Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, December 6, 1861

Letter from Ellison Capers to his wife Lottie, December 6, 1861

Capers writes to Lottie from Wadmalaw Island. He says that he rode his horse, Hardtimes, from Charleston to their camp. He describes the location, and says that he saw the smoking plantations on Edisto Island. Capers asks Lottie to make him a bed sack, and says that he no longer needs leggings.

A1961.1, Box 1, Folder 47

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Ellison Capers Collection

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[Page 1]
Camp at Rockville Wadmalaw Island S. C.
Dec 6th 1861

My precious wife, I have an opportunity to send a letter to the post office today, and embrace it to write to you, my own darling Lottie. I was detained in Charleston until Wednesday morning when I left on Hardtimes for the camp. I rode the 28 miles in 4 hours and a half, finding my horse as fresh when I arrived as when I had started. If you will look on the map, in the dining room, you will see the road leading from the city to this place. It crosses the new Bridge and goes on to [illegible] Ferry, over Stono, then down John’s and Wadmalaw Island to this place. It is situated near the North Edisto River & within four miles of the sea. We can hear the roar, of the sea, & the heavy echo of the enemy’s siege guns at Port Royal very distinctly. Rockville is the New Hope of the Wadmalaw planters, but unlike New Hope it is a beautiful spot. It is right on a high bluff of Bohicket Creek, which runs into North Edisto about 3 ½ miles from its mouth, and cuts off Seabrook’s Island from Wadmalaw. There are two churches in the village, an Episcopalian and Presbyterian. Of course the village is deserted, and we are going to take down the near little steeple to the church today, as it is a landmark in the U.S Coast survey. The smoking plantations on Edisto Island fill me with alternate feelings of pride and

[Page 2]
sadness. Oh! How many hearths are made almost desolate! Better to be as we are, without ever having planted a tree on “the dearest spot in all the world”, than to see the precious spot in ruins! But better, far better, this, than that a single home should be polluted by the Yankee Vandals who invade our soil. We have, darling, but one spot & on that spot is planted an evergreen that, thank God, can never fade! An eternal flower! Our Angel Kate. I wrote you that I visited our little garden on the morning I left the city. As soon as I can, I will have a fence put around it, for all of the larger plants have been eaten off by cows. I am very sorry I could not settle on the sale of mamas house for her - I did not send you the ten in the last letter as I said I would. I want you daring, to make me a bed sack, and put an opening in the middle of it which can be closed with buttons, or better, with string. If you have not already made them you need not make the leggings. I am quite well, except for this new water I am drinking. I will take your prescription, darling, and hope it will put all right. You know Mr. Stevens has offered [illegible] the Majority. Be sure you tear up the last letter I wrote you. Kiss my dear little boy & may God bless you, Lottie, my own precious wife. I am ever thinking of you and whenever I put on the warm cap you made for me. I prize it more

[Page 3 - written on side of Page 2]
because Lottie, my dear Lottie, made it for me! Be cheerful my darling and prayerful & hopeful and all will be well. I hope Peter gets up safely. Love to all. Good bye my Angel. E.