3 June 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Informs her about friends and family members who have been wounded. Notes that he thinks they should fall back to Atlanta, Georgia. The Yankees may be trying to flank them out of their current position.

GLC02715.095

11 June 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp near Marietta that they have no tents and are exposed to a great deal of heavy rain. Notes that there seems to be skirmishing every day. Reports that General Joseph E. Johnston is gathering a large force.

GLC02715.096

15 June 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Notes from camp near Marietta that he has not received any mail in a long time. Knows the mail is irregular and believes it will be cut off before too long. Writes: "There was one of our Companeys went to the Yankees the other Night off of Picket. Co. D is the Co that went. The Capt. and Lieu went with thear men there is one Lieu left and 9 men One Lieu and 2 noncommissioned officer and one privet from Co. C."

GLC02715.097

23 June 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp near Marietta that he still has not received mail. Discusses building breastworks in the hot weather and writes about those wounded and killed in recent battles.

GLC02715.098

4 July 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that they fell back six miles. Says that he does not think the Yankees will fight as long as they can keep flanking the Confederates and forcing them from their positions. Notes that they lost 30 men through straggling. State was not provided, but based on previosly written letters it was likely written from Georgia.

GLC02715.099

12 July 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Two letters written to his family. In the first letter to his mother, Harvey, and George, Epperly writes to let them know he is well. In the second letter to his wife Mary, Epperly writes that he does not understand why there is such a problem with the mail. Notes that other members of his regiment receive mail. Says that his regiment is stationed four miles from Atlanta, Georgia and thinks the Yankees may try to cross the river above Atlanta. Also discusses rations.

GLC02715.100

17 July 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that the Yankees are still on the other side of the river. Notes that he does not expect any major fighting in the near future. Both the army and the civilians are moving stuff out of Atlanta, Georgia. Text loss.

GLC02715.101

2 August 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that he just returned from escorting Federal prisoners to Andersonville, Georgia. Mentions battles fought on 22 July and 28 July.

GLC02715.102

12 August 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that the Yankees are shelling the town. Says that the shelling has killed many women and children and caused great hardship. The soldiers took all the food from people's gardens. Writes that he believes the Yankees will try to flank them on the left rather than attack. Notes that William has been caught and sent to the guard house. [Possibly from attempting to desert.]

GLC02715.103

26 August 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that the Yankees have fallen back and crossed the river. Notes he received a letter from William, who is in Macon, Georgia. Believes William will be sent to rejoin his regiment, so the family need not worry. Expresses his desire to come home this fall.

GLC02715.104

19 August 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Notes that there are many wounded and sick men in the regiment. Reports that the Yankees bombed his position for 15 minutes and then began to talk to them about trading tobacco for coffee. Says he heard a rumor that they will be allowed to return to Virginia.

GLC02715.105

5 September 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from the Asylum Hospital that he was wounded in the leg, but should return to his regiment in a few days. Notes he was wounded at Jonesborough, Georgia on 31 August 1864. Reports that there were 3,000 wounded at Jonesborough and that Atlanta, Georgia has surrendered.

GLC02715.106

16 September 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that Governor Brown has furloughed the Georgia militia for 30 days. Reports that [General William T.] Sherman has ordered all the citizens out of Atlanta. Notes they are half way through a ten day armistice.

GLC02715.107

21 October 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that they are going to strike at the railroads near Bridge Port, Tennessee, unless they run into Yankees along the way. Reports that Jefferson Davis visited camp and told the Colonel of the 63rd Virginia that they would be coming back to Virginia when the present campaign is over.

GLC02715.108

2 November 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from Florrans, Alabama (possibly referring to Florence, Alabama). Notes that they have spent two days putting up a pontoon bridge. Writes extensively about God's will, his hopes for peace, and his desire to see his family. Also mentions General William T. Sherman: "I cant hear where Shaman's Army is. I hope we will never hear from him again unles we could meet in pease an not under Armes. I never want to hear a nother Gun fire while I live if I could help it."

GLC02715.109

25 September 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he dreamt he was home holding Sarahgill and Christian. Notes that they are building breastworks. Says that the army owes him seven months wages and $45 for clothing.

GLC02715.110

16 October 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that the Confederate army has destroyed part of the railroad between Atlanta, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee. They captured "600 whitemen an[d] 800 Negroes." Writes that he believes the Yankee army is retreating toward Chattanooga.

GLC02715.111

8 November 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that diphtheria has struck his home town and he prays that Sarahgill and Christian do not contract it. Says that he believes the army will have to go back to Georgia. Written from "Flarans Ala." (possibly referring to Florence, Alabama.

GLC02715.112

13 November 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Notes that they are almost out of rations. Writes that diphtheria claimed one of his relatives, but the rest are improving.

GLC02715.113

4 December circa 1863

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Reports that the army issued an order that all men between 17 and 50, who had not reported for service, were to be taken by force to join the army. [See #85] Writes that Harvey was caught when he went to town, not knowing about the order and that Christian has begun to speak. Date was taken GLC02715.085.

GLC02715.114

January 1865

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Phleagar

Writes that the army is in winter quarters. Tells his brother-in-law that if he must join the army, he hopes George can join his regiment. Adds a short note to Mary at the bottom of the second page.

GLC02715.115

1865/01/13

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses losses at Franklin, Tennessee. Writes that he hopes to get a furlough.

GLC02715.116

January 16, 1865

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses losses at the battles of Columbia and Nashville, Tennessee. Reports that General [John Bell] Hood is disbanding brigades.

GLC02715.117

circa February 5, 1865

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Writes that she just received his letters dated 13 January and 16 January. Notes that she had not received a letter since November 1864 and she was sure something had happened to him. Blasts the "sesech" who "look worse than a passle of Dog's catch" and vows to burn all her money before she will let them have any of it. She claims the "sesech" are trying to cheat people out of money by selling bale cotton for $100 Confederate currency or $2 in silver. Times are rough and many families are starving. Notes that George has been taken into the army. He now belongs to the 54th Regiment,…

GLC02715.118

8 March 1865

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he has not heard from her since December 1864. Reports that the whole army is heading through North Carolina to Virginia. Notes Shaman's [General William T. Sherman] Army has destroyed all the railroads between Augusta, [Georgia] and Chesterville, [North Carolina?]. Comments that the people of South Carolina are beginning to feel the effects of the war as those in other states have felt all along.

GLC02715.119