31 May 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that his unit is camped nine miles from Richmond, Virginia. Says he hopes to get a furlough and visit his wife at the end of June. However, Captain Pelham has been very hard on the regiment since one man deserted.

GLC02715.013

circa June 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says he cannot get a furlough. States he wants Aunt Peggy to move in and nurse his wife who is pregnant (see GLC02715.031). Date taken from the content of the letter.

GLC02715.014

3 June 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that his unit missed a recent battle (likely the Battle of Fair Oaks) because the muddy roads made it impossible to move the artillery. Believes the casualties are in the thousands. Says the wounded are being moved to Richmond, Virginia.

GLC02715.015

13 June 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Mary Epperly

Describes himself as a cannoneer who helps to load the guns. Notes that three of their guns have been ordered away, probably to join General [Stonewall] Jackson. Mentions that men of a nearby infantry unit offered members of his regiment $50 to switch places. The infantry regiment thinks the artillery units have it easy since they do not fight in close combat. A note at the close of the letter is addressed from Joseph H. Phleagar to Harry Phleagar.

GLC02715.016

22 June 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Mentions his regiment has been paid. Notes he paid back the money he borrowed from a gentleman since the man never went home to collect the money from Mary. Says he will keep $15 for himself.

GLC02715.017

29 June 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Mentions the battles on 26 June (Battle of Mechanicsville) and 27 June (Battle of Gaine's Mills). Says he managed to miss the battles but mentions the fate of friends and relatives who did fight. The top quarter of the third page is missing causing text loss.

GLC02715.018

5 July 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says his legs are swollen. Reports that the Confederates drove the Yankees back to the Chicahominy River. Believes they fought five or six battles in the last eight to ten days. Says his unit still has not fought in a "regular battle." He believes this series of battles will end the war. Contintues 6 July noting that his legs are better.

GLC02715.019

10 July 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that the Yankees are thirty miles from Richmond, Virginia and believes that they are reinforcing for another attack.

GLC02715.020

20 July 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses the price of various food items.

GLC02715.021

23 July 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Requests Mary sends him butter and soap.

GLC02715.022

27 July 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Complains about the cursing, drinking and card playing in camp. Says he will apply for a furlough. Adds that he will understand if Mary is unable to send him the butter and soap. Discusses his sister Margaret being ill.

GLC02715.023

2 August 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses his sister Margaret's death. Comments, "Wee would all be a grate deell better off if if [sic] wee could as she did and bid farewell to this proud and wicked world and mount on eagles wings and fly to the mansions above whair there hant [pronounced "haint"] no distress of nations nor wars but all is pease and love . . . ."

GLC02715.024

9 August 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Describes a march toward Fredricksburg, Virginia where his unit encountered and engaged a large number of Yankees (Massaponax, 5 August 1862). Wrties of his appreciation of his wife's offer to raise money to hire a substitute, but says that General [J.E.B.] Stuart will not accept any substitutes.

GLC02715.025

20 August 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from North Ames Creek that he wants to hire a substitute. Says he believes the army must accept a substitute, if one can be found. Mentions the Yankees are heading toward Manassas, Virginia.

GLC02715.026

7 September 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: five letters to his family

There are five letters on one folded sheet. Includes two letters from Epperly to Mary Epperly, one letter from Epperly to Harvey D. Phleagar, one letter from Epperly to his "Mother" Catharine Phleagar, and a letter to his "Brothers." Mentions a recent battle (likely the Battle of Chantilly fought on 1 September 1862) and comments on the large number of wounded. Also discusses the Second Battle of Manassas (28-30 August 1862). Notes that General [Stonewall] Jackson has moved into Maryland. Tells her to find someone to plant the crops. In his letter to Harvey he notes that his unit cannot…

GLC02715.027

26 September 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

States the army returned to Virginia (likely referring to the men who fought in the Battle of Antietam, which his unit did not.) Asks Mary to write to him the moment anyone becomes ill so he has an excuse to come home.

GLC02715.028

5 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

States that the army is centered around Winchester, Virginia. Advises his wife to send her letters to "Capt. Henery Stuarts Hors Artillery."

GLC02715.029

circa 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he misses her and promises to write to other family members.

GLC02715.030

6 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Suggests she name the baby (likely his son) Christian Dolphus.

GLC02715.031

10 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says he does not grieve for his lost brothers and sisters, but trusts in God that they will meet in heaven someday. States the army is near Winchester, Virginia. Mentions his hopes of receiving a furlough.

GLC02715.032

19 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Phleagar

Says the army has been quiet, but he believes a big battle is coming. He mentions food available and a lack of soap. Asks Mary, his wife, to make him a shirt, drawers, pants, and a knit cap. Notes he received two months pay and that he intends to buy a pair of boots and send the rest to his wife.

GLC02715.033

19 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

States he is nearly barefoot and hopes to get his boots soon. Mentions that General [W.E.B.] Stuart rode around [General George] McClellan's army in Maryland. Page four is a religious poem.

GLC02715.034

30 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp complaining that the Yankees "steal" people's stock and grain to supply their army. Tells Mary that if she has any grain she should use it to fatten up the pigs and sell them. Also discuses the price of corn, bacon, and butter.

GLC02715.035

12 November 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Describes engagements between Confederate artillery and cavalry and Union forces. States his unit almost lost two guns when the Yankee cavalry charged past them. He places the battle at Marrun Station, Fauquier County, Virginia.

GLC02715.036

14 November 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says he may not be able to get a furlough. Mentions the army is moving toward Rapidan Station, but he expects a fight near Culpeper.

GLC02715.037