Sgt.-Major
C. P. Nielson to
Matthew Dunn’s wife regarding his death
Hd Qts Featherston´s Brigade
Near Verona Jany 11th, 1865
Mrs. Dunn
Dear Madam
I received a note from Mr. Harrell a few days ago inquiring into the
circumstances of your husbands death.
On the evening of the 30th Nov 1864, our brigade was formed in line
of battle and moved through a very dense wood driving the enemy
before us. On emerging from the woods we found our selves in front
of the enemy´s breastworks at Franklin. We were ordered to charge
and at the word the Brigade moved forward your husband in the front
rank. The charge was a gallant one, many of our men reached the
works and fought for a while hand to hand with the enemy – but we
were compelled to give way – and fell back some two or three hundred
yards and there remained until next morning. Mat was killed in about
50 yards of the breastworks. He was killed instantly. During the
night the enemy retreated and at daylight next morning I went
_______ ____
__ ___ battle
field to look for my dead and wounded friends. Mat was one of the
first I found. He was lying on his back he appeared to be peacefully
sleeping a smile was on his ___________ and every thing indicated
that he _____ _____ away without a struggle. He was wounded four
times – two of which was sufficient to provide instant death. One
ball struck him directly in the front just below the breast bone
passing through another struck him in the right side passing through
another in the right cheek and another in the left hand. Early as I
was there others had been there before me and had taken every thing
of value from him. I found his testament lying on his breast and
thinking of his widow far away I put
(it)
in my pocket for you. I will be home some time this winter and will
bring it to you. My duty required my presence at other parts and I
left him. I saw afterwards that he received a decent burial at the
hands of his friends and comrades. Monroe Causey has preserved a
lock of his hair for you. His mess mates tell me that he had no
baggage except what he had with him – (his knapsack and his blanket)
and these were taken by the inhuman robbers of the dead. It would
certainly be a consolation to you to have received some last message
from your loving one, but the unexpected mess of the battle
and the circumstances of his death precluded the possibility of such
a thing. You have two strong sources of consolation Mrs. Dunn. That
your husband died as he had lived, a true Christian, and his death
was such as becomes the true soldier on the battle field with his
face to the foe and followed by love and regrets of all his
comrades. Your loss is great and deeply so. I sympathize with you
but you “mourn not as one without hope.”
I am very respectfully
Your friend
C.P. Neilson
To
Mrs. M.A. Dunn
Liberty, Miss.
[RETURN TO
TOP] Courtesy of
Virgil Roberts
Captain Moses Jackson
to his wife
Camp
Vernon
July 28, 1862
Dear Wife,
I received a letter from you a few days ago and
would have replied sooner, but we moved from Grenada to Abbeville.
Mr. Kirkland says you sent a letter and a package by him; he lost it
on the way. I have not received it.
We left Grenada last Monday and arrived at this
place in the night, at eight o’clock and slept under the trees. We
selected our camp the next morning at ten o’clock the weather was
very sultry. We worked very very hard to clean up our camp, pitch
contents and go into a brigade drill for two hours. Our camp is one
and a half miles from Abbeville, a quarter of a mile from the
railroad.
This is quite a poor town, a depot and a few
houses. We are pleasantly situated in our present camp. There is
plenty of wood and water from the finest spring I ever saw. The
soldiers make themselves sick by drinking too much. The water is
different from that at Grenada, it is free from limestone. The
country is sparsely settled and broken. The people generally are
poor.
I returned last night from a trip to Holly
Springs. I was ordered to go there with my company to guard some
wagons and to bring some provisions for the army. Started with sixty
men at four o’clock, traveled twenty miles that night and arrived at
two o’clock. We occupied the Court House the balance of the night.
The Yankee’s had occupied it Tuesday night before. They committed
great destruction in Holly Springs and vicinity, not only using
provisions to supply their army but driving off livestock and
destroying all they could. The citizens were amazed. They didn’t
know at first if we were Federalist or not. When they saw who we
were they were proud, kind and hospitable. They knew how to
appreciate soldiers; they gave us apples, cider and offered us other
kindnesses, which we declined. They were different from the people
of Grenada, the boys wanted to move up there. As we passed along the
street the ladies, children and servants came out to the gates and
cheered us. That is the only kind of reception we have met with
since we have been out.
We started from Holly Springs at ten o’clock,
arrived at nine o’clock at night. The route was long, hilly and very
sandy. We were all very tired when we reached camp. Some did not
reach camp until the next morning; their feet were blistered and
became very sore. I stood the trip very well, one of my feet began
to blister, I exchanged for a woolen sock with Clem Lea, which
relieved it.
The crops here are very fine. They have not
suffered for rain. They have the finest apple orchards I ever saw.
The trees are loaded with fruit of a fine quality. The climate and
soil is much better adapted to fruit than ours. Holly Springs is the
second largest town in the State, level and beautifully situated.
The nicest residences and the kindest people I ever saw.
We are under Col. Scott; acting Brigadier Gen. He
is quite a military man, mild and pleasant, though stern and very
strict in military discipline. I would not wonder if he did not send
half of us home or reduce us to the ranks for incompetency. Our
officers here have never done their duty, heretofore. We
consequently are not very efficient. We would show up badly if
examined by a military board. We are just where I desire to be. Our
field officers are forced to do their duty, which some of them never
have. I like equality. - Military law is in full force here. No one
can travel here unless he has a pass or can give a good account of
himself, pickets are out everywhere, officers and privates are
treated alike.
I do not think we will remain here too long. Two
regiments have left here since we come and two more are here.
Reports say the Federals have burned Nashville and are approaching
Memphis and other places to attack Richmond. Some say we will go
north, some say to Camp Moore or to Ft. Adams. I do not know. I will
write you wherever we go.
We sent some of our sick to the hospital at
Grenada when we left and some to Oxford. M.A. Dunn was among the
number though not very sick, the order came to send them, so we
could not avoid it. Dr. L.J. Spurlock was sent also. He makes a very
poor soldier. He is too lazy. Paps would be disappointed in him.
I did not get your letter until I left Grenada,
consequently cannot get the slip and indigo you wanted.
Ex-soldier, Mr. Westbrook, was accidently shot
this morning in the knee, was not very dangerous. He is in our
company. Pistols have since been taken from privates.
When we left Grenada we left all our comforts,
bedsteads and stoves behind. We have straw and take it rough and
tumble. I managed to bring a small table with me, but the tent is so
small and warm I prefer to write on a board under a shade tree. We
have received orders to ship all trunks home; a small valise is
allowed commissioned officers, so we sent our extra clothing home. I
sent my homespun coat and two pairs of socks home in Lt. Quinn’s
trunk. He will send them to Mr. James where you may get them. My
over coat was sent to Col. Lewis by Kent Westbrook who promised to
carry it to Liberty.
Our military officers are going to make our
life a rough one. Say to Nora (sister) I received her letter and
will answer soon.
I fear Mr. Kinnebrew has lost his
composition.
Your last letter was not as despondent as others
which was pleasant to me. I want you to promise after the war you
won’t let small things trouble you, which is a very good resolution.
I suggest you commence the resolution now. I would like to pay a
visit home, but it seems impossible at present. Perhaps it will not
be so always. Our major tried to get a furlough last week but
failed. The health of our regiment is not very good. There is more
or less cases of fever and diarrhea. I have been as well as
previous. I have lost a little weight due to heavy duty and the
sultry weather. I have not missed a day from duty in two months,
which cannot be said by many officers. There is considerable
shirking among officers and the men. I have learned that few of the
militia have (sic) left Amite County yet, owing to our doctors
giving them certificates, which is wrong. That shows what men will
do to shirk their duty. If possible they would have a few bear the
burden of this war. I have learned that those who fail to come will
be sent for, which is just and proper. Everyone thinks his neighbor
can be spared better than he. I hope the last one is brought up to
scratch. If each would do his duty it would be much lighter on the
rest of us. If I could leave home almost anyone could.
We have several Captains under arrest for
allowing their men to commit devastation on the planters. Sentences
were read this morning from the color line. Also sentencing four or
five privates to wear a ball and chain and live on bread and water
for fifteen days forfeiting three months’ pay because they incited
mutiny and refused to do duty. The usual penalty by the military is
death.
I sent you a few leaves from the silver leaf
poplar which is quite common here and is a beautiful shade tree. It
looks so pretty when the breeze waves the silvery leaves up. I could
write you more, but the drum calls me to drill. Give my love to all
and accept the same.
Your husband,
Moses Jackson
[RETURN TO
TOP] Courtesy of
Virgil Roberts
& Barbara Jackson
