[Alexander Hamilton Smith and his older brother, William J. Smith, both served in the Confederate army. The following are transcriptions of some of their letters to their mother, Elizabeth Lamira Blythe Smith, and their siblings at home in Greene County, Georgia. "Pate" refers to their sister, Patience Elmira Smith. "Rich" is Richard Arnold Smith, who, with his wife Susan, was expecting the birth of their first child. "James" or "Jimmie" is their brother James LeRoy Smith.

In 1861 Alex would have been 18 years old and William 27. In the same year Richard was 24, Pate 22 and James 13 years old.]

Richmon In Camps
June the 8 1861

Dear Mother

I will write you a short as I have nothing to do at this time. We will leave heare to morrow morning for Harpers ferry. We reach heare Thursday morning all safe and sound. I tell you we had a fine time coming at every Depot the Ladies sent the company something to eat large crowds was at every Depot. There are 8 thousand volunteers here now they are coming every day to drille. They will not have a fight here. I dont now weth be a fight at Harpers ferry or not. We was mustered into service this morning and will leave to morrow for Harpers Ferry. I am very well at this time Captain Dawson and L. Blackwell sends their best respect to all and all the rest of the girls. Pate, Quint ses tell his gal howdy and you to. All the company are well and cheerful we are all lik brothers as kind as can be. I will write to you again when I git to Harpers ferry don you write to me until I write to you again. We have fine weather here for drilling we have a flank (?) tent to stay in here it looks very much like cam meeting when they are not drilling. nothing more at present. give my best respect to all. I will write to you all soon give my love to Rich & Swan (Susan ?) and receive a part for your self Pate & James

your son A H Smith Richmon

excuse this bad ritten letter you now how we have to write a very bad chance yet

[The following letter was enclosed in an envelope addressed to Greensboro Georgia]

Harpers Perry June the 1 1861 Pct Smith

Dear Sister "Miss Pct Smith

I will write you a short letter which will inform you how I am gitting along at present in Old Virginia. I am well at this time and hope that you all are enjoying the same health. I have no new that is interesting to write you. I don know when there will be a fight here if there be any. We have got our tents pitch in very pleasant place. We boys from Crackers make tents together we have some good cooks all are very well satisfied the boys are guiting supper know. We ha a regament drille this morning about one thousand men in regament. We have a company drille once a day all of our company have been able to drille. I dont think we will have to stay here long. We are going to settle this thing and be don with it. Pate we boys tryed our hand washing to day we did very well for the firs time I think. Pate let Rich see this for I cannot write to an for it is ten cents a letter. I want you to me soon and give me all the news and how you aU are gitting along. Tell Rich to write to me I am vey ansious to here from home very bad I hope that you will write soon and give me all the news. give my lov to Mother and games an to all the inquiring friends. give my best respects to R & Dan (?) tell them to write to me Captain sends his love to you. back your to AHS care of Maj COD Barto regiment SLG Harpers ferry Vira excuse this for I have a bad chance to write we havent got fixed up yet write soon Mother yore good boy..

Yours truly A H Smith

[Note: "Crackers" probably refers to "Cracker's Neck," a region of Greene County south of Greensboro, along the horseshoe bend of the Oconee River and Shoulder Bone Creek and near the junction of Greene, Hancock and Putnam Counties. Basically, Cracker's Neck is the region around Liberty Church. The origin of the name is reported to date to the time when tobacco was the main cash crop. The tobacco was packed in large hogsheads and rolled, using oxen, to Augusta for market. Rawhide whips with long crackers were used by the drivers. These crackers, probably silk ribbon, were com- mented on in Augusta and incorporated into the geography of Georgia. For more information please see Rice and Williams, History of Greene County Geor- gia 1786-1886.) (Note: The "SLG" in Alec's address probably refers to the "Stephens Light Guards" or Company I, 8th Georgia Regiment. See also Rice and Williams, History of Greene County.]

Manacsay Junction
July the 26 1861

Dear Sister

I received your letter some days ago at Winchester. I was glad to hear from you all and to here that you all was able to be up. I would of anseord your letter sooner, but having to leave Winchester so soon I could not do so. We left there the 16 of this month and we had a long and tiresome walk of it. We started on Thursday walking for the Junction which was about sixty miles. We march the first evening about twenty too miles. it was too Oclock in the knight when we stoped to rest. We laid down by our guns until then we started soon the next morning. We had the Shanadoro river to cross about midknight and had no of crossing except waiding it, or, some of the boys stod on the banks, and tremble for awhile but had it to. We march the next day until twelve Oclock the we stoped eat dinner at a little town. We taking the cars that evening about 6 Oclock, and travailed all that knight without sleeping any was so crowded that we could not sleep on the cars. We taken it foot again that morning and march about five miles and there struck camp for the day. We was then near the enamy but did not have a fight that day. On Sunday morning that was the next day we had orders to march, soon we started in a hurry, had to go about .... fifteen miles, we reach the place about I I Oclock then we meet the enamy about fifty thousand of them against 10 thousand of us when we first got there. Oh what dreadful times we had there was nearly run down and had to face the enemy before resting. Our regiment was the first ones that meet them. Oh how the cannon and musket balls whistle around and over our heads, but we had to stand up to them or be whirp (?) we was almost surrounded by them at first but we soon faught our way out

Manaesa Junction
August the 4 1861

Dear Mother

I have the present opertunity of writing you a short letter this beautiful Sabbath morning, which will inform you how I, and company are gitting along at this time. I am well, and all of the company except the wounded men. they are doing as well as could be expected for the present time, so Captain Dawson ses he went to see them yesterday. They are down at Culpepper they have all the attention pade to them by the cillenyins and ladies of that place that could be expected. Dawson Moore had his leg cut off yesterday. his brother reach here the day before and thought it best to have it cut off it was shot just above the nee. Wiley Coplan was shot through the shoulder just above the shoulder blade. all the rest of them was shot in the leg. Woods Broom Jessey Cristafer Will Dannel GAI Dobbs Frank Merritt Joe Cone was shot in the shoulder, his wound is very bad yet, but think that he will recover after a long time. We are in Camps too miles eas of Manacsa Junction it is a very pleasant place, but not so nice as we have had we have good water here to use, do not have that at evry place we camp at. I do not know how long we will stay here. we may stay here a month or we may not stay too days longer. I donot know where the next battle will be fought, but we think it will be at Alexandra or clost about there. Evry thing seams to be very still now. the Yankeys have been very quiet evry since the battle we had here, and I think it will be best for them to ceep still if they dont some white mans Yankee will get hurt. Old Scott army contained fifty three thousand the-day of the battle while ours was but 15000 the battle ground was about seven miles long. our regiment fought the United States reglers in the hardest of the battle the fight was from sun rise until sundown we went in half after 10 oclock. we had march about 12 miles that morning was very tiary and thursty and had not eat any breakfast. I tell you we saw hot times that day the enamy made us feel bad that day all over. I cannot tell you how thick the balls fell that day, but if you ever saw it hale from a bad cloud you can imagin how thick the ball fell around us in the fight. it was the firs time I ever saw it rain musket balls, and grape shot bame shells, and cannon balls. our regi- ment was very cut up. Col. Bartow was shot twice the first time in his foot the next time through his heart. his last words was men I am kiled, but never give up the field such a battle never was fought before, and I that I there never will be another on fought We also had a narrow escape it was a providentional thing we all was not kiled in our regamt. I had my canteen shot off of me cartrge box too I am glad to say, and I guess you all are to, that I caim out without the sine of a ball on me not braging at all. thes few lines leavs me well, and I hope that you are enjoying the same health. I will close by telling you to give my best regard to all and receive my best love for you, and family

your sincere son A H Smith

write soon and give me all the news, and how crops are I hope they are the best that ever was. Back your letters to Richmond, Va Col. Bartow cai-c- of Cap Dawson Eight Georgia regiment

[Note: Although the accuracy of some of their information is suspect, Rice and Williams History of Greene County lists some of the members of the Stephens Light Guard, Company I, 8th Georgia Regiment as follows: Dawson, G.O. Capt. wounded Gettysburg, made Maj. July 6, 1863
Moore, D. Private, killed Ist Manassas, July 21, 1861
Christopher, J.G. Private, wounded lst Manassas, July 21, 1861
Daniel, W. Private, killed, lst Manassas, July 21, 1861
Dobbs, G.L. Private, wounded, Ist Manassas, July 21, 1861
Merritt, F. Private, wounded, lst Manassas died, Dec. 15, 1861
Cone, J. Private, Discharged Aug. 10, 1861

As to Wiley Copelan and Woods Broom, there are three Copelans with the initial W. listed but nothing about anybody named Broom. Another entry is: Smith, A.H. Private, wounded Wilderness, Nov. 8, 1863.]

Camp Bartow Manassas Junction
Aug the 8 1861

Dear brother

I have been looking for a letter from you for some time and it has not come to hand yet. I think that you might employ a few moments in writing to one who would be glad at any time to hear from you and the rest. I have nothing to write you that is very interesting, times are some what quiet yet, but maybe ... in a very few .... The troups are marching one toward Washington, we also have sevral thousand in sight of the city, they had a fight over there on the 4 of this month, our men gained a very important hill, ran the enamy across the river, and from behind their gun baterys over on their of the river. They was not a man kiled on our side, we kiled some of the enamy, but haven herd the exact number. I think that they was about 4000 thousand of the enamy, I donat how many of our men was engaged in the fight. This is Sunday morning and a very beautiful day. I guess you all are gitting ready to go to Liberty, if the day there is as beautiful as it is here. I would like very much to be there today myself. We have preaching here to day. I think that I will go to day for the first time since I left home. We went over to the battle field last Wednesday to designate the spot with a tombstone where our gallant Col. Francis Bartow fell during the battle on the 21 of July last. We also had too speaches which accummtted(?) much excitement among the Georgia boys on that day. We are ready and awaiting for orders to move one towards Washington, and it would not suprise me at any time for us to receive them for we are expecting a fight every day. They have threatened it long anough to commense it. I sent you a stick some too weeks ago by Gill Dobbs that came off the battle field of Manassas near the thicket where we fought, if you have not got it yet, go over to T Wilsons and you will git it. I am well at this time, the boys are all well except too or three of them who have the mumps. I must close as I have a chance to send this by hand, which you will be more apt to receive it by than you would by mail. Mr Watson are going home, he will start now in a few moments. I hope that you will write soon as you get this. I lik to read long let- ters any thing is interesting to us from old Green. Give my best regard to all and receive a portion for youself. Take this to Mother the first chance you have

your truly brother A H Smith

You must excuse all such letters as this for be hard to read the paper bloches so bad take no pane in writing it will Direct your letters to Manassas Junction Va. Care of Capt Dawson 8th regiment Georgia volunteers .... T L Cooper commander. write any thing wish to nobody sees it but me

[Note: "Liberty" would be Liberty Church.]

Camp Barton,
Aug. the 9th 1861
Near Manassas Junction

My Dear Sister. I received you letter last evening, and was much pleased to here from you, and the rest of the family, and that all was well. I have nothing very interesting to write you as it has not been long since I wrote to you, but however I will write you something wether it is interesting to or not. I guess you would like to here how we are gitting along over here in this part of the world. Times are very quiet at present no news worth writing. The Yankeys are keeping them selves still, and are saying but little, they have not got over the scear that we gave them on the 21 of July a day that will be long remembered by them as well as by our Southern boys. the scamps did not now how to run until that day. it was a pity for such a nice looking set of men having to throw evry thing they had away and run like they did, but I have no doubt, but what it was the best for them. run, if they hadent they would not ben none of them left to tell the tale. They was a small fight at Leesburg on the 14th of this month. They was about 2000 of the Yankeys sent over on this side of the river, and our men got after them, the river had got up so they could not cross, and our men kiled 100 of them taken 1800 of them prisners our men had the largest force, and surround them at once with out much trouble. I do not know wher nor when the nexe battle will be. we havent any news of a fight that will be soon. You sed in your letter that ther was a very bad tale out ther about Cap Dawson. I herd something about it be fore I got your letter, and it is a very bad tale to go home, but some things are not so, and others are. I cannot say wether he was ... the swam (?) or not I know this much, I know that he was in the fight at first, but how soon he left ther I cannot tell. He had all of his men moved off of the battle field as soon as any of the captains did, but I dont think he had all the attention pade to them that he aught to. the attention was not needed from the company it was from the Doctors. I hope that you will not let no body see this nor say nothing about it yourself for that would make him mad with me if he was to here of it. He has all way treated me as kind as I could wish in evry respect. The boys are going home and you will here their opinion about him he has also wrote a letter back there that you will here, of. You and the rest may rest ashurd that I am not mistreat by any of our company Cap D included. my health has been very good evry since I left home I hav not mist a drwe nor a march since we left Harpers Ferry I am not bragging on my good health, but hope that I may have as good during the balance of this campaign, and I hope that will not be long for I dont like for you and James and Mother to be ther by your selves. I must close giv my lov to all inquir- ing friends if there be any, give my best respects to Mother tell her that I got the clothes that you, and her, made and sent to me the money to. I also had a bottle of fine brandy sent to me in that box of clothes. I tell you what to name R boy, but am fraid it would not sout him to a T give my love to them when you see them I will send you a name the next time any how, write to me soon and give ;me all the news I love to here from home, save all of my letters I want them when I get back home

Your Sincere brother A..H..S.

excuse this and read if you can
I have got sevrel trix I captured from the Yankeys I will fetch them home if I can

Manassas Junction
Sep the 2 1861
Camp Bartow

Dear Mother

I will try to write you a short letter this morning which will inform you how I am thriving at this time in this part of the world. I have nothing to write you that is interesting at all, but I guess you would lik to here from me, and the rest. times are some what quiet yet while I cannot tell when we will have a fight it may be soon or it may be later I cannot say when but I think that we are as well prepared for them now as we will be at any time to come We are all well rested we havent march any since the battle of Manassas. so you may from that we are in good fettle for marching. I guess it would go prety hard with some of the boys after resting so long, but I am in hopes that we will not have much more of it to do I received a letter from William last evining he was well. he said that they had not had a fight there yet, but was expecting one evry day. I guess they are prety much like we were before we got into one. all the time wishing for it. if they get into such a won as we did they will not be so anxius for the next.

This may make you think that we are not willing for another fight, but dont you think so. for we are ready and willing at any time, and think that we can do them more justice than we did before, but we are not so ansious as we were before the battle, for we were all the time wishing to meet the enamy. The forces are all moveing on to wards Washington. I do not now whether they entend to take it or not. I think that they will wait for the Yankeys to attack them. if they do take it I want to be there to get one shot at Old Abe, if he will stay there until we can get there if he dose I guess he will be attended to by we southern boys.

I went yesterday to get some fruit such as apples peaches pears and some fine English grapes. I went also to day to git some more peaches. we had a fine time getting our fruit. We have tolrable provision, a plenty of it. We are get tin to be very good cooks, and washers also.

I, and the company are generly some of the boys are not well as common, and I hope that you all are well. I will close by telling you to give my love to all and receive a large portion for your self. give my best respect to Pate and James I would be glad to see you all, and I hope that it will not be long before we all will return home I remain your son AH Smith

Pate read this if you can

Write soon and give me all the news. Please excuse this letter Good by

Camp near Farfax Coathouse
Sept the 23, 1861

Dear Sister.

I will once more attempt to write you all a few lines, wishing to receive an answer soon, for this is or will be the third letter that I have wrote home since I received your last letter. I also wrote to R A and I havent received an answer from him yet. It may be that you havent got my letters yet, but I think that you ought to write to me before now. If you all new how glad, and how highly I preciated a letter from home and from old Greene you would not hesitate one moment in writing for I tell you a letter from their does the boys a great deal of good at any time. You all ought to think of our position. we are far from home and heare no news except war excitement, and I tell you that a little good news from home does a heep of good heare. Pate I hardly know what to write that will interest you. times are dull no great excitement stiring at present. our forces are still advancing on towards Washington City. They was a fight in western Virginia las week some time. Our men drove the enamy from the hill, and killed sevral of them while our men lost but one man. Pate I have been in sight of Washington City, could see it very plane. our regiment went to Masons hill last Sunday, and stayed there five days it is about 10 miles from our camps. we was the advance force thoes five days. we had to go on picket while we was there. I saw a good many Yankeys. our pickets, and thers was about too hundred yards from each other. the Yankeys are very friendly they would come half way ground to talk with our men. Masons hill is five miles from Washington City. I could see the Yankeys camp very plane I saw them throwing up Breast- works. they had sevral flags planted on the forts you could see them very plain. We could see Alaxandra and the capital of the United States. the capital is the most beautiful thing I ever saw. It was the first time our regiment ever went out on picket, and I think the most of them likes it very well. as for my self, I like it. I could see evry thing the Yankeys was doing, and could see them to. I was close to them when I was on picket. I do not know wether ther will be a fight soon or not, but one would not supprise me at any time for they have been fixen for it on both sides for some time.

I am well, and the company are tolrably well some of the boys are complaining some Will Kinney have been complaining for too or three days. he is better this morning. some of the boys have had the mumps, and some have them yet I have never had them I have been with them for some time, and I think it will be pretty hard for me to take them.

We was paid off some time ago, and I want to cend some money home, but have not had the opertunity of doing so. I will put a twenty dolar bille on the farmers bank of Richmond. tell Mother that she can use it any time she wans to for the family. write to me soon and let me know weather it is good there or not and to know if you git it I hav one $20 ...more to cend, if it is good money there arent all (?).

Yours truly AH Smith good by

Write soon, and give me all the news. give my best respects to Mother to James I would like to see them and you very much

I write home when I can get the chance to do so and I hope the day is not far distence when I can see you all once more. I hope Mother has good health and the rest of you too get James to write to me

Tell Rich and Sue I would lik for them to answer my letter, and tell me how ther boy is getting along. tell Mother not to be uneasy about me I study about you all a great deal and wish that some body was staying with you all I wan to get back there once more Yours AHS

I love to heare from home and you would to, if you was heare you cannot write too much I love to read long letters from home

Camp Centreville, Va
Dec 11th 1861

Dear Sister

Your most kind and acceptable letter came to hand some too days since I was truly glad to here from you all but was grieved to here that Mother were unwell, and had been so sevral days. It is hard to discribe my feeling a letter from home. you cannot imagin what a pleasure it is for us who are fare from thee to receive a kind and sympathizeing letter. I would be glad if new in what way to interest you in this letter. There are no important news with us at this time the prospect of a fight here soon is dull I havent the least idea that there will be any fiting at or neare this place this winter, but however I cannot tell what will be the fruits of further I can only speak my opinion about such excitements. They may be a change soon one way or the other, and I hope for the better. I could be better satisfied here if it was not for the way in which Mother and you are left in if some one was there that Mother was well pleased with and I new it how glad I would be. I had rather be there with you all than here, but that is the only place I had rather be than being here is where I want to be under the present conditions of the Confederate States.

I do not crave a fight but I had rather they would mak a movement of some sought than to be being here all the winter. It is a very slow way to close the war. if we have got to fight it out, we are as well prepared for it now as will ever be. It was thought that the enamy was advancing a few days back, but it has proved to be false, there pickets lines are no nearer than they have been for some time. our cavelry pickets ventured through the Yankees lines last week and captured fifteen of them. the lost on our side was too kiled. Half of our regament has gone out on picket today We have to go on picket so often, they did not take but half of the Regiment this time. by doing so we will not have to go out so often. The half that is here now will have to go out the next time and so on. The place that we went to the last time was a very good place they was a great many people living neare the line who was very acommidating to the soldiers. we could get mos any thing in the way of eatable, which the boys are glad to get while on picket. I got a very good breakfast at a house one morning. They all seem to think a good deal of the Georgians and I think they ought to, for if it had of been for the Georgians no doubt but what the Yankees would be all thrugh the state of Va.

The health of the company is tolrably good. some of the boys are sick nothing more than bad colds I think that ales the most of them. Wm Kinney is complaining with reumatism he has gone back to Richmond I am well and fat. if get sick I will come home We get a plenty to eat such as beef head and some bacon, and some sugar and coffee. Pate we had a meat stew for dinner to day I mad up the dough and made out the dumpling I am hard to beat making biscuits and baking them we have improved a great deal since we first started out for camp life enough about cooking.

The wether is getting very cold here we have had one light snow I haven heard any thing about when or where we will take Winter quarters we learn how to build chiamnies to our tents which makes them much more comfortable than they are without them. Pate I went las Monday to see too men shot that belong to first Lusanne Batalion I tell you it was a very solume sight, but the men did not seem to care much for it. one of the men sed when they started to the field where he was to be shot take care of your self old man. They both was nice looking men. they was shot for attempting to kill an officer while he was officer of the guards and also attempting to kill a centinal while on post. The way they fasened them was to tie them to a post first to make them neal on their neas and blindfold them. twelve men shot at each one of them standing about thirty steps from them. I was standing close by one of them never moved the other one lived too or three minutes after he was shot. The sight of those men will no doubt be the cause of a many man not being shot. that has proved to them that they will shoot them if they undertake such a thing.

I received a letter from May Thrasher the same day I got yours and have got one from De Ray since then they were all well. they both sed a good deal about there children. De ses she has got the pretest and the best child that ever was. May ses she has got the smartest and sweetest in the world I would like to know what Rich ses about his.

I must close all the Boys from the neck cends their love to you Capt Dawson also Kinsey James ses he will write you a history of Old Abes Grand army of the Potamack. give my best respects to Mother Jim remember me to all friends, yours respecfuly

Brother AH Smith

excuse this letter and write soon very soon I never look over to correct the mistakes for fear I would have to correct the hole letter.

If any body wants to write to me tell them to do so I will answer their letters, certain

AH Smith

[Note: May Thrasher and De Ray were Alec's married sisters. Mary Ann (May) had married Alex B. Thrasher and lived in Thomson, McDuffie County. Adelia Amanda (De or Delia) had married Shadrack E. (Shad) Ray and lived in Ray-town, Taliaferro County .]

Camp Near Centreville Va,
Jan 12th 1862

Dear Sister

I have the oportunity this beautiful Sabbath morning of answering your letter which came to hand a few days since. its pages was carefuly perused with much pleas ure and comfort. I was glad to heare that all was well at home. There is nothing that affords me more pleasure than to receive a letter from home stating that all is well. I can rest better satisfied. I havent no importance news to write you at this time. The health of our company is very good I have had the mumps but have got well of them they did not pester me much I suffered none with their pains.

Dr. Powers died a few days ago in Richmond he was taken sick there on his return from Greensboro. all oj our boys has return to camps except fore or five. Woods Broome starts home this morning he has a Ferlow on account of his health. There is no new war news of importance to write.

Hinney Rhods was badly wounded with a bameshell in his imagination (?) I guess he never saw a bame nor a cannon except when they was practising from the Battery near our camps he might of thought they was firing them I hope that you all will not let no such tales make you uneasy. if you do you will all the time be troubled about such things. There will be no fiting here this winter I think. it was thought a few days back that we would have to make a march, and was prepared with three days rashuns of hard bread. the place that we was to go was Eavens Port. there has been another Brigade sent in our place. The souldiers are very busy working on their cabins I think we will have ours don in a few days. I must tell you that my mess has moved into our house it appears quite diferent to a tent we have a plank flore to sleep on our house is about the size of common cabins.

There has ben some talk of Ferlow to be given when all get into winter quarters I think I will come to see you all if Ferlows are granted I would like very much to do so but cannot promise you for certain yet. I hope that Mr Palmore will do better than you think I dont know anything about him. Some of the boys got a letter the other day saying that Sa (?) Wynn and Alice Kimbro was married I want you to tell me something of the wedding was you there. Pate they was a girl sent me some sugar not long ago you cannot guess who it was I have sweeten coffee evry morning for breakfast

I guess you all are getting ready to go to Liberty I would like to be there to go with you The weather is very pleasant at this time although the snow has been lying on the ground for some fore or five days I have wrote you all the news I will close all the send their love to you give my best respects to Mother and Jim

Yours truly

AH Smith

Winter Quarters Near Centreville, Va
Feb 6th 1862

Dear Sister

Your kind favor of the 27th ult (?) has been recieved and carefully perused and I assure you its perusal afforded me much pleasure. I was glad to hear from you and I feel truly grateful to you for your kindness to me and you will please accept this letter which I shall attempt to write as a token of my love and gratitude to you and if it would fail to interest you do not blame me but attribute it to my inability to write an interesting letter Before proceeding to answer your inquiries I shall give you a brief sketch of what little news we have here.

My health is not altogether so good as it has been, at least it has not been so for four or five days. I have been rather poorly for about that length of time but I suppose it to be cold as we have very bad weather here. I have not been exposed any but I suppose that the severe cold weather of itself is sufficient to produce cold in a person subject to its changes. We have good cabins which protect us very effectually from the weather. I think I shall get over this in a few days. I am well of the mumps and feel nothing of their presence whatever now. I have been careful not to expose myself since I had them. I hope to be well before this reaches you and I hope you will get this soon.

McCall is very unwell at present. I suppose that cold is the cause of his illness for he exposed himself rather too much. When Murray first put up his tent the ground was very wet and McCall slept in it at night and staid in the tent all day on the wet, muddy ground and Is uppose he caught cold from this. Some other slight complaints are prevalent in camp but nothing serious.

We have plenty of snow, sleet and rain. Today is a rainy one. The ground is frozen and the remains of a large snow can be seen. The bad weather has produced bad roads and it is all that our old horses can do to pull an empty wagon. The horses see a hard time here. They have a great deal of hard work to do with hardly anything to eat and but very little attention anyway. Four men from each company have been detailed to go home to recruit for the army. Capt Dawson, Jones, Price and Nichols will be sent from our Company. They will probably leave to-day or tomorrow and I will send this letter by one of them if they go.W.T. Williams procured a substitute and he has gone home. Dr. Howell brought his substitute on. He also came to carry the remains of Dawson Moore home. The Boys went over to the battle field day before yesterday and took up his remains.

I have just heard that only one man will be sent from the company for the purpose of recruiting. Since this change has taken place I do not know who will go from our company. Our regiment has its regular picket to perform yet. The right wing of the regiment goes out today. Our Company will not have to go in two weeks yet. I did not go out the last time as I did not wish to expose myself after having the mumps. Billy is in very good health and I think he has improved a great deal since he came back to camp the last time. We are very well situated here with the exception of water. We have plenty of wood now. I think we are much better situated than a good many of the other regiments. There is some building to do yet in the regiment, but the men have all their houses about completed. There are some houses to be put up for the field officers. There is no war news here of importance. All is very quiet at present. The bad condition of the roads will not admit of any active operations being carried on here this winter.

I was sorry to hear that Mother was unwell. I trust that she may be entirely well before this. You must write me word soon how she is for I shall want to know how she is getting along. I am glad that you enjoy such good health. May you continue to enjoy such blessings for many days to come. From what you say it seems that work agrees with you. I must compliment you upon your industry and economy. I think your sample (a piece of cloth?) quite nice indeed and characteristic of your true Southern proclivity. I am sorry that you young Ladies have to weave your own dresses but as it must be done I must compliment you for so cheerfully performing your work and taking such a pride in being independent of all Northern and Yankee notions. The compliments you recieved at church in regard to your dress I know was fully merited by yourself. You desired to know how I was off as to clothing. I have plenty on hand at present and desire no more now. I feel much obliged to you for your kind inquiries in regard to my comfort and necessities. The last time I weighed, which was some four weeks ago, I weighed 160 pounds.

As to my mustache they are a nice, delicate, black set, quite an addition to my good looks and just such a mustache as will please the girls. My whiskers are invisible to the naked eye and as I have no magnifying glass I must pass over a description of them. My good looks too must go by without a description for I have been in the army so long that I have forgotten how to pass (?) an encomium upon beauty. That little mustache of mine makes up for all deficiencies in my features.

My messmates are I Lewis, Billy Kinney, Bill Davis, C. (?) Ransom, Price Marchman and C.R.Smith. They are all good messmates and we get along very well indeed. There seems to be quite a furore in the way of marrying in old Greene,and those who want to marry seem to be quite numerous. Well I have no objection. I do not feel any fear in regard to myself on that score.

You ask me what I did with my squirrel. I kept it a long time and it was the gentlest thing you ever saw and as full of mischief as a monkey, but some one stole him and thus I had the very unpleasant feeling of being deprived of him. I would not have been deprived of him for a good deal for wanted to send him home the first opportunity, but some rascal could not let him alone but took him and I expect eat (?) him. I would like the best in the world to see you all. It would be a pleasure to me indeed. There was an order just (?) sometime ago for the granting of furloughs, but it was countermanded from some cause and I have heard nothing of furloughs since. Perhaps they will grant furloughs after awhile and if so I will try and see you all. I often think of you all and wish I could see you. I have been deprived of that pleasure for eight months and this deprivation is deeply felt by me but I live in hopes of seeing you and enjoying the pleasures of the home fireside as I did once. My best wishes are with you all, and if wishes and desires will affect anything you will all prosper and enjoy life with all of its comforts and luxuries.

I would like to get a chance at that big turkey you speak of. I think it likely that his size would diminish very perceptible if I had a chance at him. He would stand a poor chance indeed, and if he had any thoughts he would think me a bitter enemy to the whole turkey race.

Quint says that he feels highly complimented at the remarks you made in reference to him. He feels very grateful to you for your high opinion of him and he trusts that he may always retain the same high opinion in your mind. He sends his best respects to you and wishes you all the good imaginable, thanks you for your kind remembrance of him, and says that he feels that you remember him kindly from the kind and endearing relationship which you claim for him. Murray is here selling goods and little Yankee notions to the soldiers. He also sells eggs, butter and sausages &c when he can buy them to sell. I am glad that you are so patriotic as to have formed your plans to get me back if the "Yanks" had got me. I am glad that you did not have to carry your plans into execution. You are not like some of the girls who spoke of falling in love with the tame (?) "Yanks" to revenge themselves because we spoke of falling in love with some of these Virginia girls. They did not say they would do it, but said that they reckon they would have to do it to revenge themsel ves. This was one of those "old maids" you spoke of. If either one of them shows any disposition to fall in love with a Yankee just send me word, for I want something to say in that matter.

You spoke of its being a pity that we met with such a defeat in Kentucky. It was a great pity but we can not expect to be successful in every fight. Nor need we expect to be victorious when such men as General Crittenden are at the head of the army. Crittenden is a reputed drunkard. He was here last fall and some of the Boys saw him and he was drunk then. Such men in such positions will meet with heavy defeats all the time. I am in hopes that he will be removed from his position.

General Beauregard has left here to take command in Kentucky. He will no doubt effect something in that department. We were sorry to have him leave us but we hope he will accomplish something in Kentucky.

I must close this letter. You will please accept my kindest considerations, and tender my love to Mother and Jimmie and to all my friends. Write to me again soon, for I shall await anxiously to hear from you. I will write to you again in a short time and let you know how I am getting along. With my best wishes and love I remain as ever your affectinate brother

A.H.Smith

[Note: Rice and Williams History Q.t: Greene County lists some of the members of the Stephens Light Guard as follows:

McCall, J.P. 2nd Sgt. resigned Aug. 7, 1862
Dawson, G.O. Capt. wounded, Gettysburg, made Maj. July 6, 1863
Jones, H.B. 4th Cpl. killed, Ft. Harrison, Sept. 3, 1864
Price, E.N. Private wounded, Gaines Mill, June 10, 1864
Moore, D. Private killed, 1st Manassas July 21, 1861
Kinney, W.R. Private wounded, Ft. Harrison, Sept. 30, 1864
Davis, W.G. Private wounded, Gettysburg, June 28, 1863
Ranson, T .H. Private wounded, Rappahanock, Aug. 10, 1862
Marchman, C.A. Private wounded, Petersburg, May 10,1864
Smith, C.R. Private wounded, Wilderness, Nov. 8, 1863
Chapman, L.Q. Private, died from illness, May 10, 1862)]

Second Georgia Hospital
Richmond Va
March the 13, 1862

Dear Sister

As I have not yet answered your letter I will procede to do so this morning knowing that you all will be glad to heare from me. I havent much news of importance to write. I have got well again, and am fatening like a pig. W Kinney is about well. McCall is not quite well but is able to walk about some. There is a great deal of excitment stirring about Manassas at this time our forces have eacuated Manassas and fallen back to Gardensville (?) which is about sixty miles. Our Brigade had gone to Winchester so I understan to reinforce Gen Jackson. I do not know wether it is true or not they have gone to som point they left winter quarters last Saturday. I will heare in a few days where they are. The Yankees have been very quiet in this part of Va for some time, but they have commensed to advance on us, and it will no doubt create another fight in a short time. I hope that our Regiment has gone back to Winchester and I guess they have I like that part of Va much better than I did up about Manassas it is the last place in Va with me I hope never to see it any more.

They are drafting the Malitia in this Town I am glad of it they have been lying around here waiting for us to do all the fiting. I like to see them shed their starched shirts and cloth coats, and draw on a uniform of cores cloth. They will find it to be diferent to walking about town with a segar stuck in their mouths. I am very anxious to get back to my Regiment it is too weeks to day since I left there. it is getting time for Capt Dawson to get back. I will wait until he comes along I guess if he comes soon. They was a fight near Norfolk on the 8 and 9 of this month our side was succssful they sunk three of the enamys vessels & each one containing about one thousand men they also run one vessel aground.

This is a very nice Hospital to stay and Dr O Kefe is very kind to us gives all the attention that is required we was glad that we got in this hospital we have good diet here if I should have to leave camps on the account of sickness I come to this hospital if there is any chance. I would like very much to see you all, but will have to wait a whil(:: longer. I dont want Mother nor none the rest of you to be uneasy about me I am doing as well as could be expected. When you write direct your letters to Richmond Va. care of Capt Dawson 8th Reg Geor Vols. not knowing where my Regt is at this time this will be the shorest place to direct them I will be certain to get them if you send them here write soon.

Tell Jim to write and let me know he likes to go to school to France tell me how Mr Palnare (?) get on farming wether he is doing much or not. I think the shorest is not to plant much cotton this year. I am not needing any clothes yet write soon and write about things concerning home I hope you all will make a good crop this year William will be home in May, so he stated in his last letter to me I hope you will give my best respects and love to Mother and Jimmy accept the same for yourself

A..H..Smith

Camped Near Yorktown,Va
April 30th 1862

Dear Mother,

I seat my self this morning to answer your kind letter which came to a few days since. I was very glad to heare from you all, but was much grieved to here the sad news of Wm death and to know how much he suffered while sick. I am very glad that he was sent home. I do wish could of been sent home before his death. I know it is very hard but I hope that you will take it easy if you can. I study about it a great deal I was so afraid that it would cause you to have a hard spell of sickness. Mother I would come home to see you if it was in my power to do so, but it is impossible to do so at this time there is a good deal of excitment with us at present the prospect of a fight is good we had a small skirmish on the lOth of this month our regiment was engaged in it. I think that I kiled one any how I took good arne at them. They are the cause of all this trouble, and hardships I wish that it was in my power to disstroy the last one of them to day. We are having a very hard time since we been on the Penensular a good many of our boys has taken sick. I stand it very well. I dont think that we will remain here a great while, and I will rejoice when we leave this place. none of our regiment was wounded in the fight we was protected by the breastworks. George Goodnight shot himself thrugh the hand yesterday accidently not much of a wound. Mother I hope that you will not be uneasy about me I think they will be a chance for me to get a furlough before very long if so I will be shure to come I want to see you all very bad, and if a furlough can be had I will have one. You must excuse a short letter. I will send you my Ambrotype (?) the first chance. you all have my best wishes and regards. write soon, and let me heare from you all. Direct to Richmond, Va 8th Reg Geor Vols.

most truly yours

AH Smith

I will write again soon and let you heare from me

[Note: Alexander's older brother, William, served with the 5th Ga. in Pensacola, Florida and then in Tennesse where he died, apparently of disease, at Cumberland Gap.]

Camp Near Yorktown Va
April the 30, 1862

Dear Sister

I received yours, and Mr T letters a few days since, and I was much grieved to heare of Wm death Oh how sorry I was to here of the sad news. I was very to here of his suffering while sick I do wish he could of been sent home before he was taken so very sick. I know it is all that Mother can stand. I wish that it was in my power to go and see her but there is no

chance at present I entend to go before long any how. I am very glad that he was sent home I do wish that Mr T could of got there to see him before he died. he has my best wishes and thanks for going as far as he did. I hope that Mother and all the rest of you will take it the best way you can. There is a great deal of excitement with us at present the prospect of a fight is good we had a skirmish on the 16th our Regiment was ingaged in the fight but none was wounded or kiled we was protected by our entrenchments we repulsed them twice before they retired. I think their loss was heavy while ours was to the reverse.

We are having very bad time since we have been on the Penensular more so than we have ever seen before but I stand it very well a great many of our boys have taken sick since we reach here from exposure. I dont think we will stay here a great while fore the armies are close together a creek divides our lines. they will have to be a fight so one party or the other leave. I hope that it will soon terminate in our favor for I want to get off of the Penensular. I think when it is over I can get to come home and see you all. I was very glad to think that Wm time was made up and that he would come to see me, and then go home but oh I was sadly disappoint I hope he is now where there no parting nor disappointments.

I wish that I could write more but I cannot so you must excuse a short letter. give my love to Wil and Bud and accept a large portion for your self and Mr T

AH Smith

write soon my address is Richmond Va 8th Reg Geor Vols

Good by

[Note: "Mr T" probably refers to Alex B. Thrasher, his brother-in-law. This letter was apparently written to his sister, Mary Ann Smith Thrasher. "Wil" was perhaps his nephew, Willie Thrasher.]

May the 12, 1862

Dear Mother

As I have the opportunity of writing this morning I will write you a short letter which will inform you that I am well and hope that this may find you all well. We have been doing some very hard marching for the last week and have march a long way. we are now in about 15 miles of Richmond. we are not stationed here for good. we are lying over here resting and to wait for the Yankees to advance. they folioed us on our retreat for some distance, and there has been some too or three fights since we left Yorktown our men has taken sevral prisners I think that we will take our stand someweres near Richmond. evry thing seemes to be very quiet to day not much seems stirring the weather is very pleasant at this time. There has been a good many of our company taken sick since we have been on the Pinensular.

Those that were not sick stood the march very well. I am very sorry to inform you of Frank Cone and Quint Chapman deaths but it cannot be otherwise. Frank was shot by a Yankey on the of this month we were on picket and he rased to watch for the Yankey who had been shooting across the creek, and as he raised up the ball went thrugh his head he did not speak. Quint died since we got here he was over where with the wagons he came with the wagons from Yorktown the boys who were over there with him ses he was more talkative that knight than had been since we have been on the march I came ...all the way with him I donat know what was the matter with him.

I will come home as soon as I can get a furlough I wish I was there to day I want see you all very bad. I hope that you all will rest satisfied about me Mother especialy dont be uneasy about me. write soon Direct to Richmond Va 8th Reg Geor Vols you all have my best love and regards

[Note: Rice and Williams History of Greene County lists: Quint Chapman, L.Q. Private died from illness, May, 10, 1862]

Cone, F.H. 1st Sgt. killed, Yorktown, May 3,1862)

Camped in the Woods
May the 15,1862

Dear Brother

Your very kind and welcomed letter caim to hand yesturday, and I assure you I was glad to heare from you and the rest of the family and to heare that all was able to be up. I have got but a short time to write and but little news of importance to write you. We have been here foure or five days it is thought that we will leave to day or to morrow where we will stop I am not able to say I think we will go on to wards Richmond we are now about 15 miles from there. evry thing has been very quiet for the last four or five days it is thought that we will evacuate Richmond. The prospect of a fight is not so good as it has been we had sevral skirmishes on our retreat from Yorktown and we gained the best of all of them it was a very hard march part of the time it was raining and the road was very mudy. I stood it very well considering the time and everything it was done in. we march in all about 100 miles The health of our company is not so good as it was some back those that are here in a camps are well a good many of them have been sent off to the Hospital Billy K returned to camp yesterday he is well some of our recruits has got here Dr J has stoped in Richmond I dont know wether he will stay there or not I think he will if he can get a sergent's (surgen's ?) place in some of the Hospitals. Rich I do hope that you will not have to go to war I dont know what Mother and the rest would do some body must stay I think that you could get to stay under the sircumtances I say stay if you can for there is no possible chance fore me to get out of the Service. they will not give an furloughs at this time here. The troops in Va never has been treated like thoes has been the other States thoes that has been in the other States could get furloughs at any time, and they get to home. If you do have to go I would like for you to be with me, but you will stand a great deal better chance to go home at any time in case of sickness where thos las company went from Greene. If I had to go I would try to get some one to go in my place. do the best you can I trust that you will not have to go.

You have heard of Quint Chapman and Frank Cone deaths Frank was shot Quint on this march

Give my love to Sue and the rest Tell Pate I will answer her letter in a few days. I would now but havent time Tell Mother that I am well write soon Direct to Richmond Va 8 Reg Geor Vols

AH Smith

Camp Near Richmond, Va
June the 19, 1862

Dear Mother

It is with pleasure that I use the present opportunity by writing you a few lines which will inform you how I am getting along at this time. My health is tolrably good and the rest of the boys are well that are here in camps. I havent much news to write you. we have some nice weather at this time which is very good on our side as we have not the best of houses to live in but we have some that souts us very well they can be torn dowm in five minutes and when we move take them on our backs. Well I will tell you something about the skirmish that taken place yesturday evning on the lines about five miles below this place. The fiering lasted but a short time but it was a right nasty little fight for the length of time. the loss on our side is sed to be 4 only kiled and wounded the Yankees loss is sed to be 30 and wether this be a true statement of it or not I cannot say I got my information from the this mornings paper. our men also drove the Yanks back one mile they was not much of a force engaged. Every thing is as quiet we ...to day as usual. I can heare some canonading once and a while, but that is nothing strange. we have some of that evry day more or less on some parts of the lines. The yanks are very still here. I can see their camps very plane our picket lines are not a great ways apart. the Yankees are very friendly on picket they will talk to our men evry chance they get I have not talked with none of them I could if I wanted to, but I haven any use for them. We are having very easy time of it now nothing to do only evry fith day we go on picket dont stay but one day at a time and it is but a short distance to the picket lines. We are very strongly fortified here and are still fortifing .

George Bruce was wounded by one of our bames the other day he was on picket and our men thrugh a bame over at the yanks late one evening and a piece of the lead flew off as it passed over him and struck on his back. it did not brake the skin the doctor ses it is not a hard wound. Capt Dawson and company is well I mean thoes in camps we have some off sick at hospital. I have not been over to see the boys in the 44th yet. some of the has been over they say they are not so well here as they were at Goldsboro. Josh Neary was over here the other day he is the same old Josh except not quite so lively he sed a good many of the ...boys was sick.

We get a plenty to eat but I wish I was there to get some irish potatoes and snaps. do you all have a plenty I hope you do. As I have sed dont be uneasy about me. I will come the first opportunity. I will send 20$ to you use it if you want. I must close so good by to all my love to you and the rest your son AH Smith write soon I will frank (?) this letter on account of it will be more apt to do good

by to you all

[Note: Smith was wounded at Garnett's Farm, Va. June 28, 1862. He was discharged for disability on October 31, 1863. After recovering, he joined up with the 27th Ga. where he served for the remainder of the war. One note says that he was promoted to the captain of a company, but I cannot confirm this.]

Camp Beanlien Battery
Augt 15th, 1864

Dear Sister

I take the pleasure this morning of writing you a short letter whitch will inform you how I am progressing by this time, and also to let you know that I havent forgotten you as a sister yet. I know very well you think I am a mean boy for not writing to you before now, and for not stoping to see you as I came back, but you must excuse me as my furlough was out before I left home. I must acknowledge that I have been very negligent about writing to anyone, and hope that you will excuse me as soldiers dont come up to the mark in evry respect at all times. Tell De I would not mind writing if I had something to write that would prove interesting to you this is quite a dull camp. it is a very pleasant place but so far from Savannah we scarcely ever get any news we are having a very good time of it down here the duty is not very hard, and we do not have any bameshells or musket balls to trouble us yet a while, but cannot tell how soon we may have them to contend with. I like down here very well. I have eat a hot meal again and think that I will stand it finely. The weather is exceedingly warm. I think we would almost sufficate some days if it were not for the sea breeze we get. The water is very bad here.

I have just return from dinner and dinner was composed of beef stake & bread rather a common dinner you may think but it done very well for us we have something extray accalienly (?) but not for evry meal. We are doing very well now in the way of something to eat. get enought to do us good a drink of government whiskey evry morning to make our appetites good.

I was very anxious to stop and see you as I came back, and would have done so if it had not been for the rade that week I by the Yanks. I intended starting a week sooner than I did and stoped a day or too with you, but did not care to leave until I seen where thoes Yankees were going to. most evry body up in Green was very badly frightened. I never saw people as badly excited in my life what men that was left in the county was hunting them a place to hide enstead of trying to help stop them. it was quite amusing to know that the men were sleeping out in the woods while the Yankees was in the county.

I must close as it is getting almost time for drill. Remember me to the girls with kindest regards. tell R & his howdy for me. accept much love for your self and family very respect yours

A. H. Smith

my address is Savannah Geor.
Company F 27enth Georgia Battalion

Lt. A. H. Smith
Savannah, Geor.
Co F 27enth Geor. Batt.

Tell Mr S.E. to tell howdy for me

[Letters generously provided by Kim Sisk, descendant of Alexander H. Smith]