Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, August 24 and 25, 1864

Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, August 24 and 25, 1864

Capers writes that Ben made it to Atlanta the night before but was tasked with helping put out a fire. He says how upset he is that Lottie has only received three of his letters and hopes that she will eventually receive all of them. He writes about some people in camp including Joe who is on leave for the fourth time and he also mentions that Hardtimes, his horse, is missing. He closes by asking after the children and hopes that Lottie is getting the rest she deserves. In his short note on the 25th, Capers talks about old letters finally arriving and how homesick he is.

A1961.1, Box 3, Folder 25

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Ellison Capers Collection

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https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/498

[Page 1]
In the Trenches, Atlanta Ga.
Wednesday Evening
August 24th 1864

My precious wife

Ben reached Atlanta last night and was pressed into service at a fire in the city during the night, and did not reach me here until just now. I read all of your dear letter of Sunday, and Monday last, with great pleasure. But I am truly surprised and grieved to learn that up to Sunday the 21st you had received but three letters from me, when I have written, my angel, every day. I hope [illegible] reached you this morning. I trust, my darling, that you may eventually get all of my letters. I have received now all of yours up to the 17th, having got five by our mail yesterday. I will see Hagood about the Appeal. He told me that he had ordered it sent you at Aiken. It is now, my darling, a trifling little sheet, about the size of a half sheet of cap paper, & printed only

[Page 2]
on one side. I won’t be able to pay Mr. Valentine before I draw my August pay in Sept. Ben, I think, looks thinner than when he left us. I can scarcely read Sister [illegible] letter you sent me. She does write a horrid hand. I rode down last night to the cook wagons and took supper with Bowie. On my way back I stopped at Joe’s, & found him off, at Griffin, on a thirty-six hour leave! That is his fourth leave of absence since we left Winter Qurs. Some people are born lucky. He is to return tonight. I have not seen or hear of Richie yet, & my duties keep me too closely confined to the [illegible] to hunt up or visit friends. My darling, I know you will almost cry when I tell you that I have lost my noble little Hardtimes. He was stolen from where I kept my horses night before last, & so far all search has proven unavailing. Ben could not get my bag of tinware & (cost me at least $50) in Augusta. He thinks

[Page 3 – written on top of page 1]
Mr. Rhodes negro must have stolen it. So do I. What is the matter with Frank’s toe? You speak of it being almost well, or better. I do devoutly trust, my own dear Lottie, that our little girl will not break your rest at night. You need it, my cherished wife, and I think of you every time I awake at night, & wonder if you are sweetly sleeping, or disturbed by your little girl! God grant you, my sweet angel, rest at night & comfort in day time. The words of tenderness you send me in your letters by Ben come to my heart like doves to their windows. They find shelter & nourishment here Lottie! You know that I prize them! It happens just now that our sky to the East is very dark & cloudy, & our attention is just called to see a beautiful Rainbow spanning the cloudy

[Page 4 – written on top of page 2]
regions. The contrast is lovely, & most beautiful! I could but think of your dear words of love, coming to me amid scenes of strife and suffering, and like the bow in the clouds they form beauteous bow of promise & of joy in my heart, my own darling wife.

Thursday, Aug. 25th - Quite well today Lottie. No letter today, our mails are very irregular. The mail just now brought me a letter written at Macon on the 17th, eight days ago! And the same mail, a letter from Charleston on the 23rd, only two days ago! Eventually you will get my letters, I suppose. I have never before felt so restless & impatient of our separation! I am too homesick! I do so long to see you & our precious little ones! May God grant us soon a happy reunion. Kiss Frank & May for me. Good bye now, my dear Lottie.

Your Ellie