Confederate Letters

AMERSON FAMILY

Eli Amerson to Father, Thomas S. Amerson, Reynolds

Petersburg, Aug. 31st, 1864

Dear Father,

I this evening seat myself to write you a few lines which leaves me in 
good health hoping these few lines may come to hand and find you all 
well.  I have no news to write at this time.  Things is very quiet 
around here at this time.  The army is all lying still now.  There is no 
fighting going on at time but we cant tell how long it will be before 
they will make another move but I think Grant has got tired of moving.  
He loses about 3000 men every move he makes.  So I dont think it pays 
him to move on us.  They are shelling the city very heavy today but that 
is nothing new.  I expect he will make another move before long but in 
what direction I cant tell.  He will get whipped I dont care where 
he goes.  We whip them on every Battle and on every field.  We are 
faring very well about something to eat now.  The boys got in yesterday 
that was at home on detail.  There will be another one soon but I dont 
reckon I will try to go on it.  My horse is almost gone up the spout.  I 
would like to come home but it cost to much to go on detail but if I can 
get to sell my horse I will come but I think the war is almost over.  I 
think we will have peace by spring if not sooner.  There is a great cry 
for peace at the north.  I can tell you some good news.  Early has 
whiped Shiradan out again and is marching on where he pleases to go.  
Our rigt will be divided soon.  The North Carolina troops will be put in 
another regt and some Ga troops will take their places.  Well I have 
give you all the news at present.  Write soon nothing more at present 
but still remaining you affectionate son till death.
                                                   Eli Amerson


                 (  To Tho. S. Amerson  )
                      Reynolds, Ga.
                      Taylor Co
                      


      [Letter from Thomas Amerson, Jr. to his sister, Penny Amerson]

Camp near Petersburg, Va. Oct 10th 1864

Dear Sister       I this evening seat myself to rite you a few lines 
which leaves me in fine health truly hoping these few lines may find you 
the same.  Sister I have nothing of interest to rite this evening.  I 
guess you have heard of the fighting that we have had here for the last 
weeks.  I have been in the battles since I wrote you last but as luck 
would have it I came out unhurt  tho it was the worst place that I have 
ever bin in.  I outright suffered a rite smart.  We had one man killed 
ded in our company.  George Whitehed was killed or wounded and left on 
the field.  I think he was killed.  I saw him fall but we was forced 
back and never got our ded off the field.  Our brigade fought two corps 
from 9 A.M. till 4 P.M. and reinforcement being so far off till we was 
oblige to give up the fight.  This fight was on the 30th and the fight 
was renewed on the first and we drove them back with heavy loss.  When 
we fought them the first day we had brest works to fight behind and they 
charged our brigade with three lines of battle and I tell you the ground 
was covered with the ded.  I never saw such a site of ded men in my life 
but I fear the hard fight has not come off yet tho we have some pretty 
cold weather here at this time and I am in hope it will stop till winter 
is over.  Peney I want you to send me some gloves by Mr. Fountain when 
he comes back.  Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon.  Give my 
love to all and write soon.  Give all the girls my love and respect.  I 
remain your loveing brother 
Thomas
     

G.W. TAUNTON LETTER to Cousin Penny AMERSON

 July 16th, 1864
Camp near Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Cousin    It is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to let you 
know that I am yet in the land of the livin.  Hopin these lines may 
reech and find you and the rest of the family all well and livin well.  
Cousin I have not much of intrust to write tho it is some fighten goin 
on hear everday.  Cousin I have seen a hard time since I have been up 
hear.  I have been fightin everday since I have been up hear.  Think the 
yanks is goin to leave here for they have found out that they cant gite 
Atlanta and they are goin to try some other place.  I think that we will 
whip the yanks hear back for we have whip them ever time they come on to 
us.  Cousin I thought that I would git to come and see you all the forth 
of July but it was so that I could not come down but if I live till this 
fight is over I will come to see you all.  I would of stop and you as I 
past by I was with prisoners.  I have wrote to you severl times and have 
not got any letter yet.  I would be glad to hear from you and the rest 
of the family.  Cousin as I have nothin to write that will interest you 
I will come to close for this time.  You must excuse my bad writin for 
my pen is bad so nothin now but remain you affectionate cousin tell 
death

                                           G. W. Taunton

     This letter was probably written to Penny (Peannie) Amerson.  
The Taunton connection comes in because her mother was Sarah Taunton.  
 
Contributed by: Beth Collins