Robeson-Wake-Halifax County NcArchives History - Letters .....Letter From Pvt. J.E. Douglas --  Battle At Battery Wagner July 26, 1863
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Tim Bradshaw timbradsjr@yahoo.com December 3, 2010, 7:28 am

     The following letter has two Confederate States stamps of 5 cents each on 
it, stamp-postmarked “JULY 27 CHARLESTON S.C.”. It is addressed to Mrs. Elender 
Branch, Lumberton, Robeson County, NC.
     Enclosed in the letter is a metallic (aluminum?) commemorative medal 
struck most probably at a much later date than that of the letter containing 
it. The medallion is in the form of a bookmark, heartshaped, and has the 
wording “Gettysburg 1863” imprinted in its center.
The envelope has printed on its side edge: “Man’td. by W. & J. Bonitz, 
Goldsboro, N.C.” On the left side of the front of the envelope is printed the 
image of the flag of the Confederate States of America, unfurled, with only ten 
stars visible on it. Beneath the flag is printed a poem, its type centered:

“Stand by that flag, men of the South,
Of noble patriot sires,
Your cause is just, you’ll safely pass,
Through Abolition fires,
Dim not a single star that decks,
The Southern flag o’erhead,
And let its light n’err cease to glare 
But wider LET it spread!”


The letter is addressed to Mrs. Elender Branch, Lumberton, Robeson county, N.C.
Charleston, S.C.

July the 26th, 1863
Dear Mother,
I seat myself to drop a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time 
hoping these few lines to find you the same and mother I have been in a big 
fight on Morris Island on the 18 of this month/ I came out safe and sound but 
there was 6 of our men got killed—S. Clemons, S. Spivy, W. Boon, A.C. Baxley, 
S. Lock, and Jepsy Henderson/ I should like to go home very much at this time/ 
I want to see you all worse than I ever did in my life/ We will have to go back 
to that island again/ I expect it/ So no more at present. Write soon. Tell Mr. 
Tyner that I am well and George and W. Tyner is well. So I can’t set down more 
at present only I remain your loving son until death. J.E. Douglas
Write soon direct to Charleston SC Co. F 51st Regt NC Troops 
In case of capt(ure) W.S. Norment, Clingman’s Brigade
Write soon if you please. 



Additional Comments:

Posted by permission of Steve Edgerton from his website:

http://www.capefearclans.com/CivilWarLetters.html

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/robeson/history/letters/letterfr31ms.txt

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