19th South Carolina Infantry - Wounded at Chickamauga

Item CON-11094

Description

Original Civil War Confederate soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.


Lovejoy Station [GA]
 September 7^th 1864
 
My Dear Brother,
 
Your letter by Mr. Kennedy and Oscar Baker is at hand.  They came in yesterday evening having been detained by the way home time.  I was truly glad to hear from you all.  For I have not heard before since G. Jack Kennedy came.  Which has been almost a month.  That is a long time to be deprived of letters for a soldier.  I was glad to hear the corn crops were pretty good in our section.  I never could hear definitely how the wheat crops turned out.  They were represented as light whilst growing and of course I suppose they were light.  But to what extent I have not been informed.  From the fact, no doubt those letters bearing the informed time never reached me.  I had hoped my letters went home much better than those coming.  But from Grandma’s letter, I am led to the conclusion may have been lost and do not go as they ought.  
 
Brother M, I will sign this blank form and send it in this but I fear you will never get it.  It seems to me to be a bad time to sell property for Confederate trash or that which is no better government bond. Some of the family ought to buy the place.  I need more land and no doubt would do well to buy it.  But being here, so disconnected from the business, I am at a loss to know what to do or advise.  I hope this state of things will not last many years longer.  I am truly glad that there is a prospect of a peace party growing North.  But it weakens my faith a good deal from the nomination of McClellan for President – an open declared war democrat.  Still the thing may work out at last to the ending of this awful strife.  Everything has been encouraging to our cause except at this point.  Here we have met defeat after defeat and will continue to do so without more men and better generals.  The enemy at this time has a strong force at West Point and Hooker’s Corps at Stone Mountain and the Augusta Railroad.  How Hood is to manage these parties I am unable to see.  
 
Brother M., I suppose your Lowndesville men are preparing for the reception of the raiders who might possibly visit that Section.  It is truly time the people of Carolina and Georgia would put forth their might to save the country.  Our state is now liable at any time to be visited by the enemy.  I tremble for Augusta and for Montgomery.  I believe both will be visited by the enemy.  And if so, they will feel their presence for they carry the torch with them.  
 
Brother M, this country south of Atlanta reminds me greatly of Carolina.  Its red hills and the growth of timber with poor and rich lands interspersed.  I feel more like I am near home from the appearance of the country.  The farms are well improved and slaves abundant, which is different North of Atlanta.  He is the negro cabins stand thick around each settlement.  
 
Why is Major Harper running for the Legislature.  Is it for the purpose of getting out of the war?  That is what I imagine.  My health is tolerabley good at present and so of the company.
 
Brother M, the enemy at our front at this place night before last and General Cheatham followed them as far as Jonesboro.  I know not where they will turn up next.
 
My regards to you all.
 
Yours, etc.,
 
J. P. Young