Civil War Letter, Robert J. Kellam to his mother in Chambers Co. AL - 1863

From: Gerry Buchanan <glb@worldramp.net>
Subject: Robert J. Kellam
November 1999

I have a copy of a letter written by Robert J. Kellam (Sheriff of
Chambers County, Co. I, 47th Alabama Infantry) if you are interested.


					Camp near Chambersburg,
					Pennsylvania

					June 29th, 1863

Dear Mother,

I recond (sp) you will be surprised to hear that we are in this
state.  We are now in the United states.  I never thought we
would go into the old union again but we are here and no mistake
but I don't know how long we will stay here.  We came over here
on the 26th.  We are about 30 or 40 miles from the Maryland
line.  We crossed the Potomac at Williams Port.  I expect we
will have a fight in a short time.  We will have to fight
Hooker's armies and the militia of this State, which is about
50,000 thousand.  I expect we will have a hard time before we
get out of this State.  The whole country is scared nearly to
death.

Mother, this is the finest country I ever saw.  We are getting
more to eat than we want - and just any thing we want such as
butter, eggs, chickens, apple butter, molasses & in fact any
thing you might mention.  I am fearful we will have to pay very
dear for it before we get away.  This may be a good move but I
am fearful it is not. 

Mother, I would like to hear from you all very much.  It has
been a long time since I heard from home.  I wrote brother Jim a
letter today but for fear he can't get it - I wish you would let
him see this.  Tell him he must not let me be defeated if he can
help it {for the position of county sheriff}.  I don't know
whether I have any opponent since Jo Phillips got out of the
way.  I am glad that Tom Martin is running with me.  I think me
and him can beat almost any ticket that may come out, but I am
in hopes that we will have no opposition and then my success
will be sure.  I received a letter from Tom Martin a few days
since and he says that we will be elected.  I wrote Tom Martin a
letter not long since but I don't know whether he will get it or
not.  I am very  [anxious] that he should get it but I am afraid
that he won't get it.  I think I write a great many letters that
don't reach there (sp) destination.  Tell Jim if I am elected I
wish him or Tom Martin would fix up to get me home.  I  can't
get home unless they fix up a propper (sp) showing - that is if
I am elected.  They will have to get a showing from the govener
(sp) of the State or a certifficate (sp) from the Probate Judge.
 I suppose that this is the way but I don't know.  Tell them
they had better send it by some boddy (sp) and I will pay all
expenses, that is if I am elected.  I must close.  My health is
good and has been ever since I left home.  Which I ought to be
very thankful.  You must write to me soon.

Your son,

Robert {J.} Kellam

Mother be sure to let brother Jim see this letter as soon as you
get it.  I wrote to him today but for fear he don't get it show
him this.

====================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.

         The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives
         to store the file permanently for free access.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by:  Gerry Buchanan  glb@worldramp.net
====================================================================