Eliza's letters sparkle with a girlish wit, as well as the firey spirit that filled so many Southern women during those times of tribulation.

Silver Springs
December the 13th, 1861

Mr. J. P. McCulloch,

My cousin your kind communication came to hand last Friday evening and I can assure you it was very welcome indeed. I had begun to think the time long before I should hear from you. I just thought you had found someone that you thought to write to to first. You cannot realize how much plesure it affords one in their lonesome hours to receive letters from their friends in (the) camps. Cousin Jim, I am sorry to say to you that my last sweetheart has gone in the army and one (of) them that is in Virginia (is) very sick and they are expecting him to die every hour. I have just received the news and you know that I am somewhat troubled about him. Cousin there is no news to write more (other) than we are going to have a wedding in this neighborhood next week so reports say. I am in hopes it is true so I can say I have been to one wedding these hard times. I have been very lonesome since all of the boys have left. Brother Harvey has joined (illegible) Company and they left last Monday was a week ago. They are in Camp Trousadale and expect to stay there all winter. I received a letter from him. He was well and well pleased with a camp life so far.

I have been very sick with the camp measles for two weeks and never sat up any until yesterday. John Gambrell started to the camps about two weeks ago. He did not get there in time for the fight. They did not fight much but was expecting a battle in a few days. They were building boats to cross over the river and soon as they cross they were going to fight. I received a letter from Captain Barker's Company yesterday and that was the news that it gave.

George Lanius (1) was brought home last Saturday night dead. He died Saturday morning at Livingston with the hemerige of the loungs (lungs). Everybody seemed to take his death very hard so I was told. I was not able to go to the burying.

Your sweetheart(s) are all well as far as I know of. Nothing more but write soon and excuse ill writing and spelling. I hardly knowed whether to answer your letter or not from the fact that it had been so long and I was afraid that you had gone to some other camp. I await your answer and hope that you will reply.

Eliza E. Curd

(P.S.) You spoke of coming home. If you can, come home Christmas. I am expecting a lonesome time then. Be sure to come to see me if you come home. Nothing more as I have no more news to write but war news and tidings that you are tired of hearing. That is all that is talked about here. Be shure to write. Eliza E. Curd

Silver Springs
June 9, 1863

Mr. James P. McCulloch

My Friend,

It is with sure pleasure that I take my pen in hand to ink you a few lines to let you know that I am still numbered with the living of Old Wilson, although I don't think that you care about hearing from any of the girls in this neighborhood as you have not written something to any of us. You promist me when I saw you last to write to me, but I have not received a line from you yet. I have nothing to write that would interest you.

I recon (reckon) you have heard that Nannie Lanius and James Davis was married. I was at their wedding and injoyed myself very well. You aught to have been there and seen the two children standing on the flowers. They did not join right hands, they joined left hands. Miss Love Lenard and Mr. John Clemons married last week. She asked me to wait on her but the yankees taken the young man that was to wait with me so I did not have the pleasure of ever waiting on her. I am oppose(d) to wedding now because my sweetheart is in the army and I want every man to go and help him to fight for his country so he can come home and we can have peace and injoy ourselves as we once did.

We have not had any peace here in Wilson since last summer. The yankee has been coming in this neighborhood every two or three days stealing every thing they could find. They came to the Silver Springs yesterday but did not come over to see us and I was glad they did not. I never did think I could hate any people as bad as I do the yankee. They (had) taken my horse when they were here last fall and every one that could come I would ask them about my horse and one day one came and rode him and I talked to him and begged him to give me my horse. He told me if I would come to (his) camp he would let me have him and I started and when I got there they had gone and never have heard anything more from him.

Cousin Jim, I thought I was gone up. They came here to me as a Morgan spy because I know some of Morgan's men and they saw me (talking with them). They talked about taking several girls in this neighborhood and sending them to Camp Chase. One of the yankees asked who my rebble sweetheart was. I told him I would see him dead before I would tell hem who he was. He said he would like to see him dead before. I told him if he would go to LaVergne he could see him. I told him that if he did go he would never have the pleasure of coming away!

There is Southern soldiers pass here every day. They all say they are afeared to stop, all except one and he said he would go through an army of yankees to go to Jamie(?) Curd. You aught to be here to see us, how we take on sometime. I recon you will want to know who he is. It is Lt. Harris, he is from Kentucky (and) he is very good looking and smart. He will leave in the morning and go to his camp but will not be gone long. He has been in this neighborhood for three weeks ~ anybody now to pass some of the time with. I about intend to get me another sweetheart. The one in the army forsakens me and if he does I will try and get me another. Mr. J. Hurt called on me a few days ago, him and Mr. Jim (illegible) . The yankees taken Jim a prisoner and exchanged him and he came home on a furlough. I never spent such lonesome times in my life.

We have no preaching to go to now, the preachers are afraid to come and preach for us so we stay at home every Sunday and some times a young man comes in and stayes a while. We all girls visit each other and stay to pass the time the best we can and look forward to the time when the boys can come home and stay in peace.

I went down to Hadley's Bends about two weeks ago on bissness (business) for Pa. Bettie Lanius went with me. We was gone about fore (four) days. I met up with (illegible) Lanius and had quite a nice time. I expected to see the yankee at any minit but did not see any. We weren't in half a mile of their camp.

Cousin Jim you aught to be in Wilson when there is talk of the yankee coming to see the old men hiding their horses or a getting out of the way themselves to keep from taking the Oath. There is several men south of us that has (illegible) and taken the Oath. I want some Southern Soldiers to come and take every one one of their horses and (their) corn and everything they need. Uncle Price Curd has went and taken the Oath. I want them to come and visit him. You can tell Ed Curd (2) that if he wanted to come home his (illegible) father would not let him. He would have to report him.

The ladies say it is nothing for them to curse the yankee. There was several cursed them when they were in this neighborhood the last time. I never have cursed one yet and never will. I am afraid they will take me to Camp Chase (3). They say they inten(d) to stop the women from talking. They have been making the ladies down in (illegible) take the Oath. I don't think I will ever take it. I will go south before I will take the Oath. They will ruin the people in Tennessee if you all don't make haste and drive them from here soon!

I recon you would like to hear from Miss Mollie Lanius. She spent the day with me last Sunday. She is as pretty as ever. She did not like it because you did not call and see her when you past last fall. She said I was the cause of you not calling. I told her that I was not the cause of you not stopping for I thought that you was going to stop and spend the day with her. I heard from (illegible) this week. (Illegible) told me he saw you and you was well. I was glad to hear that you was well but I thought you might write a few lines to let a body know that you was not dead. I wish a few of you boys would be detailed to come in this neighborhood to get horses. I heard that three or four of your company was about to get married in (illegible). I recon that you are one of the members. I believe that it is so by not one of you not writing. I think that the girls of Old Wilson is forsaken by that company. We would like to hear from if all you do marry that means not keeping you from writing to your old friends. I had better quit with out (asking) if this was most interesting to you. This leaves me well. Excuse the bad writing and do not let this be seen if you can pleas. E.E.C.

(P.S.) Burn this as soon as you read it and write to your friend if you pleas. EEC

Silver Springs
August the 31, 1864

Mr. James P. McCulloch (4)

My Soldier Friend,

I am once more spared to write you a short episal (epistle) to let you know that I am yet alive and not married yet. I have nothing interesting to write although it has been a long time since you have heard anything from this neighborhood. We are all yet living and trying to do the best we can. Cousin, we have seen hard times since you left and I recon you have seen hard time your-self. The yankees have imposed on us. They have taken all of our stock but they have not got any of our niggros (negroes) and I am in hopes they will not get any of them. Most everyone has gone from this neighborhood. Cousing I never was as glad in my life as when I saw Frank W. (5) yesterday evening and he told me that you all had once more come back to your old native land. I would give anything to see you. I could take a week with you. I am in hopes that I will see Rebbles from this time and forever for I am tired of seeing the yankee. It will kill me if you all leave the country again. I want to go when you all go back.

Cousin I recon you would like to hear from all of your old sweet~hearts. I don't know but one of them and that is Miss Mollie L. and she is going to marry soon to Mr. John D. and Miss Sallie Averitt is going to marry Mr. Creal. There has been several weddings since you left. Billie Lanius and I are waiting for the Rebbles to come back. We are not married and we don't expect to marry soon.

Cousin the yankee don't allow me to speak to a rebble but I will speak or die. They came here to take me a prisoner one day but I was not at home. They talk about sending me south but I recon they have given that out. You ought to hear me play all the rebble's pieces for them when they ask me to play. I am strong a rebble as ever, but I have been afraid to talk.

Cousin I have had a nice time going to protracted meetings (revival services). There was three young men came here to go with me last night as cooks but I did not go. I heard that you was (several illegible words) are not if you stay any time in this country come down and see us. Rebbles are not allowed to come here but you can come any hour. Bettie Lanius send you her love. Cousin write to me if you have the chance. I could write more but it is getting late. Please excuse all mistakes and bad writing for this is wrote in hast(e). Your friend,

E.E.C.

Notes:

(1) George Lanius was a 1st Lt. in Co. F, 28th Tenn. Infantry, and an uncle of the author's wife.

(2) Ed Curd was Edward Curd of Freeman's Battery, and the great grandfather of Sam Davis Camp member Chuck Murphy. "Uncle" Price Curd, who took the Oath, was Edward's father.

(3) Camp Chase, Ohio, was a yankee prison camp that was the destination for many political prisoners and Confederate sympathizers in the Middle Tennessee area.

(4) James P. McCulloch of Freeman's Battery is the Confederate ancestor of record for Sam Davis Camp member Sean McMahan.

(5) Frank W. was James Franklin Wallace, a member of Freeman's Battery and a great-great grandfather of the author's wife. Frank Wallace was married to Catherine Lanius, sister of George Lanius (1). Another of her brothers, Richard, was a member of Freeman's Battery.

NASHVILLE DAILY UNION
October 12, 1862,

A large number of private letters, written to soldiers in the rebel army, were captured the other day at Lavergne, and have been placed in our possession. As indicative of the sentiments and opinions of the Southern people in reference to the war, and also of their actual condition, these letters, written in the honest confidence of affection are of very great value. They are straws on the current of the wind. . .

The next letter we pick up is dated Sept. 22d, from a lady to her husband, written in a beautiful hand, on a sheet of paper torn from a memorandum book. She says:

"I have seen a good many conscripts going by to-day, but had much rather see you all coming back than to see others going off. I don't think that looks much like the war is closing. I have almost given up in despair of its ever closing. I am sorry to think of you all having such hard times out there. I hear they (the Yankees) are dying daily in New Orleans with yellow fever. I wish the last one would die." Seat you vixen!

A wife in Clark county, Alabama, writes to her husband that she can get no paper to send him letters. She is attending to the stock herself, and says she can get no money, and is in much trouble.

Another wife, in the came county, tells her husband that there has been no rain for two months, and she will raise no corn. She begs her husband to let her have some flour, as her provisions are all gone and she does not know what to do. Another poor wife entreats her husband to "get a folo (furlough) and come home." She can get no candles to burn.

Another wife writes to her husband that their son "Bob says he is tiard of staying at home by ourselves without a paw." We advise Robert's paw to go home.-Her daughter Nancy "does with the Yankeys would behave ther selves and be at peace."

Poor women, how rudely the iron foot of rebellion tramples on their tender affections! These letters are all written on half sheets of paper, of the worst quality, and many of them on scraps torn from blank books. The ink, too, is evidently home-made.

One wife tells her husband that "number 8 black thread is selling for five dollars, and they say it will soon be ten." She tells him to "take good care of his wool shirts, for wool is now hard to get." One of their boys is "afraid to leave the woods," as they are "conscripting in that neighborhood."

Here is a most affectionate letter from a sweet little boy who has got his mother to write for him to pa, begging him to quit the soldiers and come home. Alas, poor little fellow, the next tidings you may have from your dear Pa may be that General Bragg has shot him down like a brute for trying to go and visit you. His mother writes that the "crops are an entire failure, and salt can't be had." "I think," says she, "that it would be the best thing that ever was done, if you all would just come home. If I knew the war would last I would rather die now, for if you don't come home we will all have to perish. You don't know how bad I want to see your face."

A soldier writes to his brother that he has been trying to get a discharge, but finds it an impossibility for a man to get out of the service now; "you have to swear as long as you can stand, and swear furthermore."

A wife in Baldwin county, also writes on September 16th, that there is a "good deal of talk here about the war stopping." But, alas, here is another written last May, which says they tell her "there will be no more fighting after twenty days." Cruel deception!

"Come home brother, if you can" writes another, "we have hard times all over the country. They say peace will be made in a few days. No rain here for more than eight weeks." Peace would be more welcome to this poor man than rain even.

"Don't get out of heart brother," says another writing to a soldier; "I don't believe this war will last much longer, I think there will be peace in a few weeks." What a heart-ache and yearning there is for peace among the people.

But, Henry, Senator Gustaves Henry, drawing eight dollars per diem in Richmond, rises and Congress and yells: "No peace! Hoist the black flag, and begin a war of extermination!" Didn't Hell ring with laughter when the infamous sentiment was uttered?

"Dear husband I do want you to come home the first chance you get. I hear three States have gone back into the Union. If it is so you may as well give it up and come home." That wife does not want the war to continue.

"Husband I am sick, but I would be well if I could see you, I heard peace was made. I pray God it may be so, come home and stay with me once more and we will be so happy."

"Up with the black flag," responds the aristocratic Senator Henry.

Several wives writes to their husbands that they have been swindled out of their money sent home to them, by the hands of false friends. We though chivalry would scorn to cheat a woman! "I do wish you all had never volunteered, there was no use in it, any how;" writes a most affectionate wife, whose letter is stained with tear drops.

Mrs. Fulton has heard that there has been a great battle, and writes to her husband to inform her immediately if he is dead.

Mrs. B_____ don't state anything of much interest, except that she has "had the colic for several days." If these lines should happen to reach Mrs. B_____ before her recover, we beg leave to remind her that a little catnip tea is, like parmacetti,

"The sovereignest thing on earth for in'ard pains."

Let her drink the life-restoring and soothing infusion and be healed, for its "leaves are for the healing of nations." Some of the happiest memories of the days of our boyhood are connected with catnip and paregoric. We regard catnip as the safest, besides we don't suppose that paregoric can be had in Alabama at all.

Why here is an epistolary gem, a jewel inestimable among these letters, for it is a message from Margaret Ann to her sweet-heart.

She is affectionate, but spunky, and to the impertinent inquiry of her soldier lover why she writes to "another man," she replies she will write to him "or any other man" who "will write to her in friendship."

She says that in her neighborhood the men and women have reversed their occupations,and while you all in camp are down to your washing and mending, I am at home a ploughing an old contrary old mule, and you may guess whether I curse any or not; so that I am about to fall from grace; and I desire an interest in your prayers all next week, until I get over ploughing my corn. I will answer your letters as long as I can get paper to write on or money to pay postage, but this is my last sheet of paper, for paper is a great object."

"Oh what peaseful hours we once Injoyed, How sweet their memory Still but yeu have left an aching Void the world can never fill."

Margaret Ann _____

How mulish and how affectionate! Won't she make Thomas see sights if he should not pull straight and true in the matrimonial harness? How graphically this Alabama Dulcinea writes! We see her now "in our mind's eye," as she drives her obstinate mule before her in the furrow, geeing and singing, hawing and cursing.

"What peaceful (Gee! you pesky critter!) hours I once enjoyed, How sweet their (haw! d__n you!) memory still, (Plague take you, you long-eared heathen, you made me tear all the edging off my under fixins!) But you (oh my Thomas!) have left an aching (Quit kicking, blast your eyes!) void, the world can never fill!

O thou wandering Thomas, leave the banner of Mars and return to that Cupid and fill that "aching void" of which Margaret Ann complains, with such seraphic sweetness

"Return oh wanderer return And seek thy injured Margaret's face!" And then thou shalt experience the truth that, "Tongue cannot express The sweet comfort and peace Of a soul in its earliest love!"

But here is another letter of rather a different character from any we have had yet. An indignant

Mrs. Caudle writes to her spouse, who is doubtless as blameless as Joseph of old; "I hear bad news of you, for they say that you have got another woman for a sweet-heart!" Madam, we don't believe a word of it! Your consort is no doubt as true to you as he is to Dixie-and dirt. Think too of the absurdity of a fellow going to see a sweet-heart, wearing a rimless hat, a raw cowhide shoe on one foot, and a toeless boot on the other, one gallows on, both elbows out, and his shirt tail streaming in the Autumn winds! Nonsense Madam, you ought to be ashamed of yourself!

And her is one-the last and saddest-from whose sorrow-shadowed leaves we dare not quote. It is from a mother, a bereaved mother, who writes to her husband, far from home, and in the ranks, that she has just buried their two and only little children-one on one day, and the other on the day following-and now, like Rachel, she is left desolate amid the shattered fragments of the household gods whom she worshipped.

The bright and loving eyes of her little cherubs are closed in the long eclipse of death, and starless gloom gathers around her, and mortal coldness strikes her inmost heart. In her husband's absence they had become doubly precious to her, and their sweet "Mother" and fond "Good night," were musical in her ears as the song of birds.

Now, the little hat and the little bonnet hang uncalled for against the wall, and their pattering feet ring no more through her chamber, for they are gone forever.

Sad is thy fate, oh mother; but thou art not alone in thy bereavement; for this inhuman rebellion has made tenfold sharper the tortures of such afflictions to thousands of mothers, who mourn their coffined babes, in the absence of the husbands who should be present to comfort and support them in their sore agony.

Oh corrupt, reckless, heartless leaders of this unholy rebellion, how these households you have desolated, these hearts which you have bruised, rise up in judgment against you!