Re: Bartley Wilkes Waldrop of South Carolina
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In reply to:
Bartley Wilkes Waldrop of South Carolina
CAROLYN NIESSNER 1/05/10
This what we have in our notes:
Left a Civil War Diary of Letters dated between 12 Feb 1863 and 27 May 1864.Compiler, unknown.Transcribed by H.L. Waldrop December 1998 -
1. From Camp Means near Charleston, located on the present golf course of Charleston Country Club on James Island.This letter written 12 Feb 1863, the day after Bartley Wilkes Waldrop was "conscripted" as he called it.
2. From Beaufort District Camp Near Coosawhatchie, SC.Dated 1 May 1863.Bartley refers to the death of James Calico without any reference to who he was.
3. From Secessionville Camp 26 May 1863.He had not been paid.Mentioned with some disgust that he had to guard priosoners.He also mentioned having to "skedaddle" from Coosawatchie, and gives the names of "his" men.
4. From Georgetown, SC. Camp 20 Jun 1863.Rumors that his unit is going to Vicksburg, but does not believe them.He gives his children instructions about going to school.No longer garding the prisoners.
5. From Battery Gary, 22 Oct 1863.Someone had done him some "mischief" but does not say what.He moved back to the Charleston area.Some heavy gunfire on Sullivan's Island.He refers to the good handwriting of "Loo," his young daughter.
6.From Battery Gary, 27 Oct 1863.Mentions a great artillary fight noon to dark the day before.The "Yanks" commenced again this morning.The shells were passing over his head when he was writing.He says he is an "ordnance sergeant" responsible for the powder.
7. From Battery Gary 7 Nov 1863.Yanks firing on Ft. Sumter.He mentions "coming back" from someplace.
8. Battery Gary 11 Nov 1863.He gets "tite" in the city.Discusses sending salt home via Clinton.Not paid in 4 months.
9. Battery Gary, 15 Nov 1863 -- Mentions getting a letter from James Waldrip.
10.Battery Gary 1 Dec 1863.He was "8 to 10 days sick." jain had begged him to come home.He hoped to come home soon.
11.Battery Gary 8 Jan 1864He is wearing a red ring, sent horns home to Henry and Jeffe.He asked Jain to give his respects to his mother, and that he would send a ring to his mother.he signed off with "My Darling," the first affectionate words used in his letters.
12. Battery Gary 11 jan 1864 -- Some troops on Sullivan's Island threaten to leave and go home if the food does not improve.He gets a new uniform.
13. Battery Gary 1 Feb 1864.Bartley discusses the intense cold weather.Mentions his "Dutch wife."????
14. Battery Gary 22 Feb 1864.Bartley tells about artillary duel betwwen the Yanks on Morris Island and the Rebels on Sullivan's Island.He joked?about having several ladies visit his magazine and he asked one to live with him in his shanty.
15. Battery Gary 6 Mar 1864.Mentions the "seage" of Charleston.
16. Battery Gary 19 Mar 1864.Mentions the siege again.he has built a "shanty" all for himself.Says it has been quiet for 4 or 5 days.
17. Battery Gary 24 Mar 1864.Mentions his "Man" Turner who stays in his shanty one night out of 3 when he is off duty.he built a brick chimney for his house and wants to stay at Mt. Pleasant for the rest of his army days.
18. Battery Gary 28 Mar 1864.The siege still goes on but slowly.He jokes about his "bed fella."He has a present for Jain that he took from a wrecked ship that is valuable but he can't tell her what it is.Instructions to Jain on planting sweet potatoes, sending him eggs, sending her rice, envelopes and stamps.Wants to know what she did with the cotton crop.Wants the children to get vaccinated for smallpox.
19. Battery Gary 17 Apr 1864.Discussed Henry's going out with the girls and Jain's lease expiring and the possibility of her having to move.
20.From Battery Gary19 May 1864.Seems to be the last page of a multipaged letter.Menions the Confederates having given the yanks a "shiping" in VA. but he doubts it.
21.Battery Gary 27 May 1864.Last letter from Mt. Pleasant before he left for VA.Rumors in camp that they are leaving the next evening.He is packed and sending excess items home.He seems glad to be leaving, especially before summer arrives.
22.From Petersburg, VA.20 Aug 1864. Bartley has been very sick for 10 days, and is still in the hospital, but thinks he is getting better.He says that "big fiting" going on there started 18 August.Last letter.
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More Replies:
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Re: Bartley Wilkes Waldrop of South Carolina
CAROLYN NIESSNER 1/30/12
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Re: Bartley Wilkes Waldrop of South Carolina
Howard H Waldrop 1/30/12
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Re: Bartley Wilkes Waldrop of South Carolina