25 March 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses the Battle of Culpeper. Informs here that Major Pelham was killed and [W.F.H.] Lee lost 250 men. Mentions the high price of food including bacon, which now sells for $3 a pound.

GLC02715.047

circa February 23, 1863

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christian M. Epperly

Says she heard that all soldiers will come home the fourth of next month. If he does get to come home, she does not want him to go back to the army. Tells him that George has been home nearly three weeks and no one has come to look for him. States that she believes the army is not interested in catching deserters because there are too many of them. She addresses her husband as "Marion" (possibly Epperly's middle name). Top quarter of first page written in very light pencil.

GLC02715.048

1 March 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from Camp Lee that his company intends to go home in the spring. Justifies desertion saying that the army would not give them any furloughs.

GLC02715.049

24 April 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Believes the Yankees are heading toward Gordon's ville to cut the railroad to Lynchburg, Virgina. Informs her that two men in camp have gotten married. Expresses his desire to go home.

GLC02715.050

23 May 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp near Culpeper, expressing his desire to see his family and to visit the graves of his dead relatives. Adds that he may be transferred to the western army and if so, he will try to spend a few days at home.

GLC02715.051

May 1863 circa

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christian M. Epperly

Writes that she received several letters from him all in the same day. She was greatly relieved to finally hear from him. Informs him all the ladies at home are putting in crops and that Goods are costly. Notes that Joseph is helping her with the farm.

GLC02715.052

2 May 1863 circa

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christian M. Epperly

Notes that she has not heard from him since the 28th of last month and is worried. States that she hopes he was not involved in the battle near Fredericksburg, Virginia.

GLC02715.053

17 May 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says he thinks he may start for home. He is trying to get a transfer because he would prefer to be in a company with men from his own county rather than "this wicked compeny [sic]. . . ."

GLC02715.054

25 May 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp near Cupeper that he had hoped to "run the blocade" [sic] and come home, but the army is moving again. Notes that General [W.E.B.] Stuart may be heading into western Virginia.

GLC02715.055

29 May 1863

Phleager, Gideon S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes to his cousin noting that he is well. Asks about Billy Epperly, whom he has not heard from in a long time.

GLC02715.056

29 June 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he has been home on leave and has just returned to the army. Notes he is in a new regiment, "Company A 54 Va. Reg. Vol." Does not believe the men in his new company are as wicked those in the old one. Mentions that they came to Tulahuma through Georgia and Alabama by train.

GLC02715.057

1861-1865

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Advises his wife not to let Charlie work on his saddle again. Notes that he may still do work on the farm and at the mill.

GLC02715.058

10 July 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that the Yankees have possession of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Believes that his unit may be ordered back to Virginia.

GLC02715.059

17 July 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says that he has heard the Yankees took 35,000 prisoners at Vicksburg, Mississippi, 175-200 pieces of artillery, and about 10,000 shells. Writes that he was sorry to hear that George Phleagar died in the battle of Gettysburg.

GLC02715.060

13 July 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says that he heard a rumor that the regiment was ordered back to Virginia. Notes that he would rather in be Tennessee.

GLC02715.061

22 July 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that there was a battle at Wythville, but his regiment did not get there in time to participate. Notes that the Yankees destroyed a lot of property there. Says that the prospects for peace are not good and the soldiers are becoming "gloomy."

GLC02715.062

1 August 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

States that he wishes he had something else to eat besides bread and meat. Says that he is more satisfied here than in the eastern army. Notes that the regiment keeps going back and forth on the railroad.

GLC02715.063

4 August 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Believes peace will be made this fall. Says that he had no news to write her but wanted to write to her.

GLC02715.064

9 August 1863

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Notes that she finds it hard to eat knowing that her husband has such poor a diet. Says that she will try to send him some food. Mentions that deserters from his old regiment fought with the home guards. [See GLC02715.070]

GLC02715.065

14 August 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Mentions that many men desert daily. Says that the loneliness is almost impossible to bare. If everyone else deserts, then he will too. Notes that they are near a paper mill and paper is very cheap. Adds his thoughts about the future of the Confederacy. "I dont believe in staying with the smallist [sic] and I think Session [sic] is amost [sic] dide [sic]out. I beleave [sic] it would a been a grate [sic] thing for us if it never had been a live."

GLC02715.066

15 August 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: [A Confederate Assessment of the War]

Mentions the high price of food. States that he believes the Confederacy is doomed. "I beleave [sic] the South first started on a just course but our wickedness and diobediians [sic] has brought us to what [where] we are: and I dont think the South will stand much longer."

GLC02715.067

August circa 1863

Epperly, Joseph, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Writes that many men have deserted and that several hundred cavalry may be sent to bring the deserters back.

GLC02715.068

16 August 1863

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Discusses desertion: "I think [if] the head men dont soon end this war that the soldiers will for they are runing from down east by hundreds ther[e] was five hundred went through hear last weak well armed and they say they wont go back any more and I don't blame them for it. I wish they would all runaway and these head men would be obliged to fight it out but as long as they can stay at home and speculate [inserted: off] of the poor soulders they dont care how long the war lasts."

GLC02715.069

21 August 1863

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Writes that she spoke to a man from Franklin, who said half the men from that army have deserted. Notes that the men do not hide but live normal lives. Says that the home guards do not bother to look for deserters anymore and asks her husband to come home. [See GLC02715.065]

GLC02715.070

27 August 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he received her letter, but thinks it best not to come home right now. Believes a large force will be sent after deserters and the army will be hard on them.

GLC02715.071