OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - The James Perry Fyffe Letters (Civil War) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darrold Crites DCrites642@aol.com July 16, 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO: (No Address Given) Columbia Jan 26 1862 Yours of the 20th past was received last at "Low Twelve", the sight of it done me more good than the "Doctors Stuff" - I had staid awake every night until after the mail came in for three nights. Poor Capt Egbert, would be down town, and would stay in our room, until the stage came in waiting to hear from Jerome and I would be expecting to hear from somebody, the Capt has been disappointed all the time, it does seem very strange no one there writes to him about his son. The only relief he obtained in three days, torturing suspense, occasioned by a line in pencil mark across a letter Judge Marshall wrote to his son saying "Jerome was dying", was contained in Uncle Johns brief statement that Jerome Egbert was better and with careful nursing he thought might recover. Last night the Capt did not come down being worn out, and about 11 O'Clock someone knocked at the office door of the room where I sleep and inquired for Dr. Field, this awakened me and I laid and studied over my disappointments about not hearing from you until I became worried, so I got up went to the office and waited until the mail came in, and took it to my room but could find no candle to post the letters there being three bunches or bundles and about 150 letters, finally having stired up the fire (Mr Noble had taken the candle up to his room) I commenced overhaulling the mail, every letter while the fire would die out, so I could not see. But after worring about half through the lot, I found one (not very voluminous) which I soon devoured and then I slept. Poor Capt Egbert was in this morning before I was up - not a letter for him. It is too bad the only consolation he had was a line in yours saying Jerome was not much better. You also added you did not think he would live, which as it was but an opinion, I did not give him as he was feeling bad enough - I should like to know how you see people going to the place you refer to get, "sothing to take", has you and Aunt Mary, been over to Charlie Fern, again lookin wind! Or how do you see people going then when it is raining so hard, I dont understand - I am glad you are getting to write oftener than you did - the letter previous to this bears date Jan 12 - a little more exertion and you would be able to write one a week - the one previous to that Dec 29th 14 days, that was two weeks between letters so you no I have reason for feeling in good spirits when you are getting so you can very near write one a week. Now Sweetheart dont go off pouting and say or think I am scolding for I am not. I am very glad you wrote so I got your letter when I did for Sergeant White is going home tomorrow on Furlough and anticipating a letter from you last night, I went yesterday and had my likeness taken to send you which I will do by him altho I am not near as hearty as I was when at home, yet am better than I have been The letter of yours is not the one I was anticipating befor you wrote on the 20th that is the present letter to which I am replying. You ought to have received a 4 page letter from me, wherein I asked you to send me your likeness, and it was in anticipating an answer to that letter about your likeness that I had mine taken, as I informed you in that letter I would in exchange for yours. I also sent you 20$ in a letter to Uncle John by Capt Higgins, I have not heard whether you received it or not, I hope you did as I had waited sometime for the Paymaster but he has not come yet - I want to send some money home to pay off some indebtedness for the house on Vorhers account also some to John McColgin. We are looking for Charlie Shay from Hillsboro with 30 men today - The Regiments are working the roads from here to James Farm on the Cumberland that looks like we were going to Knoxville but I dont know. Sammie Walker is not very well for a day or two, Young Turner too is sick, but our Doctors take excellent care of the men when sick - are you taking care of Minta or is Minta taking care of you and Luta Good by your Perry PS Tell Aunt Mary I will answer her next time I write to you