5 February 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Written on board the steamer John H. Groesbeck, anchored near Dover, Kentucky. Discusses the attack by Confederate Generals Forrest and Wheeler on Fort Donelson. Describes the Confederate dead and wounded soldiers and sends home a lock of Colonel McNary's hair [not included in the collection]. Colonel McNary served with an Alabama regiment and was killed in the battle. Continues writing 7 February 1863. Notes that they are about thirty miles from Nashville, Tennessee and do not expect to see battle before they reach the city.

GLC05241.10

10 February 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Written three miles from Nashville on the Franklin Pike. Writes that the regiment is on its way to Franklin. Describes the vast destruction of local property: "There are the ruins of several magnificent places between here and Nashville. The soldiers have stripped down the fences, cut down beautiful shade trees, and in some places commenced on the houses for fuel. Residences worth two years ago $100,000 are not now worth $2,000."

GLC05241.11

17 February 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Reports that he was appointed Brigade Postmaster. His new position will allow him to make $30 to $50 a month by selling writing paper, envelopes and newspapers. The colonel is still under arrest. A strange order requires the regiment to get up at 5:30 and to stand at arms, with full knapsacks, until 6:30. Magie is exempt from this order.

GLC05241.12

20 February 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Written from camp near Franklin. Date inferred from content. Labeled "No 1." Writes that he travels to Nashville every other day to retrieve the mail. He buys newspapers for 5 cents each and sells them for 10 cents.

GLC05241.13

22 February 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No. 2." He has been promoted to Division Postmaster. Recounts three incidents which occurred while traveling between Nashville and Franklin. First, he tells of finding a group of men in Butternut whom he thought to be Confederates. He thought the men would capture him but they turned out to be local laborers running telegraph lines. For the next story, Magie cautioned his wife not to read the passage outloud. He then wrote how he followed a trail of calico to find a soldier and woman in a "horizontal position." He adds the couple claimed to be married. Finally, he mentions seeing two…

GLC05241.14

25 February 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No. 3." Writes of the basic itinerary he follows on his trips Nashville. Besides picking up the mail, he buys newspapers and for a fee runs errands for other soldiers. Laments the destruction of fences and houses for firewood.

GLC05241.15

1 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 4." He makes a great deal of money by selling newspapers and running errands, and if he can hold his position he hopes to send his wife $1,000 by the end of the war. Asks that she not tell anyone how much he sends her because the soldiers do not know he makes such a large profit.

GLC05241.16

2 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Sends his wife $10 and asks her to allow the bearer of the letter, Mr. Freeman, to stay at the house for one night. Notes that he believes there will be a battle soon but does not expect to be involved. A pencil sketch of a grave marker and verse appears on page two. "Gone to be an angle [sic] Albro K. Youngest son of J."

GLC05241.17

7 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

He wants to loan out $50 with interest. Mentions a battle at Franklin [4-5 March 1863] including the fact that their general was arrested afterward for a blunder.

GLC05241.18

10 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

He sent his wife $50 and suggests that she loan it out with interest. He discusses the battle of Franklin and his profits. He wishes Charles Horton would leave Terre Haute and live with Mary at Macomb, or come to Nashville.

GLC05241.19

10 March 1863

Magie, A.M., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Mary

Describes a journey from Macomb to Terre Haute. Horton bought a house and lot near their father's garden. Also requests a verse of "I Want to Be a Soldier" for their girls.

GLC05241.20

15 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Sickness has forced him to give up a portion of his business. Expects a big battle. Includes a list of questions asked by Mary, and James' response to the questions. Some questions posed by Mary are: why did Mr. Freeman come home, can they get a tombstone "for our darling Allie's grave," pension rights if he should be killed, and monetary questions.

GLC05241.21

20 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Sent her another $50 to lend out with interest. A government mail carrier has replaced him. The regiment will send home their winter gear soon. He hopes to send her money for her personal use. He speculates about paying off the "Randolph claim" [a debt he owes].

GLC05241.22

22 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

He hopes to make enough money in the army to pay off his debt with Randolph. Most people think the war will be over before the end of the summer. He urges Charley to return to the army before he gets in trouble. His newspaper business has been interrupted but he hopes to find better prospects.

GLC05241.23

24 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Explains to Mary why her letter will not be forwarded from Philadelphia. Says that he lost track of his numbering and will restart with #1. Mentions that his position as postmaster means that he has no obligations in the Army. He does not have to attend roll call or fight. Two of the six pages consist of a short note on a scrap of small paper from Mary. Asks if it is true that he does not have to fight with the regiment.

GLC05241.24

26 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 2." Encourages Charley to return to the army, because after the first of April all deserters will be shot or will suffer severe punishment. Gives instructions so that Charley will reach the camp without getting in trouble. Describes skirmishing with Confederates who destroyed the telegraph lines and a railroad bridge.

GLC05241.25

30 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 3." Written from camp near Franklin. Lieutenant McCandles sent in his resignation. Confederates cut off federal communication for a week and captured a train. One of the postmasters was taken prisoner on the way back from Nashville and the mail was captured with him. Thinks Charley should come back before he gets in trouble. Sends a pass for his son Charles Horton to join him.

GLC05241.26

31 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 4." Written from camp near Franklin. Discusses his business selling newspapers and his wish to be free from debt. If he is unable to go east this year, he will be entitled to two tickets next year. When he gets home he wants to do something about Eddy's feet.

GLC05241.27

2 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 5." Written from camp near Franklin. The weather is still chilly so he did not send home his winter clothes. Discusses settling his debts. Mentions [General William] Rosecrans.

GLC05241.28

5 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 6." Written from camp near Franklin. Discusses debts owed by him and money owed to him. Complains that his father worries about the money he owes to his brothers but not the money they owe to him. Someone stole his good winter blanket and left a ratty one in its place. Lists the winter gear that he will send home.

GLC05241.29

7 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 7." Written from camp near Franklin. He expressed winter clothes home, and had to get a special permit to send the box home since an order was issued forbidding the shipment of clothes home. A man in his tent died last night. Reports that McCandles was arrested for desertion and will be court-martialed.

GLC05241.30

11 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 8." Describes the defense of Franklin from a Confederate attack. No one in his regiment was hurt. During the battle, he sold newspapers to the reserve troops who proceeded to sit down and read while the battle raged on around them. He warns her to be careful of "greybacks" [lice] which may be on the blankets he sent home. Discusses lending money.

GLC05241.31

13 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 9." Written from camp near Franklin. Charley and a few others "who were not paroled but managed to give Morgan the slip" have returned to camp. The camp is anxious to hear news from Charleston, South Carolina. Everyone hopes that the city was taken. He thinks [General William] Rosecrans plans to move forward.

GLC05241.32

14 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 10." Written from camp near Franklin. Charley returned and is now a hospital cook, which he prefers to being in the ranks. Discusses money and his plan to be out of debt, buy the Macomb Journal and have a comfortable living after the war.

GLC05241.33

15 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Mary Magie

"No 11." Written from camp near Franklin. Chastises his wife for sending him a sheet of old advertisements. He spent an evening at Nashville and recounts various prices there. He drew new clothes from the army and describes various pieces of his uniform. He was glad to hear that Macomb went to the Republicans. Magie believes that when the soldiers come home they will carry the whole country for the Republicans.

GLC05241.34