1861-07-30: John P. Elsberry to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, Letter
This document is a letter from John P. Elsberry, in camp near Norfolk, Va., to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, in Line Creek, Ala., written on June 26, 1861. Elsberry describes his life as a soldier stationed in the Norfolk area. The Fitzpatrick family emigrated from Ireland to the Virginia colony...
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Auburn University Libraries
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| Online Access: | http://content.lib.auburn.edu/u?/fmw01,21 |
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Electronic |
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Fitzpatrick-Mitchell-Williamson Papers 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 1861-07-30: John P. Elsberry to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, Letter Elsberry, John P. |
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Family letters Mitchell Family; Alabama--Social life and customs--19th century; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Correspondence; Letters; Peoples -- Military Life; Peoples -- Domestic Life; History -- 1838-1874: Sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction; |
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1861-07-30: John P. Elsberry to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, Letter |
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1861-07-30: John P. Elsberry to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, Letter |
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This document is a letter from John P. Elsberry, in camp near Norfolk, Va., to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, in Line Creek, Ala., written on June 26, 1861. Elsberry describes his life as a soldier stationed in the Norfolk area. The Fitzpatrick family emigrated from Ireland to the Virginia colony in the early 1700s. Over time, the family moved from Virginia through the Carolinas and into Georgia before finally settling in Line Creek, Alabama and Verbena, Alabama. Several members of the family were active politically including William Fitzpatrick, who served in the Georgia legislature, and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, who served two terms as governor of Alabama. Sarah Fitzpatrick, a descendant of this family, married Columbus White Mitchell who was from a prominent Alabama family. The couple had ten children, seven of whom survived infancy. Three of their sons served in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy (Phil F. Mitchell, Joseph A. Mitchell, and Columbus White Mitchell). Their daughter Mary Louisa, a central figure of this collection, married Dr. Samuel "Trinley" Thomas Williamson in September 1861 shortly after the war began. Williamson was a medical doctor who also fought in the Confederate armed forces. With Williamson and the three Mitchell brothers away fighting, Mary Louisa was left home to run the household with only the help of her sick mother and her sisters. At this time she was also pregnant with her first child who was born in 1862. All three brothers and Williamson survived the war. The family continued to live in Alabama following the Civil War. Since the mid-1900s, some branches of the family have spread out while some continue to live in Alabama. 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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Elsberry, John P. |
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Elsberry, John P. |
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AUfmw0121 |
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http://content.lib.auburn.edu/u?/fmw01,21 |
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https://cdm17353.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getthumbnail/collection/fmw01/id/21 |
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1705449246161895424 |
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1861-07-30: John P. Elsberry to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, LetterThis document is a letter from John P. Elsberry, in camp near Norfolk, Va., to Mary Louisa Mitchell Williamson, in Line Creek, Ala., written on June 26, 1861. Elsberry describes his life as a soldier stationed in the Norfolk area. The Fitzpatrick family emigrated from Ireland to the Virginia colony in the early 1700s. Over time, the family moved from Virginia through the Carolinas and into Georgia before finally settling in Line Creek, Alabama and Verbena, Alabama. Several members of the family were active politically including William Fitzpatrick, who served in the Georgia legislature, and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, who served two terms as governor of Alabama. Sarah Fitzpatrick, a descendant of this family, married Columbus White Mitchell who was from a prominent Alabama family. The couple had ten children, seven of whom survived infancy. Three of their sons served in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy (Phil F. Mitchell, Joseph A. Mitchell, and Columbus White Mitchell). Their daughter Mary Louisa, a central figure of this collection, married Dr. Samuel "Trinley" Thomas Williamson in September 1861 shortly after the war began. Williamson was a medical doctor who also fought in the Confederate armed forces. With Williamson and the three Mitchell brothers away fighting, Mary Louisa was left home to run the household with only the help of her sick mother and her sisters. At this time she was also pregnant with her first child who was born in 1862. All three brothers and Williamson survived the war. The family continued to live in Alabama following the Civil War. Since the mid-1900s, some branches of the family have spread out while some continue to live in Alabama. 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]
Intrenched Camp A.V.C.
Near Norfolk Va.
July 30th /61
My Dear Cousin Mollie.
Need I tell you
with what joy, your dear and inter-
esting letter was welcomed on yester-
day. the fact of my thus early
replying to it is evidence I should
think, quite conclusive, that I
was most happy to hear from you,
and that I am anxious to soon
hear from you again. I had almost
despaired of ever again hearing
from you. Oh! I had been looking
so long, and anxiously, for a
response to my letter, of so many,
[page 2]
many weeks ago. I had imagin-
ed every thing probable or possible
that could have prevented you
from writing, and had at last
decided that you did not love
me, and cared nothing for me,
that all you told me in that
ever memorable buggy ride, from
Mr. Campbell's party, was the mere
outpourings of the passing moment,
which was no sooner breathed than
forgotten. Do you not remember
our conversation, how we strayed
back to the past, and revelled in
its memories. I could but feel sad,
that time in its rapid flight, had
borne away on its wings those days,
and those scenes, (those scenes of
youthful mirth and gaiety, when
first we met,) which were fraught
with so much happiness - and
something whispers in my ear "John
those were joyful days!" And this causes
[page 3]
me to take a retrospective view of the
whole of my past life, of all the
many changes that have taken
place in the history of one so young
as I; and I find that notwith-
standing I am possessed of a cheerful
disposition, I am often given to fits
of sadness and melancholy, while
ever and anon an unbidden sigh
steals unconsciously upon me. The
past! What volumes are contained
in that seemingly simple little word.
How many hearts ache, and yet
how many bound with joy and
gladness at the mere mention of it.
When I take a view of my past life,
of the days now gone forever, it
causes a burden of sorrow to roll
o'er my heart, while to some it would
seem to bring, but sunlight and
joy - I think of scenes of happiness
and pleasure through which I have
passed - and I remember you as
[page 4]
very fondly and dearly associated, with
all my youthful happiness & joy -
when you alone shared my first and only
love. O! those indeed were happy,
happy, days. I can but sigh
to think they did not last always.
No I will not, can not ever forget the
buried past - but at the very thought
of it - I will dedicate a tear, and
sometimes a smile.
"A tear for the shadows it hath cast
A smile for the sunlight it hath given"
Yes! they are gone - but must not all
things pass away. The flowers of
spring bloom for a season, but in
a few short days they have faded,
and their leaves lie scentless and
dead on the ground - The seasons
come and ere we are aware they
have flown and gone. The year
sets in, and how soon its days
are numbered with the things that
were! And we, what frail beings
we are! How soon! Oh! how soon
our days will be numbered, and
our "spirits take their flight to the
[page 5]
God who gave them". but let me not
longer dwell on the past, but rather
write of the presnt, and our pros-
pects for the future. Since I
wrote you last but little of interest
has transpired in Camp. I suppose
you have long since heard of the
death of Mr. Wm. Hart, brother to
you [own ?] friend and acquaintance
Ed H. he died and his re-
mains were sent home under a
proper escort. his demise was
much regretted by all. Your
brother Phil is now quite well again
he was confined to his bed only
about a week, and was at the
St. Pauls Hospital in the city
of Norfolk where every cure and
attention possible was shown him
"Tobe" was also sick at the same
time; he too is quite well now. the
[page 6]
type of the measels they had was
of a very mild character. Bennie
F. has had a severe time with his
ear, suffering excruciatingly at
times. the ear ache I know is
not a very agreeable ailiment.
Mr. Littlepage thus fair has es-
caped all sickness; he has been
very fortunate, for nearly every one in
the Regiment have been sick since
we have been here more or less.
Now that all have become accli-
mated, &c. there is but little sick-
ness among our troops You of
course have heard all about the
glorious victory of our forces at
or near Manassas, and I deem
it useless to say any thing about it.
There was great rejoicing in our
camp on the reception of the glorious
news. We were only sorry that
we were not there to share the glory.
Our Enemy still continues to hold
[page 7]
the 3d Ala Regmt in a too high
and holy esteem, to make an
attack upon it. Our officers
I think are beginning to dispair
of ever having a chance at the
Yankee rascals so long as we re-
main here. Consequently two or three
officers of the Regmt have gone
to Richmond to intercede and
see if they can not urge President
Davis to have the Regmt transferred
to Beauregards or Johnstons,
Command, that we may have
a chance to fight the Yankees
in the next Engagement. I fear
they will fail in their mission.
It is rumored that if we are
not removed to Manassas, that
we will be sent from our present
position to a place some [8 ?] miles
distant, "Ocean view", on the Atlan-
tic Coast. I hardly give any
credence to what I hear now, so
[page 8]
numerous and vague are the rumors
that every day or two are afloat.
We are completely worn out here, doing
literally nothing but drill, eat, sleep,
& read. We are very anxious to have
a fight & get back home any thing
at all for a little excitement. Were
it not for the ladies that daily
visit our Evening parades. I [know ?]
not what we would do, their pres-
ence always cheers us and bids
Solitude depart. Miss Florida
Whiting gave us all an agreeable
surprise a few evenings a go by paying
us a visit. I never was more
surprised in my life, at seeing any
one. I had had no intimation of
her being in Va. She is the only young
lady who had paid us a visit from
Montgomery. You may know what a
crowd she had round her, Every one
from Montgomery that knew her was en-
deavoring to talk to her. She is com-
ing out again this evening to see us.
for the last time, and she leaves with
her father tomorrow for home. I wish
some of you Line Creek belles would treat
us. Miss Florida has, cant you?
Twould be charity to do so; And the
Widow has returned home. I know
you all miss her very much, she was so
gay and lively I liked her very much
How is the Doctor? I have heard something,
as being positively true, in regard to your-
self an he, which you once denied to
me
[page 9]
[written sideways across page 8 and 5]
Answer me a plain question. Are you engaged
to the --- I have been told so so positively
here that I hardly know what to think. I
know you vowed to me that you were not when
I last saw you. but it may be that things
have been arranged since I saw you. I
have good and sincere motives in asking you
Do you remember your promise to me the night
of Mrs. Campbell's party? It may be that
I have [wronged ?] you in giving the least shadow,
(for it is a mere shadow) of credence to what was told
me. I saw your brother Phil Tobb & Ben this
morning - they are doing finely - May God bless
you. Good-bye - Write soon. Sincerely yours &c.
John P. E.
Henry Jones delivered your message for which I am
much obliged to you. I return mine to a double
"[ratio ?]". Capt. Blakey Henry J. and all the
[illegible] are well. I was much surprised
to hear of Cousin Suckie's marriage, so soon.
My address will be [illegible]. as before.
[page 10]
[written sideways on page 1]
My tent mates have been laughing
and talking all the time - So
that I hardly know how to
correct the many mistakes
that I know must be contained
in my letter. excuse punctuation
& everything.
[page 11]
[envelope front]
[postmark: Norfolk, Va. Aug 1, 1861]
Miss Mollie L. Mitchell
Line Creek P.O.
Montgomery Co.
Alabama1861-07-30Elsberry, John P.Mitchell Family; Alabama--Social life and customs--19th century; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Correspondence; Letters; Peoples -- Military Life; Peoples -- Domestic Life; History -- 1838-1874: Sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction;Norfolk, Virginia, United States1861-07-30Fitzpatrick-Mitchell-Williamson Family Papers, 1850-1989, Auburn University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives, Auburn University, Auburn, AlabamaRecord Group 1223, Fitzpatrick-Mitchell-Williamson Papers, Folders 19, 23, 4911 page, 20 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 the Auburn University Libraries Special Collections & Archives Department at archives@auburn.edu or (334) 844-1732.Stillimage; Text;1861-07-30_ElsberryJP_to_WilliamsonMLM_letter.pdfapplication/pdfDeeply RootedAuburn University Librarieshttp://cdm17353.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/fmw01/id/21 |