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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (4 February 1865)
William Cowper Nelson
Describes his Christmas in Virginia; wanting to marry quite a bit and hoping to get mother's permission; possibility of transfer down to Mississippi; expedition down in southern Virginia and raiding; L. Q. C. Lamar; religion; having to close due to marching orders being called
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (8&10 March 1865)
William Cowper Nelson
Rejects idea of marriage for the present; his duties are to God, his country, and his immediate family; will stay in Virginia to fight; J. W. C. Watson; travel down to Richmond; Butler's famous canal at Dutch Gap; brass band serenaded the President; news of family
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Unknown to Wilbur (2 March 1865)
Author Unknown
Theft of goods, problems with the goods they did have to eat, fatigue of Father
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (17 May 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Discusses the Battle of the Wilderness and the battle at Spotsylvania Courthouse
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (25 October 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Tom's illness and his wanting to enlist in the Army; Virginia Military Institute; food shortages; prices for clothing; Abraham Lincoln and the election; prospects for peace; possible visit to Petersburg; payment of salary.
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (29 May 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Army of Northern Virginia back around Richmond; mentions writing to his father of the battles of Spotsylvania's courthouse and those in Wilderness; Grant then changed tactics and abandoned his fortifications at Spotsylvania and moved down the Confederate right towards Milford and Bowling Green and so the movements to protect Richmond continue; description of family in Virginia; mentions acquaintances who had been severely wounded or killed
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (30 December 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Death; subdued hope for peace; the Consolidation Act; unable to obtain Tom a place in the Virginia Military Institute; values on goods high
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (April 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Happy to have received letters from home; expect to daily receive marching orders; he notes that Grant has assumed command of the Army of the Potomac and will probably attack by using two or three different route; says the Army was never in better spirits
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (16 July 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Mentions what it was like to life amongst the shelling of Petersburg; mentions Jubal Early's assault into Maryland; mentions food shortage; writes about home; encloses a photograph picked up at the Wilderness and a piece of a tree cut down by bullets at Spotslyvania where Albert Peel was killed.
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (17 February 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Describes buying new clothes and equipment; describes his tent accommodations; describes attending the President's last grand reception and speaking in detail with Mrs. Davis about the condition of the people in Mississippi; describes a lot of visiting also
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (17 November 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Mentions Tom and his illness; possibility of Tom's going to school; Virginia Military Institute; Abraham Lincoln and election; prospects for peace; possibility of Will's marrying; winter quarters and return from the trenches; ladies returning to Petersburg since shelling has ceased; attending a wedding at St. Paul's church in Petersburg; Frank Smith and John H. Nelson
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (4 May 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Notes the movements of General Grant and Ambrose Everett Burnside; feels that another big battle is imminent; had not a chance to see his friends in the 17th Mississippi as their camp was several miles distant; gives an account of the Grand Tournament and Party given by the officers of Hill's Corps; worried about attending parties while his family back in Mississippi is suffering; mentions decreasing rations
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (5 July 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Worries that he has not heard from home recently; bombardment around the city of Petersburg; discussion of religion and new acquaintances
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (9 February 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Safe arrival in Richmond; had three photographs taken; sending six photographic cards; saw L. Q. C. Lamar briefly
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William C. Nelson to Thomas Nelson (17 November 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Mentions Tom's recent illness; writes of the upcoming session of the Virginia Military Institute; talks about moving into winter quarters and social life in Petersburg; possibility of marriage; Kinloch Falconer
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William C. Nelson to Thomas Nelson (17 October 1864)
William Cowper Nelson
Apologizes for not writing sooner; mentions Anthony Whitfield; presidential campaign of 1864; mentions the shelling on Petersburg; mentions social life; weather very cold; asking Tom to abandon the idea of enlisting in the Army; talks about Tom's illness; John Bell Hood; talks about prices of food being very high
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J. H. Nelson to William C. Nelson (14 November 1863)
J. H. Nelson
Worried as they had not heard from Will for some time; also heard that General Posey had been wounded; wonders when this cruel war will end; mentioned that the Federal troops had evacuated the Memphis & Charleston Railroad; talks about James Ronald Chalmers forces; mentions clothing and goods he would like to send to Will
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (12 May 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Battle of Chancellorsville; death of Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson; death of Earl Van Dorn; General Lee's plans; glad to hear that Roger Barton is not dead and will soon be exchanged from Camp Chase
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (23 November 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Worried about not hearing from home; worried also about locating the trunk his parents sent off to him as he needs the provisions for the winter months; tells of the death of General Posey; mentions that the Brigade is now commanded by Col. N. H. Harris of Vicksburg (Miss.); has nice winter quarters; no indication at that time of an advance by General Meade; saw President Davis and Lee together on Sunday. Mentions that Davis does not look well
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (24 December 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Glad to hear from home; unable to locate the trunk his parents had sent; sent up an application for a Leave of Absence but is afraid it won't be granted just yet; list of needed clothes; missing his family on Christmas eve night
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (30 October 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Sending a list of clothes needed; discussion of march into Pennsylvania up through the Battle of Gettysburg
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (April 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Death in family; prohibition against the granting of furloughs; believes this year will be the pivotal one for the war.
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (July 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Heard that Jackson, MS had been evacuated; uncertain if letters could get through but would try; mentioned that Vicksburg had fallen; describes his march into Maryland and Pennsylvania; mentions battle of Gettysburg and the falling back, although he does not make it seem like a retreat
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (12 March 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Received welcome letter from home; laughed to think of Tom doing the milking now that the slaves have left; glad their home is still safe; still Adjutant General of General Posey's Brigade while still Lt. of Ordnance; waiting on General Posey's two sons to arrive in camp; glad to hear that Howard Falconer is not dead; ends by asking about several friends
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (14 November 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Unsure if his letters are reaching home; still looking for his missing trunk; mentions being back at Orange C.H. because of some troop movement; hopes not to have to march as they have set up a nice winter quarters; asks about several friends; mentions that General Posey was wounded at Bristoe Station and is not expected to live
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (15 January 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Ashamed it has taken him so long to write home again; Battle of Frederickburg and its effect upon him; his Christmas day and meeting several ladies; also mentions his anger at hearing the Federals were destroying Holly Springs but also does not like Earl Van Dorn; Battle of Murfreesboro, TN; religion
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (17 June 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Describes being again on the march; they are hoping to go to Pennsylvania; rumors abound that it is Gen. Lee's intention to invade; the Army has been reorganized and instead of two Army corps they now have three; His Division is now a part of A.P. Hill's corps; Barksdale's Brigade and his friends from the 17th Mississippi still remain with Longstreet so he is separated from them; met Mrs. Gen. A.P. Hill; describes a visit with family in Virginia; notes that he no longer minds marching so much as he now has a horse
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (18 December 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Worries that he has not heard from home for a while; going into winter quarters; the successor for General Posey has not yet been decided; reading quite a lot now; calling on acquaintances in the vicinity of Orange and has made several lady friends; rumor that Lee would be sent south to command Bragg's Army; mentions his Sister and the Cage family; and mentions activities of William Forbes Stearns
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (19 December 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Glad to have received word from home; distraught over the death of Andrew Govan; intention to obtain a "Leave of Absence" if possible in January so that he could return home for a visit; lists needed clothes and says if he returns home on furlough he will only take the clothes on his back as he wants to bring as much back with him as possible
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (19 July 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Describes his march into Maryland and Pennsylvania; General Lee's orders to respect private property were enforced; Battle of Gettysburg description; list of dead and wounded; uncertain about future but puts his trust in God- especially as Vicksburg has fallen
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (1 April 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Delighted with her letter; but was sad to hear of the many hardships she was having to endure; although his pay has increased it is impossible to save anything; after the war he plans to go into business of some kind to support the family; mother was worried about Will "losing" his heart but Will reassures her that this is not the case
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (22 February 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Worried because he has had no news from home since the Federals left; recounts stories he read and heard where the Federals used churches as stables; worries that all of the houses in Holly Springs were burned and all the slaves left; mentions that the Army is not moving much at this point but there are plans to move; the weather is difficult; comparison here with Revolutionary War soldiers; religion; now a part of General Posey's division
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (22 November 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Telling her the news that General Posey has died from his wounds; attended church in the village of Orange where General Lee attended also; notes that the Brigade is now commanded by Col. Nathaniel Harrison Harris of Vicksburg who was Colonel of the 19th Mississippi Infantry; glad to hear that J. W. C. Watson was elected a C.S. Senator
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (23 August 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Religion and attending church with General Lee and others; new system of furlough so there is a possibility of his coming home but it is very slim as he has little money to make the trip; generally misses his family and home in this letter
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (8 May 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Recounts the Battle of Chancellorsville; mentions dead and wounded also in the letter
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (9 August 1863)
William Cowper Nelson
Talks about the retreat to Orange C.H.; attends church with General Lee; provisions taken from Pennsylvania; marriage of one of his lady friends, Lutie Dickson
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Unknown to Maria C. Nelson (20 December 1863)
Author Unknown
Concerning the enlistment, remaining in Mississippi and their inability to find clothing for the author and Amelia
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William C. Nelson to J. H. & Maria C. Nelson (12 August 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
Concerning near constant marching; need for water and long lines; went to visit Gaines Mill; Seven Days Battle; Union General John Pope; maps of Virginia; worries about home
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (12 July 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
Asking family not to feel uneasy if they have not heard from him for a while; hopes to draw pay soon; talks about clothes and prices of goods; Capt. Sears leaving for Davidson College to recuperate.
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (17 October 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
Grand Revision Review by Genl. Longstreet; problem with sickness in camp and wounded; still about seven miles from Winchester on the Harper's Ferry Road; destroying the rail road leading to Harper's Ferry. Does not hear of much movement by the Federal troops and attributes it somewhat to their reading Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation; some reports of small victories by Stuart and Jackson; description of camp life; received news of the Battle of Corinth, MS
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William C. Nelson to J. H. Nelson (9 June 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
Glad to have received a letter from Holly Springs at last; Worries a great deal about the fate of Holly Springs with the falling back of Beauregard from Corinth; stating that they are still waiting on McClellan to advance; disease; sickness of Willie and Jimmy Sims and others; Stonewall Jackson in the Valley District
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (11 November 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
Not much happening at that moment- some skirmishing but not much; received some supplies but not much; general lack of provisions; saw Dr. Todd, Mary Lincoln's brother who was a Confederate
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (12 July 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
Seven Days Battles; McClellan's wait; possibility of European powers intervening; camp life and supplies; understands a fight took place near Holly Springs; sending letter by Jimmy Sims whose brother was killed
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (19 August 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
Receipt of her most recent letter; still about 12 miles out of Richmond on the James River Road; scouting for the enemy; McClellan; Ambrose Everett Burnside; hope for peace soon; the Confederate Congress meeting; religious wording in letter
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (20 July 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
Worries about Holly Springs; religion in camp; resignation of Major Edward W. Upshaw; Captain Claudius Wistar Sears still in North Carolina; Seven Days Battle
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William C. Nelson to Maria C. Nelson (23 November 1862)
William Cowper Nelson
March to current campsite; Federal demands to surrender Fredericksburg; thinks there is "very little probability" of a general engagement taking place in this vicinity; heard rumors that the army in Mississippi has fallen back from Holly Springs to Grenada; Captain Sears; weather
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