New River Notes
Since 1998 - Historical and Genealogical Resources
for the Upper New River Valley of North Carolina and Virginia
CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF WILLIAM DAY
1834- 1863
Researched and transcribed by Linda Skinner, William Day's great-great-granddaughter
William Day was born in 1834 in Jonesville, Yadkin Co., North Carolina. He was the son of Thomas G. Day and Elizabeth Alverson. He was married to Rebecca Kimball Day on the 5 Feb 1857. He had two children at the time of the Civil War, John D. Day who was born 12th September 1859 and little Martha L. born about 1861. William enlisted into the army at Camp Mangum on 23 May 1862 he was listed as age 28 years, occupation farmer, and 5' 9" tall. He was enrolled in Jonesville by Captain David S. Cockerham. into Company H. of the 54th Regiment called the Western Rangers. The 54th Regiment was composed of ten companies from different parts of North Carolina. Many of the officers of the regiment had formerly belonged to the First Volunteers or the "Bethel" Seventh and Eighth North Carolina Regiments.
On the completion of its organization this regiment was sent to the coast of North Carolina. After three months service on picket duty, and other duties incident to camp life they were ordered to the Army of Northern Virginia and temporarily placed in Law's Brigade, with the Sixth, Twenty- first, and Fifty-Seventh North Carolina Regiments. They were a part of Hoods Division. Soon after being was assigned to this command they took part in their first battle, the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. On the 13th of December 1862, the Fifty-Fourth regiment along with the Fifty-Seventh were detached and ordered to drive the enemy from a railroad cut. At 5o'clock P. M the charge was made in the most gallant manner in the presence of some of the prominent generals, and to use the language of General Hood They pursued the broken enemy across the railroad for a mile into the plains. Although scourged by a galling flank fire, it was not until repeated messengers had been to sent to repress their ardor that they were recalled. Our loss in this battle was comparatively light, considering the deadly works we were engaged in, but we left some brave men on the field, which served to remind us that in our next it might be our lot to fill the soldiers grave. During this battle, the Army of the North, tried to defeat Lee's strongly entrenched Southern troops about 80,000 strong. The Southern Army repulsed assault after assault by General Burnsides army of 115,000 who tried to cross the Rappahannack River at Fredericksburg. The resultant casualties were 12,000 for the North and 5,500 for the Southern Army.
After this battle the Fifty-Fourth Regiment went into winter quarters on the Rappahannock River, and in a short time the campaign of 1863 was opened. They were then transferred to General Robert F. Hoke's Brigade. They took part in some of Jackson's strategic movements around Chancellorsville, Virginia and were engaged in several "brushes" which were very common at the time. On May 3rd the division was sent back to Fredericksburg, a distance of sixteen miles and took position on Marye's Heights to prevent a flank movement on General Lee then at Chancellorsville. On the following day Sedgwick's Corps. With other troops crossed the river and swept them from their position. With the help of Rodes' Division and after a bloody struggle they were able to regain their former position and the enemy were driven back across the river. Many brave men were killed and wounded in this battle. At Chancellorsville, Virginia General Lee with an army of 75,000 engaged Northern troops now under the command of the blundering General Joseph Hooker. The Southern Army routed the North despite a numerical inferiority of almost two to one. But, the victory was a costly one for the South with the death of Stonewall Jackson and the loss of 10,000 men.
William Day survived the fighting at Chancellorsville but was soon taken ill. He was hospitalized at General Hospital # 21 in Richmond for typhoid fever on May 24, 1863 and died May 29, 1863 His effects were listed as one jacket, one pair of pants, one cap and one canteen. His letters shed some insight to the man who was William Day and the difficulties of his life and death. For a man who so longed for home and family it is sad to know that he was never able to return home. After his death life was even more difficult for his wife and young son John than it was during his time in the army. If you look at the pictures of William and Rebecca you see that his was taken when he was a young soldier and hers after many hard years of life as a widow. The difficulties of life show through in her face.
3 September 1862 (Probably near Richmond, Virginia)
Dear Wife,
I seat myself this beautiful morning to drop a few lines to no (know) from you that I am still in the land of the living. I am in tolerable good health and hope these lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. I have no nuse (news) that will interest you at this time but I saw a grat (great) deal on our ride from golles? .... .... .... ..... We have gone about ... ....other side of .... ....took up canna .... and I don't know how long we will stay here. I like the place as well as any place we have bin (been) at yet, the water is very good wher (here) and gona ... .... ... been getting the far is a grate (great) deal better than I exspected (expected) it was from what we have herd (heard) We got meet (meat) a plenty but bread is scarce and I don't wonder at it for ther is so many soldier round wher ... .... ... .... .... .... pass by where this .... ... ... ... ing to Jackson ... ... ... at Manasses I halve (have) no mor (more) nuse (news) to rite to you this time I hant herd of no late fighting but we don't know how soon I should not a rote so soon but I have the opportunity of sending it by Nieleson and I thought I would rite a few lines to let you hear from me once more I would love to hear from you once more for I hant herd from you since Lt..... ..... come from home... ... .... to pay very hy... ... .... thing we by ana.... ... ... I must soon close you must rite soon ana (and) rite whetter you got the letter that me and Billy Numan sent together rite soon and direct your letter to Richmond in care of D. S. Corkerham 5th North Carolina Troops
Tthis from Wm Day to Mistress Rebecka Day.
In Camp near Richmond 27 Sep 1862
Dear Wife,
I seat myself of for the purpos (purpose) of droping you a few lines that I am in good helth (health) truly hoping the lins (lines) .... cum (come) to your hand and find you in the sam (same) stat (state) of health I have no nus (news) that wood (would) instes (interest) you The helth (health) of our company is good at the present tim (time) We are stablished (established) three miles est (east) of the city Watr (water) is good her (here) an I think very helthy plas (healthy place) were gitting tolerable plenty to eat of meant and bred (bread) is the hith? That we git. The diserts (deserters) has got bak but Calvin Colins and he is in Jal (jail) at Raleigh I can't tell what they will doo with them they are undr gard (under guard) I don't think they will doo muth (do much) them. They ar filing agrable (they are feeling agreeable ) round here I think our men ... him vistores (victorious) so far ... that Storr ... ... recrost (recrossed) the Potomac on the acoount that he cood not git provirhe (provisions) He has don a grddle (great deal) of fiting (fighting) in Martin and has took meny prisners (many prisoners) I think maby (maybe) the fiting will stop by cold whether and I shall git to cum home I want you to doo the best you can and live in hops (hopes) for the war can't last .... An I think thrue (thru) the murses of god (mercies of God) that I will git bak home I want you to tak good car (care) of my babys and of your self and doo the best you can I wan I you to by corn e-nuf (enough) to do you far tims (times) is going to be very hard on every thing .... I was very sory to her the children was sick but I hope they have got well by this tim You wrot to me if I neded any clothing I don't ned any at the present time I have just drad (drawed) a par of pants If you have had luk (luck) with your hogs I think you kold (could) be to sell part of them then to try and fatn (fatten) them without corn is very loo? without I think it won't just fatn enuf (fatten enough) to doo you I have reseived (recieved) the box that you sent me an was glad to git it the bens (beans) was rotn (rotten) and spoilt everything but the swet potatrs (sweet potatoes) I was very sory that it was spolt tho it coud not be helped If you ever send me another box don't put bens in it for it spolt everything the swet bred was not fit to eat it was so long in coming was the reason it spolt I got a letter from you yesterday it was good to her (hear) that you was well. I will send you something when Hares cum bac I would have sent it befur now if I had the chans (chance) I must clos (close) my letr by asking you to write as soon as this letter comes to hand. I remain your afectinet husband till death. Wm Day to Rebekah Day.
I was glad to her (hear) that Marget had got home I would be glad to see her and I want her to writ to me there is no chance of me getting discharged and you need not think of it until the end of the war. (Couldn't read the last sentence very well.)
19 Oct 1862 Camp Stock, Virginia
Dear Wife,
I set mi self to let you no that I am well at prasant (present) hopen (hoping) when this few lines cum to hand that ma (may) find you well I resiev (received) you letter the 18 an was glad to har that you are well times are hard as thar is sam (some) talk of pase (peace) har (here) I think thar will be pase (peace) tis (this) spring I hap (hope) thar will be pase (peace) I am tard (tired) of arme (army) I see a hap of truble (trouble) about you and the children You must doo the best you can I hop I will git to cum home sam time (sometime) You rot (wrote) to no wather (wether) I wanted ine shouse (any shoes) or not I will draw shouse the farst of next mant (month) you want to no wather (wether) I wanted a blachet (blanket) or not I do not want ... one You want to know what I am doing I throwing up brestworks fiv mills nort (breastworks five miles north) of Richmond on the turnpike road You rote to me that you offred 10 bushels of corn for too of your hogs Kep a nuf of them (keep enough of them) to mak you meat and sell the rest
I think that times is going to be so hard I don't think you can get corn to fed them Tell the rest of mi family I want to cum home so bad I don't no what to do Tell Mary Day I started har a letter last weak Thar is a lot of sickness har Martin Southed an William Greenwood and Fillip Sharse has got this fever.
Mi Dar wife I never new what truble was before I think of you day un nit and dreme of you at nit When I think of the pleasant hours wa have spent together all most kills me I must bring my lettr to a close saying I remain yur dar darling (your dear darling) until death from Mr. Wm. Day to Rebaca Day
Tell Millie Neuman that Bill is fat an sasey he says he will cum home soon.
20 Oct 1862 Camp Stokes
Dear & Ner Companion,
This nit I seat miself for the purpose of droping you a few lines that I am in good health truly hoping these lins ma (lines may) cum ... ... .... ... ... and find you in good helth I have nothing of intrest to rit to you we are still at the same plais (place) I don't expect that we will stay here for we are on marching ords (orders) I think mabey we will git to cum bak ( maybe we will get to come back) to North Carolina I will be very glad if we do we are faring very well at the present.
You rot in your last leatr (letter) that you wanted me to cum hom. I will cum the first chans but I can't tell when that will be far it luks lik (for it looks like) a bad chans (chance) to cum I want you to buy anof (enough) of corn to ... ... ... ... ... ... ... it will git here and the ... I want you to rit as soon as this letr cums to hand Take good care of yourself and doo the best that you can till I get bak I must clos by giving you my best lueve (love) soo goodnight. Wm Day to Rebecca Day
28 Oct 1862 Camp Stokes, Virginia
Dear Wiff,
This evening seat myself for the purps (purpose) of ansering your kind leatr (letter) this evening to whitch I was very pleased to git for the tim (time) had bin very long sens (since) I had a lettr from you. I am very glad to hear that you was all well I would lik to no what is the reason that I don't git no leatrs hardly from non of you I want you to rite in your next leatr if you got the blak ring in it that I sent to you if you got it I am in good health truly hoping that thes lins will cum to your hands in due time and find you wel in good health.
I have nothing new to rite to you the health of our company I think is improving We are gitting tolerable plenty to eat of meat an bread we git sum stronger and we are still working on the breast works I don't her no talk of leaving here I don't want you to send me any eny shoes for I can make out as to the blanket you ned not to send for I don't know when we will take up winter quartes (quarters) an I have got as much as I can ... I must bring my leatr to a clos I want you to rite as soon as thes lines cums to home. I remain your husband until death.
Wm Day to Rebeckia Day
3 Nov 1862 Camp Stokes Near Richmond
Near and dear Companion, On this beautiful, Sabath I seat myself to unser (answer) your one leatr (letter) that has just cum to hand which I was very glad to git. Which gave me muth (much) .... to hear that you was well. I have nothing new to writ to you as we are still at the same ole camp working on the brestworks We are gitting tolarbl (tolerable) plenty to eat of baken (bacon) and corn meal and sum flower (some flour) ... ... the most of us is having our health tolerable well as there is some talk of peas (peace) but I can't tell whathr (wether) there is any truth in it or not I shall be very glad if it is for I am tired of fighting ... ... ... ... ... ... ... and I would be very glad to cum hom and see you all an stay ther for it is a ... plas (place) to live and everything has so here it luks lik (looks like) we can't live and have anything that is fit to eat har I can't see what youall are to doo that is at hom for there is no won (one) left to mak any thing to go a from an if this war don't stope (stop) soon I think that Harneers men will stop it for us You must doo the best that you can till I git bak (get back) I must bring my leatr to a clos for this time by giving my best lueve (love) and respect to my family . Yours truly Wm Day to Rebeckia Day
A few mor lins en I will quit for this time I want you to writ if the children gros muth (grows much) an writ all the news that you can and if they have got Calvin Colens, and Jackson? Bryant I hart (heard) .... and if the have found out who don it they say that he has got a six month furlowe...that is so.
Wm Day
17 Nov 1862 Camp Near Culpepr Virginia
Dear an ner Companion
I this evening seat my self for the purps of droping you a few lins that I am in good helth truly hoping these lins will cum to your hands in due tim and find you in good helth. I have (not) muth nu to write at the present tim. We have moved to a nue camp ner Culpepr Cort hous. Our fare is very hard Not as well as we ... ... ... (illegible) an a cold camp. We have won pound and won ... of flore to the man to him a day an won pound of beef to the man. The wether is very cold and we have five tents to the company and part of us gits... ... ... Writ soon as these lins cum to hand for I am very anchious to hear from hom. I hav not had many letters com lately. Have no neus that will interest you. We are undr marching ords aul (order all) the tim if .. ... ... don't faul bak (fall back). I want you to writ whethir you have got monie or not if you have got corn enuf. If you haven't you had beatr soon find sum. Corn is going to be very (scarce). I would like mity well to cum hom an see to geting suth things as you ned but ther is no chance withiut (without) I am runing away and there is not a chance of that. As it is giting lait (getting late) I must clos.
Your afectnet husbent,
Wm Day to Rebeeck Day
Back to Richmond, Va Thrds Bregaid... 54 Regiment
Cumpny H. N. C. Troops,Curnell McDowele
Dec 5 1862
Dear Wife,
You wrote that you wish to know what had became of William Neuman is here and well and Bob Pardue in a South Carolina Regiment in sight of us I saw him a few days ago and he looks as well as I ever saw him. We have not heard anything from Alfred Morrison since he ranaway, he left a day or 2 after the fight him and Howell Monie and William Monie & Daniel Monie, James Monie & William Briant, Solomon Swain & Christian Shores all left at the same time and we have not heard anything from them since. We expect that they have gone home or are trying to get there. We think they got satisfied that fighting was not a very pleasant thing as they thought they would not stay to try another battle .... Dear wife I hear that a great many have runaway and are home and I should like to ... whether they are taken tem or not and what the people (think) of keeping us poor men here as ... hand? I have got more money than I need at this time and I will send you some the first chance I get so it will be safe. I hear that Daniel Write is again home on furlow in a day or so and if he goes I will send you some money by him and I want you to send me word whether you git if or not. I must bring my letter to a close by subscribing my self your loveing husband until death. Write soon & not fale so farewell.
Wm Day to wife R. Day
Jan 16, 1863 Camp near Fredricksburg, Virginia
Dear Wife,
I one time more raise my pen to let you know that I am not right well though I think I am some better. I received a letter from you on 15th of the present month was wrote the 6th of Jan which almost broke my heart to hear of the death of little Martha. You cannot tell how bad it is to hear of such things about my family & not be allowed to go to see them. But, we all have to die sooner or latter if it's God's will to call the young as well as the old it is no doubt for the better. It grieves my heart to know that I cannot ever see her again in this world , but I feel confident that she is better than us.
Dear wife my heart is tender at this time that I hardly know what to write for your benefit. I will to you that I would give the whole world if I could just get out of this war and come home to my family, but I see no chance for us poor soldier to get the chance to come to our poor disconsolated families. I hope that the great giver of all good will provide for us poor distressed soldiers who has to be (away) from our wife and children and stay her in the cold and wet and be half starved. I see so much trouble that I do not know what to do. I grieve myself almost to death about my family. I think almost hourly but all in vain for I cannot see them. I hope the time will soon come when we will all get home again.
Feb 9, 1863 Campe Near Port Rowel, [Royal] Va
Dear & Near Companiang,
This morning finds me seated to drope you a fue lines in aneses (answer) to yours that ... have not dene (deny?) my being (this is hard to read am not sure what it says) skirt (scared?) thrit be covs I die and not have it to send I will send on mone as soon as we drive. I think that we will drove in a few days on the frist chans that I have I will send you sum. Abut Robert Pardue I saw him a few days ago and he looked as well as you ... him the surrounding events. Probably my well & I think that hee is very well satisfied and I think that any man can stand it hee can.
I think iff he has bin vacinated that I won't goo to hard withe him. It has not bin very farth in its ears yet as to the money... ... ... ... I did just receive date the 24th of last minth (Month) whilth I was glad to git & to hear that you was aul well and dooing as well as can be expected. I have nuthing nue to rit or that is intersting. Tims is very hard and every thing ... as to the small pox we have but little of it hear thar was one case the other day. As to the Va (army) marching I can't tell whether it will kepe its appt or not I think that iff a person takes. I will tell you that we have bin transfire (transferred) to Jackson's Core Early's Division & Hoaks brigand. I think that most of us is very well satisfied with (whole line missing) to cum home and see you but I see no chas of it now. You must doo the best that you can & live in hope till I git bak I think that Iff I've been blessed with health and strenght that I will be at ... som time this moth I would bee mtg you ... git home tim to make a crape (escape) but I can't tell how it will turnout yeat (yet). I would bee very glad iff you can send me sum pants and sum socks iff you have eny chans (any chance) to send it without too muthe trubell (much trouble). I want you to rit hoo (how) fathers ... cooms on far I can never hear a worre (word) from them. (Whole line missing) I must bring my leatr to a clos by giving you my best respects to you and all the ... .... I hoope that you will rit soon and give me all the nues. Nothing more at present I remain your loving husband till death.
Wm. Day
Address Richmond Va
Earelys Division
Hoaks Briganid Co. H. 54 N. C.
In Co. Co. J. C. D. McDowell
March 14, 1863 Camp Near Fedricsburg, Va
Dear Companion,
the present moment finds me seated to drop you a fue lins that I am in kinda health and that I am doing as wel as cood be expected. Everything is still in camps. This morning I reseved too leaters from you a fue days past that I was very glad to git and to hear that you was wel and that you was dooing as wel as you are. I want you to doo the best that you can and not give up becos (because) I can't git to cum hom. Remember that you and the chile has got to live iff I never git to cum bak tho I hope that wont be the case I hope that I shal be mor farchnot (more fortunate) than that. Times is very hard hear for sumthing to eat our rashins (rations) is very skears (scarce) I hope that we will git to obtain (not sure that is the word) plenter than we have.
The report this morning was that the yankes is leaving the river I can't tell hoo true it is I don't think they wil attact( will attack) us rit strat here (right straight here) far we whipt them out soo bad befar. I think tha they dread it. We have drawn plenty of clothing of wull sarts and shoose (wool shirts and shoes) & hats plenty. Our rigment is clothed the best than I ever saw them. Iff we could git plenty to eat we cood march out. Well I would be very glad to cum home & eat that pound of meat a day iff ther was eny chas (any chance) but tims will have to git beter than they ar iff I git there. Ther would be grait (great) joy on the hilly hill iff I could git to cum hom. I no that it would give me more plesur than eny thing on this earth and I hope that the tim ma (time may) not be very far distnt when we can meat in plesur to part no more. There is nothing that would give me as much plesure as it would to meat with my loving wife and chile. I can't tell you the trouble that I see about me.
I want you to rit to me iff you have eny chns (any chance) of ground to plant truk paches & iff you doo I want you to plant all that you can for it will (line missing) for sumthing... ... ... I hope that they will ... soo in money soon soo I can send you sum to pay for your taters and things that you nead. If you see Frien, Ray or Elisea tell them that Albert is dead hee died at Linchburg with the ... ... (ninety ninth) I must bring my leatr to a close hoping to hear from you soon I remain your ture (true) husband till death.
Wm. Day
March 22, 1863, Fedricksburg, Va
Dear & near Companion,
The present moment finds me seated to drope you a few lins in anser to your very cind (kind) leatr that has just reachet my hand this day roat (wrote) the 15th of this month? I was very glad to git it & to hear that you was well & doing well. I am sory to hear that you was sufring for sum money & that I have not got the chans to send it to you. I have got the money but no chans to send it except I mail it & that I hate to doo it for I am afraid that you can't get it & you will lose it.
Everything is still in camp at this time thar has bin a litl fite (little fight) on the road about 25 miles above hear. Stuarts cavlry was ingaged in the fite it lasted about half a day. We sufere (suffered) sum but not very much we lost about 150 cile (killed) & wounded the loos (lose) of the enima (enemy) is not non (known) compleatly routed them & drove them bak on thar side of the river. We expect them to atact (attack) us every day. But I hope that it will pass off & we will not have no fite. I am sorry to think that you did think hard of me for not cuming hom. I have dun awl that I can to get a furlough. When I was sick & sens (since) & then I hair got wel & ther is no chans of it. I will cum as soon as I can & that is aul that I can dooe. I don't want you to be a greiving yourself think that I cood not git to cum hom for I will cum as quik as I can. I hope that it will not be long till I cum. I got the socks that you sent & the leatr that you sent by writ and I have rout to you in every leatr that I have recieved them. Write to me iff you have got eny truck patchs plant or not & iff you have not try to plant sum for thar will be a great benefit to you. I have got sum money to send to you the furst chans that I can git I am afraid to sent it in (can't find any more pages)
20 Apr 1863 Camp Near Fredricksburg
Dear Wife,
I this morning seat myself to drop you a few lines to let you no I am well at this time hoping when these few lines comes to you it may find you ingoin (enjoying) they same blesan (blessing). They times is hard her we are still at they same camp whare we was then we wrot last and I don't know when we will leave her. They ant no talk of leaving here now. I want you to rite to me if you can git corne with they money I send to you or not. I want you to rite to me how you are geting along. I want you to rite to me if they are taking up many of they men that is runaway about thare or not. I want you to rite to me as soon as you git this leter for I have sente three before this and hant got an answer for them. I won't rite but a few lines now till I git an answer and please rite soon as you git this so no more at this time only remains your afectionate husband untill deth.
William Day to Rebeccr C. Day
28 Apr 1863 Camp Near Frederksburg
Dear & Near Companion,
I seat myself this morning to ancer your kind leters I received yesterday and was glad to hear you was well. These few lines leaves me well and doing the best I can I truly hope these few remarks will reach you safe and find you well. I hant nothing new to rite times is all still today they hant no talk at fighting. We was under marching orders last weak but it is all stoped. Dear wife I hope this war will pas over without any more fighting. You write for me to come hom. I no that I want to cum home as bad as you want me to cume but they is no chance now without I make a furlough and the chance is bad then for the is gard station everywhere a man can travel between hear and home for to take up men. Some do start and they take them up and bring them back. I no I want to com home and when I think about the men that is at home it hurt my felings when they have a beter rite to be hear than I do. They are staying back there geting every thing they can from the pore peple when I no it is not fare. It may be rite but I don't think so.
I was glad to hear that you had boried you some money for I have got mony that I am going to send you the first chance. I was afraid to send it in leter. I will send it the first chance I have. If you pleas rite to me how mutch you bored of Mr. Pardue. You said that Sy had rote to me. I have got two leters from him and ansered both of them. Tel Mr. Pardue that I am vary mutch oblige to him I take it as a grate favor. I can tel you that I want to com home and without times get beter and we get more to eat I shal start if I never get thear it is not not only me it is a grate many others with me but I hate the thought of going that way. But we will have to do that or do war. So I will close by saying rite soon rite after this from your loving husband
Wm Day to Rebeca Day.
As I rade out one winter day a drinking of cold wine.
I parted from a pretty little girl that stold a heart of mine.
And on ... to like som pink or rose that bluming in the month of June
or like some musical instrument that lately come in tune.
O don't you see your turtle dove a flying from vine to vine
A mourning its own true love as I have done .... mine.
Your Father will shoe (your?) feet true and your Mother will glove your hand.
And I will kiss your sweet sugar lips when I come from the foreon land.
But soposen you were to be taken sick so fare a way from home
Who would hear your loudly cires and hear your pitfial mourn. (Repeat)