| Summary: | This is an autograph or friendship book, rather than a diary. The friends and relatives of Willie C. Mizell of Westville, Dale County, Alabama, wrote verses and personal notes to Willie. The book also contains a short description of Willie's enlisting in Co. E, 15th Regiment, Alabama Volunteers in July of 1861 and his early service in the Army of the Confederacy. One of the last entries records Willie's wounding at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, on May 8, 1864, and his transfer to Pratt Hospital on May 26. Some of the entries from friends and relations are undated, but, when dates are given, they range from December of 1863 through May of 1864. In addition to the autograph book, this collection includes a photograph of Willie in his uniform. [page 1]
MIZELL
[page 2]
[diary cover]
[page 3]
Willie C Mizelle
Westville Dale County
Ala Dec 9 1863
Westville Dale Co Ala
Now we must part alas for I hope I thee in peace with thehearts you long have and sometimes to think of thee
Willie C Mizelle Emma Mizelle
Miss Sallie Bullard
Miss Susan Bullard
Miss Lizzie Bullard
Miss Sallie Bennette
Miss Mollie Bennette
Miss Susan Bennette
Miss Carrie Mizelle
Miss Susan Mizelle
[page 4]
__ Mizell of Co E
15th Regt Ala vol
W.C. Mizell Willie C. M
W.c. Mizell of Co E 15th
Regt Ala Remember me I W C Mizell of Co E
Miss Emmalie Mizell
W C Mizell of Co E
Mollie E ______
Susan B Mizell
Miss Emma
Of Co. E
Emma
Think of me
[page 5]
Lizzie Mizell
My Albumn is in pleasant intended for a compliment
G.C Bullard Paid 1.75
W G Bullard 1.75
S. _______ 1.75
Jackson Ness 5.75
J. Flowers .75
Jackson Ness 7.00
Lemuer Ness .75
Baman ____ .75
Young___ .75
Windham Ness 17.50
Tho Collins 5.75
[page 6]
May’st thou live in joy forever
Naught from thee _______pleasured never
Cousin Billie’s little casket album captured from the yanks
Cousin Billie’s little casket album captured from the yanks
W.C. Mizell Co E 15th
W. C. Mizell of Co. May struggle with my fate but half beyond
I’ll even then through my life _______
W.C. Mizell of Co. E 15th Regt Ala vol
[page 7]
To Billie
Farewell may sorrow never thrill that brest
Where peace and truth reside
But unprofound by anguish still
May all thy moments glide
Yours truly
N E L
[page 8]
At or near Elizabethtown
Feb. 19th 1864
W C Mizell of Co. E 15th Regt Ala Volunteers enlisted in July 1861 for three years or during the war and was mustered into the Service at Ft Mitchl Ala where the regt was organized and from there we were sent to Richmond Va where we remained two or three weeks when we were ordered to Manassas Va where we remained during the fall and winter when Gen Joe Johnson saw proper to retreat from there to the Yorktown in order to meet the enemy where were proposing Magruder at Yorktown I was taken sick in Oct of 61 inst had a severe spell of the camp fever about recovered near enough to start home on the 20th of Dec by the act of
[page 9]
of my father, who had come after me I remained at home some 4 months and then returned to the regt found it encamped on the Rappahannock River we joined Jackson in the valley in May 62 participated in the valley Campaign fought the Battle of Front royal Winchester Strasburg and Strasburg again Harrisonburg Crosskees and port republic besides other skirmishes that I cant mention at present but the 15th did not participate in one of the mentioned battles soon after the battle of Prot republic we were ordered to Richmond where we took a very heavy part I was wounded there on the 27th of June and lying in the Hospital for nearly two months I got a furlough and went home
[page 10]
To Cousin Willie
When other joys are around thee
When other hearts are thine
When other boys have crowned thee
More fresh more green than wine
Then think “Oh” think how lonely
This wretched heart will be
Which while it beats beats only
My cousin dear for thee
Yet do not think I doubt thee
I know thy truth remains
I would not live without thee
For all the world contains
Thou art the star that guides me
Along lifes trouble sea
Whatever fate ______ me
This heart still turns to thee
Your cousin
Mollie G.S.
Dec 19th 1863
[page 11]
Mid the din of arms, where the dust & smoke
In clouds are curling over thee
Be firm till the enemy’s ranks are broke
And they fall, or flee before thee
Yet I would not have three towering stand
O’er him who’s foe mercy crying
But bow to the earth, and with tender hand
Raise up the faint and dying
Your friend
Jennie R
Willie C. Mizells Book
[page 12]
Never Forget
Never forget our love and always cling
To the found hope that there will be in time
When we can meet unfettered and be blessed
With the free happiness of certain care
Never forget our love and always cling
To the found hope that there will be in time
When we can meet unfettered and be blessed
With the free happiness of certain care
[page 13]
Remember me though far away
For with these pages love will stay
And round thy heart I’ll ever be
Whispering the wish ---Remember me
Your friend
Amanda
Remember me though
[page 14]
Love
To Bill
Think of Mis _____ E L
Think of Me
_______ of Think
Dear Friend
[page 15]
I Mr. Willie Mizell
Willie Mizell
Westville
Dale County Alabama
[page 16]
To Billie Mizell
You are soon to leave us your cheerful face and sweet conversation we will often miss. And many many a sigh will be wafted for the Dear one that has left us you are going and will be exposed to every peril and hardship that mortals are exposed to, and when you upon ___ the Tented Field and have no covering but the Canopy of Heaven Then your mind will wander back to your home and the friends you hold most Dear, and when you go in Battle and come out safe do not forget to lift up your voice in Prayer to our Heavenly Father for his kind Protecting for if you will only Trust in him he will not forsake you and many a Prayer will be
[page 17]
Sent up for your safety. I hope it will not be very long before you will have the privilege of returning to your once happy home there never to be parted untill Death parts you is the sincere wish of your cousin
Auguston
Westville Dec. 27 1863
[page 18]
Wm Mizell
Westville Dale County Ala
John P Gilmer
Wm C. Mizell
[page 19]
To cousin Billie
Thou art going far away
For at home you cannot stay
Your country calls you must obey
And then we,ll think of thee when far away
Your cousin
Sadie B
[page 20]
I cannot live without thy light
Cast out and banished from my sight
Thine holy joys my love restore
And guard me that I fall no more
______[torn, text from following page is showing at bottom]
To rest Poor fellow
[page 21]
7th day of Dec standing picket
On Lookout Mount. Gap and 10 men had a skirmish and lost 5 men
8th dec
Lying in the Sun at Vally Head Po Ala all quiet to day marched across Lookout Mountain all quiet this morning
10th Laid in camp in Lookout Vally
11th Laid in camp in Lookout Valy all quiet
12 marching orders but did not march
13th marched [torn] east
[page 22]
Lookout mountain to Wanhatta
14th marching
15th marching to Valey Head Co
16th marching 24 miles near Lookout Mt
17th marching
18th marching
19th marching
20th Thomas is gone skirmishing with the rebs
Yankee writing
Taken out of a yankee knapsack at Chickamauga where Probably Southern boys made him bite the dust Poor Yankee I hope he has gone to rest --- poor fellow
[page 23]
22 nd
[page 24]
Miss Laura Elna _______
Charles A.B. Edwards Esq
Westville
May the love
We must part within a few short month though short they must be long without thy ____
Society We must endure it and our love will be the fonder after parting ______
I return or in our absence and again _____ with a tender glow when I return It is not this way___ last ____________ my parting taken
[page 25]
W.C. Mizell
Westville Dale County Ala
Billie
Always be at work for the attachment of some object if the object is not important the pursuit is
Your Brother
[page 26]
To Mr. Mizell
Forget me not where ere you be
Where ere you roam oh think of me
Though distance may divide our lot
I still repeat forget me not
Your friend Jinnie L.
Jefferson N C
April the 18, 1864
State of Alabama Dale County
Please excuse
Pleas excuse
[page 27]
Friend Mizell
Remember me though we may far from each other be. I may be on the plains of Va and you may be on the plains of W.T. yet we should not forget each other as we are fighting for the same cause.
If we never meet in this troublesome clime, May we meet in heaven
D.A. Bowman
21st Va Cavl
Jones Brigade
[page 28]
Willie C. Mizell
(God bless thee)
Receive this pledge from friendship’s hand
Of moments severely passed with thee,
A little link, in memory’s band
To waken kindly thoughts of me
An earnest wish that every joy
Promised with grief, may ere be thine
And peace, and love, with alloy:
______ ever round thee shine:
Your friend
Ruth A. ______
Jefferson NC
April 1864
[page 29]
Dale County
To Billie Mizell
To Billie Mizell
Mr. William Mizell
James T. Martin
J.T. Martin
Westville Dale County
Alabama
J.P. Martin
W C Mizell
W C Mizell
[page 30]
To Billie
“Please write in my Album” is your request Friendship has so contributed to adorn its fair pages that it almost puzzles me how to express the kindred emotions I feel for you
Our acquaintance has been marked by many hours enjoyed in the delightful intercourse of “Friend to Friend” to which fond memory will often plume her golden _______ and revert They were
[page 31]
Were bright vases in the desert of Life; and the attachment I have formed for you is not ephemeral passion, no evanescent fantasy but lasting as eternity itself.
In a few days we will be called upon to bid adieu, and I would invoke the choicest blessings both temporarily and eternal upon you kind friend and offer up the petition that every name recorded in this keepsake
[page 32]
May find an answering record in the great “Registry of Heaven” the Lamb’s fair Book of Life, and may you at last find a seat prepared in that happy place where our Savior ever reigns.
Your ever true friend
Laura K…
“Pensez a moi”
Westville, Ala
Dec 15th / 63
[page 33]
Farewell has not a gentle sound but you are destined to depart
Therefore Good-bye I’ll Remember you when I present to our Eternal Father my request the hour will soon arrive no doubt when you may stand exposed to shot and shell.
Then I’ll raise my hands Lift up my voice in prayer that you may tell Life’s war scenes may years
[page 34]
To come.
Farewell
Your true friend
Laura
[page 35]
And this is a new philosophy
When woman is untrue.
The loss of one but teaches him
To make another do
J.T. Martin
[page 36]
In here I see many kind wishes the wish for applause or Fame is a vain wish compared with the unambitious desire of the true & warm he asked. I will not wish you Beauty, health nor Honor for they according to the nature of things must soon fade & pass away, but I will wish you a life of purity & inosence, & a mind that will soar above the graveling things of Earth, with Hope for your standard youth for your guide & religion for your watch word, may your heart ever be light & joyous & long in learning the lesson that Friends are few & far between & often
[page 37]
Prove false to their trust & remember me that will always think of you kindly
Your friend
Jennie L.
Jefferson N.C.
March 27th
Willie
[page 38]
Remember me I only ask
This simple Born of thee
And may it prove an easy task
For you sometimes to think of me
Your cousin
Carrie A. Mizell
To Willie
If I could claim the richest gem
That now lies in the sea,
Rather by far than have that pearl
I’d ask one thought of thee
Your true friend
Isadore
[page 39]
Dear Billie
[page 40]
“Adieu, my dear cousin, adieu
God keep thee in his care
Receive this parting sigh
Believe this parting prayer
And do not forget the fin___
Bright hopes we’ve known, adieu”
Lovingly your cuz
Lizzie
Yongesborough
Dec 3rd 1863
Will my company be again________
Westville Dale Co Ala
A B C D
[page 41]
My Dear Cousin
“To thee- Oh God of battles we our Soldier boys entrust
We ask thy blessings rich & free with mouths laid in the dust Do thou beside the cannon stand Directing shot and shell And hold his life within thy hand his life ---- our life as well
Oh guard him midnight stand that _____ On many a battle-field
Where Southern blood as free as rain be spilled ---but never yields where bayonets leap to meet the foe And ______ rings loud with steel
Where Death unpelging all our woe
Sets his eternal seal”
Sallie
Yongesborough
Dec 3rd
[page 42]
Brother Soldier
Please accept a kind wish from your friend.
It maybe we will see each other after this we cannot tell where! Is so please rember me as your friend.
J.W. Prather
Co. c 21st Va Cavl
Jones Brig
Jefferson NC
Apr 11th/64
William Mizell
[page 43]
Willie
What shall I offer friend A Prayer, that Heaven may smile on thee
Josie
[page 44]
For My Cousin
When from land and home receding
And from hearts that ache to bleeding
Think of those behind, who love thee
While the sun is bright above thee
Then, as down the ocean glancing
With the waves his rays are dancing
Think how long the night will be
To the eyes that weep for thee.
Your cousin Son
L.E.M.
[page 45]
To Billie
My gentle Billie!
Remember me however brief,
Theas words may seem to be,
____ hope or fear, in joy or grief,
Dear Billie remember Mattie
Dec. 27th / 60
[page 46]
Ash Co. N.C. March 24th/64
Mr. W.W. Mobly of Co. E 15th Ala regt
Indebted to W.C. Mizell of Co E 15th regt Ala vol for money borrowed to the amount of ten Dollars B J martin for the Sum of 10
W.C. Mizell
Signed
[page 47]
To Mr. Mizell
To live that sinking in the last long sleep you then may smile, while all around you weep, Your friend Mollie M.
Jefferson NC.
April the 16. 1864
Pleas excuse
[page 48]
Remember me I only ask
This simple boon of thee
And may it prove an easy task
Sometime to think of me
To Billie Mizell
From Mattie A.L. Edwards
[page 49]
To Cousin Willie
I’ll think of thee when thou art gone
And think of thee for days to come
For you are a low soldier boy
And Yanks do nothing but destroy
And I will think of thee
And hope that you will think of me Your cousin Sallie M
[page 50]
I’ll Think of Thee
The memory of our loves there be
As changeless as the cedar trees
[page 51]
“My dearest cousin thou’rt going
I must take leave of thee
But Oh remember noble boy
Thy Fathers eye will ever be
Observing every action
By day & lonely night
In suffering & in anger
In the perils of the fight
While stationed on the picket
In hours of darkness dense
By lurking for enemys
The God be thy defense
My yearning thoughts will turn to thee
While thou art far away
Cover his head in battles strife
Father I humbly pray Your Cousin _______
[page 52]
When in future distant years Thou shall look upon this page. Through the crystal vale of tears That dim our eyes in after age. Think it was an _____ hand, Though her smile no more thought ______pointing to that better land. Gave the sacred gift to thee Lightly thou esteem’st is now
Here thy heart is young and wild, _____ upon thy boy hood’s brow Naught but suny hope hath smiled
But when disappointments come, And the world begins to steal All thy spirits early bloom, then its value thou will feel!
Not alone in hour of love
Search the scriptures, but while joy
Doth life’s blissful cup o’er flow
Be it aft thy sweet employ!
[page 53]
So, remembering in thy youth
Him whose spirit lights each page
Thou shalt have abundant life
He will not forget thine ________
Your aunt A.F. M.
[page 54]
Mr. W. C Mizell Esq
May peace find _______
The cold in clime are cold in blood
Their love can scarce deserve the name
That boils in AEtna’s breest of flame
Anonymous
[page 55]
Stranger fare well
We have met but to part soon and our parting must be forever. You go to meet the invading foe, to return no more to our village among the hills. But though our pathways lie many miles distant from each other Yet we trust we will not be entirely forgotten.
And now fare well our kindest thoughts will ever attend you And may He who is the father to the fatherless be they father and they friend and shield thy young bosom from all danger is the sincere wish and prayer of your unknown friend
Jefferson N C N.P.E.
Apr 8th
[page 56]
Think not the distance that thou art,
Thou canst forgotten be;
While memory dwells, within this heart;
I’ll ever think of thee.”
Your friend
Nannie Rimm
Jefferson N.C.
March 28 1864 May heavens richest blessing attend thee
[page 57]
William
[page 58]
My Dear Nephew
Tis the prayer of my heart that may so live that when your summons comes to join the innumerable caravans that moves to that mysterious realms where each shall take his chamber in the silent hills of death you go not as the galley-slave at night scourged to his dungeon but sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust approach your grave, like one that draws the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams
Your aunt
J.L.M.
[page 59]
To Billie Mizell
Let every virtue reign within thy breast
That Heaven approves, or makes its owner____
To candour, truth, and charity divine
The modest, decent, lovely virtues gone
Let wit, well tempered meet with sense ____
And ev’ry thought express the polite mind
A mind above the meanness of deceit
Of honour pure in conscious virtue great
In every change that keeps one steady aim
And feels that joy and virtue are the same
May fair content forever filthy breast
And not one anxious care destroy thy rest
May love, the purest passion of the skies
Play round thy heart, and sparkle in thine eyes,
May all thy worth be virtues own reward
And goodness, only claim thy just regard
Your ever true friend
E.M.C.
[page 60]
To My Cousin
When forced to part from those we love
Though sure to meet to morrow
We still A kind of anguish prove
And feel a touch of Sorrow
Oh who can paint the briny tears
When from those friends we sever
Perhaps to part for months for years
Perhaps to part forever
Yours with love and respect
Saddie
Westville Dec the 24th 1863
[page 61]
To Billie Mizell
Savor woman and wine
Man is made to smart
The one makes headache
The other his heart
Laura
[page 62]
To W.C. Mizell
The period has arrived when we must soon bid a gentle adieu to each other and you must change your happiness into the scenes of camp life and may you go willing and may peace prosperity and happiness ever be with thee while soldiering of it and when the saluting trumpets bro’th forth their triumphant strain summonsing you to battle and when amidst carnage and death exposed to a temporal _______ bullet may
[page 63]
You like guardian angels be kept secure from the bullets and balls traversing around from the ugly guns of our cruel enemy And if fall you must battling for sweet libertys ______
May you like the Illustrious Jackson die fully satisfied that you have fully discharged your duty to your country and God and may your ______ be wafted to the fair shores of Jordan and your name plaquered with those of many brother Soldiers
[page 64]
Angels guide your way
While our Southern boys are fighting
We can only pray
Ann
[page 65]
Mr. Willie Mizell
Oh, can I ask to much of thee
To think of me when I’m gone
Yes gone to my western home.
______ will ever think one who will
Always remember thee.
Consider your Friend
Laura
[page 66]
Angels guide your way
Camp 1865
[page 67]
Liberty Gap the 26th June we had a skirmish with the Rebs and talked with them rebs cease firing or we will put you in the guard house federals come over and get your flag rebs bring it over federals we will in a day or two rebs why don’t you talk ______ Tallahoma and Vicksburg and Shelbyville felt we will in a few days some time the
[page 68]
W.C. Mizell
Rebs would shoot at us and would shoot to low and we would say a little higher and after a while they would get the range and we would get behind trees, there was one of our boys standing behind a tree and the rebs said step out yank and I will shoot at you and ____ out and the reb shot his arm off we was
[page 69]
Old Dale [torn]
Pleas cast a pleasant
Thought before me
Your true friend
Laura N…
This January the 3 / 64
Oh let us _____ as boys ought
In __________________ nature taught
[page 70]
Pvt. Wm C. Mizell has been my Regt. _______ part of this ________ into _____ by me
May 6 / 64
R.V. Reynolds
Maj
N Miss Regt.
[page 71]
To cousin Willie
Ever free may you be
And thornless be your path
Is the desire of a friend, yes
We part you go to where the roar
Of cannon is like the bursting
Of a mighty volcano and the shot
And shells fly overhead as if there was
Nothing to impede, their progress
And many of your comrades fall to
Rise no more, but remember the many
Prayers that will ascend to the throne
Of grace for thy safety and welfare, be always
Happy is the desire of your Devoted friend
Win_________
[page 72]
To Willie
We have had some happy hours together
But joy must often change its way
And spring would be but gloomy weather
If we had nothing else but spring
Theres not a garden would I tread
Theres not a flower I see
But brings to mind some hopes that fled
Some joys Ive had with thee
Your friend
Nannie J. Rhea
Jefferson N.C
March 30th / 64
[page 73]
Camp Near Valey head
September the 14th 1863
Dear Sister
I have just received your kind letter of the 3rd and was happy to hear from you and hear that you was well I could not read your leter to do much good the next time you write try and write so that I can read it
[page 74]
I received matties letter the first of September
[page 75]
Mr. W. C. Mizell
To Wm
Brave and gentle Billy
[ scribble over the letter—difficult to transcribe]
Pratt Hospital Landing, Va, Ward no.7
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Y Z
W C Mizell of Co E 15th Reft Ala Vol
[page 76]
To Billie
May Peace and happy ness around thee Dwell
Constancy = S – Jr
This is from one that is far away & thinking of thee though
May Miles apart we be
S+Jr
To Billie
Dale County Ala
Dec 10 /63
Now In Mobile
Billie Mizell
Comp E 15 Regiment
Ala Vols
[page 77]
To Cousin Billie
During the interval[?] of
Liezure will you Remember me
______
It may be your lot to roam through the western part of the country
You may have many ____ and temptations to ______but I hope you will______
Me _______ all and return soon with _______________
I will still remember thee
Westville
[page 78]
To W.C. Mizell
W C 1844
L M 1841
[page 79]
T A A
M M M M M M
H H Mizell
A E Mizell
H H L M
W C G T R
E T Miss
E A
M L
M L
M L
F N
N E Miss
H H Miss
[page 80]
Do I love thee go ask the flowers
“Do I love thee? Go ask the flowe [torn]
If they love sweet refreshing showers
O man most lovely as thou art
You play the mischief with my heart
Long have I wished ____ your love poems
Expose I must – this secret of my breast
Anonymous
[page 81]
My
To W C Mizell
Thou art the star that guides me
A long lifes troubled sea
Whatever fate betides thee
This heart still turns to thee
Your friend
N.G.R.
Jefferson N.C.
[page 82]
To Wm
Dear Brother
My Brother tis for thee” for thee I turn my weak and trembling heart anew” Not that I love the others less” but when ‘those are far away battling for sweet liberty I miss thee” I miss thee when e’re I sing the song thou lov’dst so well in silver lines,” And thy dark eyes beam with luster bright,” I miss thee much” And thy sweet voice though sad or gay is musical to me,” Dear Brother thy love has ever been a light unto my Life though severed we have been
[page 83]
May you live a life of pleasure
Without mistakes without measure
Yet when back I turn and gaze
Upon each page
[page 84]
M
To Billie
Dear Billie could my _______ impart
The friendship that I now ____ send
To dwell forever in thy heart
And ever claim thee as my friend
Anonymous
[page 85]
Pratt hospital Ward no 7
W.C. Mizell Co E 15th Regt
Ala vol was wounded on Sunday the 8th of may near Spotsylvania C. _________ Va
And arrived here on the 14th where he has been ever since this being the 26th of May 1864
[page 86]
To Willie
In remembering thy Westville friends
May not I be forgotten
Your friend
Joe
I’ll think of thee
The memory of our love shall be as changeless as the Cedar Tree
[page 87]
[back cover]
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