These two letters were written by Private Emanuel Miller of Company G, 6^th North Carolina to the Redwine sisters, Mary and Haney. Both letters are written in ink on blue lined paper. Both are in good condition and are very legible.

The first letter is two pages long and is dated November 23, 1861 and was written from Camp Hill near Dumfries, Virginia to Mary Redwine. Miller starts by relating his health and that he has been well since he came into the Army except for a toothache which he is now suffering from. Miller then says “I would be mighty glad to see you once more and converse with you some more but I am afraid that that time is far off yet but I hope and trust to God that the time will soon come when we will get to see each other face to face again for I feel a grate deal interest in seeing you all again. Sometimes I think I will get home and then again I do not think I ever will anymore for it looks like the times is no better in this country. As for the news in this part of the country is not much only war war and fight fight and I am tired of hering it so often. We have not had a fight since the one at bull run creek in the month of July last but we are looking for a fight every day now.” Miller then goes on to talk about how many men the south has in the service and tells Mary that the girls at home must keep from being married till all the boys get home because “… for I want to go to all of your weddings and sprees to get good things to eat and drink and have some fun with you ladies…”

The second letter is four pages (2 half pages each side) and matches the first in condition. This letter is headed “CAMP FISHER, THIRD BRIGADE VA. NOVEMBER 26, 1861” and is addressed to Haney Redwine. Once again he starts the letter speaking of his health and his toothache but concludes that his health is good “… considering the hard times in Virginia.” He then says “I hope and trust to God that these few lines may reach you and find you well and in a good state of health and in good spirit and I hope you are seeing and receiving all the good pleasures in this world that young Ladies can see in North Carolina on the Yadkin River.” Miller then goes on to say that he wishes he was home with them and having fun and how he wants to be at all the weddings and sprees for the food and drink and then says “… but if you can’t wait until we come back you must save a part of the wedding cake for me..” He then says A few words about news. We are looking for a fight every day now and have been looking for one all this week. We are looking for a call every minute that we live but I thank God it has not come yet.” After relating some chatty news Miller closes with “I hope to see you Ladies all when I get back. I want you to write back to me and give my best respects to all of the Ladies in your part of the country and tell them all to beshore to write  to me sirtain without fail.”

Emanuel Miller was a 25 year old farmer when he enlisted in Company G, 6^th North Carolina Infantry on May 29, 1861. As near as can be told from the record he was present until captured at Rappahannock Station on November 11, 1863 and confined in Point Lookout Prison. The last entry on his record is dated March 16, 1865 and states that he was sent to the Boulware & Cox’s Wharves, Virginia to be exchanged. What became of him after the war could not be readily determined.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!