Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, September 17 and 18, 1864
Title
Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, September 17 and 18, 1864
Subject
Description
In his letter on the 17th, Capers complains to Lottie about how slow the mail is but that he is glad that their daughter May is better. He also tells her to remember to trust in God in all things. In his letter on the 18th, Capers writes that the army has moved but he is not entirely sure of their destination. He thinks it could be near the Atlanta & Montgomery Rail Road. He also tells Lottie not to worry if she doesn't here from him after a battle since he will always send a telegram or messenger. He was not permitted to send private telegrams by the generals.
Creator
Source
A1961.1, Box 3, Folder 33
Publisher
The Citadel Archives & Museum
Date
Rights
Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409.
Relation
Ellison Capers Collection
Format
application/pdf
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/506
Date Valid
Audience
Text
[Page 1]
Jonesboro Georgia
Saturday Night
Sept. 17th/64
My own dear angel
Your letter of the 7th inst. with a precious line added on the morning of the 8th, came today, nine days on the way. On that very morning, the 8th, Hill ought to have reached Kalmia with my letter to you, telling you of my safety and enclosing you $150. No doubt he reached you by the 9th. It is very strange how your letters are delayed. I get them eventually but see how they come! Those written on the 2nd, 5th and 6th recd. day before yesterday, & now today comes that of the 7 & 8. I am not going to use directed envelopes any more. I’ll use turned ones but directed ones. Bishop Lay told me today that he rec’d a letter on the 15th written in Charleston on the 12th. Several of my men & officers got letters yesterday, & the day before, dated the 11 and 12! But I thank God, with all my heart, that our May is better. May it please Him to give her & Frank, & you, my dear Lottie, continued health.
I send you, my darling, a copy of a letter I have written Mr. [illegible]. I am
[Page 2] persuaded that I am in the path of duty, & I know you will approve my course. My heart warms to my Heavenly Father for all that He has done for me and us. In sickness -- in peril -- in danger -- in tribulation, He has blessed us, & gives us His Holy Spirit continually. You must never lose your trust, my Lottie. Always remember, & rest in the sweet assurance, that God does all things well. Your own dear Ellie is in His hands.
Sunday morning, 18th inst.
My light gave out last night my dear darling wife, and I deferred my letter until this morning. Our army changed its position today [illegible words]. I think it likely that our corps will march [illegible words]. I am not informed where we go precisely, but think our move will be over to the other Rail Road, the Atlanta & Montgomery Rail Road. If this be so our communication with S. C. will be by way of Columbus & then to Macon. [Illegible words]
[Page 3]
this route in three days.
I will send [illegible] to S.C. again after I get settled in our new position. He pays his own expenses.
Let me assure you, my dear angel, that when you do not hear from me after an engagement, it is more than probable that I am safe. I will always communicate, either by telegram, or by messenger, if I am dangerously wounded, my darling. If I had had control of my time or access to the telegraphic office, I would have sent you a telegram immediately after the battle of the 31 & 1st. But our Generals would not allow private telegrams of the character mine would have been to go over the wires. [Illegible words]. Let the experience of the past be a lesson to you, & because time may elapse & no tidings of me still hope and believe that all things work together for good to those that love God.
Mr Auld is is now assembling
[Page 4]
his congregation for service, & I must go & worship our blessed Heavenly Father too.
I send this to be mailed at Macon by Bishop Lay who goes down this evening.
Love & kisses for you, my darling.
May our Father in Heaven bless & keep you always, my dearest.
[Illegible words]
Jonesboro Georgia
Saturday Night
Sept. 17th/64
My own dear angel
Your letter of the 7th inst. with a precious line added on the morning of the 8th, came today, nine days on the way. On that very morning, the 8th, Hill ought to have reached Kalmia with my letter to you, telling you of my safety and enclosing you $150. No doubt he reached you by the 9th. It is very strange how your letters are delayed. I get them eventually but see how they come! Those written on the 2nd, 5th and 6th recd. day before yesterday, & now today comes that of the 7 & 8. I am not going to use directed envelopes any more. I’ll use turned ones but directed ones. Bishop Lay told me today that he rec’d a letter on the 15th written in Charleston on the 12th. Several of my men & officers got letters yesterday, & the day before, dated the 11 and 12! But I thank God, with all my heart, that our May is better. May it please Him to give her & Frank, & you, my dear Lottie, continued health.
I send you, my darling, a copy of a letter I have written Mr. [illegible]. I am
[Page 2] persuaded that I am in the path of duty, & I know you will approve my course. My heart warms to my Heavenly Father for all that He has done for me and us. In sickness -- in peril -- in danger -- in tribulation, He has blessed us, & gives us His Holy Spirit continually. You must never lose your trust, my Lottie. Always remember, & rest in the sweet assurance, that God does all things well. Your own dear Ellie is in His hands.
Sunday morning, 18th inst.
My light gave out last night my dear darling wife, and I deferred my letter until this morning. Our army changed its position today [illegible words]. I think it likely that our corps will march [illegible words]. I am not informed where we go precisely, but think our move will be over to the other Rail Road, the Atlanta & Montgomery Rail Road. If this be so our communication with S. C. will be by way of Columbus & then to Macon. [Illegible words]
[Page 3]
this route in three days.
I will send [illegible] to S.C. again after I get settled in our new position. He pays his own expenses.
Let me assure you, my dear angel, that when you do not hear from me after an engagement, it is more than probable that I am safe. I will always communicate, either by telegram, or by messenger, if I am dangerously wounded, my darling. If I had had control of my time or access to the telegraphic office, I would have sent you a telegram immediately after the battle of the 31 & 1st. But our Generals would not allow private telegrams of the character mine would have been to go over the wires. [Illegible words]. Let the experience of the past be a lesson to you, & because time may elapse & no tidings of me still hope and believe that all things work together for good to those that love God.
Mr Auld is is now assembling
[Page 4]
his congregation for service, & I must go & worship our blessed Heavenly Father too.
I send this to be mailed at Macon by Bishop Lay who goes down this evening.
Love & kisses for you, my darling.
May our Father in Heaven bless & keep you always, my dearest.
[Illegible words]
Collection
Citation
Capers, Ellison, 1837-1908, “Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, September 17 and 18, 1864,” The Citadel Archives Digital Collections, accessed April 28, 2024, https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/506.