Letter from William C. McGrady to Caroline Kelley, Coosa Co., AL http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/coosa/history/letters/wcmcgrady.txt ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb Project policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. 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. ALGenWeb Archives File Manager Carolyn Golowka, ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by Leigh Mathis-Downs, March 2001 Robert C. McGrady was from County Cavan in Ulster, Northern Ireland and he was born in 1795. He first settled in GA and was a farmer. His wife was Rhoda (Rhody) Adelline MCGlothlan and she was from Scotland and of Gaelic descent. She was born in 1803. She first settled in TN. It is not known where they met, but when they married they settled in Coosa County, AL in the city of Rockford and lived at Hatchett Creek. Children of Robert C. McGrady and Rhoda Adeline McGlothlan: 1. Elizabeth McGrady, b. 1821 2. Caroline McGrady-Kelley, b. 1826 3. Hariett McGrady, b. 1830 4. Silas L. McGrady, b. 1832 - 13th AL Regiment Company H, KIA Battle of Yorktown, VA 1/13/1862 5. James Madison McGrady, b. 1834 - 1st Corporal Hilliard's Legion, 5th AL Battalion Company K 6. William C. MCGrady, b. 1835 - 1st Lieutenant Company K 59th Alabama Regiment, KIA Battle of Petersburg, VA 6/20/1864 7. Robert Farmer McGrady, b. 1838 - said to have also fought in the Civil War 8. Charles Newton McGradyb. 1840 - Hilliard's Legion, 2nd Battalion Company B 9. Jackson Cleveland McGrady, b. 1844 - Hilliard's Legion, Company K 5th Battalion 10. Adeline McGrady, b. 1848 11. Tolbert Neil McGrady, b. 10/11/1851 NOTE: 1st Lieutenant William C. McGrady was KIA 5 months after he wrote this letter. He died at the Battle of Petersburg during the Richmond- Petersburg Campaign and was killed on 6/20/1864. During this battle there were 42,000 Confederate soldiers engaged and 62,000 Union Soldiers. It resulted in a Confederate Victory still with a total of 11,386 casualties, 8,150 Union casualties and 3,236 Confederate casualties. The Principal commanders of this battle were Robert E. Lee and Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard. NOTE: Marion Kelly Was KIA near Petersburg, VA Company K 59th Alabama Regiment, KIA Letter addressed to: Caroline Kelley, Rockford, Route 2 January 20, 1864 Camp near Morristown To Caroline Kelley: Dear sister it is through the mercy of God that I am permitted to write you a few lines which will inform you that I am well at presing , hoping these few lines may find you and your little children well. Dear sister, I have the painful task of informing you that Marion is dead. He was killed on Saturday the 16th inst., in a skirmish with the enemy about 8 miles below here. He was shot thru the bowels. HE only lived about 25 or 30 minutes. The only words he spoke were, "Go ahead boys, give it to them." The doctor came up, and had him taken off. He told them to lay him down an let him die. These were the only words he spoke that I have heard of. Caroline, we buried him decently as we could. He was buried at a church in a grave, and we made him a rough box. It was the very best we could do. We left here on the 15th inst., and went down near Dandridge, a little town on French Broad River, and camped for the night. I was from there sent out on picket with 30 men from our regiment. We were attacked about 12 o'clock by the Yankees, and we fought one of the hardest fights I have ever been in almost. I was not with his regiment when Marion was killed. While I was fighting with the pickets, our bridge moved around on our right to keep the Yankees from cutting us off while marching along. They ran into a squad of Yankees which fired into them, and one ball struck Marion. He was the only man who was hit in our regiment. Caroline, we taken care of Marion's money and papers. The doctor taken care of them and give them to me. I have 71 dollars of his money and some notes. I will collect them and send you the money as soon as I can. Caroline I can't describe to you my feelins when I found Marion lying cold, and I feel so lonesome. He has been with me ever since he came back. Dolphus stayed with him when he was shot a few minutes, and went to let James know that Marion was hit, and did not get a chance to go until he was dead. I suppose he went off without a pain. Caroline, weep not after him for I trust that he is a great deal better off that we are. He is done with this troublesome world. I must close by subscribing myself your brother until death. William C. McGrady