Wilson County, NC - Letters File contributed for use in USGenWeb by Charlotte Varnell Beck at Cvbeck@coxnc.rr.com. Newspaper Clipping "I'm Thinking" "By an Old Reporter" Transcribed by Charlotte Varnell Beck at Cvbeck@coxnc.rr.com Confederate Letters written by John Bunyan Woodard, Son of James Bullock Woodard. Fredericksburg, VA April 19, 1863 Mr. James B. Woodard Wilson NC Dear Father; I will drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well, and I hope this may find you and family enjoying the same good blessing. Father, I cannot imagine what is the matter with you that you do not write to me. I think I have written two or three times since I received one from you. Father, I have sent the pair of shoes that you sent me by Lieut. Simms home. They are so short that I can not wear them. You can call for them at Mr. Stancil's. I sent them by Mr. Walston. He was to leave them at Tom's. There isn't anything new with me. We have very fine weather now. I rather think all the fruit will be killed in this State and I expect it is all killed at home. Write to me soon and let me know all the news in general. I will close, As ever your obedient son, Bun Hamilton crossings, Va. May 21st/63 Dear Father: I will write you a few lines to let you know where I am and how I am. I don't feel very well at this time. I am at the Regiment I arrived here yesterday evening. I can't tell yet whether I am exchanged or not, but I guess I shall find out in a few days. You must write to me just as soon as you receive this. Tell all my sisters and relations how I am and tell them that I will write to them as soon as the opportunity will admit. I have not drawn any money in a good while, and I can't get paper &C until I get some money, which I think I will get in a few days. Direct your letter to Hampton's Crossings, Company F, 4th Regt. N.C.S.T., Ramseur's Brigade, Rhodes Division, in care Lieut. H.M. Warren. Tell my sisters to write to me and tell them where to write. Dear Father, in thy supplications to God the allwise supreme being, always think of me a porr sinful sinner. Father, my troubles in this world are great, yest, more than my tongue can express. I will close. Write soon. As ever you Obdt Son &C Bun Camp near Straussburg VA. Oct. the 18th, 1864 Dear Sister Mollie, I once more take the pleasure of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am quite well, hoping this may reach your ever loving hand and find you all in the best of health. Dear Sister, it has been a long time since I have written to you, but I hope you will not think hard of me, as you know my love and sympathy for you and your dear little ones will always remain in my breast. Mollie, I hope you may keep in good heart and we, if life last, be spared to meet once more to part no more on this earth until parted by the power of the All-wise and Supreme Being, who made and created all things after the counsel of His own good will and pleasure. Dear Sister, I haven't any news of importance to write. We have been in line of battle for the last four or five days, but haven't got in any engagements yet, and I hope never will anymore. I would like so very well to go home and see you all, but it don't look like there will ever be any chance of doing so. Sometimes I think if I was to go home it would be no pleasure to me, since I heard of the death of my loving brother-in-law, whom I esteemed so highly. Dear Sister, I hope we will meet again sometime. I will close. As ever your most loving and affectionate brother. Write soon, Bun Camp Nichols Hospital Lynchburg, VA. August 15th, 1864 Mrs. Mollie J. Edwards Joyner's Depot, NC. Care of W.W. Batts, Esq. Dear and loving Sister, It was a joyful heart that I had when I first looked at your letter and found it was from you, but alas, before I finished it, there was quite a change in heart. My joy was turned to sorrow. The sad news of my ever dear Brother Henry (William Henry Howell Edwards) was quite heart-rending to me. It seemed as if myself was one left almost desolate of kindred and friends. Oh, Sister, I can't tell neither can I write, my awful and most miserable feelings. I can imaginarily see poor Henry's very features and form. Dear Sister, just to think of the pleasure and enjoyment myself and Henry have had together. Oh, can it be possible that poor Henry is no more! Well Mollie, we have to undergo all such trials and troubles in this sinful world, so we must look to the future and try and cast off all past troubles and be content with our lot, let it be good or bad, Mollie, I hope the good Lord will provide for you and protect you and your little ones and enable us all to meet again and pass off the balance of our days in peace and tranquility. Dear Mollie, this leaves me in tolerable good health, except a pain and weakness in my spine. I sincerely hope this may reach your ever loving hands and find you and your loving little ones and all the rest of the family, both white and black in good health and doing well. Give my love to all, and give my respects to all inquiring friends. Mollie, we have not had any rain here at Lynchburg to do any good since I have been here, until yesterday, and that was quite a light shower indeed. Your letter came to hand today also Bill's and Sister Margaret's at the same time. Dear Mollie, you must write often. I can't how long I may remain at this place. I may stay a month or I may not stay a week. I will close. Write soon. Your affectionate and loving brother: to his Sister, M.J. Edwards. Bun __________________________________________________________________________ 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. The 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, 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. ___________________________________________________________________________