25 November 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp in Spotsylvania County, Virginia that the Yankees are camped across the river. Notes that all the civilians have left Fredericksburg in fear of Federal bombardment.

GLC02715.038

17 December 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Informs Mary that Joseph, her brother, was wounded in the arm, and the doctors had to amputate it. Says he nursed Joseph while he was in camp and wanted to accompany him to Richmond, Virginia but General [William Henry Fitzhugh] Lee would not allow it. Discusses other casualties from the battle of Fredricksburg.

GLC02715.039

7 January 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Notes the Yankees are once again across the river. Says the army has gone into winter quarters in cloth tents. States that General [W.H.F.] Lee will submit his application for a furlough to General Stuart.

GLC02715.040

January 12, 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes his wife from Camp Leids. Sends her $115 and requests that she pay a $75 debt to David Williams.

GLC02715.041

January 23, 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from Camp Leids that there is a case of smallpox in the company, but he does not think it will spread since the company has been vaccinated. States that the Yankees are crossing the river above Fredricksburg, Virginia. Notes he will likely not get a furlough.

GLC02715.042

January 27, 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Advises Mary from Camp Loids to sell the grain before the government takes it at a very cheap price. Warns her to watch any Cavalry men that may be in the area because they steal chickens and "beecomes." Offers a lengthy description of their meeting and life in heaven. Advises her to direct her letters: "In car[e] of Capt. Henery Stuarts Hors Artillary, W. H. F. Lee[s Brigade, Richmond, Virginia."

GLC02715.043

8 February 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes two letters from Camp Lee; one to Harvey and George and the other to his wife Mary Epperly. Informs Mary that the Cavalry is being issued furloughs but his Captain will not issue any. He thinks the unit will desert if they do not receive furloughs. Notes he wants a transfer to Preston's Cavalry. Writes to Harvey and George offering them double pay for doing his share of the work. Apologizes for calling them boys and explains "I am in the habit of calling men boys . . . ."

GLC02715.044

19 March 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from Camp Lee that the Yankees are crossing the river. Says he expects another fight near Fredricksburg, Virginia. Notes his unit has been order to go to Orange County, Virginia.

GLC02715.045

25 March 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harvey & George

The letter is signed "Marion" which is possibly Christain M. Epperly's middle name. The handwriting appears to be the same as Christian Epperly's. Writes from Camp Lee that he grows tired of fighting and dislikes the cursing in camp.

GLC02715.046

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