January 11, 1862

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated January 11, 1862. Thanks her for the linen pants that he received from her. Requests for more envelopes. Henry comments on the goods he has been given by his family and on their quality. Also, Henry mentions that his company is coming home soon, and "Jeff Davis' 50 dollar bounty" could not entice him to reenlist

GLC00653.01.06

1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Henry S. Figures, F company, 4th regiment, Alabama, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .33]

Figures was a member of Law's Brigade, Longstreet Division, of the 4th Alabama Infantry. Letters mention prisoners from the "Star of the West," the Battles of Manassas, Yorktown, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, enslaved people, etc. Figures was killed at Battle of the Wilderness on 4 May 1864. Two of the letters (10 April 1861 and 25 April 1861) are on "Confederate States of America, War Department" stationery. Also includes 1867 burial card and a 6 page biographical manuscript (ca. 1890).

GLC00653.01

February 23, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He is currently on furlough and anxious to see his mother. He requests money and makes a list of all the clothing he needs. This is a list of articles Henry wants his mother to bring him now that he is on furlough. Written near Whitesburg, Alabama.

GLC00653.01.30

February 29, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

He writes that he is unable to see his mother after all, and must leave in the morning. He borrowed clothes from a friend.

GLC00653.01.31

April 10, 1861

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated April 10, 1861. Provides updates of his health and wellbeing. Asks for his siblings to write. Mentions that the capital may be relocated to Huntsville. Figures writes that 5 of the 7 states have voted to move the Confederate capital to Huntsville, Alabama, and discusses briefly the appointments to the Confederate Congress. Also, at age 17 he expects as a clerk that he has earned $1000.

GLC00653.01.01

April 25, 1861

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pa

One letter from Henry S. Figures addressed to his father dated April 25, 1861. Mentions Catholic services and that he hadn't been invited to a wedding. Henry discusses his impressions of a Catholic mass he attended, and goes into some detail about the candles and other unique rituals he observed. Also, Henry assures his father that he is doing well, and asks for a Mississippi newspaper, as well as tobacco, a pipe, and a shirt from his mother.

GLC00653.01.02

April 27, 1861

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated April 27, 1861. Recounts that he has been gone for two years and expresses concern for the safety of his family. Henry asks if the enemy has taken his father away, and wants any news of home he can get. His unit has been in Yorktown for 10 days without tents and in the rain, and their attempts at making tents with blankets has not succeeded in keeping the rain off them. There is also mention of the taking of New Orleans, and Henry theorizes that if this is indeed true then Memphis should be taken by "the enemy" soon.

GLC00653.01.03

June 17, 1861

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my Dear Sister

One letter addressed to Hattie Figures from Henry S. Figures dated June 17, 1861. Pertains to possible evacuation of Harper's Ferry; Richmond, Virginia; the statues of Henry Clay and George Washington. Henry describes all he has seen in Richmond, and mentions that he has heard rumors that the Confederates have evacuated Harpers Ferry. He notes that if this is true the companies from Huntsville have left. Also of note is a mention of "College girls" in Huntsville and the fact that they must be going home soon. Henry asks his sister to find a Miss Missouri [Lwayze] and ask if she would permit…

GLC00653.01.04

June 24, 1861

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated January 24, 1861. In the beginning of the letter Henry discusses family members and their welfare, as well as their behavior. Henry mentions quite a few young women back home by name and asks his mother to convey messages to them. Toward the end of the letter, however, Henry explains that Harper's Ferry was definitely evacuated and the men there moved to Winchester, VA. Henry admits feeling guilty for "driving a pen at $1000 a year" while soldiers from his old company make only $132 a year, and thus it is only right that he…

GLC00653.01.05

February 19, 1862

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Sister

One letter addressed to Hattie Figures from Henry S. Figures dated Camp Ala., February 19, 1862. Mentions that he requested shoes and $25. Henry tells his sister he has heard a rumor that there had been a "big fight in Kentucky" in which they the Confederates had lost 11,000 men, and Generals Beauregard and Pillow had been cut off.

GLC00653.01.07

March 31, 1862

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Sister

One letter addressed to Hattie Figures from Henry S. Figures dated Camp Bartow, March 31, 1862. Mentions a soldier named Mr. Robinson who abandoned fighting and ran away from Union Army fire. Henry tells his sister he will be home in "four weeks at the fastest, as our time is up on the 26th of next month." Henry tells his sister to call [Mefs] Cassie Robins a coward as he "ran from the yankees without firing a gun." Also, Henry notes that Pa will most likely not go to war as they are taking no more 12 month troops, and he doubts Pa could stand a 3 month campaign, let alone a 3 year one.

GLC00653.01.08

January 22, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pa

One letter from Henry S. Figures addressed to his father dated January 22, 1863. Pertains to life while stationed in the camp. Mentions that furlough was only given to four men in the company. In this short letter Henry discusses the furloughs the company has received and the fact that his promotion has not come yet. He signs his name with "1st Sergeant Company F. 4th Alabama."

GLC00653.01.09

February 1, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pa

One letter addressed to W.B. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated February 1, 1863 at Camp Near Fredericksburg. Pertains to receiving an overcoat and that he had not been promoted. Also details that Will Biron had passed away. Henry is in winter camp, as he mentions that his tent now has a chimney which has made it quite comfortable. Henry's promotion still has not come in. He discusses his sorrow at the death of "Will Bison" and mentions that he will send his rifle home if "Willie Faris ever goes home."

GLC00653.01.10

February 9, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mother

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated February 9, 1863. Mentions that he spoke to Colonel Foster recommending him for a furlough. Henry discusses the difficulty of getting a furlough and all the channels he must go through to obtain one. Also, he notes that General Lee's Adjutant addressed him as "Lieutenant" when he asked about his promotion, though he does not know if this was a mistake.

GLC00653.01.11

March 4, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated March 4, 1863. Mentions that he had his ambrotype taken and provides no updates on furlough. Describes the trying task of getting a furlough from Law's Brigade of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Also of note is Figures' statement that "Negroes are selling high in Richmond.

GLC00653.01.12

March 1, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

One letter addressed to Hattie Figures from Henry S. Figures dated March 1, 1863 and 5 miles from Richmond. Pertains to furlough; the cost that enslaved people were being sold at in Richmond. Henry notes that Richmond is getting dull, mainly because there are few girls in evidence. He is still trying to secure a furlough. The 27th of the month has been set aside by the President (Jefferson Davis) as a day of prayer and thanksgiving.

GLC00653.01.13

March 10, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated March 10, 1863. Mentions attending church, borrowing money to buy a gun, and his ambrotype. Henry's gun made it back home alright, and he is longing for home. His shoes, gloves and other goods, he instructs, must stay home, as he already has good pairs of them and cannot carry any more. Also, he notes that he has no use for the Clay family. March 11- Henry discusses appointments to the regular and provisional armies, as well as discusses family business. To note is Henry's breakfast of beef, corn-bread, and Confederate…

GLC00653.01.14

March 14, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated March 14, 1863. Provides updates of family and friends, and that a friend fell in love with an unnamed girl in Huntsville. Henry mentions the goods he received from his mother, and brings up the fact that he toured the interior of the Merrimac No. 2. He also mentions his little brother Willie's lack of prowess with a pen, and other family business. Of particular note is his statement "I still think Warren will come back. If he was here he wouldnt think of going to the yankees."

GLC00653.01.15

March 23, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated March 23, 1863. Mentions their location and health of the men in his company. Henry states how his unit left camp in a hurry, and then doubled back and returned to the very same camping spot. He explains that the enemy was crossing at a base near Fredericksburg, but was pushed back, allowing the relocating Confederates to return.

GLC00653.01.16

March 26, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

They drew for furloughs again and he got one of them. He hopes they will sign it and he can't wait to come home. Henry promises to telegraph from Richmond if he gets his furlough, of which he is still uncertain. Also, Henry mentions a march to Ashlund, of which he refers to as "the sweetest place on earth."

GLC00653.01.17

May 20, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

He asks for a pair of shoes. He met a Colonel Aldredge who knows his father and he saw two Yankee prisoners. Henry apparently did not get the furlough, as he asks for the shoes and the gloves he would have received "had I got [it]." 5 soldiers deserted his unit, and General Hood sent the cavalry after them, but have not come back yet. Also, apparently his "appointment" he has been waiting on is to be the Adjutant of the 4th Alabama. In fact, he signs the letter with "Acting Adjuctant" of the 4th Alabama Vols. Henry also saw a few Union prisoners who had gotten sick and were left behind by…

GLC00653.01.18

May 22, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

In his letter, Henry Stokes Figures mentions that four men deserted but were caught and will be court marshaled. He asks his mother to make him new pants and a coat as the other coat she sent was 5 inches too short. Henry still hasn't received the appointment, and the missing soldiers, which now numbered 9, have been found. They are going to be brought before the Division Courts Marshall and Henry suspects that they will be shot. Also, Henry theorizes that he would be happy in the 48th, as he likes the Colonel and the Colonel likes him.

GLC00653.01.19

circa 1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Henry tells his sister of the weather during his march to Culpepper. Of note is his grapevine knowledge through Colonel Sheffield (of the 48th) that General Ewell had caught several messengers from Union General Hooker to Slocum, and one of these messages was a dispatch with instructions to cross the mountains at Snigglers Gap. However, this never happened. Also, Henry is quite excited that a young lady from back home is going to be sending him a letter.

GLC00653.01.20

June 8, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

They had an order to cross the Rappahannock and drive the enemy out but it was countermanded and they are now back at their old camp. Henry states that General Law had commanded the Regiments in his brigade to cross the Rappahannock and charge the enemy, but this was countermanded by Lee. It appears from the letter as if the amount of fighting is picking up. Written near Culpeper, Virginia.

GLC00653.01.21

June 21, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

They crossed the Shenandoah the other day and they expect to go to Maryland and Pennsylvania next. Major Scuggs will deliver this letter because he has been discharged and is going home. This letter serves as foreshadowing of Lee's invasion into Pennsylvania in July.

GLC00653.01.22