William Thomas Beall Civil War Letters, Winn Parish, Louisiana Submitted for the Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Houston Tracy, Jr., 9/1998 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ================================================================================= Memorial Service for William Thomas Beall (1839-1863) Held December 4, 1960 ================================================================================= Almost 98 years after the death of William Thomas Beall, we, his descendants have met to honor him in a brief memorial service. He was 23 years, 3 months and 8 days old when he died and little is known about his short life. This sketch is based on information related by his widow and other relatives and on letters which he and other soldiers wrote home to their families during the Civil War. The letters are now (1960) in the possession of his grandchildren, George Foster and Mary Beall Holmes. The paternal grandparents of William Thomas Beall were Hezekiah Beall and Daphney Dent of Georgia. His parents were George Columbus Beall and Lucinda McBride, who were married in 1835. William Thomas was born in 1839 in Mississippi. Later the family moved to Louisiana where in 1859 William Thomas married Rebecca Smith, the daughter of Willis Smith and Pinkie Foster. William and Rebecca lived near Rebecca's parents in Winn Parish about 15 miles from Winnfield not far from the Beech Creek Baptist Church. On May 10, 1862 William and several young men of the community enlisted in the Confederate army at Monroe, Louisiana. William left his wife and young daughter, Mary, in the care of his father in-law, Willis Smith. Among these who enlisted along with William were his wife's brothers, Martin, John and Henry Smith and her sister's husband, Stephen Smith. All of these men remained together almost all of the time they were in the service. William was stationed in north Louisiana for several months. He went home on furlough a short time after he enlisted and once, Rebecca visited him in his camp at Camp Jackson. This was probably the last time they saw each other. William T. was in poor health when he enlisted and improved very little. There was much sickness among the soldiers. Several of his acquaintances died while in camp during the summer and fall. As winter came on, William's regiment was sent to northeast Louisiana near the Mississippi River to defend the Vicksburg area. Their clothing and bedding were inadequate and rations were frequently short. William's general health continued to decline. Late in the year the regiment moved to Avery Island in south Louisiana and later to Franklin. During this time William heard of the pressing times in the state and frequently expressed with much anxiety his concern of his family's health and well being. Especially his wife, who was expecting the birth of their second child. On January 7, he received the welcome news that his son, William Columbus Beall had been born on December 23. Fighting was going on between the armies of the north and south when William arrived on the scene and skirmishes and bombardments occurred with increasing frequency. William gave vivid accounts of these engagements in his letters, but if he participated directly in any of them, he did not mention the fact. On January 21, he wrote that he was ill and very weak. On February 6, his brother in-law, Henry Smith wrote to the family that William was in the hospital. On February 16, William wrote he had been in the hospital 16 days and had a good room and plenty of medicine but not enough to eat. In his next letter, written on March 1, William wrote that he had had the measles, but was recuperating. He had been moved from the hospital to a house which offered less protection from the cold. A week later, Henry Smith had the unwelcome duty of writing to Rebecca the news of her husband's death. William's condition grew worse after he was moved from the hospital and in spite of Henry's constant nursing he gradually sank and died at about 6 o'clock on the morning of March 8, 1863. He was dressed in his uniform and buried with a military service in a beautiful grove of live oaks somewhere near Franklin. William Thomas Beall's letters to his family reveal two outstanding characteristics--his complete trust in God's wisdom and his love and concern for his family. He rarely mentioned his hardships and troubles. Instead, he attempted to allay his family's fears and wrote often of his hopes for a happy future when he could return to his wife, children and friends. Rebecca, his beloved companion, as he called her, remained his widow for 74 years. She faithfully attended her two children, reared them to adulthood and lived to see many of the 147 descendants of this union. The descendants of this couple include: 2 children; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 73 great-great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-great-grandchildren. Of these descendants, 135 are now (1960) living. Some of the letters of William Thomas Beall follow. ================================================================================ Transcriptions of William T. Beale War Letters ================================================================================ State of La. Ouachita La. Trinton P.O. May 16, 1862 Dear Wife, I do this morning embrace the precent opportunity of dropping you a few line to inform youmy health and condition I am as well as common and so may find you all in good health Becky I feel somewhat to apologize to you for not writing to you before now We have been waiting thinking that we would be sent home but I have lost all hopes of that I have been working this morning to clear off a place to drill I can not state to you my dear what will be done with us We may leave here in less than three days there is such great confusion among the people that we can tell nothing about what will be done I can not tell for certain how many there is here but I think there is about 2500 We was sworn in on the tenth The regiment was orgainized day before yesterday and yesterday evening we received our bounty But it was in hundred dollar bills It was the best we could do and now since I have commenced my letter we have received orders to cook two days provisions and have our tents rolled up by daylight in the morning We know not where to go You must not write until you hear from us again You must not be disencouraged We have to submit to it right or wrong We have been doing as well as could be expected we have not suffered for anything to eat though our beds have been very hard I thought last night I would get to come home in about two weeks on a furlow but I do not know now I think I can If I do not do the best you (word omitted) to stay Becky I want you to take care of yourself and my darling baby Kiss it for me Give my love to Fanny and tell her to be of good (word omitted) There is one good consolation that works in my bosom that is all good things work together for good to those who love God To those who are to be called according to his purpose I believe that it is him that will protect us in the days to come You must rest easy I have (word omitted) time to write anymore the captain is waiting for us to go with us to town We are not free now Stephen and Martin sends their love to all They have not time to write now but will write as soon as we stop I must come to a close My prayer to God is that peace and love and good will may reign among you all Now may the grace of God and the communion of the holy ghost rest and remain with you and us Amen William T. Beall Give my love to all and all Yours Truly (On reverse) Trenton, La. Paid 3 (cents) May 16 (To) Winfield, La. Willis Smith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State of La. Trenton this May the 18 1862 Dear Wife I this evening seat myself to write you a few (word omitted) to let you know how I am at present I have been quite poorly for a day or two with a bad cold but I am getting better I wrote you a letter a few days ago I thought then that we would leave the next day but the order has been changed We do not know when we will leave I want you to write just as soon as you get this for I never have wanted to hear from any person so bad in my life I would give up all this evening to see you and my little Mary if I can get a furlow I will come home to meeting the next time I am very tired of a soldier's life I have no news that is reliable in regard to war matters There is so much talk some one way and some another that I do not know what to write for truth News came yesterday to camp that it is impossible for us to get to Vicksburg The talk is that we will be sent up on Mount Lebanon by I think the best play would be to send us home for if we stay here we will soon eat up the state There is no transportation no way We have not suffered for anything to eat yet We have good tents floored with planks We have received our bounty but it was in hundred It was all the chance and to get it broke is all but impossible We thought we had the chance to send money home by Mister Gullage but he did not get off I will send it first chance I have There is no contagious diseases in camp yet There was a man deserted last night His name Brian belonged to Walker's company He was put on guard and stole a horse and left I find people here that is old acquaintances Some from Jackson and some from Morehouse There is several old Baptist here Stephen Walker is here and some that was at the Association last fall. The boys is all well I want you to give my love to all the connection and all inquiring friends Tell them to write to me soon for my desire is to hear from all my dear I want you to take good care of yourself and my little baby Be of good cheer Trust in him of whom you believe that is able to protect you and me for to him we have to look for all blessings and entrust in your prayers I crave an all praying people We had preaching here in camp this morning and will have again this evening by Parson Peddy of Jackson But you know that every kind of talk do not suit me So now I come to a close I remain you affectionated husband until death Wm. T. Beall -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Jackson, La. July the 8 1862 Dear Companion It is with the greatest of pleasure I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines I have a little poorly for a few days though I feel well enough this evening I did not fail to answer to my name but one time while I have been in a right smart of trouble for about a week about the condition our country was in the men took up Down there was brought near to this place yesterday evening All but 5 were received in the regiment Them 5 were started this morning to Arkansas No telling what their fate may be I never was much prouder than I was when I found out that none of our folks was in it I was again proud proud when I saw that there would be a little mercy shown those that were sentenced here We heard that it would be a doubtful chance to volunteer which they all did with one voice The they too the same oath that we took only they kissed the Bible They will fare the same with us There is narry one in our company There was 2 companys that were not full They had their choice of the companys Some went to both When they were released from under guard they waved their hats and shouted for joy They ought to thank God that it is as well as it is with them They were on the brink of destruction A little further and they would have died an igdeminuous death which have followed them to the end of time My dear companion I have not much news to write I could sit and write to you all my time Captain Bradford returned on Monday He has been gone for 2 months He says that we will gain the (word ommitted) He seems to think that the war will not last long He states we gained a glorious victory in Virginia The southerners killed and took some three hundred and thirty thousand We have heard it from several sources Some seems to think it be so Crops he says is lying most everywhere But wife I tell (word ommitted) it looks like a slim chance here There has not been a good season since we have been here Shortly there is talk that they want 300 men out of the regiment to go over in the swamp for picket guards and scouting companys I do not know whether it be true or not Wife I want you every chance you have to send a letter I never have got one from you yet I would like to have a correspondence with you in some way Give my love to Fanny and to all my beloved Be of good cheer and comfort yourself in the best way you can Take ggod care of yourself and my little Mary We had a fine sermon preached by old brother J. Thomas It makes me think of home whenever I can hear something of that sort I must come to a close May the God of all comfort and of peace reign over you all and the communion of the holy ghost reign in you and rule over you ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Jackson, La. July the 13 1862 Dear mother It is with the greatest of pleasure that I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines to satisfy you that we are all well at this time and I hope these few lines may find you in good health The (word omitted) health of the camp I think is improving Though there is some that is very sick The probability is that we will not be here but a few days longer Three companys has already gone I expect they will go over in the swamp for picket guard or for scouting party The talk is that we will camp 3 (or 7) miles from (word omitted) We hear that there is a Yankee deserter come to Monroe and wants to come with us He says he will die before he will stay with the north any longer He states they are starving to death but I fear that if they don't mind he will desert again There has or was a few days ago about 800 or 1000 cavalry passed on going over there in the swamp I did not see this I only heard it talked of I suppose it to be true I did today and yesterday have the pleasure of sitting under the sound of old Johnnie Hendres (or Hendren) It is the greatest pleasure that I can meet with thus far from home and of old time I trust we may meet again in the same place as before and worship under our own vine and fig trees and trust that none can molest or make us afraid I want you to give our wives all courage and comfort that is in your power Persuade them to think of the condition of some others that are left there in their neighborhood and close by It looks to me like their trouble must be just as much as women can stand It is horrid to think of I hope the Lord will be (word omitted) you in all your undertakings and comfort you with the holy word And at last save you in his kingdom for Christ's sake W. T. Beall Dear Companion Having the chance to send you a few (word omitted) I will do so to let you know that I am well and hope these scriblings may find you well Though I have written you 2 letters right lately I am not satisfied though I send one every time I have a chance though I never expect to write write you all I know but when I come I will tell you all that you ask me Never was much more fooled than I was when John come I was so confident that I would get a letter from you that evening that he come I lay down and went to sleep and dreamt that he did come and brought me a letter So when he did come I took a bundle of letters out of his pocket and searched them over and found one to W.T. Bell Without meditating I broke in but I soon found the mistake and then I changed a down face I want you to be sure to write every chance Take good care of yourself Give my love to all May the God od love and of all comfort be with you William T. Beall to Rebecca --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Jackson, La. August the 3 1862 Mrs. Rebecca Beall Dear Companion Having the opportunity to send you a few lines I thought it best to do so not knowing when I will have the chance to do so again We are all about except W.A. Chisholm who is in the regiment hopital very sick with camp fever But I think in on the mend now I've news that is reliable Oren has returned from Richmond and has been back Vicksburg to see about the guns I think he says they are lost He brought no commissions for the officers We had orders on dress parade this evening to strike our tents in the morning as soon as after roll call and pile them up in piles I know not what is to be done Some say we will go out West 50 or 60 miles Some say that we are to be took as conscripts Yet after all I do not know I don't think our regiment has ever been received If not I am afraid we will stand a bad show After all there is the greatest confusion here I ever saw Some say that they are going to take our tents away from us Others say it is done for to save them for winter There is enough to be left to hold the sick and (word omitted) tent Wife I want to see you very bad You and my little baby I want you to write as often as you have the chance to send them I have nothing much to (word omitted) but if I could see you I could tell you a right smart I would like to get to eat some of the eggs that my little Mary would find and bring in I dream of you every most every night and (word omitted) that I go to sleep I want you to take good care of yourself Remember me in all your dealings I am sure I do you and trust the lord will strengthen you and make you able to stand all the trials and tribulations that he may inflict upon you and give you grace to travel on his way rejoicing So I must close Give my love & respects to all the friend and connection and reserve a part for me as beloved husband until death W.T. Beall [Written on a long ledger sheet in poor condition & hard to read.] [It seems to have been wet.] (On reverse) Mrs. Rebecca By the politeness of E. Allen esq. W.T. Beall La. Volunteers 30 reg. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tallulah, Madison Par., La. This October the 13 1862 Dear and affectionate companion, It is with the greatest degree of pleasure that I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to inform you that I am yet a Spared monument of God's amazing mercy I am in feeble health yet though I think I am improving but very slow I can eat almost anything and as much as anybody of Such as we get My desire is that when these few lines reach you that they may find you enjoying a reasonable portion of health I have no news of importance to write to write you We are camped now within 2 miles of the Miss. River in a low and disagreeable place I think there is not much sickness in here only the mumps I had them when I was small but have never had the measles yet I think that I will escape them this time When we come in here we left all the sick at Delhi The doctor said for me to stay and Henry and Martin but for John to go and we thought we would try (word omitted) to see the Yanks but there is none here I hear no talk of any gunboats about here the supposition is that we will not stay here but a short time on the Washita (Ouachita) I would like it the best kind This is entirely too far from home for me I have never heard from you since I left only a few words in Henry's letter I was sorry to here our little Mary was sick but I hope when I hear from you again that both will be well I was sorry to hear of the death of Louiza's baby but we have it from good authority that it is better off than any of us for we read that of such is the kingdom of heaven and we ought not to be troubled at such It is all the work of devine Justice and who art though oh man that complainest against God So we should not complain at any of the works of destiny Wife I was dreaming about you all night I thought I heard you was dead I waked up several time crying It fill me with uneasiness but I had a right smart of fever yesterday evening that might have been the cause of it I want you to be not troubled about me I trust I shall be able to go through it all as we have been a sleeping very cool we thought it would be a good plan to have some more bedding I want you to send me one more bed quilt and let it be as light as one as you have and also my knit shirt I reckon we will not move about much this winter I have found my coat very comfortable now for a few days We can see the other side of the Miss. from our camp You know the wind has a fair sweep at us I want you to send me a letter by Henry and anybody else that passes Take care of yourself and Mary Kiss her sweet little lips for me It is not worthwhile for me to try to state to you how I would like to see you and be with you So I will close my letter You must excuse my bad hand writing I am so nervous I can't write I remain your husband until death W.T. Beall -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Beasley, St. Marys La. This January the 7 1863 Dear and affectionate companion It is with the greatest pleasure that I seat myself to write you a few lines in answer to your kind and welcomed letters which I received one on the 5th Inst (instant)and the other today which is the 7 Martin came in this morning He is well I never was in all my life so glad to hear from any person as I was to hear from you and more so to hear that everything was so well with you as it was I was very proud to hear of the fine boy I hope he will live and do well I am in the same notion you are I would give the Confederacy freely if it was mine to live in the precense of my little family I was surprised when I heard that Nancy got a letter and you had not for myself and Henry had wrote several befor John wrote ary one though They must have been misplaced We certainly have wrote a letter for every week ever since we have been down here I have no news of any importance We have left the salt island (Avery) and are about 50 miles below (east of) the island There are about 2500 strong here with the cavalry artillery and infantry and a gunboat They were attacked the day before we got here by the gunboats Ours did not get seriously wounded but was hit in some 18 or so places Ours gave them one blow that broke into their engine so she had to be towed off We are tolerably well-fortified here though I reckon there is no danger of a fight We have the bayou obstructed so the enemy cannot pass There was two soldiers shot at Avery Isalnd last Friday for the second offence of deserting and 2 more to be shot on the 9th inst (instant) for the same One at Avery Island and the other at Force Point So a man that deserts must be sure to keep out of the way Direct your letters to Franklin St. Marys Pa. La. in the care of Capt. Lewis 28 Regiment La. Vol. I was sorry to hear that there was so much confusion among you I know it is right troublesome and disheartening to hear so much strange news I think the report about their taking all the women to the factory is false I am of the opinion that there is not factories enough in the Confederacy to the tenth women Even if there was that would end the war quicker than most anything The supposition is here that the war can not last longer than 30 days I have no idea their call will be filled if is we are bound to see a world without end You must write soon and write all the news I will do the same I have wrote you some 5 or 6 letters Your daddy one Jim one and the old man Corley one which I received an answer today Give my best love and respects to all and reserve a good part for yourself Kiss my little babies for me So fare you well for this time my most dear and loving wife W.T. Beall [NOTE: Postmark] LIN (maybe for Franklin) Jan 10 due 10 (cents) Mrs. Rebecca Beall Bertrand Prairie P O La. W.T. Beall, Private in Co. E. 28 Regiment La. Volunteers ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W.T. Beall, Private in Co. E. 28 Regiment La. Volunteers Camp Bisby St. Mary's Parish, La. February the 6th 1863 Dear Mother, Though in feeble health at present I take pleasure and with a feeling of my duty to seat myself to write you a few lines. I have been right sick for about a week with fever and diaherea that has almost become cronic but I am now mending very fast and I hope will get finally well. William is now sick with the same disease but not so bad as I was. He is in the Hospital and has been there about a week but is able to knock about all the time. He came down to see us this morning He says he is doing very well The rest of the boys are well only John has a very severe cough every change of weather which troubles him a great deal. I hope these lines may reach you in due time and find you all well and doing well. Our fare is pretty rough here but we are not troubled about that and we don't want it to trouble your mind in the least We lament the cause at home more than all tings else. When we know that there is a God that manages armies and rules nations we ought to be willing for him to bring about peace at his own will, but it seems that if we knew that it was will for the war to last six months there would be ambition enough about us to try to end it in three. Therefore I have come to the conclusion to let the world go as it may To try to keep myself right side up and trust in God for deliverance from this yoke of sin and bondage, and if I chance to fall in the Battlefield or by sickness I hope it will be for the glory of my creator and the advancement of his cause We hear that Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are ceding and are going to withdraw their troops but I don't know that that will cause the war to end any sooner for they won't assist us and there is more of the rest than we can whip So all the hope yet is a compromise and I think it is left entirely to the choice of the Yankees. The Yankee soldiers no doubt are as tired as we are of the war but are compelled when their officers tells them too Major Pool went down the other day to where the Yankees were camped on some business unknown to me and had a long social chat with an Indiana Captain and when they went to part Major Pool observed that they had now a long social chat together and it was very probable that when they met again it would be in a battlefield and both be trying to kill each other and the Captain replied that it was more than probable. We have moved down two miles lower than we were first camped below the breastworks though we are building more breastworks still below us which they will have completed in three or four days then we will have this place pretty well fortified. They are now looking for a Texas Brigade to relieve us here and if they come I expect we will be carried back to Alx., Harrisonburg or Monroe. I wish they could send us away from here for this is a very disagreeable place to stay We can't get out to get anything fresh to eat and then everything is so high Pork is form 30 to 40 cents per pound, butter 2.00 per pound chickens 1.50 a piece, milk $2.00 per gallon, collard 25 cents a head We got plenty of potatoes by digging of them tho. They are getting sour I must close Excuse me for this time Remember me to all the rest and claim me as your worthy son. Henry Smith [On reverse] Postmarked Franklin, La. Due 10 cents Feb. 8 Mrs. Pinkey Smith Bertrand Prairie, La. J.T. Lewis, Capt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Beasley, La. Pa. of St. Marys This February the 16 1863 Dear and affectionate Companion I this evening embrace the present opportunity of dropping you a few lines to inform you how I am. I am right poorly now I have the diaharea and the fever and a bad cold and a very bad cough I have been in the hospital now for 16 days I have been unable to anywhere until today I have been worse off than for common The rest of the boys are well as is common Wife I have not heard from you in some time I have not got arry a letter from you since Martin came in You have no Idea how I would like to hear from you Crawford got a letter from his wife on the 14th inst. It brought more news of the people dying It fills me with uneasiness And it looks surprising that I can't get no letters I have started 2 letters or so since the last day of January by hand to be mailed at Alexandria and now having the chance to send another one there for I doubt the safety of them here among us I have no news to write more than you have heard. I reckon we have more talk of peace than I heard before May the God of heaven grant it It looks like if we lose the crop we are gone world without end And I when I sum it all up for my life I see no chance for it to end anytime soon Though the majority of the people think different I trust in God for I believe he has it in his power and at his will It is late and I am weak So I will have to close Give my love to all You must excuse my short letter and bad writing So remember me as you loving husband W.T. Beall to Rebecca Beall [NOTE: His handwriting is not as usual - harder to read.] [You can tell he was weak.] [On reverse] Mrs. Rebecca Beall Bertrrand Prairie PO, La. Soldiers letter J.T. Lewis, Capt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Mary Parish Camp Battery Fuselier March the 1st 1863 Dear Wife With a great pleasure I seat myself this evening in order to let you know that I am not well I have had the measels They broke out on me ten days ago but I am doing as well as could be expected at this time I have received two letters from you since I have wrote one It gave me great satisfaction to hear that you all was in good health I have nothing of importance to write at present Martin has been puny for several days The rest of the boys are well as common I was in the Hospital the last letter I wrote to you but the hospital was broke up and I returned back to camp I am in a house and I think by good attention I will soon get well There has been talk of us going back to the mouth of Red River but I do not know when to believe anything we hear I hope we will leave here before warm weather for this will be a very disagreeable place It will be so hot and we will have to drink lake water A small portion of General Sibley's Brigade is here now and the rest is behind They say they will be 36 hundred of them when they all get here We think there will be a chance for us to go to some other place. The Yankees are deserting and coming over to us They had 12 of them come and gave themselves up & we hear that they are deserting at Vicksburg and coming to our troops very fast Everything seems to be very quiet since the little scrimmage Here we can see the smoke of their boats every day or two in the Lake I don't think they weill attack us here again soon for this is not a very important place no way The health of the Regiment is not very good at this time They have 4 or 5 men died here now in a few days but they ain't many very dangerous cases now in the regiment When you write write about Pleasant where he is and how he is getting along I want to see you all very bad but I do not know when I will get to come It is a long wait and a bad chance to get a furlough For the want of Something to write I will close for this time Give my love and respects to all inquiring Friends and receive a portion for Your Self So nothing more at this time Only I remain Your Affectionate Husband Until Death William T. Beall to Rebecca Beall [Written on what appears to be half of a sheet from a long ledger.] ###################################################################################