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

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

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

5 March 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says that he was sorry to learn that all men ages 17-50 will have to join the army. [See GLC02715.114] Comments that he hopes George will not join the army. "I become stronger for the union every day I live... I don't think we will ever be able to gain another victory."

GLC02715.085

12 March 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses the quality and quantity of rations.

GLC02715.086

25 March 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he does not think the Southern army will ever fight as well as they did at the beginning of the war and that the South has become wicked. "May God show us our erro[r]s and put us in the rite way and Bring us Back to our old Union again."

GLC02715.087

8 April 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that reports indicate that four Corps. of Yankees are in front of their position. Says that they are down to very small rations.

GLC02715.088

18 April 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says that he misses her. Writes about trusting God's mercy to bring them together. Notes that he does not think they will move anytime soon. Fading.

GLC02715.089

28 April 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that he thinks there will an upcoming battle. Also mentions General Longstreet and rations.

GLC02715.090

8 May 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes about recent executions in his brigade. "I havent any nuoos [news] to write to you at this time only the sad and awful Execution which taken plase in our Brigade yesterday which was too cruel for mortal man to behold. There was 14 North carlinerns [Carolinians] shot to Death yesterday with muskettry. 10 belonging to the 58 North Collinear [Carolina] and 4 to the 60 Regt. ah thear cries and Grones how sad they did sound. They was tide to stakes by thear Captens and their cruelley murderd by the order of a few wicked men and had don nothing I dont sopose but left the army and went…

GLC02715.091

20 May 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that 1,119 men were killed and wounded within ten minutes at the Battle of Resaca. Says that they are now forty miles from Atlanta, Georgia. Notes that the Yankees are close behind them and have possession of the railroad. Written from Ash Station, Georgia.

GLC02715.092

22 May 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Reports that they have been fighting nearly every day for a month. Includes a lengthy discussion of the Battle of Resaca and the charge that killed and wounded 1119 men. Written from Ash Station, Georgia.

GLC02715.093

1 June 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp near Marietta that his division is being held in reserve. He believes General Joseph E. Johnston will fall back to Atlanta, Georgia.

GLC02715.094

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