1863 Livingston, Alabama CONFEDERATE CIVIL WAR LETTER Mississippi Battles Etc

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

1863 Livingston, Alabama CONFEDERATE CIVIL WAR LETTER Mississippi Battles Etc :
$224.72

Civil War Letter

This excellent Confederate Civil War letter was written by William David Battle (1822-1896), the son of Larkin Battle (1792-1827) and Sarah J. Sills (1801-1845). William was married to Sarah (“Sallie”) Elizabeth Swann Arrington (1824-1878) in May 1842.

In 1860, William and his family lived in Livingston, Sumter county, Alabama, where he was employed as a grocer. Their eldest surviving son was William David Battle, Jr. (1845-1917), a private in Co. D, 2nd Alabama Artillery (Sengstak’s Battery) who was taken prisoner at Vicksburg with the surrender of the city by Pemberton.

William wrote the letter to his uncle — Gray Sills (1804-1891) of Castalia, Nash county, North Carolina. Gray was the son of David Sills (1773-1833) and Mary Justice (1774-1818).

TRANSCRIPTION

Livingston, Sumter county, Alabama
April 12, 1863

My Dear Uncle,

Your kind letter was received about ten days ago just as I was starting to Vicksburg. I was very glad to hear from you & family & my old neighborhood although I was sorry for my old friend Bob Gupton though his present misfortunes may eventually prove his gain. I have just arrived home from Vicksburg. I did not see my son William. The company he belongs is in Sunflower county, Mississippi. [They] left Vicksburg about 3 weeks ago, had a fight at Yazoo River & came out unharmed. Had another fight at Deer Creek in Sunflower county, Mississippi also without an injury. I do trust he may be spared even if he was not my son owing to the willingness in which he performs the duties devolving upon him as a soldier.

Uncle Gray, he is my son & probably I should not speak of his traits of character whether good or bad but he has always proven himself to be respectful to old age & I have no doubt when he left home he left not an enemy behind which I am very glad to know the fact. He is a brave boy & I feel no uneasiness about him disgracing himself by cowardice. He stands high in his company — particularly with his officers. It was essential while at Snyder’s Bluff 14 miles above Vicksburg that a small party of soldiers should go to Deer Creek in advance of the 40th Alabama. Bill volunteered with a few of his company to go. Consequently came near being captured but managed to hold the enemy in check till reinforced by the 40th Alabama Regiment. Killed a good many Yankees & sustained a very small loss to our side. Deer Creek is about 65 miles from Vicksburg by land, 110 by water, & the richest land in the world, I expect.

I told you I was going to purchase sugar on my arrival home from North Carolina. When I got home, sugar was cheap — worth about 20 cents for good. The government would not allow any transportation, consequently I did not buy. They now allow it or in other words, the transportation can be bribed by that means. I managed to get through about 25,ooo pounds for which I had to pay (65 cts) sixty-five cents. Since I got home from North Carolina, I purchased from a man that run the blockade 280 prs cotton cards for which I gave 2000. I have nearly sold all of them at 17.50 apiece which is a handsome profit of about $3,000. I shall hold the sugar until I can get one dollar a pound. I understand it will sell readily for that in Selma for which place the sugar is in transit. I will be there in 4 or 5 days. I wish I could ship a hogshead through to you & Mr. Thomas’ families but no chance for which I am sorry.

Property has advanced a great deal since I saw you. Negro men could be bought for 1500 dollars the 1st of January. Will sell now for $2,000. I bought 5 young & likely negroes about 2 weeks ago — 4 girls & 1 boy — for which I paid $5000. I have hired them out. I had no use for them & don’t want to sell. They are the only thing I have seen that was cheap since I got home from North Carolina. Corn now selling from 2 to 2.25 per bushel. Bacon one dollar, flour 100 to 125 per barrel, buff from 50 to 100 per lb. and everything else in like proportion. I don’t know what we will do if things don’t change soon. If you haven’t supplied yourself with sugar, I think you had better do it at once. None making out South of importance bound to be 3 or 4 dollars a pound & probably more. I don’t know of anything to write that will interest you. I will close. This leaves us all well. With our best wishes for you & family through life, your friend & nephew, — Wm. D. Battle

Tell Aunt Lewmy little Sallie was very proud of her dress & sends love to Aunt Lew & cousin Mary, Cousin Malin & cousin Lucy & all the rest.

Give Mr. Thomas my kindest respects & best wishes for self & family.

TERMS

$2.00 postage in the United States and $3.00 elsewhere. We accept paypal. Postage combined for multiple purchases.

We\'re members of the American Philatelic Society, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance and the Illinois Postal History Society.

We only sell genuine, original letters (no copies or reproductions). Some of our letters have been transcribed and nicely presented for futuregenealogists and history buffson the Spared & Shared blog.

We\'ve been selling on since 2001. offer WITH CONFIDENCE.