Army of Northern Virginia

~~ 6th Alabama Infantry ~~
Thomas S. Taylor Letters


1861 - 1865

~ Civil War letter of Thomas S. Taylor, August 1863 ~

After Gettysburg Lee and Meade parried across northern Virginia in several battles and skirmishes. During this period the 6th was engaged at Manassas Gap, Mine Run and Bristoe Station. It is during a lull in this maneuvering that this short letter is written. They are in camp at Orange Courthouse Virginia, South of the Rapidan River and in a defensive position squarely across the Orange and Alexandria railroad.

The Federal attack on Charleston is mentioned in the letter since the Federal Admiral Dahlgren’s efforts to take Battery Wagner would have been much in the news.

There is a reference to Mr. Talley. He was Thomas’s pastor from home and his brother- in- law. He was married in 1859 to his sister Martha Ann Taylor. Reverend Tally came to be the chaplain for the Autauga Rifles. From Thomas’s letter following his brother’s death we can see that he had previously suggested that Mr. Talley come and take the job of Chaplain. As this letter indicates, this appears to have occurred.

Camp 6th Ala. Regt
Orange C. H. August 26th, 1863

My Dear Sister Matilda
I received your very kind & interesting letter this morning. I had been very anxiously looking for a letter from you or some one from home for several days. I received one from Sallie last night & Mr. Talley received one  from Sister Martha. We are all in good health & spirits. Nothing of importance has occurred lately. All things seem to be quiet in the Army everywhere except at Charleston. It is still holding out & Our Officers in Command of our forces  there seem determined to sell the place as dearly as possible. I suppose they will dispute every inch of ground for the City. This is the way to succeed. We must fight if we expect to be free. Our foe seems determined on subjugating us. May the God of Battles help them who help themselves Let us be as determined to be free as they are to subjugate us & all will be well. God helping us. Mr. Talley has been labouring in good earnest with our soldiers. I think he will do a great deal of good. All seem well pleased with his preaching & a good feeling for good seems to be in the breast of all the troops. I have enjoyed myself very well since his arrival. I cant remember when I felt so good as I did on last Friday the national fast day We literally tried to spend the day in the Service of God & but one thing was lacking to make any happiness as complete as it could be an earth. Had I been at Home surrounded by kind friends, loving sisters affectionate parents & with an adored wife & children with the balmy wings of power floating over our distressed country, then I would be happy indeed. Oh will our God, The Great Jehovah, Lord of Lords & King of Kings who is our Father & who holds the destiny of nations in his own hands. Will he not impose & put a stop to this cruel war. Oh I think of my dear wife and children. what would become of them were I called away. It is true I have been but little service to them since this war began but I know they would suffer if I were never to see them again. Sister you say you love me. I do not doubt it. You say also that you love Sallie & my little children. Sister let me make one request of you & others of the family. Consider their present circumstances & try to make them as happy as you can. I do not believe that you would knowing render under them unhappy for I have always thought you were very kind to them & have been informed of this by Sallie in all her letters to me. But Sister we are all human & to err is also human & might sometimes in an unguarded moment say or do something that would be worse to the heart than the sting of a poison serpent Then oh for heavens sake as you love your absent brother be kind to his dear loved ones & God will be your rewarder I received a letter from little Bud in yours & also one from little Eddie C. & Mother. All gave me pleasure to read I have just received one from sister Mattie. God bless you my Dear sister. Give my love to all Tell all them to write. Tell Father to write to me Your devoted brother

Thos. S. Taylor

to Matilda

I frank my letters because I cant get postage stamps

© Copyright: February 21, 1999
H. E. Cross, Jr.
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