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Civil War Letters of George McKinney
Camp Inmantown Virginia
Aug. 29, 1861
Dear Wife,
After my love to you I can inform you that I am in common health hoping these lines find (you) well. We are lying at camp waiting to march though we dont know when or whether at all or not for if we were to know the truth we don’t know it. As for the news I cant give you it for I can’t tell you the truth and you do not want me to tell you a pack of lies as some do. We have plenty to eat though we are bad cooks. I want you to write soon and let me know how you are and how you are doing. I have not received a letter from you yet and I have rote ten letters to you. You cant tell how I want to see you nor neither can I tell nor pen cannot describe. I have shed thousands of tears and my eyes are branches runing down my cheaks. At this time I have not drawn anything only my uniform yet I will draw the first of September. I think we will gain the victory as I think we are write and that God is on our side and if he is for us who can be against us. Aunt Ally I send you my love and I would like to see you. I would like to be thare to eat peaches with you .If you could be here you could see lights on the Regiment of men one mile long and four deep and one hundred cannons and a many horsemen, and I can tell you I am done singing carry me back to old Virginia. I will give you the current prices for things. Chickens from25 to 50 cents a piece, butter from 25 cents to 33 cents a pound. Honey 25 cents a pound in the comb, pork is 22 cents a pound and sells as fast as chickens would at a Spartenburg Court House at cents. We had tow little scouts though. Returned back to camp by the enemy retreating. Our guard killed 16 Yankees yesterday. We was intending to go again last night though we was not called for. I heard from you about four weeks ago by John Martins letter. Nathan is well and wants to hear from (you?). So no more only write in haste.
You husband and friend until death
George McKinney
Tell Father to write to me.
Camp near McLame’s Ford
Fairfax County Virginia
October 24th 1861
Dear Sallie I now have an opportunity to let you know that I am well and doing well. I have not written to you for some time. We have been moving about a great deal and have been out on pickett and I have not had a good chance.
I have been well generally since I wrote to you and I hope when this comes to hand it will find you and the children well. I have no particular news to write. We are doing tolerably well considering we are now some 5 or 6 miles from where we were when I last wrote to you. We have moved back toward Bull Run. We are ½ mile from Bull Run Creek and 1 ½ miles from the Battle ground.
There has been another large battle faught up some 20 or 25 miles from here at a place called Leesburg and our men have given the Yankees a decent flogging. We took a good many prisoners and killed some. One Regt. out of our Brigade is gone to support our Army.
Oct. 28th 1861 I am tolerably well this morning. I was sick last night but better now. We had a very large frost this morning and a right smart chance of ice. I want to see you and all the children and connexions very bad. There is a talk here that there will be a chance for us to volunteer for the war, that is volunteer and go home for 30 days on furlough and then come in for the war. For my part I do not expect to go in til my time is out.
Dear Father, I received a letter from you a few weeks ago and was very glad to hear from you. We have not received a cent of money yet and there seems to be no such talk and there are things we are compelled to have and I want you to send me a dollar. We do not expect to stay here long but we don’t know where we will go.
General Evens has given the Yankees a nice brushing. He took 530 prisoners the first time he faught and 220 the second time and killed a great many and took 6 pieces of cannon. We expect to move from here soon and when we get stationed I will write again. We have quit drilling almost entirely and I never have been put on double duty or in the guard house. We have lost ten men by death from our company. The last two were Wm. Cannon and Martin Elder.
To Martin McKinney
Dear Brother I want you to write me and tell me all the news. I would like to see you the best in the world and I hope it will not be long til we are able to do so.
Dear Sallie I want you to write to me how you are getting along and how you are doing in general. Kiss the little children for me and give my respects to all friends. I must come to a close.
Your affectionate husband
George McKinney
to Sallie McKinney
I want you to send me some of your and the childrens hair.
Camp near Cen------------e
November 19, 1861
Dear Wife,
It is with much pleasure I seat myself this afternoon to write you a few lines in answer to you kind and interesting letter which I received yesterday having it come to hand in due time and found me well and this leaves me the same and well satisfied.
I have no news to write to you that will interest you. Times is about as they have been here.
I received the things you sent me. I was needing them very bad.
I see something new everyday. I see’d a heap of people everyday and a heap of sorts of people everyday. There is Thirty Nine Regiments in 1 mile & ½ of where we are camped.
I would like to see you and the children very well but I think it would cost too much to go home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
You wrote to me to come home before I volunteer again and I expect to do so if I live which hopefully I will, though we have lost 11 out of our Company.
You must write to me once every week. I expect to write every week if I can.
I am at work today. I have to work a day every three or four days but that don’t hurt me. I am fattening on it and you won’t believe it. Will tell you my weight. I weigh 196lbs & ½.
Tell D.C. Dobbins I have not received his letter yet. Tell him he must write again and give me all the news and times and how he is getting along in the world. Tell him all the boys is well. They are not so homesick as they was a while back.
We hear a good deal of talk of a battle but I don’t think it will be seen.
Tell Dobbins to write to me what all them cowardly boys is doing home. Give him my love and best respects. Tell him how I like to see him and Nancy and the children.
Wm. Lovelac sends his love to him and the family. Tell him he ought to be here to see them shoot their twelve hours at a spot.
Tell the old man I was very glad to get the money that he sent though I did not need it. We have drawn our money after I wrote to him.
I sent you Ten Dollars by Wm. Patter. You must write when you get it.
So no more at present but remain you Affectionate Husband
George McKinney
To: Sally (Sallie) McKinney
Camp near Richmond, Va.
July the 25, 1862
Saley I take mi pen this evening to drop you a few lines to inform you and the children that I am well. Hoping these lines may find you all well. I want to see you all. I thout when our time was out I would have got to come home but we caint get off. I hope we will get a Furlow to come home in a short time. Capt. Leay (Seay?) (or Leary?) is trying to get a furlow for us to come home in a short time as everything is very still in camps now. Saley I want you to send me a pair of Jeanes Pants if you can get the cloth and if you cant get the Janes I want you to send me some other kind that wont show dirt and one par of drawers as soon as you can as I need them and cant get them here. I will send you thirty dollars by Mr. Isac Young and I sent a letter to father and told him to get it and take it to you. I want you to write how you are getting along. You can take the money and do what you please with it. I want you to write as soon as you get this letter. I will close for this time.
Your husband til death
George McKinney to saley McKinney
Car of Capt. W (orM) D. Camp
5th Regt. S.C. Vol.
Richmond, Va.
Camp near Fredrick Citty, Md. Pages 83, 84, 85
September 10, 1862
Dear Wife,
This morning I drop you a line to inform you I am yet in the land of the living doing as well as could be expected for a soldier to do. I in fine health and able for my rations (which?) is pretty abundant. We have had some hard fighting. I was there to take part in the fun if it could be called fun. I was wounded slight in the hand and struck by a ball on the cartridge box which would have killed me if it had been for the box but after all I am truly thankful is was no worse. Our loss was heavy but nothing to compare to the loss of our enemy. Our battle was very near in the identical spot where the Manasas Battle was fought on the 21st July 1861. Next morning the Yankees had fell back to Centerville where they could reap the benefit of fortificating but instead our (Generals?) advancing on them in their breastwork. They flanked round them and around the Potomac so we are now in Maryland some 14 miles form Baltimore in possession of the Cincinnatti and Ohio Railroad and resting for a few days and have been marching for some three weeks. I don’t know where we are going next but it is believed we will march for Baltimore, if we go there we will have a warm time no doubt as the Yankees are in possession of the citty. I saw (Guy?) yesterday day before yesterday. He was in fine health. Martin is sick and left behind. I will close for this time. Write soon. Direct your letter to Richmond as usual and they will be forwarded on where ever we go.
Your husband,
George McKinney
Camp near Fredericksburg, Va. Page 86,87
Dec. the 4th, 1862
Dear Wife
I today seat myself to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and in great hopes that this few lines may reach you in due time and find you and little family both well. I received a letter from you yesterday dates November the 26th and it gave me great satisfaction to hear that you was all well and doing as well as you are doing. I wish you all success. Times hear are hard as you spoke of in your letter but a little harder here than they are at home. We are stationed near Fredericksburg, Va. We com here on a force march from Culpeper. We was expecting to fight here at this place when we come here but we havent faught any yet and the prospect for a fight is now very dull at this place at this present time. You wanted to know whether I wanted any clothing or not. If you have your cloth in the loom or ready you may make me a pare of pants and shirt & drawers but if you hant got them ready you kneed not to bother yourself about them. I can make out without them. They is no chance to get a furlow to come home as I see any more than they was in the summer at the present time. I will come home if I can so I recon I will close for this time. You must rite when you can and give me all the news you can so no more at present.
George McKinney to Sally McKinney
Truly yours
Camp near Franklin Station
Southhampton County, Va.
March 17th 1863
Dear Wife,
I seat myself this morning to inform you that I am well hoping these few lines will reach you in due time and find you all well. I was five days on the road. I stayed at Columbia Monday night, at Charlotte Tuesday night. I left Charlotte Wendesday evening and come to Ralwleigh that night and come to Weldon Thrusday morning and Thrusday evening I come to my Regiment. I found them all well and doing likewise. We are camped about sixty miles southeast of Petersburg not far from Blackwater. We are now about seven miles from where I first come to the Regiment. I brought what things I started with through safe to the Regiment. The colonel had me arrested next morning after I got to my company. I have been under arrest ever since they taken me to the guard house yesterday. I dont know how long they will keep me here not long I hope. I expect they will courtmarshal me but I dont know what punishment they will put on me. I told Col. my excuse for staying was I had to fix you a house to stay in and then I had to work for money to come back on. He said that was no excuse why didn’t I go to work as soon as I got there. I told him that was what I went for was to fix my house and I done so. If I had knowed what I know now I would have stayed longer as I stayed over my time anyhow it would have not went any harder with me. I expect they are fighting now. I hear the old cannons roaring but they are a good piece off. It cost me two dollars on a railroad coming back. I got transportation at Columbia. You can tell Terance Lamb it was all right. I come through like a top on it. Being scarce of news I will close. I want you to write to me often as you can. No more but remain your husband until death.
George McKinney
To Sallie McKinney
Dear Father
I will write you a few lines as I have room and nothing else to do but I have nothing to write that will be anywise interesting to you. I am about 150 miles from Martin. I saw a man that was going to his Regt. and I had a few lines wrote on the cars and sent to him. I also sent him a letter his little girl sent by me. Tell Billy I will try and not forget what he told me. Write soon and give me all the news. Direct your letter to George McKinney
Co. I 55th S. C. Regt.
Jenkins Bridgade
Weldon, Virginia
Tell Bill if he dont write to me I will get after him with a sharp stick and a bug on it. From your son.
George
April 23th 1863 Page 128
Camp near Suffolk, Va.
My Dear beloved wife,
I seat myself this evening to write you a few lines in answer to yours. I R.C. (received?) last knite. I was truly glad to hear from you and to hear that you was all well tho I was sorry to hear of Aunt Ellas getting hurt tho I hope she will soon get well. This leaves me well and I hope it will find you all likewise. We come down here from the station I only brought one blanket. I left all other things at camp & I had no paper nor nothing else so I got this from Jarrett when he com is the reason I didn’t rite before. We have been down here all most 2 weeks just with anything & I think it is just mostly after forage tho I guess we wood give them a fite if they wood come out but I don’t think wee will ever charge their breast works. Our picket lines and theirs are very clost together. they are in their brest works & men in their Riffle pits in shooting distance & if they either side shows his head they will be a shooting at him tho wee have never lost but one man out of our Regt. & how many they have lost I cant say tho tha ant much damage do on nary side I don’t think. The most of the (damage) is do is the Yankees expenses a shooting shells at us and hurting know boda wee ar behind the Railroad & tha cant touch us. I think wee will leave here as soon as we get all the forage. Wee have got a lot of bacon, corn, peas, and other forgage. I think when we get it all & the Railroad torn up mabe we will go back. You wanted to know how I came out with, my guard house scrape. I was in there 4 weeks and they knocked 10 days off my wages & the guard house was a heap easier than the rest of boys for they was on guard or working every da so I am clear of it now. I am a faring prety well now. I am C O Comissary & detailed on the Ambulance Corps so I don’t have to drill a tall nor do now guard duty a tall. I got my first letter you sent me. It was over 18 days coming. So I must come to a close by saying I hope I will soon hear from you so rite soon. So I remain your most affectionate husband till death.
George McKinney
To Sarah McKinney
Direct your letters to
Co. I 5th S.C. Regt.
Weldon (N.C.?)
in the care of
Capt. W. T. Camp
May 5th 1863 Page 125, 128
May 3rd 1863 crossed out
My dear beloved wife
I seat myself this morning to wright you a few lines to let you know that I am well and doing tolerable well and I hope these few lines may soon come to hand and find you and the children well. We have been down near Suffolk three weeks. We got back to camp yesterday. We have orders to stay near the camp & have our guard in shooting order and be ready to march at any time. We don’t know how the times is here hardly about fighting (we are?) going to fight soon and we may not fight at all. I want you to write to you soon and tell me how you are getting along. Times is hard here and worse a coming I am afraid. I belong to the Ambulance corps. If we fight I will not be in as much danger as most of them. My business is to take the wounded off the Battlefield. They are going to draw money in a few days. I will not draw any as I will not know where they are mustered in.
Tell the Father I would like for him to write to me as I havnt got a line from him since I left. Being scarce of news I will close. Write soon. I remain your husband until death.
George McKinney
To Mrs. Sarah McKinney
(Partial letter – No date or place)
on our Brest works I come as near to him as twenty five yards.
& were a great many killed that close to our (Brestworks?). They tried hard to whip us but failed to do so. After trying us 5 days went back on their own side of the river the last night of the 5 days. I haven’t heard anything more about them since. Some say they are going in to winter quarters but I cant tell. Times here are still now. General Jackson’s forces fought on the rite wing all the time. I cant tell what their hopes was for I wasnt there. The Yankees acknowledge that they lost five thousand men killed during the five days battle besides a large number that was wounded. So I will close the war subject. Sally, I am a going to try to come home if I can before long but it will be a bad chance about getting off I know. Tell the father if I cant get to home I want him to come out and see me and Martin and bring a fifth of Brandy if he comes. They (know) well to come and fetch it for if he don’t I will come home and drink it anyhow. Sally I want to (hold) you mighty bad. You know the world is wide the sea is deep and in your arms I long to be. I will quite my foolishing for this time.
Sally you must write to me how you and the children is coming on as often as you can. So I close for this time. I remain you affectionate husband til death.
George McKinney
To Sally McKinney
Camp near Blackwater, Va.
May the 31st A.D. 1863
My dear beloved wife
I seat myself this evening to rite you a few lines being Let. Turner is a goin home & I have a chance to send it. This leaves mee well and I hope these few lines may soon reach you and find you likewise. I nothing strange to write you. It has been so long since I got a letter from you I am uneasy a fear something is the matter or you have quit riting one of the two. I want you to write to me if you are well and how you are getting own. Wee hear some rumors that we ar a goin to leave here to go to Fredricksburg or Charleston SC but I think it is just all chat. I don’t think we will leave here soon though this is a hard place. Wee have a heap of hard marching to do though no fighting yet but I don’t know how soon it may come an they ar always a running about wee have a long line to keep up. I will tell you one good thing. We have a Chaplain in our Regt. at last. I hear a very good service to to do I hope wee will all do bitr for I think it is time. So no more.
Yours very
George McKinney
Camp near Petersburg, Va.
August 10th, 1863
Dear father,
I today seat myself to drop you this few lines to let you know that I am well at present and ever hoping that when (these?) few lines reaches you that it may find you well and doing likewise. We are stationed here at Petersburg Va. Times here are still at this time. Lees army is now in the neighborhood of Culpeper and Fredericksburg again and all things are quiet there at this time. The are following slowly behind him. I understand that the enemy is camping near the same position as before. It seems like they will have to be some more fighting done yet if the Yankees continue coming on. When they undertake to cross the Rappahanock river again the will certainly meet up with a sufficient force of Confederate Soldiers. I hope that if the enemy continues to advance that they will get defeated on every field. We can hear heresay now and then from Charleston & I understand that the Yankees are still reinforcing there. I would not be surprized if the Yankees dont try to take Charleston again but I hope that if they do they will get a good many of them killed & fail to take the place. If they do take Charleston I don’t know what we will do hardly but they will be some way I hope to manage the bandits. Our company continues to get furlows yet one at a time. I think that all will get to come home that hant been this fall and winter if we stay south of Richmond.
Father I would like to be at home with you to eat some fruit and watermelon & so on. It is out of the question for me to write to you and interesting letter on the account of not having any news to write so I will close for this time. Write to me and tel me how you are getting on & when you see or hear anything of Sally write about her and the children.
George McKinney
truly yours
To Henry McKinney
Camp 5th SC Regiment Page 136-140
Petersburg, Va.
Sept. the 11, 1863
My Beloved wife
great
in Spartanburg to your
I was glad to hear of your good meeting at Buck Creek it is a good blessing to have the Spirit of God in us. My health has been improving since I wrote you before. I am very near well now. I saw Martin McKinney today. He is well. He is Chattanooga Tennessee most likely to all of Gen. Hoods Division is on the way. Martin said that he would like to go by home but there was no chance also saw Henry Parris. You will say to his wife he is well. Sallie the times her are about like they were when I write last. We drill twice a day. We have beautiful weather. It is a little cool. The warm weather will soon be over for this season. We have an arbor built of bushes for our Chaplain to preach under. We have very good meetings. The first & second Regiments has Baptist Chaplains. Some one or other of them preach every knight & some times all of them. We have orders to cook four days rations, the result I cannot tell if we do leave here it would not surprise me if we go to Charleston. We sometimes have moving orders but dont move.
We witnessed an awful scene today. There were two Soldiers who had deserted twice and were caught at home & brought back to Camp & today they were shot to death with muskets. They were executed on our Brigade drill ground near our camp. The whole Brigade was drawn up to see them shot artillery and infantry & every man except those who were excused from sickness by the Dr. This might have been just to show them but it ( ) tho I have been told that they were never done any good as soldiers. Those men were members of the (Cannon?) Regiment of our Brigade. Those were the first men that I ever saw shot. I mean Confederate soldiers shot by Confederate soldiers. It put quite and indifferent feeling in me. They knelt down against stakes their faces toward those who shot them. They were not tied except their hands. They were shot about (ten?) steps. Six bullets were shot through their bodies. You may guess they did not live long after they were shot. You must excuse this badly written letter, we went some distance from the camp to write and found our ink to be no account. I will try to do better next time. I believe I will close by asking you to write soon to your loving husband. Give my best regards to all the connections and neighbors. I remain your loving husband till death.
George McKinney
Camp near Chattanooga Tn. Pages 136-140
Sept. 27, 1863
Dear Wife
here several a few days
forces won victorious Billy around
days ago and it is quiet now (?) We are (having?) a just
But then if I do not think we will be back home (?)
I saw Martin the other day, he is quite well and doing well
present I cannot tell when (we?) will be home. We hope it wont be long. The weather is quite dry here, there having been no rain in six weeks. Write to me soon and direct to Chattanooga Tennessee 5th Regt. Brigade. I remain yours truly,
George McKinney
Camp near Bristol (Tenn.)
April the 4th 1864
Dear Wife,
I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I have been sick but I’m getting better. I was sent (in?) from our Regt. last Saturday was a week ago. I left the Regt. at Bulls Gap & came to this place yesterday was a week ago. We have a very good cabin to stay in and get a plenty to eat and that is good. Our Army is all coming on this way. Our Regt. is camped about eleven miles from this place. I think our Regt. will come up in a few days. McClan’s (McLellans?) Division is campt about two miles from here. Martin stayed all night with me night before last. He was well. I cant tell anything about the movements of our Army. I don’t know where we will go to. Some says one place and some another. I want you to write to me and let me know how you are getting along and how you are making out for something to live apon.
I will close
Your true husband until death.
George McKinney
Direct you letters to Richmond, Va. and put Jenkins Brigade and Longstreet Corps on it and I think I will be sure to get them.
Camp near Gordonsville, Va. Page 169
May the 3, 1864
Dear Wife & Children
I again lift my pen this evening to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well and hope these lines may reach your distant hand in due time and find you all well which we ought to feel thankful to God for his kind mercies to us. Sally as to news we havent much to write. We have got back to Gordonsville, Va. I think perhaps we will (stay?) here until the Yankees makes a move some way or another. I hear that Longstreet Corps is going to be held in reserve. As to news I cant give you much and as to war news there aint much now. Everything is still on this line and have been some time. I have seen several of the boys from 13th Regiment and they are all well and in good spirits and they say that they are ready for Grant to move of we have to fight them. I see stated in the paper that we are going to move into two columns to Richmond. One column on the north side of the James River and the other on the South side. I think one will come up through Chickahominy Swamp. I think Lee will be ready for Grant.
Saley I haint got much that is interesting to write as news. We are drawing 1 ½ lb. of meal ¼ lb. of bacon a little coffee & sugar and sometimes a little rice and other times something else and not much of anything. At least Saley we had a big review a few days ago by General Lee, Longstreet Corps. That was two Divisions. That is all that (there?) is here. I suppose about 12 or 14 thousand men. I saw Martin there and he is well. They have stopped furlows only one to hundred and one to every 50 that in a company if a man can get a recruit be can get a furlow.
That is all the way that furlows is given now. I received your letter today which I was glad to hear from you. It is the first one I have had by mail in three months. Saley I dont see any chance for me to get furlow before next winter if then. Tell father and Billy I am well and I want them to write to me. You must write soon and let me hear from you all. I will close for this time.
Your husband till death.
George McKinney
Direct your letter to Richmond, Va. Jenkins Brigade (Feels?) Division
In line of Battle near Spotsylvania Court House Page 169
May 17, 1864
Dear Sallie, I seat myself this evening to let you know that I am yet alive and on foot truly hoping these lines may reach you in due time and find you well. I presume that you have heard before now that the long looked for fight is going on. It has been going on for about two weeks and is not yet finished nor I cant tell when it will close but the way that the men is getting killed up it dont look like it can last much longer. Our loss is not very heavy considering though the Yankees has lost thousands. They acknowledge a loss of fifty thousand and I see the papers prints up our loss at fifteen thousand and you must know that the fight cant last much longer at such a rate as that. Our Co. has only lost 2 killed dead. Tom Dewberry and Clinton Thorn was killed the first day & Lieut. Turner missing supposed to be killed. Our Regiment has lost about one third. We lost all our men in charging the enemy breast works the first day of the fight. I saw brother Martin yesterday. He is all right thus far and I have got through so far with being touched. Langlan Lovelace is killed. None of the other settlement boys is hurt as I know of as the fight is not ended yet. I cant write much. I will write again in a few days. I want you to write often. Direct your letters to Richmond. Nothing more this time.
Your affectionate husband
George McKinney
To Sallie McKinney
Petersburg, Va. Page 171
July 6 (?) 1864
Dear Wife,
I again lift my pen this beautiful Sabbath morning to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well hoping these lines may find you and the children enjoying the same blessings which we ought to feel thankful to God for his kind protection. I will try and give you some of the reports in circulation now. General Ewell corps is gone to Maryland commanded by Erley. It is reported that Washington is in our hands. I cant hardly believe its, yet I see in the Northern papers where he has ben in three miles of Washington & three miles of Baltimore. It was reported yesterday that General Erley was in half mile of their (batteries?) so it is reported in the northern papers that Erley has got large reinforcement from Baltimore since he has went in thar and Maryland. I hope it may be & I think if he has it will disencourage the Yankees. I think we are ready (?) for Grant if he wants to fight our Breast works. I think we can kill them for him. Grant has withdrawn his line on our right before (Thill?) corps. It is said that they have withdrew it some 3 or 4 miles. I suppose it is to reinforce Washington. I hope that Grant will (withdraw?) all of his force so we have some rest and peace. I see in the (Washington?) papers where one of the Congress members from Tennessee and from Caintuckey says (they are?) going to have an (Army?) in men although if that be for I hope that (maybe we?) the reports be true I hope that (peace?) is not far off. I see (piece?) in the Herald of that whar one of the members of Congress has withdrawn from the (house?). His name is Roberson from Illinois and he ses that the Rebels never can be coersed in the South. I see a graite enemy (inar) Grant has telegraphed to Washington if Grants men hold it he has Richmond & Petersburg saif (safe) I think tha both ear saif but it is in hour hands. I think if Grant was not a
to leave have left before now the (news) that he has got defeated in getting Richmond. I see where Roberson says the North where if Grant failes to get Richmond. the all of the cabinet will say (peace?). I hope that is (or in) peace and parts of the land
yesterday but it will be (just?) tomorrow. I believe that is all I can think of now.
Note: The past page of the letter was for the most part illegible.
Barbara Sellars Davis
Rear Bottom North Side James River Page 175, 176
Aug. 4, 1864
Dear Father
I again lift my pen to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well hoping these lines find you enjoying the saim kind of blessing which I feel thankful to the all wise God for his kind protection to me. Father I have nothing of much importance to write to you. We have been so far successful in this country and campaign. We have had another fight in Petersburg. The Yankees tunneled under our breast works in two places and blowed them up and charged them at the saim time and taking them for a short placed but tha was recaptured then with very little loss. The Yankees loss was very heavy. They charged with their Negros first and then with their white troops. The ground was kivred (covered) in front and in our ditches. The Yankees report is that they lost 5000 killed wounded & missing. Ours sed not to be more than 1500. I cant see what Grant will do now unless he tries to make a raid on the Weldon and Petersburg Railroad and I don’t think he will be able to do anything that . I think if we can be able to get him off from his Gun Boat there will be a chance for us to operate in his (rear some?) Father, it is reported that Ganeral Erley is going to Maryland again to another raid. I think if we can whip them in Georgia right good it wood have a right smart to do with peace and a peace candidate in the North. Lincoln has called for five hundred thousand more troops. That will have a great deal to do with a peace candidate I think perhaps. I think they are getting tired as we are. The Yankee ters says that they are getting tired charging us. (Ther?) is more or less every day. We caut two yesterday morning. I see one or two every day which is caut. We are in the (ditches?) but we are having as good a time as we cood (could) expect to have in such a campaign as this has bin. We have our flier up for shelter to braik the sun off of us. That is all we nead for it verry dry in this country and has been ever sence this campaign commenced. We nead rain verry bad. I cant think of much to write mor than you can learn and see in the papers as to war news. You hear anuff (enough) of this. We are getting tolerable good rations now. We are getting corn meal, bacon, peas? & coffee and we drawed (beef?) yesterday. All of the boys is well. Talt Cantrell is in our Regiment but not on our company. He is well. This letter is (written by?) me and John. Casen (Cousin) Henry I cant think of anything more to write. I wish I was there today with you to get some beans for dinner and milk. (Cousin) Henry you must tell all the girls howdy for me. Give my respects to Sally & the children. Tell them I saw Martin a few days ago and he was well. Tell Billy I am well and I like to hear from him. (Cousin) Henry you write to me soon. I will close.
Your son and friend til death
George McKinney
To Henry McKinney (father)
Tell Ezell
(this is all that could be read)
See the "Trollinger Letters" for the rest of the George McKinney story.
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