the petition that Alford got up the last time. I am not mistaken about the money. We have a many good mess of beens and Irish potatoes, and wish for you to have some – but does no good. I hope we will see the time we will see each other and enjoy peas and hapeness once more. Alfred hates to go very bad. His health is bad. Amandas helth is not good, it is like it was last year with her stomac. The weather is cool now it is like winter nearly. I would like mitly you could come home And look round and see how things is going on and not only for that but want to see you. Litle Willie is a fine fat baby and mighty sweet baby. Litle John is well and working on the sugar corn. He does not know how to understand the leters. He seems to think you buried in the grave. Mary is going to school learing tolerable fast. Pinckney and Austin and Theresa and ------ is pulling fodder. They will comence working at the sugar corn before long, Ema is plating hur hat. She has plated Mary one. Amanda works at hats makes them and alters them. I have made two Austin has plated him one and Jack one. Pinckney has plated him one. I have gave you a ----------- of what we are all doing. I cut a coat for Morgan Ross this morning and going to warp this evening. If you want any close for winter you must write to me. I aimed to make you an overcoat. I will make the cloth anyhow. I have a pare of yarn socks if SB Huchens can bring them I will send them. I will send you the knife you bought in Columbia if he will bring it. Sept the ------- 1864 We are all well this morning. I am going to send Pinckney to Sb Huchens with this letter and A pare of socks and knife and 50 dolar bill and 5 dolar bill. If you want any more you must send me word and I will try to send it to you. Nothing more at this time but remain your affectionate wife until death. Nancy Green I will send you 6 stamps. Mr. Dawson Smith - Ervin Green - Jane Bradley Aldridge Green - Mr. Durham - Mr. Green - Mr. Vaughn - Mr. Lud Vaughn - Jim Bridwell - Robert - Robert Berry Gibson, married to Nancy's sister Theresa Taylor - had exemption due to the work he did providing some necessity to the war - but were called in final days of the war. effort Wilson - Wilson B. Crowder, see earlier entries - had exemption due to the work he did providing some necessity to the war - but were called in final days of the war. Alfred - Alfred B. Taylor - Brother of Nancy Taylor - had exemption due to the work he did providing some necessity to the war - but were called in final days of the war. Hembre Green - G.W. Moore - Mr. Martin Morgan Ross - S.B. Hutchings - Sergeant and member of the 22nd South Carolina. |
|
31
Petersburg Va Oct 15 1864 Dear Wife Once again I am permitted to let you here from me. I am well and doing the Best I can and hope this may reach you Safe and find you are well. Your letter gave me great satisfaction to here from you all and here that you was all well but Sorry to here you had a need to attend to and was so much confuzed in your mind. I can Simpathise with you for I (k)now what you have to undergo. How much it must confuse you to try to provide for Such a family. You have to engage all your time and ____expend a great eal of Study to get provisions to Keep up such an expensive family. I cant help you any only with counciling you and I dont wont you to think hard of me for counciling you for I assure you it is Because of a feeling of interest in all you do. I am Sory you have to Send Henry to the coast to work But it looks Like We will have to sacrifice Evry thing in this ___war. I feel like all my happinefs is gone and if We gain our independents thare will Be But few left to enjoy it. ……..If you have to send Henry to the coast you must try to hire a hand somebody that you can make work…..try to get a hand from your father. SF Henry appears to have been a slave, he would have been conscripted for war service, and his owner compensated for the labor. Fourteen men and women by the name of Green are cited in Dr. Alexia Jones Helsley book, South Carolina's African American Confederate Pensioners 1923-1925. There is no Henry listed. |
|
32
Sunday Morning Oct 16 1864 You can make some cloth suitable for and overcoat and if I can get one you can keep the cloth or sell it. I have not drawn any money yet. It seems like they don’t care whather they Ever pay us or not. I Received the 2.00 dollars you sent But it wont by half as much as I can Eat at one time. I have Borrred some money or I don’t know how I could have made out for we get about one good meal a day. Thare is plenty we can Buy But it is too high an cant By much. corn meal 2dollars a quart. potatos 15 dollars a bushel. Butter 15 dollars a pound. I want you to Still Send me Some money in Evry Letter you send until I draw some. I have Borried some and if I don’t draw I wont pay them Back. It aint worth while to send Lefs than 5 or 10 dollars. at a time. I want the Boys to geather a ___ of corn and get the stock in the pasture before the frost comes and kills the Grafs. I want them to Save a good many peas. Geather them in the Bottoms where the hogs cant get to eat them. Let all the children help to geather. Tell them to Be smart and if I ever get home I will get them a present and if I don’t get home you must give it to them. Tell Gust to Spread out the bigger corn seed or else it will spoil as it did last year. It ought to be Seived it makes good flour or coffee. Be sure and not let the seeds Spoil. They will make cow feed ground up. Nothing moor But ask the Blessing of God to rest upon you all and Guide and direct you in all things is the prayre of your Dear friend. WB Green |
|
33
Ca. 5 Nov 1864 We have a very disagreeable time here now cold and raining. The diches show mouth deep in mud and warter. We are now fixing to Stay all winter in the diches. We are digging out Little Houses in the ground and covering them with dirt. I have got mine about done. 3 of us are sleeping to geather. But we have no assurence that we will remain at the Same place Long. I have dug and maid Several Houses and about the time I got them done had to Leave them and move to some other part of the Loin(line SMB) I have Ben living so long in the diches and under ground I don’t know how I would feel to get out and enjoy the pleasure of sleeping in a house. We have what Little wood we get to toate (carry SMB) ¾ or ½ mile. I am Glad you have got some Bluestone. Soak well not lefs than 24 to 48 hours the longer the Better. It will not hurt to stay 2 weeks covered under warter. I am sory to here that the Boys maid so few peas. They ought to have maid a heape of peas if they had planted them soon enoughf as they had good rains. But do the Best you can and try to get the wheat in as soon as possible. Sunday Morning Nov. 6 1864 I take my pen in hand to Let you know that I am Still alive though pafsed a very disagreeable night. We ware all ordered up about midnight and to get ready to charge the Enemy. But only the eight of our Brigade ware ordered to charge a certain part of the Breast works and we ware ordered to hold ourselves in readynefs to go forward But our men took the picket lines But could not hold them and had to fall back with the Lofs of about one hundred killed and wounded. But we ware under a heavy firing and Shelling about 3 hours. Some of the Shells Busted so neare me as to deafen me. But through the providence of God none of them Struck me. One poore fellow close By got his thigh tore all to peaces. I think he will die. We Lost a good many Good men and gained nothing by the charge. We dont know when we are going to get into a fight and when I am on picket I think that I may be taken prisoner and will be done hering from home. But it Looks Like thare is nothing But death Before us and it matters not much whare we are. So I want to heare often from you. I wright you a Letter about Evry 4 or 5 days But I suppose Evry 8 or 12 days from the time I start them. Your Letters reaches me genraly in about 4 or 5 days. I want you to send my knife & Socks and one yarn shirt 1 pare of drawers and I Exspect I will have to have and over coat as they ask one hundred dollars for them and hard to get. I want it maid about 3 inches longer than my other coate with a cape to Lap over in front. But I will wright to you a gane. Tell the Boys they had better not Sow any thing to prevent the Stock from running in the cane brake this winter. They had better tend the Bottoms on the creek next to Shannon Greens in corn next year and not Sow them in wheate. I wrote to you to fill up one of the cribs with corn without Shucking. Put it up dry and cover well. Your Husband until death WB Green Written across the margin: I Received the Box all Right an the 5 dollars in the letter. Also: I will answer Mr. Ellises letter as soon as I can. There was skirmishing on the Petersburg line on November 5, in front of Fort Haskell and Fort Morton. Freeman says in Lee's Lieutenant's, "The infantry did not, and could not, leave the fortifications. After the engagement at Burgess' Mill nothing but a few skirmishs and an occasional reconnaissance relieved the ghastly tedium of the trenches until the first week of December." They were worn out and another fifty or one hundred dead, wounded and captured, are hardly worth note, to anyone but those who knew them. The Western Front that the grandchildren of these men would know so well has arrived in full force. Still the peas must be gathered and the corn stored... probably not me, but someone will be living come spring, this was the only hope left. No cloth, no uniforms, and no help, only the shelling goes on. Shannon Green - |
|
34
Thursday Morning Nov 10, 1864 Dear Nancy I will drop you a few Lines to let you know that I am Still alive though escaped very Serously Last night. Thare was and alarm raised Last night and they Shelled us powerfuly and it Seemed Like it was imposible to Escape….. I received Last night GW Moore’s Letter But hadnt got time to wright so much But will wright as soon as I can. I will close by asking the Blessings of God to rest and remain with you. WB Green Short note written on two pieces of a muster roll. (SF) and so it ends, save one last note. Wm. Green managed to survive it all. G.W. Moore - |
|
35
Jackson Hospital Richmond Va. Dec 6 1864 Dear Wife I take my seat this Evening to answer your Letter. I have just Received two Letters from you one was the 16 Nov one 20 Nov. which give great Satisfaction to here from you for it had been a Long time between the Letter I received But Boath came together. I was glad to here you was all well but Henry. But Hope he will soon get well. I Esxpect you will have to send him off if you haint before this time. I think if Henry would Show his Leg and act the Hipocrit and complain a Good Eale of his leg he might get off. Tell him to try hard to get discharged and then you would not have But one hand liable to Road duty and you would not have to send a hand for I think that the Negras will be put to driving the waggons in the army. They are all ready put at it in Virginia. I think a good many will be put in Before long perhaps all under 45 years. I am Sory the Boys is so much Behind that you have to pay such high prices to give 1 gallon of Molases for 1 days work. It certainly is too much. It woant do to traid the old way in Everything. Molases must Be worth ten to fifteen dollars a gallon. If you had to Board him and feed his horse it is twice the worth of a days work. You had horses aplenty. If you had hired a hand for 3 or 4 dollars a day it would have Ben Better But I will not complain for I know you think you are doing for the Best. But I only tell you will have to watch him very well……… will take the advantage of you in things that you don’t understand…… …to Letting Mr. Martin have a sow for one as Large you can do as you please But I doubt if he has one as Large as your Large Sowes. I would keep the Best ___. Maybe you can Let him have the guina sow when she weans her pigs. One of the large sowes will make a heap of meat. You stated you had Ben to Greenville to make your Return But I could not understand the way you put it down. Just wright to me how much money you have to pay in all and if you have got any Bonds to pay with and if you have got the money By you to pay. If you haint got the money you will have to sell Something. I wrote to you that I thought you could spare some pork a hog or two that perhaps Lewis would give you yearn(yarn) for the meats at the selling price and sell the yarn for a high price for you. I done that a way last year and got double what I could have got for the pork. You will have to shift and traid if you keep up with the times and people. It looks like the people is willing to take the advantage of you. In regard to Mr. Foster the mule is not his Jacks colt at all. Washington Taylors Jack is the father of the Last colt. I put the mare to Fosters Jack since she had the colt but got no colt so you must not pay him any. Don’t think I am finding fault But only cautioning you for you will find many trying to take the advantage of you for things you aint acquainted with. You would do well to ask the advise of someone that is acquainted with such things as you don’t understand. Before I would pay that much for plowing I would let them be till after Christmas getting done sowing wheate. Late wheate sometimes does as well as any. I recon making molasses put the Boys behind. You can traid with Mr. Martin if you don’t let him cheate you in the sise of the Hogs weight….. …How many hogs you have to fatten. You can do what you think best about killing the Beef if you Kneed some of the meat to Eate and want the money for part of it you can kill it. You can traid beef for yarn. Do as you please for I cant instruct you. If you think they will prefs the Beef maybe you had better kill it if you Kneed the money. I wrote to you to sell some fodder if you can get a good price. The soldiers may come along and take it if they see it. WB Green WB Green was admitted to Jackson Hospital, Richmond Va. Nov. 23 1864 with Chronic Diarrhea. He was issued clothing Dec. 14 and returned to duty Dec. 17, 1864. He was on the roll of General Hospital, Petersburg Va. March 25 1865 with a wound to the left hand. Wayside Hospital March 27, and Jackson Hospital, Richmond Va. on March 31, 1865 on which day he was granted a furlough of 60 days and there his Service Record with the 22nd Inf. ends. Mr. Martin - Mr. Foster - Washington Taylor - Thanks Susan for this and everything. steve |
| Wm. Green Letters Index | Holtzclaw's Company - 8 | Atlanta - 30 | Hudson, Cpl. -16 | Bailey, Jack (Balys)- 30 | Hudsons - 27 | Barkers - 27 | Hutchens, S.B. - 9. 28, 29, 30 | Beacham, Lt. -4 | Jackson Hospital - 35 | Blakely, James F. (Capt. - 16th SC)- 2, 3 | Jackson, Baylis - 27 | Bradley, Jane - 30 | . | Bridwell, Jim - 30 | Jane -3 | Bridwell, Tilldy - 30 | . | Browns - 27 | Keller, Bee -27 | Camp Goldsmith - 4 | Kendricks - 27 | Carney, Eli -16 | Kinston - 13, 14 | Chick Springs - 9 | Lake, Lt. -27 | Collins, Harry - 29 | Lewis - 35 | Crowder, Baylis - 1 | Listers - 27 | Crowder, Wilson B. -2, 3, 4, Wilson - 30 | Martin, Brother -1 | Cunningham, Murty - 30 | Martin, Edy - 6 | Dantzler, Col. - 16, 19 | Martin, G.W. - 6, 17 | Dill, Mr. -24 | Martin, Mr. - 11, 30, 35 | Duncans - 27 Duncan Boys - 9, 10 Duncan, Judge - 27 Duncan, James - 27 | McHugh - McCue, Wood -16 | Durham, A.K.- 1 | Moon, Amandy -3 | Durham, I.D. - 1 | Moore, A. - 23, 24 | Durham, Mary - 1, 2, 30 | Moore, G.W. - 30, 34 | . | Moore, Wilson - 27 | Durham, Mr. - 30 | Morgan, W. - 2 | Elford - 3. 19, 26 | Mr. Ellis - 9 | Ellis, Mr. - 2, 4, 10 | Mrs. Ellis - 27 | Flynn, Mr. (Flyn)- 30 | North Carolina - 12 | Ford - 27 | Owens - 27 | Foster, Mr. - 35 | Petersburg, Va. - 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 | Foster's Jess -3 | Pocotaligo - 4 | Fowler, Lovey - 9 | Pollard, Mr. - 16 | Gilreath, P. -3 Gibson Robert B.- 1, 30 | Pollard, Wm. - 29 | Green, Aldridge - 30 | Reeces - 27 | Green, Alfred - 30 | Richards - 27 | Green, Amanda (Child) - 1, 4, 30 | Richmond, Va. - 35 | Green, Austin (Child)-1, 30 | Riddles - 27 | Green, Emma V. -5, 30 | Rinston, N.C. - 13, 14, 15 | Green, Ervin - 30 | Ross, Morgan - 30 | Green, H.W. (MD) - 7 | Sammons, Susan -3 | Green, Hembre - 9, 30 | Shockley, John - 29 | Green, Henry - 10, 31, 35 | Shockley, Wm. - 29 | Green, James - 1, 27 | Smith, Dawson - 30 | Green, John (Child) - 1, 30 | Stocks, Squire - 8, 11 | Green, Lewis - 3, 4, 29, 35 | Stokes, Squire - 8, 11 | Green, Lewis (Factory) - 28, 29 | Sullivan's Island - 8, 9, 10, 11 | Green, Mary - 1, 30 | Taylor, Alfred (Brother of Nancy Green) -1, 2, 3, 29, 30 | Green, Mr. - 30 | . | Green, Nancy (Child ?) - 1 | Taylor, Washington (Brother of Nancy Green) -2, 3, 30, 35 | Green, Nancy Taylor Wife -1 | . | Green, Pickney (Child)-1, 10, 30 | . | Green, Shannon - 33 | Vaughn, Brother -3 | Green, Thresa (Child) -1, 30 | Vaughn, Lud (Vauchn)- 30 | Green, Willie - 1, 25, 30 | Vaughn, Mr. (Vauchn) - 30 | Greens' - 27 | Vaughn, Riley (Vauchns) -30 | Hammett, Austin - 14 | Virginia -12 | Hawkins, Perry - 11 | Walker, General - 16 | Hips, Mrs. - 11 | Weldon - 12 | Holly Springs Community - 27 | Wilmington, N.C. - 12 | Holtzclaw, Ethel - 2 | Wood's Hospital - 2 |
|---|
|
South Carolina C.S.A.
|
|
of William B. Green University of South Carolina
|
|
South Carolina C.S.A. |
|
|
| From | Lt. Martin | To | Edj A. Martin | (amount unknown) |
| “ | Lt. Martin | “ | E. Holtzclaw | 55.00 |
| “ | W.W. Ross | “ | Mrs. W.W. Ross | 80.00 |
| “ | J.F Flynn | “ | W.W. Flynn | 20.00 |
| “ | W.P Smith | “ | W.H. Smith | 30.00 |
| “ | J. Bailey | “ | A.Taylor | 20.00 |
| “ | W.E. Sanding | “ | A. Taylor | 20.00 |
| “ | T. Morris | “ | Mrs. F Morris | 15.00 |
| “ | T Ward | “ | Mrs ? Ward | 20.00 |
| “ | R.W Meadors | “ | C. Meadors | 20.00 |
| “ | W.A. Hammett | “ | Mrs ? Hammett | 40.00 |
| “ | G.W. Holtzclaw | “ | E. Holtzclaw | 20.00 |
| “ | S.L. Vaughn | “ | Mrs A Vaughn | 35.00 |
| “ | W.J. Brock | “ | T. Brock | 20.00 |
| “ | F.M. Dillard ? | “ | Dillard | 25.00 |
| “ | T.R. Brown | “ | Mrs D.J. Brown | 20.00 |
| “ | A.J. ? | “ | wife | 20.00 |
| 500 | ||||
|
$645 Recv. of the those parties who are named the amt of Six hundred and Forty five dollars in Greenville to the parties named Camp ------------. March 11th 1862. Memorandum of money sent to the members of Blakley's Company F $500.00 A 1,112 fragment missing Goodlett 4911 fragment missing Blakley 645 fragment missing Wilson 347 fragment missing Parkins 245 fragment missing Hodges 415 fragment missing 3169 fragment missing |
|
Southern Rights Association Of Greenville District, S.C. We, the undersigned citizens of Greenville District, are firmly impressed with the belief, that a union of the people of the Southern States is particularly necessary and proper at this time, to enable them the better to protect their rights and resist the aggressions of the North. In order, therefore, to promote this design and to secure more effectually a concert of action with the citizens of this and other Southern States, we do form ourselves into an Association, and agree to adopt the following Constitution. Article 1. The name of the Association shall be the "Southern Rights Association of Greenville District." Its subject is to unite and organize all the people of the District with the view of assisting at any time and cooperating with the citizens of the other Districts and the other Southern States, in vindicating their rights and sustaining this State and the other Southern States, which may act I concert, in whatever measures she or they may adopt for defense or redress. Article 2 every friend of the south shall be considered a member of this Association upon signing these Rules. Article 3 The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, (4) Vice Presidents, a Secretary and Treasurer to be chosen annually at the anniversary meeting of this association. Article 4 There shall be a Committee of Safety annually appointed to consist of (50) members whose duty it shall be to consider all communications relating to the objects of the Association, to call extra meeting whenever five of their number may request the President, or in his absence, a Vice President so to do and to prepare and lay before the meetings such information and reports as they may deem important. The officers of the Association shall be ex offcio members of the Committee of Safety. Article 5 There shall be a Committee of Correspondence to consist of members whose duty is shall be to carry on all correspondence in this State and other Southern States, in relation to the objects of this Association and to report the same to the Committee of Safety whenever it may be necessary. Article 6 There shall be also annually appointed a Committee of Finance, to consist of ten members, whose duty it shall be to raise, by voluntary contributions, the ways and means of carrying out the objects of the Association, under the direction of the Committee of Safety. Article 7 There shall be regular quarterly meeting of the Association on the first Monday in January, April, July, and October and an annual meeting on the first Monday in November the anniversary of the Association. Article 8 The Association shall appoint delegates to other Southern Rights Associations, Conventions, and Mass Meetings, whenever the Committee of Safety may deem it expedient for its interests and purposes. Officers of the Association will be elected by the members at a called meeting. J.H Goodlett W.M. Goodlett Daniel Wood Joseph James J.W. Hudson W.M. Cunningham Jr. Robert S. Smith Richard Jacob G.R. Buist C.A. Parkins A Ernetie William Thayer Wm Wheeler William T. Smith John Greene Ethel Holzclaw William B. Green |
|
Membership belonged to Brushy Creek Church To be taken notice of by the Committee appointed March 15th 1863 PW Hudson C. Clk 1. Emilia Hudson 2. Daniel Mayfield 3. Thomas Shockley 4. Susan Shockley 5. Fanny Howell 6. George Hawkins 7. Elizabeth Smith 8. Mary Watson 9. Phillip C. Lester 10. Newton Raines 11. James Barbary 12. G. W. Owens 13. Mariah Turner 14. Purchase Bates (Carried to second column in document.) 15. N.W. West 16. Balis Crowder Colored Members 1. Moores Sarah 2. Dillards Nelson |
|
Richmond, March 1, 1862 Special Orders No. 48 I. The Resignations of the following named officers have been accepted by the President to take effect to day. + + + (4) 1st Lieut. W. B. Green Co. F" 16th SC + + + By Command of the Secretery of War Jno. Withers, Asst. ___Genl. 1st Lt. W. B. Green 16th S. C. Vols T_____ Lee |
|
Letter Two is an eight-sided four-page letter written in December of 1862 from Camp Goldsmith, which would be one of the camps; the 16th was stationed in while in training around Charleston Harbor. Green states: "I received your letter dated third and the one dated the sixth and was glad to hear from you but was sorry to hear that the children was sick but I hope they are better by this time. I hope you will attend to them close and doctor them on time. It grieves me yet that we did not attend close to little Amanda. But you must do the best you can for I cannot assist or give you council, my mind being constantly implored. We are under strict orders being near the enemy and do not know when we may be attacked. We are camped one mile from the Pocataligo Depot and we have moved five times since we came to camp. It is hard in this country to get a piece of ground high enough as the ground is swampy and low, not having been cultivated ever." He goes on to discuss his business at home including cattle raising and stock trading and the price of corn. Like all soldiers he asks for a box of good food to be prepared and sent to him. Finally he talks about his concerns for things being stolen, especially corn, come winter. He reminds his wife that, "Lt. Beacham will be up in a short time after the rest of the men of the unit, and you can sent me some things by him. I will write to you again. You need not make my clothes yet. I don't know (when?) I will come yet. There is not such good luck at coming home as Mr. Ellis (?) and I am afraid he will be dealt with for leaving without leave, he did very wrong, a soldier does not belong to himself when he goes into camp. I expect he better report back to camp rather then for them to send after him, but he thinks he knows best and would not take council." An excellent letter describing conditions in the early part of the war. One can see that trade continues a brisk pace and shortages while expected are not at the level they will reach in less than a year. The issue of leaving and coming home and the informal nature of relationship between soldier and command in the Confederate Army is shown as well. Letter Three Dated 9/7/64, A four page, eight sided letter from home to Green, who is now with the 22nd South Carolina. This letter outlines the extreme conditions in the south as the war approaches its last winter. "I have heard today that all the detail men was to go on down to Belton below Greenville on the railroad. We hear they have got Atlanta, the Yankees, and if they have we must look out from them to come on us." Death of Ervin Green, a cavalryman, with the Army of Northern Virginia is detailed, as is the death of Dawson Smith, a civilian friend of the family. Information concerning the hardship and deprivation suffered on the home front. One Muster Roll of a Reserve Unit. Photograph of Lt. Wm. B. Green |
|
|
|