Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, May 7, 1862

Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, May 7, 1862

Capers writes that he is glad that Lottie is feeling better but upset that their son is still ill. He talks about the possibility of losing another child and that she should do the best she can for him but the rest is in God's hands. He then writes that he owes much of his success in life to his friend Colonel Stevens including his position and influence as well as meeting her. He also talks about her accommodations and asks her to write to his mother. He gives her his love and closes by telling her that they will move to Secessionville in a few days.

A1961.1, Box 2, Folder 40

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Ellison Capers Collection

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https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/476

[Page 1]
Coles Island
Wednesday Night
May 7th 1862

My own precious wife

Your fourth letter, written on Monday morning, was brought down by the main carrier today. I am rejoiced to hear of your continuing to improve, my darling, but I am sorry to learn that my dear little boy is still unwell & that his [illegible] anticipates another blow to our hearts in his loss. You must banish this idea, my angel, or you can’t be happy. I have got in the way of thinking of & brooding over the future, and the terrible thought that I am one day soon to lose you, gives me the intensest pain & caused me many an hour’s wakefulness, which ought to have been spent in slumber. And by the practice of this injurious habit it becomes ever present with me, and not until very recently have I been able to strike it off at all. Do your best for our dear little boy, my darling, & leave the result with our Heavenly Father, remembering that he does all

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things well. If he takes our baby from your arms I shall feel my sinfulness has brought this terrible chastisement on, and that all God’s goodness to me having failed to secure my efforts in His behalf He has chosen to bring me to his service through the fiery furnace. Since I got your letter I have been thinking of all the mercies of God to me. My success in life is wholly attributable to my position at the academy & that is due to the influence of my friend Col Stevens, but had I accepted the position offered me in Mississippi, or had I succeeded in my bank idea, or further back yet, had I not withdrawn my discharge, which I got in 1861, I never would have graduated, never would have got my position & influence and still more important, as I started off with Ma for Oxford, I would have been taken away from you, & your friends, society, & most probably would never have married you! Was not the finger of God in this? I well recollect Ma’s position in the discharge matter. I can’t advise you, said she, my

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son, but I pray for you constantly that God would direct you to do that which is best. That was her position when we got to Columbia, from which place I telegraphed to Brother to withhold my discharge until I came back. What a blessed thing for me has it been that I did so! It will gratify you to know that Genl. Ripley, who was here on yesterday, told me that three officers went before Genl. Pemberton for the appointment of military governor of Charleston, under the martial law order, viz Col. Stevens, Col Hagood & myself, & that I had liked to have been the man appointed. This I mention to you, my darling, in no vainglorious, or conceited spirit, but because it was gratifying to me as I know it will be to you to hear it. I wrote you on last night, & mailed the letter this morning. I gave you there, darling, my views of your plans, & have written to Miss Susan Kerr, in Aiken, who, Holmes says has a good home. I will have to get a furlough, when you are ready, and take the matter in hand myself. And while

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I think of it, my darling, you must be sure to write to Mama as often as once a week, and be as confidential as you can. What is it you call Miss R’s place? I have not been able to make it out yet. Give my love to [illegible] & tell her that I am not only her friend, but also very much in love with her! And will continue to be so as long as she loves you. But, Lottie, dear, you must fix that milk matter right away & don't hesitate to ask Miss R. to give you fresh milk night & morning for Frank. I send you by the first opportunity the articles needed. I wish you God’s blessing in [illegible], darling. And [illegible] good night, my darling. You are the joy & the life of my heart. My whole soul is fixed upon you, & if I were with you now in this moment, [illegible words] happy, notwithstanding the fact that I should [illegible words]. Good bye. Ellison

P. S. All the Gens gone--our orders are to be ready when we see the ships coming in. I think we will move in a few days to Secessionville.