Georgia, Hancock County, James M. Hitchcock Letters, 1864 Copyright Anne and Tilmon Chamlee. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. chamlee@accucomm.net *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Anne and Tilmon Chamlee chamlee@accucomm.net http://www.usgwarchives.net These are copies of letters written by James M. Hitchcock, Confederate Veteran, to his wife Ann Boyer Hitchcock in 1864 from the vicinity of Atlanta, Georgia. These are my maternal great grandparents, who probably had six children at this time. Her eldest child, my grandmother, Elizabeth Hitchcock, was 19 years old. In 1866 she married Wilkins J. Harper. Elias Boyer, Revolutionary Soldier, married Ann Bruce. Ann Boyer, b. 1822, m. James M. Hitchcock b. 1830, son of Rev. Sol Mesback Hitchcock. They married December 1843. Daughter Elizabeth Hitchcock, b. 1845 m. Wilkins J. Harper, b. 1839, also a Confederate Veteran. They married December 1866. Daughter Bessie Mae Harper, b. 1875, d. 1954, m. James Harvey Archer (1877-1969). Daughter Millie Archer, b. 1905, m. George Tilmon Chamlee, b. 1898. The letters are almost faded out and there will be parts which I will be unable to read, but they are interesting and should be preserved. In the ditch, Saturday, Aug 28th 1864. Dear Ann, I again attempt to give you some idea what we are doing. The Yankees are certainly across the river today, there is not a gun to be heard, the Confederate troops are after them, There are many speculations as to route they may take. Some think they may go through Alabama, as the country is bare through which both armies came. It would seem to me____________army might be____________before he might clear himself of the State. No doubt Hood will do the best he can but I fear he has suffered too much_____Tennessee to check his_______our militia may be taken along in rear for various purposes. I doubt their going further than the river, which is 7 miles, then fall back on this place again, remaining a few days at least until Sherman leaves the State, and then we shall be dismissed. You may watch the prospects, the most information that I get here is from news papers. The camp is at all times full of unreliable news called here Grapevine Telegraph______12 o’clock, hearing cannons in the distance and direction of the river and there may be small arms at work also, but I cannot distinguish it. I have been talking to a distinguished stiller, he says that apples put up is_______as I do, should stand at least 20 days before________, which I am inclined to think is true. I will now give you some idea of my travels. Last night just as I had curled up for the night, we were called up to march in 10 minutes which was accordingly done. After marching about 5 miles through slush over hills and down vales we landed in ditches again on the Marietta Road that their soldiers had just vacated. I have not seen a louse yet, but I am afraid I shall as I have seen old soldiers_______very busily pulling them off. I told you of some of our difficulties, I now tell you of our comforts. We have abundant of the best water, which we could not do well without. The whole country is filled with good springs. It is very distressing to see the amount of property destroyed in the ______ of houses_____that were once fine. You would think so from the amount of chimneys left. I mean_________of town where a house seemed to be in the way of either party, it was burned and that that was left was stripped of every plank to make bunks for the soldiers. I can only say that the greatest______will only shorten my turn. Tell Stonewall I haint caught him very little Yankee but, but tell him and old_______to save me some watermelons and make me some brandy. I have half bottle yet, you need not send anything more unless I advise you. I have my cooked ham and raw ham yet. We have used Mack’s ham because it seems soft though it was very good. No doubt you have a letter on the road from me, now if you haint, I think you ought to. Nothing more, but remain true to my post. J. M. Hitchcock P.S. I like to have forgotten to tell you I am well. The first page of the following letter was missing: Being defeated in getting off my letter yesterday, I resume to add a little more. We have a beautiful Sunday morning, a little cool and strengthening, infigorating and not a gun to be heard. I have seen a scout this morning that was taken in the _______last night. In light of the enemy, he says there are some on this side of the river yet but the tendency seems to be to cross over. He says they worked all last night as with axes_____he don’t think they are fortifying as most tools are not used, in that war it is impossible to tell what the aim is. I visited their breast works yesterday evening. I discovered they more pains fixing their breast, is more complete than ours. Seems to be done with more system than ours and for cleanliness they have us beat a great way, not a bone or anything can be found about their camp. We took some prisoners yesterday who had northern papers of a late date and it stated that there were 40,00- militia in Atlanta which is partly the cause of their retreat. I will try to keep posted and occasionally let you know what I think of the prospects, but if you could see the daily papers you would be as well posted as myself on occurences and the future. I think if I was at home, I would have some spaying done among my hogs as the weather is getting, unless you have a first rate_____to send anything don’t do it. You send too much_____good hard biscuits is the thing_____without soda______Gingerbread is a great luxury with us, meat is plentiful with us though many times it is tough. Our bread is not doubt made with meal ground 3 months ago, which is partly the cause of diarrhea. I am in good health now as you have seen me for some time and hope that these may find you all enjoying the same blessing. Nothing more but remain, Yours truly, J. M. Hitchcock Part of another letter: 10 o’clock____News is____freely this morning and I believe it is all speculation. None but the commanders know much____there is great____ among the batteries this morning. I have seen a doz. lEave _____It is now reported that Hardee(?) has captured 3000 prisoners. Some of the boys say they heard heavy cannonading in that direction. I would write some if I had time. Farewell, J. M. Hitchcock Atlanta, August 9 1864, 12 o’clock Ann: As Mr. Hollo is going to start for Sparta in the morning to bring out some boxes of home___for the boys, I write you by hand, in the mail seems a little uncertain. I have not heard from home yet. If you have wrote you had best_____to Mr. Hollo as he will be certain to hand it to me. You must prepare me a box of little things such as some good biscuits, ham, apples and bottle of brandy and I think a little would do me good. I will try to be more careful of it than heretofore. I find things that are now____________Mr. Hollo will pay_________and will, he says, receive my things there in 4 days as he will pass to Milledgeville in a wagon. You had best send a small pocket flaske as I will expose(?) a larger _______. I wish a little you could cover one with something soft so that I could carry it in my pocket. So as to give you some idea of our ups and downs_____________was quiet asleep___ went around with the word from men and in 15 minutes we were in ditches ____and it was the same today. While I am the _____ cannon is booming around at the rate of 2 or 3 per minute. There may be small arms in action but I can’t hear them. I have been in two severe skirmishes it was _____ rattle of cannon and small arms which was very distinct, it being in the dead of night. It is thought in a day or two we shall have hot work but I don’t expect to participate in it unless we are hard pressed. We occupy the inner post and as we are raw militia, will not be sent out if it can be helped. It might be well enough to send my flanney back as it will assist me in changing. I can borrow other things until I can have washing done. I see now that we shall lose our present organization and fall under the original militia captain, sent some time ago. I can’t tell you what to do unless I can hear from you. McDonald could put some things in with______if they wish. It is now raining_____. Nothing more at present______J. M. Hitchcock I send the boys “riticks” (have no idea what this word is. LAC) in the shape of leaden balls picked up on the battle field of the 22nd____ which I have taken a stroll over. It is a shocking sight to see how _____the Yankees bury their dead. There is a ditch half mile long in which they fought____they filled in with dead men, threw in____that were present, pulled over a little earth and left them. There are some buried with their coat sleeves out with the bones of the arms and hands present-in truth the surface______the dead are in a fermentation of flies and maggots. J. M. H.