Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, September 28, 1864

Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, September 28, 1864

Capers complains about the slow postal service and hopes that Lottie is receiving his letters. He gives a physical description of Jefferson Davis who visited the camp in anticipation of a possible assault on Sherman and Atlanta. He also scolds Lottie for using learning as a means of disciplining Frank. The remainder of the letter is missing.

A1961.1, Box 3, Folder 35

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Ellison Capers Collection

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English

Text

https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/507

[Page 1]
Camp in Atlanta & W. Pt. R.R.
Wednesday 28th Sept/64

My own, my dear wife

Our mail is flucking up! On yesterday I received two letters from you -- one written on the 19th & post marked on the 20th, and the other, written on the 21st & 22nd & mailed on the 22nd; also one from Mr. Stevens. I hope you too are receiving my letters. In yours of the 21st inst. you acknowledge the receipt of four. I send this by one of my men to be mailed at Augusta. He goes home on sick leave. I will have another man going by the first of Oct. This man gets a furlough on the ground that he has not seen his family for two years & twenty days!

I hope that

[Page 2]
[ illegible] will reach you safely.

I got a good look at Mr. Davis on yesterday, as he took the cars for his departure. I have never been more disappointed in the face of any one than in the President’s. His manner though gracful & good, is not elegant because it bears the evidence of being put on, & is, therefore, not easy. His face is very common. I could not see his eye. His size, too, is against his general appearance. He is very thin, & but little, if at all, taller than brother Frank. He wore a suit of Confederate gray, with a blue shirt, white collar & a light felt hat.

Mr. Davis’ reception

[Page 3]
here has been unceremonious & undemonstrative. It was designed on the part of the army as an expression of disapproval of his removal of Genl. Johnston. From intimations I have gathered I think Mr. Davis’ visit has set on foot a movement of this army across the Chattahoochee, with a view of flanking Sherman out of Atlanta. It has not yet begun, & may not for ten days, if at all.

So Nina has a baby! Give my love to her when you write, and wish the little stranger a long & happy life for me. I am sorry to hear of Joe’s bad health. What would have become of him if he had been

[Page 4]
exposed as I have been! I tell you, Lot, I am right tuff.

I think you are radically wrong, my darling, in using books as a means to regulate Frank’s will. You will make him disgusted with learning before he is old enough to begin. Take some other means, my darling Lottie, to break his will, & don’t force him yet to his books. Why, he is only 3 years & four months old! It is a mistake [illegible]. Wait until he is six before you force, or compel him to study. In the mean while you may acquire controls over his will by other means which will insure his obeying you in the matter of learning. Teach him without books, & let his books be now, until he is 6 or 7,

[Rest of letter is missing]