Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, January 25, 1862

Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, January 25, 1862

Capers writes how the weather has improved and as a result, camp duties have been actively performed. He includes a sketch of their encampment and describes the different components. He remarks on his good health and how he sent his horse, Hardtimes, back to the city during the bad weather. He also describes a visit with Lady and their conversation.

A1961.1, Box 2, Folder 15

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Ellison Capers Collection

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English

Text

https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/469

[Page 1]
Saturday Night--
Jany 25th 1862

My precious Lottie

I will begin the letter which is to go up to you on Tuesday, & will add to it every night till Tuesday morning. A clear sky and a bright sun saluted us this morning after the dismal days just past, and the duties of the camp have all been actively performed. I will draw below the plan of our encampment, so that you may show it to Frank, some of these days, when I shall have been laid on the altar. Here it is, after a fashion- [see drawing on original letter]

So you see we are right on the road to

[Page 2]
the city, & very near Wappoo Creek, & James Island Ferry. The little round marks on the soldiers’ tents and the square marks are the company officers tents, and the stars are the staff tents, the larger one being mine. The large round mark is the hospital tent but I have [illegible words]. The tents by themselves, marked G. are the guard tents. We have had a terrible time during these last few days, but thank God, I have not suffered. My health continues good, & my chest gives me no pain. My woolen socks, gloves, and comforter are inestimable. I sent Hardtimes to the city after the first night of the storms, for I felt it to be cruel to tie the poor fellow out in this old field with no shelter, in such weather. I have no servant yet and am now using one of Col. Stevens. You say I did not tell you how Lady was. She seemed much improved, darling, and glad to see me, but did not say one word about you, or Frank, or the present you sent her. She is a singular being indeed. While Lady is very vacillating, Lottie, she is also of a very unforgiving spirit, and I believe, that she harbors in her ill directed heart, a revengeful feeling toward you and I for the island.