1863-02-01: George Washington Cherry to Folks at home, letter
This document is a letter from George Washington Cherry near Shelbyville, Tennessee, to his family at home in Alabama on February 1, 1863. In it, Cherry describes life and the health of the regiment, praises food sent to him from home, and refers to troop movements, including Union General William R...
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Auburn University Libraries
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| Online Access: | http://content.lib.auburn.edu/u?/cherry01,41 |
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Electronic |
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Cherry Family Civil War Letters Collection |
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Auburn University Digital Library |
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Auburn University Libraries |
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Family letters |
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Family letters 1863-02-01: George Washington Cherry to Folks at home, letter Cherry, George Washington |
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Family letters Cherry family; Cherry, George Washington--Correspondence; Confederate States of America. Army--Military life; Soldiers--Confederate States of America; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Health aspects; Operational rations (Military supplies); Agriculture -- Livestock; Government & Politics -- Military; History -- 1838-1874: Sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction; Peoples -- Agricultural Life; Peoples -- Domestic Life; Peoples -- Military Life; Science & Technology -- Medicine; Geography & Environment -- Natural Environment -- Climate and Weather; |
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1863-02-01: George Washington Cherry to Folks at home, letter |
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1863-02-01: George Washington Cherry to Folks at home, letter |
| description |
This document is a letter from George Washington Cherry near Shelbyville, Tennessee, to his family at home in Alabama on February 1, 1863. In it, Cherry describes life and the health of the regiment, praises food sent to him from home, and refers to troop movements, including Union General William Rosecrans. The letter also discusses purchasing land in Alabama, and alludes to "important events" in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This item has been aggregated as part of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)'s "Deeply Rooted: The Agricultural & Rural History of the American South" project. |
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Cherry, George Washington |
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Cherry, George Washington |
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AUcherry0141 |
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http://content.lib.auburn.edu/u?/cherry01,41 |
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https://cdm17353.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getthumbnail/collection/cherry01/id/41 |
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1705448444932390912 |
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1863-02-01: George Washington Cherry to Folks at home, letterThis document is a letter from George Washington Cherry near Shelbyville, Tennessee, to his family at home in Alabama on February 1, 1863. In it, Cherry describes life and the health of the regiment, praises food sent to him from home, and refers to troop movements, including Union General William Rosecrans. The letter also discusses purchasing land in Alabama, and alludes to "important events" in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This item has been aggregated as part of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)'s "Deeply Rooted: The Agricultural & Rural History of the American South" project.[page 1]
Camp near Shelbyville Tenn [crossed out: Jany 28th] Feby 1st 1863
Dear "Folks at home
This is Sunday morning and a rainy
morning. Nothing of importance has transpired in
our camp since I wrote you last. The same
dull monotony, day after day. I would not have
you believe that I complain at it though for
our circumstances could be so much worse than
they are, and have been so much worse than
they are, that I am disposed to be thankful
There is occasional skirmishes between pickets
and we [crossed out, illegible] occasionally hear the report of cannon
between here and Murfreesboro. I trust that the
weather may deter Rozencrans from an advance
on us, for a battle in such weather is any thing but
pleasant, or wholesome, and more would die from
the effects of exposure than by bullets.
We are pretty comfortably "fixed up" here and we dread
an order to march fearing that we may not get such comfortable
quarters at the next stopping place. I turned rock mason the other
day and made a little chimney to my tent, and if my mansion
cannot boast of splendor and elegance, it can of comfort which is
more important. The health of this regiment is not so good
as it has been, and the number of sick men increase
every day, I think in consequence of our diet. We live on
very coarse corn meal and fresh pork, Occasionally sugar, rye coffee,
[crossed out: and] molasses, and field peas. Bowel complaints prevail, mostly -
[page 2]
My health is tolerably good and has been for some time
I am confident that the nick-nacks sent to me from home
have been of special benefit to me, as well as a luxury
I have got a little butter and sausage left. The black pepper
I prize highly. I wish I could get some potatoes can't you
send me some? I am afraid they would take up too much
room in a package. Yet you might put up a few and
send by Capt Williams or Worthy. You have no idea
how I relish the butter and sausages. besides the thought
that they were sent by the "loved ones at home" gives me
great comfort I want to come home worse than
I ever did but it appears that luck is against me. I
fear there is no chance soon. Yet I will nourish a
hope, and try and put my trust in the right place
I do honestly believe that if we will all place
our entire confidence in the Almighty, He will not
fail to manage our affairs to our benefit and comfort
He can do it and who else can? I do trust that
we will yet be happy together, and that my most earnest
prayer, to be able to see my children good and prosperous
citizens will be answered. It is not for me though
to dictate to the Almighty. His judgement is supreme and
may differ with my preferences.
There are a good many coming in every day. I think that
our regiment will soon be as large as any, provided these
bowel diseases do not diminish the numbers as fast
as they come in. You can tell Mr Faulkenberry
that I have not heard from his son since we left
him in Murfreesboro. I do not think he
[page 3]
need to be uneasy, for the wound was not a dangerous
one, and our assistant Surgeon was left in the
hospital at Murfreeboro to attend to our wounded
No doubt he will be well cared for and sent
home as soon as he gets well
You ask me how much money we have in
Brownfields hands. If I could examine that little
memorandum you have of notes and accounts and our
books I could tell exactly. As it is I cannot. here
I do not know how much he has collected. I guess
he would tell you if you were to ask him
I believe he will deal honestly with me and
if he were to do otherwise I could detect him
In regard to your buying the Shields place, I
am afraid there is not enough land, and do not
know whether any could be procured around it or not
We need about 3 or 400 acres more or less. I do
not however want to advise you, for my advice might
be wrong, but if you buy you had better have an eye
to the quantity as well as quality of land. I shall soon
be able to send you another 100 dollars I guess. The -
government now owes me $180.00. My pay is 90 dollars
per month. If there is no other place around that
can be procured and will suit better than the Shields
place, you might take it, but I should wait awhile
It belongs to Me & Brownfield together and I can get
it at any time I recon.
Be sure to keep secure that little memorandum book
I would not have it lost if I could help it
[page 4]
I have now written about all the business I can
think of. I have been away so long and had nothing
to do with business that I know I must be
a poor advisor in that line. so you must still
keep on your studying cap and judge for yourself
Em I have got your ring finished and will send
to you the first opertunity. Your letters are always read
with pleasure. I hope you will continue to write them
I trust that you all will write to me every -
opportunity for the perusal of your letters and the
thoughts of home and home friends add largely
to my scant allowance of enjoyment. If I could
see you all, and my little children were playing around
my knees it appears to me that my cup would be
full. May a Merciful God hasten that time.
From the newspapers ("we get them here") it would
appear that important events are about to transpire
about Vicksburg, Miss. and Nick may be able
to write you something stirring soon. As it is here
we know nothing about any thing connected with the movements
of this army until you read it in the newspapers
and nothing I could write about it would be
new. Write often May God bless you all
Yours Truly G.W. Cherry
Papa thinks of you often Artie & Buddy
Feby 1st We are going out on picket this morning to be
gone 3 days The weather is fair and cold which is favorable
Good bye and God's blessings
G.W. Cherry
I may not be able to send this immediately.Cherry, George Washington1863-02-01Cherry family; Cherry, George Washington--Correspondence; Confederate States of America. Army--Military life; Soldiers--Confederate States of America; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Health aspects; Operational rations (Military supplies);Agriculture -- Livestock; Government & Politics -- Military; History -- 1838-1874: Sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction; Peoples -- Agricultural Life; Peoples -- Domestic Life; Peoples -- Military Life; Science & Technology -- Medicine; Geography & Environment -- Natural Environment -- Climate and Weather;Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, United States1863-02-01Cherry-Goldsby Family Papers, 1827-2018, Auburn University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives, Auburn University, Auburn, AlabamaCollection 1262, Cherry-Goldsby Family Papers, Box 1, Folder 184 pages, 24.8 cmengAuburn, Ala. : Auburn University LibrariesThis image is the property of the Auburn University Libraries and is intended for non-commercial use. Users of this image are asked to acknowledge the Auburn University Libraries. For information about obtaining high-resolution copies of this and other images in this collection, please contact Auburn University Libraries Special Collections & Archives Department at archives@auburn.edu or (334) 844-1732.Stillimage; Text1262-18-027-041_Letter from George Washington Cherry to Folks at home 1863 February 1 Shelbyville TN [page 1].pdfapplication/pdfDeeply RootedAuburn University Librarieshttp://cdm17353.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/cherry01/id/41 |