Correspondence between Aaron M. Sewell and Louisa Dorsett Sewell, his wife.

  Aaron M. Sewell was from Summerville, in Chatooga County, near Rome, Ga., the son of John Sewell and Charity Lancaster Sewell [formerly of Moore County, NC] according to Robbie Moye of Goldsboro, NC. He was a private in Co. H., 39th Georgia Infantry Regiment. All of his letters were addressed to his wife, Louisa [Dorsett] Sewell, but some of them contain notes to his father-in-law, brother-in-law and other members of his family and friends. Letters to by persons other than his wife, include letters from M.R. Dosett, S.C. Sewell [Cicero], Harriet Dorsett and Burton Yeargan. Sewell was captured at Champion's Hill, May 16, 1863 and sent to Fr. Delaware, but was soon paroled and sent to Virginia [July, 1863] and then on to Georgia or Alabama where he was exchanged about September, 1863. He helped to oppose Sherman's southward march May - June, 1864 and apparently was killed in fighting near Marietta in latter part of June, 1864. 

The originals of these letters belong to Mrs. Quinton B. Wood, Douglasville, Georgia, who consented to their being microfilmed by Emory and the film kept at Emory for use without restrictions. Letters were brought to Dr. B. I. Wiley, July 8, 1959. by David Young, teacher in Douglas County High School [summer student at Emory, 1959], Douglasville, Ga. Mr. Young was in classes of Dr. Wiley at Emory in 1955 and at that time brought some letters from his own family for filming by the Emory Library.

The photo of Louisa Sewell Echols was submitted by Charlotte Echols. A larger photo and more information can be found in the Chattooga County Photo Album.

The Letters - 1862

Fragment - Louisa to Aaron June 1862 about it he said he thought you paid it its a note Simson had on you for black Smithing Cisero told me that was not all you ced he told [illegible] your [illegible] Becker [illegible] and D R barly $10 dollars I ask him what he done with the money he got for your bacon he said paid dets you owed I ask him what you owed so mutch for yare had [illegible] was ma cried for you to be in det so and you paid and while you was gone that the way he fur [illegible] I dont know how I am going to pay them without I keep your saddle and sell it and I expect that would cose hard feelings I dont want to do anything to any of them that will that will hert with me but I think Cisero ought to have paid them dets you told me he he woul you know I ask you about it and you said for me not to be on easy for Cisero would pay all and now they are calling on me fore the money I want you to write what to do about when I found that out I thought it was well enought I did not go to see you for I will have to pay them dets you mother and Cisero said they could not pay them Chatanooga Tenn June 12 1862 Dear wife I Seat my sef to address you agan.. I received a letter that your Ma rote the 25 of may I was truly glad to here from you It stated that you was yet sick I was sorry to here that you was not able to set up I was uneasy from that time till now I was gratifide to here fro you this morning B. O. Smith got a letter from his father he said to tell me that you was geting well I have been looking for a letter every since I received yours mays letter.. I looked for one this morning but got none.. I will rite a gan & send it by Mr. Taylor.. he is going to Summerville to morrow if you get this Saturday you must rite Sunday for you no not how proud it makes me to get a letter from you.. This leaves me Well & I hope when it comes to hand it page two May find you injoy ing the same great blassing of gods.. I mite rite you all the Petickelers of our marchings & our unregerly eating some times we get orders to march & get no time to cook Then we have to do without a day or nite some times one meal a day We got here from big creek gap Sunday morning The Enemy was on the other side of the river shooting there canons they ware not trying to burn the town They ware trying to distroy a sitasons property that ware in congress at the first of this excitement.. It is said that our men killed Thirty od of them on Saturday & disabled one peace of artilery Whitch they buried on sunday and retreated back then.. the The supposition wase that they ware go ing to cross down at Kellys ferry we then started about 11 oclock that nite 

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We got there about day Which was ten miles we reached this plase monday at dark We are here.. Our friends come in to see us dez [dazed ?] I wish you would come & see me If I new that we would stay till you could come & see me I would rite for you to come up & see us if we stay here & you get able to come you & your pa or some of your __aunts must come up & see us see how we live you must rite to me & tell me all about you being sick & how long & about the horse company & where it is & what they are doing tell your uncle James That I would like to get a transfur to his company If I can get one.. I had rather be with my brothers I think I rather be in a cav erly company I am tierd of marching I some times rather fite than march 

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I turn over To say a few words to your mam [?] Ma I red your short letter with care & it gave me satisfaction it was well composed & done just as well as a long letter. you must all rite to me & tell me all the news Tell pa to rite & all the rest You will see a letter that me & Noahs rote to Mr. Echols I would have rote then if I had ofe knew we would have staid here this long I think I well get a letter This afternoon yours truly.. Louisa you must corespond to me when you get this & tell me Whether you got my letters or not I have rote three before this this is the forth. I hope the time will come when we will get to go home & stay & when pease will once mor yours Truly & affectionately A. M. Sewell to L.F. Sewell

Line of battle Near marietta June 17 [18] 62 Louisa My Dear and Affectionate Wife As we are not ingaged otherwise today & there is a probability of Me hav- ing a chance to send a letter to center to be forwarded to you I now hason to write for I know you would be greatly pleased to here from me at any time Lou I have rote too letters before this I hope you have Recd them yes i would be greatly Relieved to know that you got them I think it very probable that you got the last one I sent it by a yong man thats bee a Soldier a long time & is now disabled by Loosing his arm & one eye & he visits the 19th Ala Regt & Returnes home again he Lives in Lieut Johnson Neighborhood as I gave you all the news in my last letter & havent any of importance now ill gave you but a Short Epistol Lou I am more than happy to Say to you

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Direct to Atlanta that I am well as to health & if I could get intelligence from you that you & all the Rest was injoying good healthy it would gratify my feelings more than you would imamagin OH I hope the time is not fair hence when the Echo of cannon & the Roar of Musketry will be hurd no more & will give way for pease & harmony to Reign once more & that we may all Return to our peasable & quiet homes & live in pease with all man Kinde & when we are called to die that we may be surroun- ded by friends & go down in a peasable grave & be prepaired to assent to man- sions on high with those who have gon before.. We have no Regular ingagements but Skirmishing & cannonading all the time ill close at [illegible] Good by Write if there is any possible chance I am you Dear & affection- ate husband till Death Aaron M. Sewell to L. F. Sewell

Georgia Chattooga County June 29 1862 I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that we are all tolerbly well I came down to Mr. Dopett this evening and Louisa wanted to hear from you and so did I louisa is in the [illegible] she never was out of the house in six weeks but she is on the [illegible] but she is the wrost looking human I ever seen she wanted you to write to her I received you and Noah letter and was glad to hear from you both We have poor prospect for crops Louisa told me to write to you that Cissero wrode your Saddle off she told him that she did not want him to take the saddle without he had wrote to you but he said he would pay for it and Pickney Martin has got you [illegible] Mr. Dosset is agoing to keep your Colt your Mother, and all your Sister is Sick with the fever they [illegible] Pleasant brother Bob came home he got wounded in the arm Louisa says she has got so that she can eat every thing that she can get she thinks that she will soon get well and be as fleshy as ever if eating will make her so Charly cook is Dead he Died at [illegible] spillars is well rite soon Louisa wants to hear for you no more at present but remain your friend Louisa Sewell S C Echols Aron M Sewell

April the 2, 1862 Dear brother I embrace the present opertunity to drop you afew lines to let you now that we are all well at presant thay I hope wil find you enjoying the same blsing of god you mair had a fine colt and 30 of march about three fot hy I sold my bacon for 25 cts per pound to sam hawkins mine and yours brought $152. setle? notes books with hawkins white was $90. I shall have to by leath and salt with the balance if I have any left over I wil pay other dets I sold 25 bushels of corn for 80 cts per bushel if I had not sold them when I did I could get doler bushel now but I wanted to be searten to have money enough to by salt leater which we can not live without I have not planted any yet mr hall hes returned home bringing some money from you and others ben cheek and James are at home thay have bin vearry sick are now geting well John baker is veary sick yet I have no reliable news from the war only the great naval battle at Morfock the southern vesals whipt sinking three of their best war vesals the north had runner sayes thay are fiting at several other places I must close my letter for it is getting late in the nite I could wrigh more if I had time I could say these are hard times but that would doo no good for I fear theair are wors a coming however I see there is no yous in grunting I intend to try to doo the best I can you must right to me as often as you can P J has gon to cas? to get him a school Your brother S C sewell

April 4 [?] 1862 Dear Aron I seet my self to let you know I am well the rest is well except sis she has ben verry sick but is geting well I receive the money you sent by Mr Hall I had rather it would have bin you com than the money if it had ben ten times as much I want you to come and see me if there be any chance for you to get of[f] in the evening I walk in the Parza [?] and look for you Aron I send l lofe of bredd 6 cake some butter by mr oGanes, 2 shirst by Mr Hall I want you to write if you get them I had not time to cook any mor I will try to do better nex time I want you to write how you are satisfide and what you have to eat wite? and all the news I will make your drawers and send them first chance I receive your letter dated Mar 1 Aron I cant think of mutch to write this time I think of your every hour in the day I had rather see you than any person in this world how can I enjoy myself when I have such a trobbel to bare i never will forget your parting words, write often I would like to hear frome you every day so I must close excuse this [illegible] letter I will try and do better the next. I remain your tru friend till death From L F S to A M Sewell P S Sis and Ellen sent there best love and respects to you and all of the Boys and especiely Taf and little Billy Mr Dear I will say a few words this morning I receive a letter for you las night I was more than glad to hear form you while I was redind it I thought my heart would burst I cant wright as I wish to I cant expres my felling this moring I am riting by candlelight I haft to send your shirts to Mr. Hill this morning and the letter Cicro send one with mine i want you to wright as soon as you get this number your letters so I will know when get all

Chattooga Georgia Apr the 20 1862 Dear Aron I seat my self to answer you kind and affectionate letter I receive you letter the 15 I would have answer it sooner but I heard you was gone to Coreinth I heard last eveing you was back at Knoxville these lines leave we well I hope will come to hand in due time and find you enjoying the same blessing you requested me to tell you if John Baker got well or not I am sorry to tell you he died the last of March I hope is gone to that happy home above where peace is forever Aron I like your letters very well I wish I could receive one every day you must write every opertunity I would write ofterner but I dont know when to write you travel About so mutch I heare one day you are at one place and the nex on you way somethere else. But I dont care were you go so you get back to me safe agan Aron you are not our of my mind three moments at a time it was a great Consolation to me when I read your second letter You said if met no more on earth we would meet in heaven yes in that bright world above and prase god forever you said you look at my likeny every day and shed tears I cant tell you the times I look at yours tears tears floow from my eyes now I heare Jame cheek and Marget and Martha hawkins a sin[g]ing Cisero has just come he will help them I wish you was here to sing I have been to preaching once since you left at oak hill Mr Low preach it rain today and Mr Purcell never come to prech at Mrs Martin I wish you were here to go to church with me when I go I am lonesome all the time. My dear I remember you in my praers night and morning I hope you dont forget to pray for your self you Country and yor true and affectionate wife at home you must read the scripture and see for your self. your Mothers family is well Aron Mr Sturtivan want to buy your saddle he come to pa and he wouldent Sell and then he come to me and told him I could not sell it with out your consent and you did not leave it in my care I asked Cisero if you told him to sell it he said not and told to write to you abut it I want you to write if are willing for it to be sold or not and what you will take for it Aron I want you to take as good care of your self as you can and thing you will get back home I think you will I have not got my things at home yet it rins so mutch and keep the river past fordind that pa cant go he would to as soon as the water falls he is about half done plantin the ground Keep so wett he cant plant Uncle Sion is going back to the company james and Ben Cheek is at [illegible] yet Aron you said you wanted me to write the condition of my health and we promis to keep no secrets I wont keep no secret from you and to remember the pleaure we seen at the old hut I never can forget it I hope we will enjoy ourselves again I must close by requesting you to write soon and often and if you want me to make you any close Pa and all the rest send there love to you pa said you must write often I Remain your true and sicer Wife Lou F Sewell to Aron M. Sewell

brother Aron I am well al but bad cold you hear what Mr bass says Mr. James sayes he will swap if yo will give him one hundred and fifty dollars for his horse and I doant know if you would not do better to do that that to swap with bass - if the horse were to dy you would not loos so much. Ciciro is gon with the rest of them and me are to start tomorrow Some say theat the order is countermounded now but we woant know till morning Mr. elison died and was sent home I remain your brother untill death J F. Sewell

Georgia Chattooga Co Sept the 3 [?] Dear Aron I receive you kind letter of the 20 and was glad to hear you was still mending this leaves me well I am about as fleshy as I ever was the health of the people is verry sorry there is a great deal of sickness about Ellen is verry low yet but is thought to be some better she was out of her rite mind three days and night she first had the remiten fever but if run into the typhoid the DR has cut all her hair of[f] and blistered her stomache twice we have to sit up all night I hope she will take action now and get better we had a verry good rain Saturday [illegible] Said his corn is better than he thought it was before he pull his fodder he has you colt at home it looks tolerable well Tankney [illegible] your mare yet I herd your regiment has gone to Kentucky I was in hopes you would not have to go any further from home than you was I fear if you go there I will never get any letters from you if you stay as clost as you are now till Ellen gets [illegible] I can leave home I will try and come and see you Aron I want you to to come home if there is any chance for you to come before you so so far I want to see you so bad I dream of every [illegible] You said for me to write where the stage run on and where it run from summerville to ringgold it goes up monday and back Tuesday and goes up Fryday and back Saturday I cant help but think you are going to try to come home I cant help looking for you if you go to Kentucky be soon I want you to write often if the letters can pass I will sufer more on easiness than I do I cant tell you how glad I woul be to see my dear Aron a coming I wrote to you about close in the letter I sent by Mr. Beard I am going to by jenes to mail you one pare of pants if I can if can I will by woil also I make them if you need any you must soon so I will have time to make them if you go to kentucky. I dont know whether I can send them to you or not I dryd one bushel and a peck of fruit at your Mothers I wish you were here to help me eat them I sit down at the table but what I think of you I herd the soldgers couldent pass throu cumberlan gap and they was making up a regiment to fight there way through if you join them you let me know and when you get you must write this paper is so bad I dont know whether you can read it or not so I must close the family sends love to you I still remain you tru and loving wife F L Sewell Sept the 11 1862 Camp Near london Tenn Mr. Aron Sewell Sir in comply with your brother request I send you a few line in reguard to my makeing the exchange with you if you are wiling to buy my horse and give me a resonable price I will swap with you I will take three hundred dollars for my hourse, saddle, etc the most of the camp has gone on a Scout to kantucky and the balance of us has recived marching orders to big creek gap no spetial news yours with respect F L Bass (N B) if you Return to your company soon give my respects Dr. J C tell him to wright to ma and that his and Bass family is well, yours G O [George Owens ?] Sept '62 Dear Aron I will say a few more words we thougt Ellen to be some better yesterday She got wors last night at one o'clock she has been sinking ever since I think she semes to rest some easier this evenig I dont think she will be alive in a few hours it look like we all cant give her up but that is trubble we all haft to bare the Lord gave and he taketh away it seem like Pa never can give her up but he never has had to give up a Dear child yet the Lord has spard us all I am verry tired and sleepy I have been sitting for a week Sis was very sick last week with the sore piles but is up now Aron I recond you now something of our troubles you have experience a good deal you have parted with brothers and sister and a dear Father Aron I hope you are prepared to meet us all in heaven in the Bright and lovely place which you get this ma god bless us all L F Sewell

Sunday, February 7th Vicksburg Miss Lousia My Dear companion As Capt Pitner of Our Regt is going home I thought I wou[-] ld write to you agan It is raining Some this morning but it seems to be fareing of now there isent no news in camps this morning it is some thing strange to here the cannons roaring here They Bumbared Each other more or les every day But they dont do much damage they killed one of our men yesterday morning We are doing no Duty but Picketing we go by Regt.. Out time is to morrow I hope we will all get back safe with no one hurt it is reported that there is several of the best oficers of the north gon home & several without permission there is Peace promised us in may we are not Shure that pea[-] ce will be made then but I am Shure of one thing & that [illegible] we dont get what was promised us I will go home about the first of may if not sooner I hope we all will get home then & quit this werid thing the war is composed of privates & I suppose over too thirds of them are poor men that is needed at home & i am in favor of them having there rites I am in favor of the privates going home & then who would carry on the war when the oficers wouldnt you know. page two There hasnt been nothing gande yet by this war & we mite stay here till we are all killed off & yet nothing as com[-] plished yet.. It seems that our leading men ought to bring about peace just the same as to make war & therefore say eye let us privates of[f] boath sides bring it to a close by disbanding & return to our home I see hundreds of men What is as stout as I am or ever was that isnt in the army nor they dont expect to be.. if this is the unfare[-] est thing to take it all in[-] consideration I ever knew of is there any justice in such i leave it for you to answer I hope to here from you on this now in your answer to this If everyman had a took an active parte in it & come out rite i would not had any room to have said a word but get how hard to think that some will not do nothing that has property at stake it will be worce than it is I think.. Louisa you must not take me to be nothing but just what I am I am a man that wants my rites & my rites unless you can see from this that I want you to have your rites tell you Pa to go or you go to the clerke office & draw your money if you are intitled to any whitch I think you are there is men in our company that there wives have drawed Page three money that is in better circum[-] stances than I am you are intitled to something & go & get it you will nead it to buy me material for cloathing for I cant gave the prices that we have to pay here for garments I will nead some in the summer but I cant tell at present what it is yet.. I lern that you can get yarn cheaper than you could when I was there you can by the chane & make some jeans & some liney & some white coten cloths don't understand that I nead them now for I have plenty if you can get the yarn may try to make me some cloth if you cant get it now you can after shur of sheep if Mrs. Echols has any Se if you can get it or it she has any you get it.. Lou I am sorry that I lost your like[-] ness but if was not like loosing you but next thing to you if you can get one have it taken for me & if I get It I will try to ceap it you must keep it till I come Lou The shure[-] est plan is to send letters by hand to me send one every chance you can for I think it would interrest me to read from you every day so sende one by Mr. Lieut Gilbert I have nothing more to rite at pres[-] ent unless I rite a song or part of a song So good by My dear page four Why Should I be affriled At pestolence and war The fercer be the tempest the suner it is over With Jesus in the vessel the billons rise in vain They only will convey me to you elysian plain There I shall not be tempted above what I can bear When fitings don ascotted his Kingdom for to share From him I have my orders and while I do obey I finde his holy Spirt eluminate my way The way is so delightfull I wish to travel on till I arrive at heaven to receive the starry crown This is the Tune greanland Salley will help you sing it I want you to learn this & several others & sing them to me when I come agan so rite son & tell me all the news so good by My dear your dear husband till death gave my love to all the rest & especially to mothers family tell Mr Echols to rite to me this leaves me in good health & good spirits & hope it will find you the same I will mail this as I am disappointed in sending of it by hand

from his Sister, Susan...

Chat Co Ga [August] 19th 1862 Dear Brother Aron I now seat my self to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at this time hoping when there few lines will find you enjoying the same bellsing you rote you was very sick I hope you are well again we have all bin sick but all are well but plly she has bin sick ever since the 20th of June is not able to sit up mutch yet. Sicero is well at this time Jesse is at home now he came home sick with the Measles Zand and all the children had them but are getting well again I staid with them when they was sick they have [illegible] hear to stay Jesse is going to start back tomorrow moring I cant think of nothing more to rite to you of any interest at this time I have no time to rite any more and will try to do better next time. So no more at present I remain you sister untel Death Sarah A R Sewell A M Sewell August 19 Deare Brother I will dop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at presant I was [illegible] sorry to heare of your losing [illegible] was glad to hears that you were better i hope an pray that you will Survive this ware an come home we are all better but polly I think She is a little better she had the Slow fever when the fever broke she had chils and fever Mother is cutting fruit all her Studdy is Aron George is [illigible] smart he keeps his curry come an rag hung on the nail at the stable currys baby you must write to us and give us all the advice you can i could write more if i had room i still remain your sister Susan C. Sewell

from His Brother, J. F. Sewell...

Dear Brother Aron 

it is with pleasure that I take the opertunity to address you Mr [illegible] I am getting over the measels I was very sick and had the Doctor with [illegible] it did not hurt the children since I was at mr dorsetts the day after Louisa got the last letter you rote was glad to hear from you sorrow to hear you had been sick louisa was as pretty as ever elan is sick with the fevar our batalan is going to [illegible] in Tennessee and I dont know how far from you I shal start tomorrow we have not heard from W L Sewell sinc you left letters cant pass from him to us we heard from elizabeth in June charles died in the hospital Mr. Spillars went home sick from cointh in July write to us when you can nomore from your brother at present J F. Sewell

 August the 20 1862 Dear Brother we wer all glad to here from you an do hope when those lines came to [illegible] they may find you well i am not stout yet i had the measles and was verry sick [illegible] left this morning perhaps you know somthong about my feeling at this time this is the third he has started an i do believe i hated to see him start wors this time than i ever have [illegible] if it is the will of God that he may come back then i shall be a happy woman once more nomor at present write son an we will all wriet to you again James C. Sewell [?]

[undated, perhaps May 1862] Louisa if I had any news that ware reliable I would like to rite it to you but I have non. it is stated that our Regt is in Cincinanatti Ohio Well if they are I cant get to them soon the report is that General smiths army is in cincinnatti Ohio Louisa if times will admit I The health of the people is better you Can come & see me doctor goodman toled me he would keep me here untill you could see me but if you cant get to come dont let it grieve you you get some one to come part of the way with you if you start bring plenty money with you It will cost you five dollars to get here from chatanooga get a ticket from chatanooga to knoxville from knoxville to this place if you go to dalton it is the same fair same dis - tance & get a ticket to knoxville & then one to strawberry plains you will have to have a pass from your county rote by the Justice of peace as I am in a hurry you will fileez Excuse me for this time. I will look for you or a letter next week get your money & carpet sack & provision & come yours Truly A M Sewell to his Dear wife at Home

Mr Dorsett Dear Sir As the present period of time ad- mits ill address you allso weare here awaiting transpotation to go up in the direction of Knoxville I cant ell how high we will go up we will be apt to go to charles- ton up on Linosey river I will write when we get up there direct your letters to cleavland I was sorry to here of you hogs & cows dying I hope you Will have good luck yet & get your corn [illegible] & wheat soad & molases made & potatoes dug. I don't know what elce to do than for you to sell flight - sell her for as much as you can & ill be satisfide with it don't hind [illegible] your time but get as much as you can sell her just like she was yours & that will satisfy me May god bless & save us all Is my prare Yours truly & respeckfully Aaron M Sewell

Clinton Tennessee Camp Kirby Smith May 18, 1862 No. 1 Dear Wife according to promise I will rite to you I seat myself to rite you a few lines to nite to let you know how I am and what I am doing I am Well all unless my bowels is der- anged yet it looks like I never will get them rite agan but I will try yet to get them rite I got to camps yesterday We got to Knoxville on friday about 12 oclock we staid at Knoxville friday night Saturday morning we got on the Cars & rode 10 miles then we walked tenn miles more & reached here here I am a little Sore from my walk. Louisa I am a lite pestered but I will proceed I left you sick but I hope when this comes to han it will well you well I left you verry sick but I hope when you get this letter it will finde you well if it is concistent with the lorde will finde you well i never wanted to here from you worse but there was no other chance untill I rote to you I will send this letter by hand it will be apt to go & go quicker than it will by male Mr penn or Mr White will carry it yu must go or send to the ofice often for just as long as I can get paper & ink I will rite to you for I take a pleasure in doing so for I will write to you every chance I have you must rite to me Just as soon as you get this if you are sick you must get some one to rite for you & if you are well you must tell me all the nuse tell me how long you was sick and how Pleasant is & all My mothers family tell me what Siccero & jesse has don with there homes whare Sister Zana is & who has come under the conscrip & whether they got the new infantry company or not if Mr Pen comes back to our company you must send a letter by him for it seams like I cant wate much longer for an answer he could go and return or if any one elce is coming you must send word you [lease direst your leters to Clinton Tennissee Camp Kirby Smith you must rite son if we are gon from here the letters will be four did on to the regiment I will close for this time I give my love & resp ecks to all May god by his mercy save us all is my prair I still remain your Loving & affectionate husband untill death A M S

L F S [on the envelope] may 19 [18] 62 Dear Louisa I am well this morning we have orders to march to big creek gap to day but it may be countrdmanded if we go we will be 45 miles from Knoxville 200: & five miles from home you direct your letters to Clinton good by for this time yours Truly A M Sewell

Mrs L. F. Sewell Summerville Ga In Cear of William Penn droped [not dated] We have draud six months wages & no commutation nor I dont know when we will we dont drew enought at a time to do any good we get plenty of clothing I drue a nise coat last night a short coat But if they will gave me peace they may have all the balance. It is Reported that president Lincon has Proclamated to take us back Or admit us back in the union as a free & loyal sitason & I am in favor of that & will go that way whether my state dos or not I think we will have pease soon Lou I wrote you a leter to send by Lieut Johnson Father 2 days ago & will send it with this & if i leave out any thing [illegible] it will be in the other D R J King Nor mr Johnston came in but Brought me no leter Send me one by some one that is pasing. Mrs Johnson gave me turnips & surip for dinner to day yours truly & affectionately A. M. Sewell

 May the 25 1862 I take up my pen this morning to answer your letter Louisa received last night she is not able to write I think the fever is break her bowels become so deranged she got so weak before we could get them checked she is not able to sit up I think she is on the mend I have no views of any importance your mothers family is well Pleasant is up and about Jesse and Cisaro is going in the horse company I think Jessee is going to leave his wife were she is we are all well and the neighbors is generally well I have the sore eye verry bad I can hardly see to write perhaps this may give you as much satisfaction as a long letter so I wil close by saying we all remain your friends write again as soon as you can and we will write again as soon as we hear where you are Mrs Harriet Dorsett A M Sewell

The Letters - 1863

January 2, 1863 near Blountsville Louisa, Dear Wife Fter a long meantation & as we are halted for the night & thought I would address yu agan. We are campted in 8 or so miles of blountsville we are still on the way to Jackson We started from Readyville [ illegible ].. we got to tennis[-] see River & thare we rested three days We marched thro huntsville & Shelbyville & thru Fayetsville & crost the river at whites Burg after we crost the river it seams like we are going home but we are some distence from home yet but still some of the Boys mesures the distence they still Desert yet there has 13 of Co. H. gon home or some whare elce there names are too te[-] dious to mention perhaps you have herd of the most of them as our pot of peas a done I will eat my supper & then write agan Tell me whare the [illegible] are gave my respecks to ma page 2 Louisa I now proseed to rite By my fire side in our litle group in a lone sumfull valey a long the spurs of sand Mountain I forgot to tell you of huntsville we past thro that before we crost The river Lou My litle girl I have nothing of inportence to rite my minde is all wase frustrated so I dont think what to rite so I can compose rite.. I forgot to tell you in the last litter Whether I was well This leaves me injoy[-] ing goo[d] helth I hope it will finde you injoying the same blessing of god after we get to our journey end I will gave you a history of travels & all the news page 3 Dear mother sisters & brothers A few words to you all it was with mutch regret that I could not stay any longer with you all but I could not you tell me how the health of the family is for I am anxious to here from you tel me whether you got Salt & whether you got your corn gathered & wheat sode Mother there is one thing shure you could do better than you do if P.J. was with you I did not read that letter you wanted me to read but wanted to do so if you can finde out whare he is & he is not in the service rite to him to come home & stay with you for he never paid you for raising him yet I hope if he can come he will do so if he will & will do all he can the nabers will do more than they do for you when he gets sick he nose the way there So no more at present Your son til death S.M. page 4 Mr. R. & Mrs. C. Echols According to promise I will Rite you a few as i am riting by moon lite. I have nothing to rite I can state to you that we see harde times & worse a coming we ar going whare provisions is scerse but I hope we will get plenty I have seen some pleasure in your na[-] berhood but I may never see it a gan but I still live in hopes if I did in dispair We travail all about we have quit our stand for awhile that is Tennessee The news is they are fiting at Murf[-] rees burough & at Vicksburg Mississippi So that is all at present Louisa be not discouraged Do not get out of heart for I think I will be at home in a short time It is sayd that there is beter prospect for peace than ever was I hope & trust we will have peace soon So nothing more good by your loving Husband till death A.M.Sewell January 27, 1863 Vicksburg Miss Dear Louisa & Pa & Ma & family it is thro the mercy of god that I am permited to address you all agan I do not feel like I could write at this time the reason is I have nothing to write I Rote you a letter a week ago & I hope you have Received it by this time & have answered it but if not you please answer this one I had rather here late news from you than som whare elce unless it would be from War department that peace once more was restourd & we all ware going home to injoy our lives in the bosom of our familys then there would be some injoyments But there is none here no none a tall we got orders last sunday to come to this place we struck tents & went down in Jackson & rem[-] ained there until monday night we left for vicksburg we got here just before dez [?] stayed near the car shead till yesterday We came out one mile from town the boys are all tolerbly healthy yet through there are some sickness We left 2 of our stoutest men at Jackson Mr Lammons & Mr Penley we left Mr. Pilgrim at Skool he is dead I suppose page 2 Lou as I reflect on past times yes for the last 10 or 11 months I cant help but thing we have been blest with great blesing to what some Regiments have been We are still a reg[-] ement as was formed at first not withstanding we have seen some hard times but still we are blest to some extent.. There is a Fite expectinge here but we cant tell I Walked down to the riverside the other day I saw the Enimes gun boats they ware the distance of five miles from our boat landi[-] ng & town witch they can't pas they are cuting a canal thro the land strate a cross three miles below town they are still farther of[f] but they are yet under the shelter of there boats the reporte is that they have the work completed if they get thro that way there will hardly be a fight here for they want the river so they can go to new orleans & if they succeed in that we are in a bad fix they will have all the western [part?] page 3 Louisa my dear companion you know how bad I want to be with you Oh it seems like there is some other way than this I am spending the best part of my life now in being absent from you it seams there is no injoyment for us unless for you to injoy you one fireside and home & me my Wikid cumreds company I would to god we all could be Righteous but it seams that wecidness will pre vale.... there is so many troubles & croses & so many sorts of people that a person may watch as well as prey & then he plaste in the surrounding surconstan[-] [this makes no sense to me, but this is what he wrote] ces we are he will Enter into tent[-] ation sometimes So you prey for me When I think of the song i somtimes shed ters I am going to mississippi to tarry for a while Away from my dear wife about five hundred miles So fare you well my darling so fare you well my dear Dont grieve for my long abcene whilse im a volunteer Lou.. Mr. gilbert is going home I will get him to carry this letter to you it will be shure to go or at least ought to go he starts to night or in the morning sometime page 4 Louisa there is many things that I think of between the times i write that i think I will write but is is too tedious.. I can tell you of one truth we can here them canonading some more or less every day they bumbard Our men some & we them some they got too of our common steam boats & one ferry boat & shot in to the aold vicksburg boat three times but didnt get her She had been down the red river I suppose & crossing stock over down at fort Huto[-] on or hutson which is about 70 miles distance We are here near the fortidications the yankey cant take this place till they go to new orleans & re inforse on both sides & in the middle.. I think our men apr[-] rehendes but litle danger here So Lou you must rite to me direct your Letters to Vicksburg rite a good letter & a long one So this still Leaves me will I hope & trust will finde you & all the con[-] nections well May god with his infinite mercy bless us all is my prear for criste sake A.M. Sewell to L.F. Sewell at Home

 Sunday Feb 22 [18] 62 [ this was probably 1863, not 1862] Vicksburg Miss Louisa My Dear wife After expecting every every mail for some time to get a letter from you & have not yet got One I once more address you this is a beau[-] tiful Sabbath morning Lou I can say to you that I am well at theis time & hope will still have good health but this is sirten by a sickly contry it is a broken country noles & holes byows & sypers ponds we Drink branch water at present & very filthy I hope we will not remain till Warm weather if we do we all will be sick.. there are no newes in camp in in pertickler but that the yankes are said to be leaving but I beleave my part of it We have some bombarding all most daily but not mutch affectual.. Louisa you have heard many thinks said of wht we get to eat I'll tell you the truth now of the present isshew of rations We get one half pound of bacon evey seven days & beef Regularly every three days.. But here comes the Truth it isent fit for human to eat I have cooked three days ra[-] tions for five of us & in the whole boyler there [wasn't] more thatn one or too eyes of grrease that is so shure no joke page two We get peas & Molasses verry plenty we have salt at this time we get no flour attall we get meat plenty but some verry bad meat it is better now Our fair is hard but we make out verry well yet if I can just have young heath I can get along but we eat unhealthy diet.. Our men have captured one yankey boat the Quene of the West they still holde her so said I have seen the ironclad steamer that the enemy have but at a distance of five or six miles they are over on the Louisiana side the river is the line I can stand in Vicksburg & see the yanks pasing up & down the river to be bend & here Where drums beating a few of [them] came over since we came here they come to the other bank & our men went & brout them over in a cunoo.. There os accidents hapening very often on the railroade the track broke in near this plase recently & the boyler bursted & killed three or four men we herd yesterday that the carr sum of the track between maredion & Jackson & killed fifty or sixty men is all ways in danger of there lives to some extente Our lives is not in shured here nor any where elce page three Louisa I am a long ways from you But yet I have some faint hopes of seeing you agan at some period of time I hope it will not be long Oh if I could just get a loving letter from you wuld I not read it with great cear pleasure plese rite Every chance you can send as many by hand as you can as that is a shure plan I send one by mail from Jackson & one by Mr gay of walker co & one by Lieut gilbert I will send this by Mr Joseph Wardlaw he is here to see his Brother John & to try to get a furlow for him but he may fail to do so there isent mutch talk of deserting now but we are all willing to go home & quit if they would let us a[-] lone I think there are some other other remedy than for us to suffer here in body & minde all our lives I think i will live to survive this war i feel so at least it is supposed that the north western states are for us the Eminant speakers of thse sates are all in favor of us now Ilinoss Indiana & Ohio & isa all are fro us they are going to form a western confedercy so they all say But whether for our good I cant say but I hope it will be Mr Warlow starts Tuesday morning I thought I would gave myself time to write & I would write today as I have nothing to do page 4 We have no drilling to do but we have to picket & polease three days & nights a week we are on duty in the mud & water shoe mouth deep Thursday friday & saturday we are on picket 8 miles below we can back thro the rain & mud It is the slickest mud I every saw a person will slip down if we dont be carefull we haft to go on poleace duty in town to night I hope it will not rain We have had some bad weather since we camped here rain 7 coal weather we had some very coale weather. I supposed it would be warm here but i see very litle difernce I suppose you have had some bad weather from what I her Lou I hope this will reach you & find you in good health you and all my connection you are the one I address but I have refrence to all I write to all at once you read this to my mother & gave her my love & best respecks I would rite to my brothers if I knew where they ware Tell Sister Zana I was verry much gratifide to here that P.F. got to go home & see her tell me whether Siccero has been at home or not since I was.. Tell sister Mary to be of goo cher I hope she is well but I fere not it seems that she has trouble in this life but better after death I still Remain your loving husband till Death A. M. SEWELL

Correspondence between Aaron M. Sewell and Louisa Dorsett Sewell, his wife.  [The following letter appears to be in a different handwriting than the other letters] Vicksburg Miss Saturday March 25 [18]63 Louisa as Mr. Demus is Writing this morning I will send you a few more lines I am well this morning we all are geting along very well we are in a house rite on the bank of the River we will have a good lot of duty to perform I rote you a letter yesterday it is one day before this There was an alarm given at four a clock this morning it was thought that a gun boat was passing but proved to be fals we all ware in our pitts in due time redy for a fight but all was over & we went down to the river & took a bath before day I dont feel that we are in mutch danger here you needent be uneasy for I am neaded here for awhile then I will be with you & we will injoy our lives together & talk of the war & read history & condole with each other. I here the yankey drums beating now but they are some five miles from us we see them everyday Lou if Lieut Cleaghorn gets a uniform for us I wont need but one suit & if that was summer goods it would suit verry well The government will furnish us with clothing now insted of money but they dont fit nor aint suitable atall Spring time is come & all looks green the trees is green here corn has from six to Eight blades that that was up early I was glad to here from the boys I wish i was with them in tessno [?] I would like to here from W.Q. & T.P. but I cant if seams let me now whether they have been hard from or not tell my mother to rite to me and all the rest tell Sis some day when she gets lonely to rite me & some of the boys a word or too a whole page if she choses I will [the bottom line of this letter wasn't microfilmed well enough to decipher] page two or two Tell Sister Zaner to rite to Jesse & tell him whare I am & that I am well & for him & Ciccers [?] to write to me I do love to get a letter & interest me when nothing elce wode I want Susan & Sally to rite if could get a leter a day & would be better satisfied.. Tell Mr. Echols to have a Rosen [?] year patch this time & some melons for I think I will be around to see him & have his houns in good flite for I dremp last night we were fox hunting but when I woak up it was the dogs in the city of Vicksburg Tell your Pa to be his one judge about the mare if he neads her keep her if not sell her for what he can get tell him to ask Enough for her There ae several horsemen in the cavalry that looks worse She ever did if horse feed was plenty & I could get a tansfur I would go to tennessee then I would nead my mare but no such thing as transfur now for me Lou I suppose you have hurd of the Exicution on the Sixth inst there was a man shot at this plase he had deserted the souther army & gon over to the yanks he was captured on the boat that our men took it was a solemn seane I didnt want to see it but the order was for every man to go he was made an example of for all to see what becomes of deserters but when I desert i wont go to the yanks if I do Ill try to go home There was too more shot the same day but we didnt see them... The one I saw was a Louisianan he was stande with yankey blood There [isn't] any boddy here but Dutch & Irish women of the loest class the citsons that use to do [business] here is all gon to the war & out in the county together. I will close by saying write often I still Remain your Husband & friend till Death A. M. SEWELL

Petersburg Va July 8 [18]63 Louisa My Dear Wife I once more have the privalige of writing to you & M is thro the mercy of god that I am permitted to do so. We arrived here on the sixth & comtemplated on going to richmond but havent yet.. I will write you a few lines to let you know how I am & how I have benn Lou I hope you have hurd of me being a prisoner of war & what become of me so that you havent' been uneasy about me Sargent Johnston rote two letters since we ware prisoner you certinly have herd from me but if not I hope you soon will get this & I hope it will reach you & find you & all the rest well I would like to write a long leter but havent got the paper. I have been well Ever since the fight on the 16 ever since I wrote you the last letter accept one or too days at a time of diarrhea The federals carryed me from Champion hill to chickysaw bluff & from thence to youngs point just below vicksburg on the Louisana shore & from thence to cairow on the Mississippi river we pased memphis & other points as we past upon the river on the boats When we got to cairow ilinois we got a board of the cars & went from there to Indianapolis Indiana page 2 staying there a few days & then we went to Ft. Deleware, Del We got there morning of the 10th & left 4 July reashed city [point?] on the sixth & came out here on the cars one hours ride 12 miles I suppose we will go to richmond on tomorrow If we do I will write again as soom as I can get paper you may wait till I get time & write you again. Lou I saw whare time since ive been a prisioner I was treated badly & all all the rest with me We have but one suit of cloaths I had to ware my pants & coat till I washed my shirt & drawers. We will draw cloaths probably this eavening or tomorrow we will get a good suit of cloaths I hope I hope been in several states since i left you Tennessee Miss. Louisana Arkansas Missouri Kenturcky Ilinois Indiana Ohio Pencylvanis Penaylvania We took the boat at philedelphia & went to the fort in deleware & I saw the shore over on the new jersey side When we left the fort we came to the Maryland shore & the other was water the at lantic Ocean. then we came to the Sacred Soil of Virginia This is a fine town here & plenty to eat but the country has been disfigured some I hope I will get to go home & see you all soon I am yours truly & affectionately till Death A M Sewell [The first page of this letter seems to be missing] for it seems that I was never more serious to here from you & our county I didnt think the enemy was so near on us as they was or at least I didnt think they would advance so fast as they have but I hope & trust they are not in our valey yet & let me Exert you you to write as soon as you get this I could have gon home & got my mare I road her & point the cavalry but I thought that there was a chance to ceap out of [illegible] fight by coming on down here we will all stay together till we all are exchanged [illegible] if that is the case perhaps it is still better for me yet but ill tell you i felt like going to [illegible] & fishing for my home [illegible ink smear] the tryingist time of [illegible] to think that I haft to go fur ther & further from home & the enemy advansing on my home but what could I do at home so I will trust with providence & go a haead. We are orderd to Atlanta or beyond there to stone mountain page 3? I dont know where the stone mountain is but suppose to be 10 or 15 miles from atlanta you Direct your letters to Stone mountain PO Decalb Co. Louise I hope we will see beter times agan shortly & that we may injoy our lives to gether yet on this earth tell your Pa that if he is possession of the litle mare yet to ceap her for me a litle while longer if he isent forriges out but if he cant keep her any longer just sell her or dispose of her any way he seas best I rather some one had her for her feed than to see her for con federate money unles it was neaded rite [illegible] Lou if you want to keep her & by corn for her just do so but if you can get there or four hundred dollars for her sell her & make the best of the money you can you mite have got four hundred for her 2 weeks ago & may get it yet page 4 I will be satisfied with any thing you do with her but if I knew it was for the best I would like to rier her my self So she is yours do the best you can with her [illegible] I get back & are able to [illegible] horse ill nead one [illegible] valve of a horse now is but a triful you clame them Lou as yours the mule & mare boath & if yur pa sells them tell him to keep as mutch of the money as he wants & you use the balance of it I will go to atlanta to morrow if not this eave ning I still remain [illegible] Husband till death may god with his infiniate mercy bless us & save us is my cincear prare this may be the last to you for some time But i hope & trust not so good by A M Sewell [UNDATED] Lou, I write you a few lines to let you know how I am & whare.. we stoped at atlanta a few days & came by here & went to Stone Mountain whitch is eight miles from this place yesterday eave ning we got marching orders & this morning We came up here I cant tell how long we will stay at this place I suppose we are all exhanged you said something about me going to cavelry if you will see your uncle jim & tell him to send a good Solger & I will make the swap write to him to send him to co H 39 Regt & that is sufficent Lieutenant Middleton has gone to demopolis after our goods we will get them in a few days you may ceap the mare some longer if you can get [illegible] for me I expect we will go to reinforce brag We havent herd nothing official from the 3 day fight unless we whiped but with heavey loses Theres no chance for me to go home unless I get a man in my place I will write you agan when Cleghorn gets back so no more at present yours respectfully A. M. Sewell Sis William Johnson sends his respects & kinde Wishes to you & wishes you to send some reviving & kind words to him when it suits your approbation Yours Respectfully Write to your uncle imediately [seperated from its main sheets] Louisa tell sister Zaner [?] that I here from Jesse yesterday morning I saw him twice since the fite at Phil adelphia & he gave me a oil cloth cloth that he captured in the fight he was in a fight a few days ago came out unhurt & got some more oil cloths he is well I do cincerrly hope that this will come to hand in due time & find you injoying the best of heal th you & all my relatives & inquireing friends if any I drew a good blanket last night my oil clot th & blanket is a mutch [illegible] carry ill write to you when I get a leter you must excuse my short letter if you havent soled your mare Sell her for what she is worth if you can get it She ought to bring 5 or 6 hundred confederate dollars We may get in cavelry yet but if may be sometime ceap it a secret We want to get a transfur Your husband till death A. M. Sewell Direct Your Letters to Sweetwater Marrietta Cobb Co Ga Sep 24 [18]63 Louisa my dear wife As god has spaird my life untill time I now agan avail myself to write to you to let you Know whare I am & what I am doing I am at your Aunt Fanny's I am well & all of your aunts family is well Lou I was verry sorry that I couldn't get to go back home Colonel McConnell wasnt at camp when I got there & when he came in there had been so many movements with the army that I couldnt get my business fixed up not couldnt get to go home attall unless I just walk of[f] & I wouldnt do that I was aferd of being Recaptured but I sometimes thought I would go any how then agan I would concider that if General Brags men would ceap the federales back that I would get to go home Shortly but if not Oh how distressing it will be I hope that they have Kept them back till you can get this Letter & longer too but if may be that you will never get this a tall but if you do you must write the next mail shurea ? Nov Tuesday 3d 1863 Vicksburg Mississippi Louisa Dear Wife As Lieut Cleaghorn [illegible] to start home in the morning I will write you agan Mr. ganes arrived at this plase today & I agan have the pleasure of reading a letter from you it was rote 2 october gave me great satis faction to know that you was well this Leaves me yet well There is nothing new Not mutch sicknes now there is some fever & some small pox in our brigade Lieut Price is verry sick with Typhoid fever you rote me to know [illegible] are just rite they please me verry mutch If you will rite to Mr. Rud at Chatanooga to send the coat & pants by the way of mail buggy or back if it runs to Summerville I dont know his chrisen name but address Mr. Rud, Esq. he & capt Edwards ware verry Well accuanted Mr. Edwards is out to day Forrigeing to try to get something to Eat.. Louisa I drew money Saturday & I will Send you some I drew sixty nine dollars with my comentation What Capt drawt last summer for me I will send you thurty dollars Thurty dollars Mr. Cleaghorn is going for that purpose page 2 I would like to send more home but i finde I cant do without money here I am spending everyday more or less I will keep plenty you do what you see proper with what you get by any thing you need if you can get it dont fail to do that. I rote to you by Mr. WardLaw but he is so slow this may beat him home. if Cleaghorn stays too long send me a letter by mail I will want to here from you & whather you got the money Lieut can tell you if is a mind to the times here I will Quit till morning & then rite you a word or too the boys was hungry enoght to kill find hogs the other morning & morning finds me well I have nothing new this morning except we go on general Review.. I hope this will finde you injoying the very best of health give my respecks to all kindred and friends May god pardon us & bless us is my prair Mr. James Rite died last night at this plase at hospital I am yours truly A. M. Sewell

Chicamonga Oct 17 1863 Dear Wife Mr W. C. Eadmonson is going to return home from visiting his son in the 9th regt i will send you a few lines in haste We will move today one mile to get a better plase to camp I will send a coat & pair of trousers to you by mr Edmon son whitch you will finde in care of S hawkins I haven't Received any letter from you yet but I think ill get one today.. Lou I am anxious to here from you & if I get a leter to day Ill write agan soon & if not ill wait till i get a letter from you if you come to see me bring me some Sirrup & potates & good biscuit & my comfert & severel fitee tricke & if you cant come send them by some reliable man if any person was comin in a wagon you could come page two Lou I will write to all of you at once ill write to S.C. Sewell Siccero you if you are at home you stay till you can kill that litle beef of your mothers & dry him & I believe you oughtto kill all of them that is fat for you can dry it & it will do to eat I fere they will be taken from you & all so see if you can get corn for her to faten her Hogs Louisa write a casionaly I cant write any more now A M Sewell Tiner Station Monday Oct 19th/63 Four Miles above chickamonga Dear Wife mr Johns on Got up to see the boys last Eavening & found us all well I was glad to here from you yes as much so as I ever was all most for I dident knew but what you had started up to see me & we would be gon.. we had orders to go to Cleveland & yet expect to go we may not go to day but I cant tell.. I got the things you sent me & was glad to get them.. you now Lou that I want to see you just as bad as I ever did but if you didnt get to come when we first come up here I am glad you didnt come now.. I wrote you a letter by Mr Eadman son & sent you my coat & pants that I drew last my shoes ware cloths i sold them & my [illegible, illegible] my hat isent verry good. Mr. Eadmonson sayd hee would leave them clothes at hawkins & a letter you will please call for them page two Louise you rote me that you had wool to make me an over coat I think i can do with out it D M rounsvall says he wants to get a blanket in plase of his over cart & so I will get me a blanket & make out you may do any thing you please with it or nothing.. Just do what you think best with it make your self a garment.. Collar my close when you get them & save them for me & save my suit that I carry home by the last suit brown or black orange color you can most conveniontly came at Louisa tell mother & sister Zana that I saw Mr. Floyd a few minutes ago & he said T.F. was well yesterday morning I still think siccero is at home [ink stain] starter any had to go home midle of 1st week.. tell susen to have wheat soad in the feale that Cleton Tolender to work & let it make all it will tell her to Cill all her yearlings & save the hides & dry the meat & sell all but one cow or maby she can loan one of them for there fead if so do so till spring then take her agan page three I saw cosen frank Sewell last night he was verry sick with the flux he sayd he ahdent eat anything in four days till i gave him some of my juise he was going to a Hospital but I cant tell whare Louisa you must write to me as soon as you get this & gave me a full epostol tell me some of the secrets of your minde while you are a lone I like to get feeling letters from you Pray for me at ni ght morning & noon & at church & if I am never permited to go with you to church agan i hope to be with you in paradise & you may finde my name Regestered in the church book as testimonony that I am a true folower You must injoy yourself just the best you can you may not spend any time in make ing any more clothing for me until I tell you what I want I expect for the confed eracy to clothe me I will write some to your pa & then close so good by Your true & Affectionate Husband till death A M Sewell page four MR Dorsett Dear Sir as the present period time ad mits ill address you all so we are here awaiting transportation to go up in the direction of Knoxville I cant tell how high we will go up we will be apt to go to Charles ton up on hinasey river i will write when we get up there direct you letters to cleavland I was sorry to here of your hogs & cows dying I hope you will have good luck yet & get your corn gath erd & wheat soad & molases made & potatoes dug. I dont now what elce to do than for you to sell flight Sell her for as much as you can & ill be satisfide with it dont [illegible] [illegible] your time but get as much as you can sell her just like she was yours & that will satisfy me May god bless & save us all is my prare Yours truly & respectfully Aaron M Sewell

Decm 9th/63 Camp 39 Regt. ga vols 2 miles south west of Dalton Dear Wife As Mr greason is up to see us i thought it expedient for me to write to you to let you Know that I am well at this time & hope you the same there isent mutch nenews in camps now the army is quiet at this time the report is that the enemy are all gon back to Chatanooga but I think they are after Long street & then they will come on after us & then they will invade our country & all will go then But I hope we will be able to check them & that we may have peace before long & all go home to stay I hope you have found my mare if not advertis her & maby you will find her tell your pa to go over & see them fellows agan write the first chance without delay Excuse me for this time A M Sewell Camp 39 Regt. Ga vols Decm 21/63 Near Dalton ga Dear Wife As Mr Johnston has visted us & will return to morrow I thought it expedient to write to you this leaves me well & harty as I ever was & I do hope will come to hand in due time & find you & all the family & connection well I haven't Received any letter from you since I left home & would be verry much gratifide to get one Mr. Johnston told me that Pa was gone to Camps I was sorry to here that write whether it is so or not I want to see you all verry bad & sertenly will before long if I dont come home I want you to send me some provisions Some some flour or biscuits & potatoes sasage sweet cakes Syrup & & some tobacco & a whole lot of goodes tell P.J to come & Brother James or else come your self Or send them by some trusty friend that is coming

Camp 39 Regt. ga. vol Muroe Co Tuesday 4th Nov/63 Dear Wife As this is a beautiful morning & I have the chance to write to you I take the pleasure of doing so this is the first opertunity of writing Since Mr. Johnston Left us at tiner station Our trains run to Sweet water agan I suppose & you will chance to get this soon whitch I hope you will there must certenly be a letter On the way for me but I havent Received any yet The weather is beautiful & fair now but we have had some verry bad weather We have no tents at all we take the weather as it Comes. I am healthy & stout & get Enoug to eat by forageing & What we drew together. We move nearly every day but Short distences we are rather pricketing [the following was written at the bottom, upside down] We havent draw any money yet Camp 2 miles south west of Dalton Ga Dec 4/63 Dear Wife I Arrived here this morning unmolested & am well as Mr. Ryinheart is up & going to return ill write you a few words to let you know I am well he has now started or starting the boys are all accounted for One Dead & Severel wounded several gon home I want write any more now write soon if you can Send you letters to Dalton by the way of rome I hope this will find you all well A M Sewell

Decater, Ga Sept 27th/63 Dear & moste affectionate Wife I received you kind letter of the 22 ins which gave me great satisfaction to here that you was all well but sorry to here that you did not get the leter that I rote to you When was at your aunts I wrote you a long Leter at your aunts up at Maryetta as we came on from dalton to atlanta your aunt was well & seamed to be pleased with my com pany your aunt Anny is a fine woman I stayed all day & all night wit her She ast me to call agan & i will do so if I can make it conveniont I all so saw Mr. Northcut in camp at Atlanta he is in the war agan. I allso wrote to you in William Johnston leter I suppose you have saw that by this time your letter gave me great satisfaction but I hope you will write again thro the urban ity of J S Cleghorn rite me me a long letter & gave me all the news about home & how the yankees as they are termed served you

The Letters - 1864

Camp 39 Regt Ga Vols Friday Jan 15 1864 Dear Wife As Mr Greason is up to see us & going to return today I feel it my duty to write to you & I hope this will Reach you in due time.. This leaves me well as can [illegible] I hope will finde you in good health i have no news & write this time I havent has any leter from you since the one Ben Cheek brought me But would like to get one at any time I look for a leter this week I am still [illegible] to get anything that you [ illegible ] me I will not wrote mutch now for Mr gresen is going to start soon ill send you some pens & a staff & too finger Rings the pen staff is loose you can Rop it with paper & just let it stay one way the holder is loose in the sta ff just fasen it with a little brown paper or anything & not shut it up but dry it Every time so it will ceap write I bought if for my use but cant ceap it without mashing it I think the pens is sorry but they will do to write one or too leters if you will bare lite on them write whether you Receive these or not & write soon.. I was sorry to here of the death of Capt Edwards but well all have to dye sooner or later Your Loveing & A B D husband A M Sewell Camp 39 Regt Ga Vols Jan 21 1864 Dear Wife as Lieut T S Johnston is going home on furlongh I will write to you agan he has a tenn days leaf of ab cence I verry fortunate to get that the furlow business is played out now for awhile Lou ill write you a short letter & William Johnson is going to write to his father to come & see him & get Ready to come back With Lieut Johnson if you get this letter go down to see Jimme & get him to come & you come with them if you can & are well for I dont expect to get to go home till we End our part of the war unles I go without leave & if you can conveniently come do so there are women in camps Every day get Mrs. Johnston to come with you to see the boys page two Lou if you cant come you must send me some flour meat lard A goard of lard & some sweet cakes & potatoes if you have any Saved for me sasage or anything you can Send We get plen ty of meal we get no hog meat at tall & beef that ant fit to eat I eat verry often without any meat Just bread & water if I had Lard to go in my corn bread ide make out verry well.. fix up & come or write me a good leter & send me sutch articles as you can go & see Johnson & see what he will do if he will bring me such things as you will send ill pay him for his troble I would like to write more but this I hope will gave you satisfaction I am Well & hope you the same Your Loving husband A M Sewell Camp 39 Regt Ga Vols Monday Jan 25 1864 Dear Wife After my [illegible] to Regards to you I can inform you that I haven't Received any leter from you Since Mr. Cheek came up here you are due me too or more letters but circumstance mey be such that excuse you yes of corse you are but not withstanding all this I will write you a few lines to you to night as long as I can send it by hand Capt Cleghorn is going to start soon in the morning home But whether he will gewt thare on not I cant tell The Report here is the yanks made a Rade down in our county Last friday & came over to Dirttown & Ran the home guards of[f] but whether it is so we havent learnd for surtain We hope it is fars Lou I am geting anxious to here from you & to here what your notion is of cumming up to camps if you was to come & the yanks got between you & your home they would let you go back of course I expect B O Smith will get to go home Last of the week you must send me some page two Things to make me Remember you & if the yanks are not in that country & ben brings a wagon back come & get Mrs Cloyd or some ne Elce to come with you but if you dont dome nor send me anything more than a letter send me that Shure tell me what you have done with Flite & what that land can be bought for tell me whare Pa is & if he thinks he will go into Regular survise when his time is out tell him to go before A board of doctors & be Exzammo nd Wright of & have it done Rite I hope hell be Rejected Cicero ware at our camps today he was well I herd from J F & was verry mutch gratifide to here & to know that Sister Zana had got a leter from him tell her I would Congratulate her if I could see her I would have to write to mother but cant this time gave her my love I hope she is mending this leaves me will I was sick one or too days I hope you are well A M Sewell L F Sewell P S Send me my Richmond pants & tell your pa that my advise to him is to sell them boys & by land if wants to be benefited any by them but that dont concern me

Camp 39 Regt Ga Vols March 6th/64 Dear Wife, As the heavens smiles upon this blessed sabbath day & the birds sing so sweet, I aval myself to write you a letter in answer to yours of the 24th [?] of March & after having faild to gave you an immediate answer I now hasen to respond. I was glad to here from you that you was well and all the Rest But was sorry to here of the capture of Giburts and Capt Middleton & others & Was mutch more Sorry to here of Uncle Robert being wounded I hope he may get well & gets home [ illegible ] I hope his father will be able to get to him & assist him. Lou I would have wrote to you before now but I had just wrote you a leter & directed it to coosaville in care of Floyd Hutgins I hope you have read it by this time. & another Reason is that William Johnson is trying to get a Furlow he has sent up an aplication if it be approved he will start about teusday I hope he will get it he is geting it on Marion Hogg as a Recruit he aspects to get him 40 days and him 20 and John 20 page two Louisa I hope the boys will get there furlow for they are good solgers and ought to have a furlow as well as some of the rest of us if they got there furlow on a recruit I want you to get one for me if you can possibly do so and if not I want Billy and John to gave me 6 or 10 days on therse. I have a [illegible] Rote and approved just ready to go tomorrow morning to your uncle cit and if Biles furlow comes before I get back ill get him to carry this and then ill write you [illegible] in [illegible] few days and if not ill send it if he gets it tuesday and allso write whether I found uncle Cit or not. Lou I hope you have purchased that land & got the title if you hant you had better do so not withstanding it maint be worth mutch more than the mair & mule but the money aint mutch account So take the land & get the title & bonds & see that they are all rite & that there is no exicutions againt the land tell Pa to Pay all & ill Pay him & pay it now before the first of April For the money will have to be funded then & you just pay if of[f] page three Louisa This is monday eaving Rather cloudy & coole I have just returned from the 19th Ark I lerned there from one of your uncles mess mates & all so from the sergeon that your Uncle Cit is dead he died the 14th of Feby he was taken verry sudent He was taken the 10th and died 14th from the best information that I could get - & Mr. Lane his mess mate told me he was with him when he was taken & waited on him until he died & that everything was done for him that could be & that the doctors tride to save him but failed he was taken with the side Pluracy & it termined the [illegible] Pnesemony He was burried neatly. he was buried at Tunnell Hill in the soldiers burying ground his name was Registered on the headboard he was burried not far from the town of tunnell hill Mr lane sayd he thought it was north of tunnell hill he was fatagued & didnt go to the burying Mr Lane says he saw your gran Pa when he came up with Cit Perhaps he recollects Mr Lane I think he is a gentleman & he was a friend to Cit Cits Captin returned to Arkansas & carried his Effects to his wife he would have wrote to you but the mail Rout was not open I am so sorry that his parents could not here from him till now I hope you will get this & that it will gave all of you satisfaction when I write to you I do not mean you a love but to all William may get his furlow tonight & he may not get it till tomorrow night & maby not a tall but if he does ill send this by him & if not ill send it by mail to coosa in care of F G Hutgins & for him to forward it to melville I think that is the shurest plan you must comply with my request if you can about the land & all so about the recruit if billy gets his furlow & could get one on the same term Lou there was a man shot in our Regt this afternoon but thank god I didnt have to witness the seane they ware gon before I returned from town I will not write anymore now I am well & I hope & trust you the same Lut King got a leter from his wife stateing that Henry ball has the small pox but I hope its not so I am your true husband till Death A M Sewell 39th Regt Ga Vols March Wednes 23/64 Dear Wife taking all things in concideration I deem it necissary to write you again I wrote you a litle 22 by Losen eln but failed to get any leter This mail [will] write [illegible] I am Well at present I will be pleased to here that you all are well but at the same time I am afraid that you are sick and waiting to get well before you write but I hope it is not the case williams time will be out next wednesday and I am sure to get a leter when he comes but I am as anxious as ever I was to get a leter form you and if it is posable that you have then [illegible] you must reat it the best you can be sure not to Eat any grease nor coold water and get the best information you can in treating the cases the Last account was that you had smal [pox] in the naborhood but it cerainly isent so Louisa you wrote to me by tome hall that you thought you could get a Recruit or too if ou could get too I could get 80 days On them there is the same chance for 2 as for one Dr Loll D Ring says that his neighbor Mrs. Montgumrey has a son that will have to go to the war and he thinks he will come to our company. go and se Mrs king and see the young man and all so Mr. Saterfield and Mr. Lidee has sons and perhaps you can get one of them Tell Pa to go and see cooly Ead morison or some one that is capable of telling him whether he is a loud to stay at home under the present act of Congress or not I hope he is it says something about Detailing or ememting such men as had furnished soldiers wives with provisions and maid so mutch to spare to the guvernment I dont Exactly understand i t But I hope he is excused by the Board of Doctors. Lou Congress has past an act Declaring all persons from the age of 18 to 45 no in survice in for during the war and all from 17 to 18 and 45 to 50 in State Survice and not to go out of the State. Write to me and let me know how you all are geting along and where you all are I would like to get a leter. Every week Some of the boys gets leters the second day after they are mailed at summerville by W. brumley got one today wrote 21 and this is 23 marion mas got one the same date Write soon and oftin Send them any way you can Send me all you can by billy I am Your Friend and Loving Husband till Death A M Sewell to L F Sewell

Camp 39 Regt Ga Vol Feby 14th 1864 Dear Wife As it is rainging this Sabbath morning & Mrs Cloyd is aiming to Start home tomorrow Ill write you a letter & after my pyous Regards to you I can congratulate you on your visit to the army to see me & your Return home I hope you get thro the Pickets & all so over the bad Roads & I hope you Returned home safe & all your compa ny it was verry nise withater all the time up till htis morning it is Raining now I suppose you got home Thursday night if not suner I would have liked for you to have stade till now if you had or new Mrs cloyd was coming but we dont know Everything but if is all for the best tell Sis she ought to send you to the camps agan to get Leters for her & the Rest of the girls. Tell all th3 fmily howdy for me I haven't any news to write Lou ill send you a testament by mrs cloyd Pat your birth under whare I pat mines tell ma to write Whare her Brother belongs Regt & co & Brigade & then ill write to him & go to see him if I can May god bless us & save us is my sincear prare Your loving husband till death A M Sewell F L Sewell page two Dear Sister Susan & Mother & all the Rest ill address you all At the same time I Received you leter by Lieut Johnston I was glad to here from you & to know that you ware geting on as well as you are but But I am sorry to know that Mary & Moth er & George are all to be afflicted at once I know that you have a hard time to get a long I hope & trust they will be beter when I here from them agan Tell Sally to be all ways on hand & help her ma when She can for that will be an honor to her. The Bible Says to honer thy father & mother that thy days may be long upon the land Susan you must be carefull to Spend money be carefull how you spend it & how you spend your property if you have anything to sell get the worth of it or dont sell at tall Mr Cheek is under obligation to ceap you in fire wood I am Well at present hoping this will finde you all well Good by your Brother till death A M Sewell Camp 39 Regt Ga Vol Feb 19th/64 Dear Wife As capt Midleton expects to start home on furlow this afternoon I thought it my duty to write you agan I am well & hope this will Reach you in due time & find you & all the Rest in good health. We have some as coole weather as we have had this winter it is verry coalds indeed Lou there is a chance for me to get a forty days furlow if I can get a Recruit I want you to Just try your best to get one for me When Lieut Johnson was at home he Swore Marion Hogg in to our company & gave him a 20 days furlough which is out 20th of this month then he will have to come join this company Louise if you get this before he starts get him to say he will Represent me as we live near each other & I can get a furlow on him as he is compeld to come I had just as well get a furlow on him as any body Mr. Hogg has to certify that Marion is a 
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Inlisted Solger that that he inlisted according to his fathers will to come to this company & what time he inlisted Just get Mr Hogg to certify to Capt Midleton that Marion is a volunteer & inlisted solger & that he was willing for him to Join this camp any that he was not a conscript & that is sufficient if Marion is gon When you get this Just go to Mr Hogg & get him to make the cirtificate & you go to town & see Capt Midleton & gave it to him & let him attend to it for me but If Marion is there & you see him Just let him come on & bring the cirtificate with him & ill fix it up here & send up a cirtificate for a furlow & Louisa in case you fail in geting him tell you Pa that I say if he hast to still go to the war to come to this company that is if he goes in infantry but I hope he is exempted but if he aint I can get a furlow on him but I dont advise any person to come to the war 
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But as long as any person has to go I think he will fare as well here as he will any plase in the survis unles he was on the coast & state ond Lou if you fail to get one try another try henry umphrey any man or boy that is not a conscript James Latamore is one I thought of writing to but you can Read this letter careful by & see what is Required if he is a minor you have to get his fathers cirtificate that he gave his consent to him volentering & that he is not a conscript & a man certifyes that he is not a Conscript Tell Mr Hogg to make this certificate I do here by certify that my son Marion is a inlisted solger in the con federate survice & that he had my concent to do so go & see Midleton & get him to write it & then let Mr. Hogg sine it page 4 Lou you must go to work as soon as you get this & work the wires write & get me a Recruit & send him on he will have to be here & be doing duty before I can send up a furlow if Marion was to came here before you get this I cant do nothing till I get his fathers cirtificate & then I am all Rite Act soon for we may move from here at any time but that wont inter fear with this if some one dont get in a head of me if I get the certificate in my name ill be intitled to him my Respects & hope he will get Marion to Represent me So I can get to go home It is so coal d that ill have to quit writing Read this carefully & then act first go to Mr. Hogg & have the trick fixed I am your A B D & Loveing Husband A M Sewell to L f Sewell Camp 39th Regt Feby 27 1864 Louisa My Dear Wife I once more a vail mysef with the Opertunity of writing you a few lines to gave you the newses as fair as I know We left Camp [illegible] 23rd ins & marched to dalhorn & staid all night 24th & then we came up here 25 in the morning & formed a line of Battle The enemy was advansing & we deployed skermishes & they fought all day but our line was not ingaged as yet buy we dont know how soon we will be but I hope not at tall a battle is a horible thing there was Several of our division engaged in the fight Lou while we was under the enemies fired I had many Reflections But cant expres my feelings I hope & trust for beter times The federal Cavalry [illegible] charged our pickets on the mountain the way you come into our camp & got posesion of that gap but our men tuck it agan It was Reported that the federals ware at summerville the first of this [illegible] & captured capt Middleton but whether it is so I cant tell Mr murdock left Abner Echols Wednesday he hadnt [illegible] any [illegible] of [illegible] all the negroes is gone to the federals from Dirttown Abner & John Echols has gone 
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 Louisa it seams like that all men who can get out of the army is doing so oficer & privates offices resigning that can They All think of home of going home & geting home to stay They say Oh That I could get home to stay Capt Middleton was aiming to Resign Dr King aims to resign too Our Maj Lut Core & several captins & some Lieutents & some sergents have resigned They all are making for home to there famil yes But Lou I fere that they are not sincerer or at least that they wouldent appreciate the injoyments as they out if theyt wase permitted to go to there homes Oh a word to you now from my heart if I ware permited to Return to my home with you I would live a different Life & would know how to ap preciate my hapiness with you but yet for all this Lou i am looking a litle for these ahead there is an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens a Tabernecle a home beond the skise that is the home we all are expecting to get to & let us have our lamp burning PS write imediately & let me know whether you got the leter I sent by James Johnston & the note
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 Lou I hope to see you soon & be with all of you but if maybe some time first I want you to Show this to Sis & as many of the girls as you choose & to all whome may want to read it I would Like to gave the girls some advise if I thought it become me & if I was capable of doing so but I dont feel that it is my duty they all have parents to advice them I have reference to nothing but Pro fesses doing that that they know is against them profession when they dont noing by glenteraly I think it verry rongfully in them to do so if it ware something they Couldent well avoid it would be all together different But I hope ill hert no ones feelings tell Sis to write to me & all the rest especially James & Sis Gave my respects to all my connectons especially to my mothers family & next to Sister Zana then to all inquiring friends tell Mrs. Echols to write to me for Dick & herself your husband till Death A M Sewell
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 Lou after you get this you might write to me if you havent wrote but I hope you have [ illegible ] will get it son & here that you Receive the Leter [illegible] by H M Middleton but if [illegible] I fore you didnt get it Louisa [illegible] this Leter but I hope you will get [illegible] that I write Soon but I hope not ill write every chance i can I havent saw your uncle yet but Clabern Division to rite at the [illegible] whare you cross Lou dont be uneasy about ill take the best care [illegible] I cant if I get to close Suffer myself [illegible] Killed & think it write to do so & fit to do so ill Return to you sometime if I live we have backes the Enemy a litle but I look for them to flank us on every side & come in the front too We Are three miles from dalton north corse I will write agan W F [illegible] is well Marion hog is well I am well thank my god that iam & hope you the same Please gave my Respecks to all my [illegible] 7 especially my Relations I am your husband till death A M Sewell Sunday Morning

This letter is from my great grandfather, Burton Yeargan, to his cousin, Louisa Sewell, and Is from the microfilm containing the Aaron Sewell Civil War letters. Burton Yeargan's mother was Dorcas Dorsett. It is trans- cribed as it was written. 

Camp Thomas, Orange Va. March 28th, 1864 Mrs. Louisa Sewell Dear Cousin, it is with grate pleasure that I take my seat to drope you a few lins which will inform you that I am well at the present hoping when thes few lins coms to your hand they my find you anjoying the same grate blessing I havent any news that wold interrest you every thing is quiet hear at the presant and we ar seeing a good time to what we have bin seeing all the winter our Brigade and one other has bin on detached survis all this winter and have bin rading round after the yankey cavalry all winter an they have also bin rading around thru hear tho they don but littel daresay and tho they got close enuf to Richmond to throw shell into camp be so you may no that the citisens have a rite smart stir round tho they run them back without the los of a man we was there in the valley of virginia an just as soon as the yankee comenced making raids thro hear they ordered us back to our old division so we ar now back with the hale army and expect we will have to face the musick just as soon as the weather will admit of it we have had som very bad weather hear this weak it snowed last Tuesday till the snow was About 18 inches deap tho it has cleared off an is quite pleasant today tho I fear that thar will not be many such day till it will bring Around something that will not bee so very plesant to us tho I hope not for your cousin is getting very tyard of this thing they cal fightting for thar is very littel fun to bee seen in it fight I think that I cold see as mutch fun if I was at home with my little wedlock tho it looks like she has forsaken me I have not receaved but one letter from her since I was at home I receavied but very few letters by mail since I got back to this state and for what reason I cant say for I have written mour than I ever did in the same length of time be four and receaved less it looks like that all my kindred an friends has forgoton me well Cousin I hope that you will not treat me as all the rest has I want you to write as soon as this coms to hand and gave me all the news so I will bring my few lins to A close for want of somthing to write tel Cousin sis that I have written to hear and havent receave any once I must praise that sam of them bouregard attracting her attention a littel to mutch which causes her to neglect writing to me gave Cousin Aron my love and respects and tell him to write to me I will clos by assigning myself your affectionate cousin til deth. Burton Yeargan

Feby 21/64 Louisa The capt is too days later than was expected but ill start in a few minutes this morning findes us all well You must make Out That Certificate for Mr hog or go a medently to the Captain & get him to do it tell him to cerify when Marion inlisted & that he was Will ing for him to inlest & that he is not a conscript If Pa hast to come I would like for you to get him to come to this company if he goes in infantry if I fail to get him or marion try Henry Hump rey bu if Marion is started we mite bave to get this cir tificate before any person can get a furlow on him so go get it the next day after you get this letter 
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There are several of the boys that would like to get him in & I may have to pay him something to get him & if I do it wont be mutch for our money is gon up for 20 years i suppose Louisa I hope you are well today ill close for this time I am yours truly PS you must fix up this mater & send it just as quick as you can for fear some ne elce gets it Just go & see marion first & tell him how it is & then go & see my [illegible] Send it by Marion or someone elce rite a way dont wait [illegible] to page three [top half of page is torn away] Return if there is any other chance You may send it safe by mail if you can get it to come tell when it leaves Summerville & then mail it write soon be shure & tell me what you can do for me I will be anxious to here So good by

[location not stated] Tuesday morning 3 [April 3 1864?] Louisa I will Write a little this moring to Lit you know that I am well & that we have winter yet up hear There is a white frost you may Look out to have to soo seads of all kindes agan & eat no fruit This year but perhaps we will have something to eat I fear The wheat will be killed & if it is it will be a bad chance in Six months to get a long & What women & children is going to do I cant tell tell me if you are drawing anything This year & my mother if She has drew any thing she is intitled to corn or mon ey or both Whether she gets it on not & if she aint card for tell she spends all she has it will be bad page two Louisa a word to the wise & then I must close We must watch & prey Lest we Enter into temtation I do here of all Kindes of carryings on in our coun try all around you men in disguise Lou dont let non of them fool you tell them the truth Let them be Rebles or federels tell them that That is your fortune or misfort une to have a husban in the Confederate army & that you cant help what is going on but hope for it to stop soon I here of some accidents haponing to Our girls & women too... of our country tell them I say to be carefull & not trust Soldiers is farther than just to Respect them as soldiers Your husband till death AMS Camp 39th Ga Regt Near Dalton April 4/64 Dear Wife I Avail myself agan to write you a few words As I have a chance to send it by hand Ill send it by James Johnston or Mr Allman I hope you will get it in due time and that it will finde you and all the connection well it is Raining today and I am under my Shelter and hpe we will not be moved Soon unless we go to Resaaca to Relieve the 34th thay are down there quareling Bridges and ferrys Roads and Louisa we had too prety good [illegible] one on 22 and one the 24th night but were soon over it is pretty cool yet it looks all most Like Dead winter yet there is some poplar buds I would like to get a leter at anytime tell me how Pa is getting along with his farm and whether he is trying to farm or not I see that all Fruit isent killed yet but I look our a bout the time it fairs of now Lou i have Read intelligence that the Enimy was at the [illegible] sky and that our men and them had a Skurmish a friday and bill davis and some others ware killed page 2 Mr. Dorsett Dear Sir I am satisfide with the trade you maid on that land Augustus Stranges and hogin Gadas Says there is three springs and some good grournd on it and good fence and orcherd and A whole Lot Hagen says it prodrese fine and that it is the best trade ill ever make I will Send you money as soon as I get it and you will please gave me credit as I send it I will send you my note and them all thinks will be satisfactory Yours Respectfully A M Sewell page 3 Louisa we had preaching and Baptiseing yesterday eavening Billy Clark of our company was one and one of 96th Regt We had a verry interesting sermon Delivered by The Reverent Mr. Tain A Methodist minister After the sermon a baptist preacher gave a short Exortation whitch was with some effect and he opened the dore of the church Her ways are ways of Blesedniss and all her pathes are pease was the text I wishe you could have hurd the sermon and his illusstrations they ware fine Lou if we go to Resacca you must come and see me if I cant get to go home Rite soon ill close Your husband AMSewell April 10/64 Camp 39th Regt Ga Vol Near Dalton Ga Dear Wife as this is a Leasure time & I have a chance to communicate some words to you I hasen to Respond I have nothing to write that would interrest you I havent had any word from you Since Wm Johnston came in & I am anxious to here from you & all the family I have wrote you a Leter or too Since I Red one from you I am well & hearty as this time & hope you & all the famly & mothers family well be well when I here from them & you agan I expect to get a Leter When John come in & maby something Elce if you can send me anything [illegible] so ill receive it with pleasure Lou We are anticepating a move at any time but we dont know what way we may go I wishe we could stay here until pease is made but it seams to be nothing but folly to wish any such thing it is very cool to day all most too cool to do with out fire i hope this spell will brake up without killing the fruit & wheat & let spring come Camp 39 Regt Ga Vol near Dalton Ga April [3?]/64 Dear & Affection Wife After John Johnson arrived to camp & me receive your Leters this moring & then having to go on General Review nearly all day & being deprived The privalege of writing to day & sending the Leter by the Henderson.. I now hasen to Respond & perhaps I can send this by mail & you may get it I got the Letter you sent by mail & Those you sent by John the one you sent by mail was not maild till the [illegible] it must have been over looked at summerville Mrs. White came with John & Mrs. Pledger started & couldnt get any farther than home the conductor wouldnt take her on board I have herd since I commenced writing that there will be no more Furlowing on no surcomstances till the act of operation is over that means till the summer campaign is over & allso that women will not be allowe d to come in our Lines but whether that is so I cant tell I will now on desperate to rite page two Louisa I hope you will get this in due time & that it may Finde you & all the connection well I am as harty as I ever was We will Leave this Camp in a few days we may go to tunnel hill I think we will go up ther & get a better camp than this This is bad water & wood is scearce cant get oak wood scearcely atall Tell Gran Pa that Cleborns division is here Yet it is one mile East of Town I got a leter from my aunt too days ago & will send it to My Mother & you Read it to her I will answer it I will go & see my cousin if I can finde him just as soon as I can I would like to have some one that is connected to me to talk & associate with but not that I havent friends for i consider that co. H is the best material in this Regt take one with the other the Least swaring card playing & c the boys are all friendly & sociable & as I haf to stay in the army I am Resinde to co. H. & will stay with it During the war if I am permited to Live & if I die I hope to be Remembered page three By you & all my friends Lou when My folks write to Betty & Deborah you must write for me & if you will give me there post ofice I will try to write to them I have for goten all about such as that since I belong to this cruel war but tell them to excuse me & write to me & you must write to me & try to mail it Just before the mail Leaves Summerville Or where you mail them if you can get them sooner by me sending them to Melville tell me so & if yours will Leave summerville quicker than they will melville mail then there it Seams like the mail ought to Run Regular now if you could contrive them to Esq Houtgins they would be shure to come write soon to you Ever true Husband A M Sewell Brother J. M. I have complide with your Request Mr Rose Rote off the Rule without any hesitation & I will forward it in this letter & you must impro ve your time if you will take a friends advice & one who knows the [illegible] of Education & would improve his time if Just could call it back but it never was my Lot to go to School what I know is princa ple Self maid but I will not burst I would Like to write moore but havent got time we will gon on parade Soon James you must write to me & tell all the rest to write I am your a Friend & brother A M Sewell to J M Dorsett April 20 1864 Louisa I am well this morning if we cant get furlow & you can come in our lines I will send you a pas for you to come in. Tom Pledger is going to get one for his wife if he can & ill do the same the order is not any more furlows to be granted I think ill send this by Mr henderson Yours truly A M Sewell

LAST LETTER 

Line of Battle May 11 1864 [illegible] My Dear Affectionate Wife It is with the upmost degree of respect that I address you at this time to Let you know that I am well at present Louisa not withstanding I chance to write to you I fear at the same time that you will never get the newes But Still I hope Some friend may chance to pass around your way & carry this thro to you I wrote you a Letter the 3 of this month & sent it my mail I do hope & trust you have Reed it before now We came to our Brest work the 7th I still Remain in them yet There has been fighting more or less Ever since Saturday the 7th & This is Wednesday the 11th.. Lou I hope you will not be discorra get but bare your troubles with as mutch for titude as you can puting all you trust in god Who is our only Refuge he will protect us if We will put our trust in him & give our all up to him trusting in him that we may have pease to our soles giving thanks all ways to him page 2 [very faded] Lou We havent [illegible] engaged yet in the fight but don't know how soon [ illegible ] [illegible] Lou the mail Came in just now & parks [illegible] got a letter wrote 8 inst Oh that it could have been me that could have get one for I never thought it so long to wait for a Letter yet so send me one if you can Mr Gilbert Looked for his wife a good while & said you ware comming with her & I agreed to that but if you started I hope you got back home save agan I certainly will get a letter tomorrow that has been the way for too weeks Parke [illegible] some newes a bout what was going on in our county & what had transpired [illegible] the Thiefth & [illegible] ill not write any thing about that Louisa it seames that I can all most hear our preares assending up for me Oh the ,many [illegible] hearts at home now for Son Brother Father, & Husband thats in this army now but god will same all who will prase him & make [illegible] with him Good by yours affectionately A M Sewell Page three is illegible

Aaron M. Sewell apparently died during the Battle of Jonesboro. Louisa remarried.

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