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

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

Capers writes that the army has reached Decatur in northern Alabama and has been camped outside of the garrison for a few days. He talks about the mail and thanks Lottie for remembering his birthday. He also mentions that he was not surprised by his defeat in the Legislature since many of his friends did not know to vote for him. He closes by trying to tell Lottie that although he has much on his mind, he is fortified by God and is grateful for His love and kindness.

A1961.1, Box 3, Folder 41

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Ellison Capers Collection

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[Page 1]
Bivouac 24th S.C.V.
Decatur Ala.
Friday Oct. 28th 1864

My own beloved wife

Here I am way up here in Northern Ala, & on the Tennessee River! We have had most lovely weather until day before yesterday, when our march to this place was made most unpleasant by a constant, hard rain. Today is bright and beautiful. Decatur is garrisoned by from 2 to 5000 men, is well fortified. Our army has been in front of it since day before yesterday evening, but I see no preparations for an assault. What is on the card I can’t say. We have marched 320 miles, to this point.

I sent you two letters from Gadsden Ala, where we stopped a day. Our mails come up to us, but we have no way of sending off letters yet. Bowie has an opportunity today, & I write by it. My health continues to be good my darling. I received your letter of the 14th inst. while on Sand Mt. Thank you my angel for remembering me on my birthday. Did you think of it, that the 23rd inst. was Oddy’s birthday? Dear fellow! He realizes a perfect enjoyment of it, now. I was not surprised at my defeat in the Legislature. If my Va. friends & my own company had given me only a tolerable vote, I would have been elected, but neither of these know of my nomination, & therefore did not vote for me. My German friends in Charleston gave me a very handsome vote, for which I am much obliged to them. My friends here (Charleston) after examining the returns think I have nothing to be ashamed of. I do,

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as my vote was given me without feather’s weight of effort on my part. But this is my first and last appearance on the political stage.

In your letter of the 14th, you did not say when you expected to go to Cherry Grove, but only that you would meet your sister & Dwight at Branchville after they had visited Mrs. D & the younger Mrs. Dwight. I take it that these visits will consume most of the month of November, so that I will direct this to Aiken. In your letter, dearest, you ask me what it is that troubles my peace of mind? My darling Lottie, I have, in common with thousands of my comrades, much on my mind [illegible], but I thank God, my Lottie, that my peace of mind is fortified by His Grace which He vouchsafes to me for Jesus sake. I have everything to be grateful for my darling, & I am most grateful to God for His goodness & loving kindness to me. You must not think me unhappy darling. You & our little ones fill my heart, & if God unites us again we will live for Him, & be perfectly happy.

Kiss my boy & little May. Love to the family. And may God keep & bless you & ours, & give us His Spirit for this life & the life hereafter.

My dear Lottie, my angel, adue

Your
Ellie