The following was copied with permission from Lynn Embree's web page at: http://home.earthlink.net/~letink/

All letters are transcribed as written. Blanks appear where the words were not known

LETTER from ANN ALIZA STEPHENS to her Cousin, G.L. WHITE in CONFEDERATE ARMY.

Sergt. G.L. White “Wood Lawn” Oct. 11th, 1864
Dearest Cousin

This morning I have --- to write you again as it seems almost impossible for us to hear from you. We have been anxiously looking for a letter several days but have been disappointed so often that we or I can prove them --- than I used to. I believe I haven’t a perticle of news that would interest you, hence you must not expect anything. There is less excitement among the people at this time in reference to Raiders than have been in several months previous. And to my opinion we are more exposed to them than we have ever been --- I hope that they will take into consideration that we have nothing here for them or at least they will think the attractions insufficient to lead them out this far. Since I last wrote you we have been on the eve of Reffuging, but have abandon the idea; for a time at least. The Hospital have all been moved from Barnesville and they are moving from Thomaston. And by the by, we had a marriage in B--- last week. One of the Surgt. Dr. Peacock and Miss Emma Hightower and I understand her sister and another of the Surgt. will be married this week. There seems to be quite a revival getting up with soldiers and young ladies. This was three marriages last week around here. Cousin when are you coming after your clothes? They are now ready for you we finished them yesterd-- with the exception of the buttons it looks like it is impossible for us to get any suitable buttons about here. If you come across any you must bring them when you come. It will take eighteen. Our friend James McCoy came a day or two since I haven’t seen him yet; and let me tell you who do you recon was here a few days ago? Just guess that tall some body that you wrote Sister about - he came about noon and spent the night. We all like him very much of course Sister in particular. The only affection that I have to him (Mr. Brit) is that he is in favor of going back into the Union or at least he trided to make us believe so. Please excuse this and write immediately. We had rather you would come than to write. I would not encourage desertion but you must come as soon as you can conveniently.

Yours with much love
Ann Eliza

(written on margin: Dock’s health is very bad he is now at Macon not able to sit up all day.) Bring my S H with you when you come

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Letter written to Green Lorenzo White, in Confederate Army, from his cousin Ann Eliza Stephens, at or near Barnesville, Ga. or The Rock,

The Rock, Nov. 4th 1863 Seargt. G. L. White
Dear Cousen:

I received your much welcomed letter several days since; and feel that I owe you an apology for having delayed so long. There are num-erous excuses that I might offer in the way of apology but as time is precious and paper dearer I will forbear; decided you know this is not a time for apologies. But I repeat you will say that I am consuming a good deal of both (time & paper) in this way. But we will not discuss this matter now, but will settle it when you come, which I hope will not be long. You must be sure to lay in your claims for a furlough the next drawing. I have selected a nice lady for you a "sweetheart" and I am confident when you see her you will approve of my taste and judgment. Therefore, I don't think it necessary to try to describe her just now. You wrote that in Mississippi girls were the only cheap article you had on hand; well here we have some cheap ones while others are the "dearest articcal anywhere to be found. Yours is one of the latter class of (Lovelys). We received a letter from Cousen Reuben the other day, his health is improving. I guess he has not yet eard of the recent deaths in Texas. ( this Reuben is evidently Reuben Blalock) He was very anxious to hear from --- when he was here. I do so much sympathize with your Ma I have no doubt but that she feels that her cup of sorrow has never been filled until now. I wrote to her yesterday. There was a discharged soldier who spent a few days with us and left yesterday with the intention of making his way through the Yankie Lines. We all sent letters by him. Brother took a trip down to Florida to get salt, just returned last week. He gave $14 per bush. I don't know what you soldiers will do for something to eat another year so many of the hogs are dying with the coterie nearly all around us have lost the most of their hogs. Have you learned to live high upa half rations. I heard a soldier say afew days ago that no one was a good C. soldier "if they couldn't live a month on a glimmering hope of getting something to eat." Is this your experience with a soldier's life. The government have press all of the fancie horses in this section; it is really amusing to see these young men who have subsititutes flying around with their fine horses as though there was no war, and to their utter surprise the enrolling officer have conscripted their horses and leave them on foot. Some are giving $1, 000 to get substitutes for their original horse. It was the general opinion a few days ago that there would be a regular engagement at Chicamauga again; but I am hopeful that we will capture the majority of Rosecrans Army without much fighting. I noticed President Davis have been visiting the army at various points, it seem to cheer the army every much to have him to go to see them. I must close,you must write soon without fail.
Very truly your Cousin
Ann Eliza

(written on margin: I liked to forget to thank you for the "sweet-heart" you have for me. You must bring him when you come. Ma and all of the family sends their love and best wishes to you.

Wrote soon A. E.

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Dover, Russell Co., Ala.

Dear Brother:

For one time I imbrase this oppertunity of writing you afew lines to inform that we are all well at present that is at home. Geroge is in the war and has bin for twelve months. he has ben home twice in the time but he is in Knoxville, Tenissee sick at this time tho he is mending. If he does not get well some I shal go out there James Pleasant is at my house and ben here ten days. he has _______ a long time he stayed at Lowden Tenissee too months he got a furlow to come down hear his furlow is for twenty five days but if he was to mend even so fast he would not be able to go back in that time for he is very week though I think he is mending some. he has

page 2 - a bad cough and his bowels is in a rather a deranged condistion he is not confind to his. he sets out nearly all day and the doctor said he is doing very well. Me and him went over ther this morning you made not be oneasy about attention for he shud have all of it that is nessary. Doctor drive (?) is giveing him medison when his furlow is out I will have it extended. I will kep him hear untill he gets well and him and Green parted (above) (?) at lowden and green _____ we sent him (letters) but have not got any _____er yet. times is hard out hear. corn is worth two dollars per bushel and port twenty five cents per pound though I have got enough of all to do me. rebeckah family I feel and doing well at this time.

page 3 - I want you to wright to mee as soon as you get this letter Pleas is anssion to hear from home. direct your letter to Dover post office so I must by saying good by for the time.
Letter of J. L. White to W. V. White

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"Lowden Tenessee November the 15 1862

Dear Father - I avail the present opportunity of writing you a few lines on business. I writen Sister a leter yesterday no news of importance. Brother is better today. he is mending as fast as could be expected for fear that Sister does not get the letter that I sent to her I will relate to you about James Sickness. he has been Sick about 7 days bout is now about well you can do what you think best about Sending clothes we have plenty of blankets as many as we have any use for 3 over Shirts apiece and not so much of other clothing but we will not suffer if others do not. We drawn some clothing today.

page 2 - but not enough to do any good they given it to those what needed it the worst. So we did not get any. I have sent $300.00 dollars to you by Capt. Davis. we have $230.00 left ma said for us not to send all of our money home that you Spoke of coming to See us we they owe us nearly 3 months wages yet you must write whether you are coming or not and if not we will Send you Some more after a while. remember how that came. it taken hard labor to make it but it is sent to you for the familys Special benefit I must come t a close please write Soon Direct your letters to Lowden, ten. and if we move they will follow on after us.

page 3 - Pa I have not never writen you any thing about Dunmore. he quit cooking for us about the first of May he come to us come time in July but and staid with us until we left Chatanuga which about 20 days but did not do anything much for he was sick the most of the time you and mr. Law can Settle that right I do not think it would be hardly right for us to pay for all the time he was absent. Tell John Law he must be certain and write as he promised. James says he has not anything to say any more than I have said. his respects and love to all.

G. L. White to W. V. White

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"Addressed: Linden P.O. Davis Co. Mr. W. V. White A due 10. Andrews Reg. Capt. Bostick Company "postmarked" " Boston... 1862)

June the 20th 1862 in camp near Priceville, Mississippi.

Dear Parents, sisters and Brothers. I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that me and Brother is well at this time. John Watkins is in camps but he is not well. John Law - is at Columbus, Mississippi. he is mending. We are looking for him in camp. I was over to see Jessy Blalock yesterday. he was well. William Riley is dead. Marsh Dansby is dead. Thomas Acy Stephens is dead. he died in Tennessee. There is a regment of Alabama troops campt a bout one and a half from here. There is a great many of boys that you know. Dr. Warner P. Benon is Surgeon of the reg. Jessy Blalock has seen teem-. I could give you more news if I had seen them myself. I am going over in a day or two. I will give you the names of those that he seen. Joe Adams, Ivy Conway, William Allen, John Ward, Nelems Crowder of Salem is the Captain he was not with them long. he seen them out on the road. Cousin Mary Jane Stephens is married. She maried John Walls. it is our John that lived up there at the old grey place. She went there on Saturday and Sunday he carried her down to Columbus and maried and Monday he joined an artillery company and went off. Uncle James will not let her go back home. Cosin James McKisick is dead. Arnold is here, I was in a Mississippi reg. yesterday. t ey have not been out long. I seen Uncle Moses White's nearest neighbor and a great many others that was acquainted with your people. they said that my uncle's boys was in the 31st reg. which is over about town. I want to go over and see them and the Ala. they said Uncle Moses (White) boys was out in Virginia and last fall they got very sick an2FUncle Moses went after them and brought them home. They got well and is in the Service here now. Grandmother (White) is dead. Uncle Cyrus (White) and two of his 3a-ughters and grandmother Davis is dead. Dr. McClendon lost his wife and all his children and three negroes. They have several boys out in Service. those men said that Cyrus White was missed as much as any man in that country. Mose Duneway hag-Tone to Arkansas. he and one of his sisters with his father in law. Uncle Mose made a fine crop last year but he did not gather much of his Eo-tton. Ben Baker is here. Some say that he is a Brigadier general. I receive@ your leters that you sent by the Express. I received several letters. I got your letters that you sent by Bays Company and the comb. ma wanted to know whether I wanted any clothes or not. I would like to have one pair of those pants which she has made for me. I am not sufuring for them. I could get some but I had rather ware some that was made at home. We are getting to eat Flour molasses Some bacon no coffee Shugar plenty Fresh beef We have blackberry pies Tehy say that we are agoing to cross the Mississippi and be mounted but they say so many things that I do not know whether to believe it or not I feel under many obligations to you all for writing to we had preaching the other day and had night meeting that night I was glad to hear of the continuation of your preir meeting at Laws Chapel. We love to think we have parents who are praying for us. I was Sory to hear that your corn was Sory but I am in hopes that it may come out yete. We are 65 miles from where your people lives. They live 28 miles west (West?) Point which is on this railroad 37 miles from here. everybody brag on my health Sister I have not seen a young lady since we came to Corinth. It would be a great pleasure to me to sit down with my parents, sisters and brothers and give them the first degree of a Soldier for I think that I could give them the first degree as we was on the retreat from Corinth. The boys got very hungry. They would go in to the cow pens and some would hold the cows and some would milk them but that was not me nor none of our boys but I eat beaf without any salt but only had it to do one time. You and Adie said you was going to take dinner with us. You must come and come soon in the morning and we will have some Blackbery tarts. Write soon Sister if you please. My Dear Mother please write those lines you wrote me. I read them over and over. Pa, you must write. I have no war news. They say that peace will be made shortly. Capt. White is going home in a few days. I must come to a close. So fare the well fond ones. Tell all the childring howdy, kiss Charley and Georgy for me. Tell Thomas that the big boys is getting on very well. Tell Sister Mary that she must come with Sister Livona and get dinner and Sisy, you must take good care of your turkies for I want one Baked when I get back home. you many have med ley to splnge round on and go to see all the boys but Mr. Short I recon you have got him fat by this time. you wants to know what the money that I sent to Shuter was for it was for a knife which me made for J. C. Duk (Dirk, Duke ?)
TO W.V. WHITE AND FAMILY - from G.L. White

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CAMP NEAR MARIDIAN MISSISSIPPI 5th 1864

Dear Friends and Relatives I embrace the present opportunity of writing you a short letter which leaves me and most of the boys of your acquintance well, We are getting plenty to eat We have to drill some but not a great deal the last letter that I received from home came by Capt. Campbell this young man who will carry this letter is a member of our company was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, Tenn. He say that he will go to see you when he gets home which I think that he will as he is a good clever boy and a particular friend of mine. he is a nice boy. We are looking for Col Andrews every day who was wounded at the battle of Chicamauga. I shall rejoice to see him come though our Capt. who commands the regiment is a nice man.

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Ma, have you got any school to send Thomas and * to for I know that they ought to be going to school and I expect that Sister Georgia is very near larqe enough to go to school. Ma you must try to bring your children up right I have seen the necessity of the right training since I have been In the army. I have seen some boy who have almost forgotten that they have any parents All they think of is an old greasy deck of cards that is enough on that subject as I do not think that Thomas will learn any of those evil habits We have nice weather as I nearly ever seen I do not think that we will eat to stay in our houses much longer, as the Yankees are moving out in this direction.

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I suppose you are preparing for another crop if you have as pleasant weather over with you. Sister Livona I cannot tell you whether I will come home any more or not as Mr. R. C. Graves of our company had picked me out a sweathart in Georgia and she sent me word that I must be certain and come for she would wait for me. Bob say she is pretty as red shoes. How are the girls getting along over there. I expect they have a nice time catching conscripts over there now since the last Act of Congress to take all men who have in substitutes in XXX I suppose that you are tired of reading my disintiresting letter. Your very respectfully G. L. White back of page 4 - remember me to all my friends

Letter from GREEN LORENZO WHITE - to his mother
* hard to decipher - probably "Cholloie" or Charlie his baby brother,
Charles Arthur White.
Col. Andrews is probably same Julius A. Andrews - commanding 15th Texas. Reg.

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In Camp near SHELBYVILLE, TENN. Feb. 24th 1862

Dear Mother this morning I seat myself to inform you that I am well at this time hoping this will find you and family enjoying the same blessing N-Waters, John Watkins, C. M. Clements, Lieut McCoy, L Baren are well, John Heath is sick at hsopitle I have no news of much importance to relate I have not heard from James since I writen to you but I do not know whether you got it or not but I written you several by amil and by hand James was very sick the last I heard from him he is at Unci-e John Whites in Alabama though I recon you have heard of it before this -I received the letter that you written me the 18 of Jan. Iwas glad to hear that you was well I was glad that Tony had got the canteen that I sent him. I will send little Charley a present the first chance I can not tell you anything about the fight the enemy I do not know but I do not think that they wil-1 advance any farther we have had a great deal of rain the most of us have chimbleys to our tents it is very comfortable to the way we have been living but this is not like home Ma, it is not a comfortable life to be so far from our Dear parents an sisters and little brothers. Sister said in her letter that she did not want us to come back as some do deserters but I do not think I that I will ever come in that wise for I left home honorable an expect to come back the same way or bit the dust from a yankey bulet so nothing more but remain your much beloved

Son write soon G. L. White to M. J. White
LETTER FROM CAMP CANNON, MISS ( near Brandon Jan. 18th 1864

Dear Mother, Sisters, & Brothers I take great pleasure in writing you a short lett 'er which will not contain much news only that I am well and doing well. this man who I wil.1- send this letter by is Mr. Jordan who lives near you and maried the widow Warnels(/) daughter and She died not long since and left some little helpless childreing and he got a furlough on the strength of it to go to see them he is a good soldier as any man well I believe that I have not written to you since we came back to our winter quarters I was glad to get back to them for this is very disagreeable weatlier to be out in the weather We have a nice time here for we have very good houses here and I have found some of my kindsmen near here T was up there the other day I went up on the cars for the first time they were cousins to Pa I did not know they were up there until a few days back their names was Mcalroy John Mcalroy his wife is named Martha old uncle William hite died up there last year with an eating cancer his family are up there yet some some of the Tuckers are living up there I found a great many of my relatives up there I got heaps of good to eat up there they were all. as glad to see me appearantly as if I had of been their own child #2 John Mcaroy a cousin of Pa's is about sixty years of age but is very lively has been in the service and was discharged lie belonged to the 4th Miss regement he is the greatest old man that I nearly ever saw he taken his horses and brought me to camps lie is coming after me next monday I shall stay up there a week with them there is some nice young ladies up there it sounds very right strange to me to hear the girls call me cosin Green Cosin John Mcalroy has a very nice daughter She gave me some presents when I left Such as a nice pair of gloves, soks Cosin Green is a very big dog among them You know it is very pleasant to a soldier who has been living in camps so long to get out in the country and get something good to eat and some to bring to camp they live al-cut teii miles from here Cosin John said he would be here soon Monday morning to cary me out he has two sons in the Virginia Army lie is a great war man indeed I believe that I did enjoy myself better up there than I did at Unclb Moses Whites not with standing they treated me with a great deal of respect but there was not so many girl.s up there I will tell you in my next letter whether I mary while I am gone or not I would like to see you know who very well I can not tell the reason that I can not get letters from Texas #3 I received a letter from Cosin Ann Stephens the other day they were all well She want me to come to see them very much I have not received any letter by Jessy Blalock as yet but am expecting one every day Marion Dobbs,who went home with him spent one night with us Since he came back Said that Jesey was to start in a few days after he did I will expect a lengthy letter when Hardy comes back for he said that he would go to see you and I want you to write your exact feeling and sentiments about all things do not keep back anything whatever it might be for I do want to know your precise condition. does uncle Dred* live at the same place on Sulphur river yet or not Mr Jordan said that he will go to see you but his notions may change when lie gets there you must write to me by him when he comes back does the people on that side of the river think that we will have peace soon or not. I think that the war will last a good while yet though some think differentenly front me I think that we will stay here all winter as we have good houses the boys are all in fine spirits as I ever seen I will close for good night Tommy and to night and finish before Jordan leaves Charley, Georgia, Sister Mollie I will go to town tomorrow and get you some presents I have just returned from town and times are dull over there everything priced high I got you an almanac and will send it to you by bar. Jordan if he will take it, it gives an account of the different Battles Some interesting reading in it I tried to get a news paper to send to you but could not but there is no news afloat that is interesting Ma I sent you my Ambro type last summer by Dr. Johnson who lives near Marshal, Texas and have not heard whether you got it or not I had it drawn at Montgomery, Ala. I would like to know if you did get it also if you did get my finger rings that I sent home last May by a man who lives in Bowie County was discharged from our regiment ma let me know if Pa did get any of brother James mony in Ala. that Uncle Jack White had spent I have not heard did Pa have good luck in travailing home I have not heard from Ala in some time They were all well the last account I had of them let me know how you are getting along in your next letter though I usppose that you made enough to eat and that is as good as could expect there times So good by for this time your most affectionate son do not get impatient for my home return I could not get any thing in town to send the childring. TO MARY J WHITE - Linden, Texas

The Maclroys said they all knew you when a girl as well as anyone that you had visited them often.

* uncle Dred - is Eldred N.C. Blalock who married Eliza Stephen, sister to Mary Jane Stephen White.

March 24, 1862
Camp Near Van Buren, Arkansas
Brother Jas. M. Patterson

Dear Sir Your very kind letter of February 28, 1862 has at last reached me and has been duly read and much appreciated. It found me after taken all things into consideration as well as could be expected - And may the Lord grant that these few lines may find you and Family well.

I will now reply to your request so far as I am able in refference to the sickness death and burial of your son charley - I was with him all the tim eduring his short spell of sickness - I gave him nearly if not quite all the medicine that our surgeon prescribed for him - he was sick only about two days and nights - he was taken with sickness at the stomache and vomiting and that which he threw up was of a dark and offensive nature - he seems to have lost his right mind some after he was taken - our surgeon was call in soon and he pronounced Charley's sickness Pneumonia though he said that his head or brain was as much if not more affected than his lungs - I think that he did all that he could as a surgeon or gentleman for Charley but it all did no good and his mess as well as myself waited on him with the very best attention.

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coffin - I had been siting up for several nights before and I had laid down that day to sleep a little and when they got ready to go to the grave they did not wake me up - and I went and never saw the place where he was buried - but it is at the same place where six others of our company are buried - Since I received your letter I have talked with several of our company who saw him buried - they say that his grave can easily be distinguished and some of them say or think that James Myres wrote his name on his head board - If we ever again go near that place I will mark his grave so that you will be certain to know it - Should you ever try to take him up - After Charley's death, James Spier and I opened his pocket book and found in it sixty five dollars in Confederate money - which I gave to Capt Tison in a few days afterwards. Charley as well as the rest of us drew ninety five dollars just before he took sick - I think that Charley must to have loaned some of his out, for I do not think that he spent as much as thirty dollars - he seemed to be very saving with his money - I tried to accertain at his death of the boys whether any of them had borrowed any money of him but could not find out. Brother Patterson as to Charley's faith with refference to his future existance I am not

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by knowing that he is now in the hands of him who doeth all things well - but I am confident of one thing and that is, that his heart was not proned towards evil - when we were in Camps Charley always partook of the plays and meriment that the boys indulged in - but at no time evil disposed - we all loved him and were sorry to give him up when the time came.
In the evening after Charley was buried I went to Capt Tison and asked him if some of us ought not to write to you - he replyed that he had already done so and he took and showed me the letter that he had written you and it was so much what I would have written that I declined from the painfull task knowing at the same time that it would be painfull to you to read one letter containing Charley's death much more two.
Brother Patterson we have had for weeks high exciting times beyond description which I have not time nor space to say much about now - but we have at last found that which we have been serching hunting for ____ the battle ground - in fly we left over winter quarter and went to meet Gen Price who was retreating from a superior enemy - we met him the first day within our State

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the Baston Mountain leaving Benton and the most of Washington County in possession of the ruthless invaders - the old Federal flag was planted on the court house in Fayetteville on the fourth of this month we left Baston Mountain for the enemy - the picket fought on the sixs and on the seventh - we came in sigt of the enemys west wing - two miles west of telegraph road - Gen Mullosh arranged four regiments of infantry ours being one of them, his battle order and attacked the enemy - then commenced the battle - the flood gates of death over thrown avids canon against canon musket against musket sword against sword and bayonet against bayonet and on that memorable day many a man in arms went down never to rise any more until time shall have been seclared to be no more and resurrection comes - We fought for near four hours against five time our number. Gen Mulloch and M getting there was no one to bring our cavalry to our assistance when needed and we fled taking two batteries - we compelled to withdraw from the field leaving our dead and wounded on the field except such as were able to take themselves
Capt Tison and several others of our company were wounded - one or two had died from wounds.
M. T. Embree