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

4 November 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp near Chatanooga that many men are sick and in the hospital. Notes that he has just arrived at Chattanooga. As punishment, he and the others are in the guard house. [He had deserted.] Gives his address as: "Buckners Division, Trigs Brigade, 54 Va. Regt. Vol., Company A., Chicka[h]omany Station, Tenn."

GLC02715.072

12 November 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Notes that rations are in short supply. Hopes that the soldiers near Knoxville will open the railroad so provisions can be brought in. States that he wishes he had an overcoat. Adds that he is homesick since returning to the army.

GLC02715.073

19 November 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he has not received a letter from her since he left home. Also says that he does not believe there will be a battle here.

GLC02715.074

6 December 1863

Simon, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Mentions that he gave Christian her letter. Writes that both Christian and Issac have been released from the guard house and have returned to active duty.

GLC02715.075

17 December 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he does not think there will be any more fighting this winter, but he also sees no plans for peace. Says that he still believes the unit will be ordered back to Virginia.

GLC02715.076

27 December 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says that he has written her four letters since the battle, but she received none of them. Notes that the food is very bad. Writes that the weather is miserable and his regiment does not have its overcoats yet. Believes the war is almost over.

GLC02715.077

4 January 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he received his overcoat, some apples, cakes, butter and soap on New Years Day. Comments that his only punishment for deserting was 20 days in the guard house. Also discusses rations.

GLC02715.078

January 15, 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Instructs his wife to make good use of the grain. Says that it will become scarce before next harvest and there will be suffering both at home and in the army. Notes that they put up their winter tents and built chimneys to keep warm.

GLC02715.079

January 15, 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says that he has heard a rumor that the regiment will return to Virginia. Writes that he misses her greatly and discusses their future in heaven.

GLC02715.080

January 23, 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that his uncle died in a distillery explosion. Says that he has not received any pay since he returned to the army and has to borrow money from a neighbor. Instructs Mary to repay the man's wife.

GLC02715.081

February 1, 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Notes that he has received several letters from her including one dated 4 August 1863. Says the army is falling back towards Atlanta, Georgia. Also reports an account of mutiny that took place in December where officers attempted to punish a group of soldiers by forcing them to wear barrels (a common punishment in both armies). When the soldiers refused, a regiment was brought up to enforce the punishment. Still not willing to submit to their punishment, the offenders formed a line and fired on the regiment, killing 10 and wounding 100 of their comrades. "[O]ur men had a little Brush…

GLC02715.082

February 21, 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that William has gone to the hospital with a broken leg. Also mentions that he went to Sunday "preaching."

GLC02715.083

28 February 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Describes a skirmish near Dalton.

GLC02715.084