John James Wilson was born in Duplin County in 1843 or 1844. His parents were Willis Wilson (1807 – 1860) and Amanda Pollock (1813 – 1888). John mentions his relatives in several of his letters. He had three older sisters (Mary Eliza, Sarah Priscilla and Alice H.). The three sisters were married to three Johnson brothers: Mary to Richard Washington Johnson, Sarah Priscilla to Kinion Johnson, and Alice to Evan Johnson. John also had a younger brother, Joseph, and a younger sister, Margaret. His uncle, Alfred Ward Pollock, was Amanda Wilson’s younger brother.
John Wilson enlisted in Company B, 51st Regiment North Carolina Troops, on April 29, 1862. He served with the regiment in and around Wilmington, Kinston and Charleston. In his letters, he frequently mentions asking for a furlough so he can go home for a visit. Unfortunately, his leave requests were denied, and he was not allowed to return home until he was terminally ill with typhoid fever. He died at home on July 15, 1863.
The letters below are part of the Willis and Amanda Family Papers MS-226, Randall Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Transcripts by Kirk Ward.
Camp homes near Wilmington
N C May the 12 1862
Dear mother I take mi pen in han to in form you that I am well an hopping thoes few lines may find you injoying the same blesing mothe I we have recive our arms to day I have bin sick but I am well at present am satisfied as present we have bacon and coffee and flour I hope those fiew fine may find you the same there is not verry many in Capt company sick we ar a bout 12 miles from town I have bin a swiming in the sound I have nothing importance to write you I have 1 rote to cester Mary I want you to give mi respects to all of mi friend and kin people I will come to a close by saying I want you to rite me son
John J. Wilson to Am Wilson
May 29th 1862
Camp Davis
Near wilmington NC
Dear Mother
I recived your kind and in leiget letter on the 28th ins I have nothing importance to write you there is a very kean firing at the forts this morning we are expecting a fight evry day we are all well as common one man died yesterday near us I do not no wen I shal come home I have not ask for a furlow yet the fare is not very good they said sent us 90 lbs of fresh bef it spilt and was throwed in the sound this morning I am well and harty I have not recivd no letters from sister Mary I want you to give mi love to all of mi friends want to come the last of this month or the first of nex I do not no how long I we shal we shal stay here I wan to send to send some of mi things the first Chance we do expect to draw our bounty next week as there is a drum I wish Joseph could see him he is not as larg as Joseph he draws the attention of all his name is Charly More his mother is dead he was drummer at manasas so they say I washed some of mi clse to day
I want you to tell uncl AW Pollock to make me a nice box too ft and a half long out of cyprys and I wil pay him want you to send me some thing in it to eat any thing sels high here tell Miss Mary Hollingsworth that L.. W.. is will and sais he wants to come but he cannot and he wants them to work on and take care of it parson Canoda come and gave us tracks hyme Books and testaments the itch is in the regiment some of our boys is anchious to get in a fite, wish you had a bin here last saturdays there was 300 in one string ongeneral inspection old french was there we have good water wa lost enough that sea that we have made blind to keep them from seeing our tents I do rec Joseph had better stay a whil longer
I want to come to a close by say excuse bad writing and speling an I will yours un til deat
John J Wilson
To Amanda Wilson
[Upside-down on second page]
Jhon J Wilson
Joperias J Margret
A Wilson
Notes: Private Leonard Wright Hollinsworth served in the same company as John Wilson; he married Mary Rackley in 1859. General Samuel French (referred to as “old french” in the letter) commanded the Department of North Carolina.
Camp Dais near wilmington
June the 14 1862
Unkle Affred a respectable friend I take the presen opportunity of of writing you a fiew lines to in form you that I am well at present and hope those fiew lines may find yourn in enjoying good health I undersood by alsey that you was well in fact I found it on the lid of mi box I have nothing important to write here is one man in our company regiment to be court martial to day thire is and other one in the same fix some of our boy says that it will shoottin I have bin well as common I shood be glad to come home [?] for so I could go in a swiming and eat some thing good to eat we cannot get mi furlow but I want you to write as soon as you can I was glad to get that box you made me there is a write smart of sickness in our company there is about 35 sick I have nothing more a present I will come to a close by saying that you all remember me men we are far apart
John J Wilson
A.W. Pollock dear sir
I have bin sick sick ever since come down here I have don no duty since I have bin here to weak there is to regimen has move and and we do expec to move soon to wilming ton 3 men died in too days in the leventh I hope we will move there tell all of the gals howdy for me I have nothing more writ at present I must come to cose by saying howdy for me
James A Brown
To A.W. Pollock
Note: Private James Arthur Brown served in Company B with John Wilson. Brown was captured at Cold Harbor, Virginia on June 1, 1864 and died a few months later at Elmira prison camp.
Camp Davis June 19th /62
Mrs Amanda Wilson
Dear mother I embrace the present moments to write you a few lines informing you that I am well at present Hoping this will find you enjoying good Health I have nothing of interest to write at present I believe that all the Boys is geting along very well we have got a plenty to eat and yesterday evening we got four new tents so we are not crowded now we are all living as well as soldiers can ever expect to live the 11th and 43rd Regiments I understand is ordered to Richmond. Some will Soon move from this camp I think that we will go to Wilmington or Smithville I Recon we will draw some clothes today and I Recon we will draw Some money before long. Tell Miss Frank Mathis that her father is well as time is short I will close by saying give my love to all Enquiring friends
Lieut Herring sends his best Respects to you and all the family.
yours &c.
John J.Wilson
Note: Third Lieutenant Thomas J. Herring served in Company B with John Wilson. He was eventually promoted to captain and commanded Company B at the end of the war.
July 17 1862
Fort Johnson
Dear mother
I take the present opportunity of writing you a fiew line to in form you that I am wil and Hoping those fiew lines may find you the sam Mother I want you to let me no how you are all a getting a long I want you to send me som appels one pare pants & mi cap and toothbrush and note book the southern harmony tell Joseph I would be glad he would come down next monday with Dolin Best he comes down evry monday I wote you that I was a going to try for a furlow but I did not try because it was not worth while I have nothing more to write and I will come to a close by saying give mi love and respects to all John James Wilson
Wilmington
July 30th 1862
Dear mother
I the present opportunity of riting you a few lines to in form you that I am well at the present and hoping these few lines may find you the sam I have nothing to write importance we are drwing out bounty I do aim to send you mi bounty by J R Ezzell esq 210 $ dollars we are bothered with making very much I did aim to come on a furlow but they are stop I do not no when I shal come we we was orderderd from smith vill on sonday and on sonday nite a bout 12 o clock we left now have been orderd back to smith vill to kinston and to Richmond we are under marching orders at present mother if you stay here verry long I want you to come down and see me you wanted me to send you word if went to Richmond but it is imsable for me to send you any word I have some [?] to send to you want you to send me a grog of cider if you can I have nothing to to you I want you to send me some popatsarts give mi love to you the family and miss F K Mathers Father is well and harty are in a verry hot place at present but we are going to move a bout mile on the railrode Do not want you to send me any more close
I will come to close by saying this you all remember me when we are far apart
John James Wilson
To Amanda Wilson
Smithville NC
Aug 14th 1862
Dear Mother I tak the present opportunly of writing you a few lines to in form you that I am well at present I received your kind and affectonate letter and was glad to her from you I was glad to her that you and all of the family is well is not worth mi while to talk a bou a furlow now I have not bin well fare too or 5 day but I nevr will never miss no drills I am well and harty at present I received those things you sent me and was glad to have something to eat from home I want you to send me soap if you can you may look to rufus Bowden for it I am oderd about so much I cannot keep all of mi things I do want you to let Joseph come as soon as you can I rote to Evan the other day Mr I W Hering has bin sick some time with the mumps and the year ache but he is a mending very fast he gives hi best respects to you all I want you to excuse me fr not riting to you commencd to rite and the boat left be fore I could get it redy I have nothin to write to you we have som verr warm weather Cousin George is is in the horspital I hav nithing well at present
John J Wilson
To Amanda Wilson
I may has leaf to
[Another letter begins on the last page. The writing has been lined through.]
Aug th 1862
Smithville N C
Dear Mr Evan Johnson a respective friend I received your kind and afectonate and was glad to here from you [letter ends]
Note: Private Isaac William Herring served in Company B with John Wilson.
Sept the 5 1862
Dear mother
I take the present opportunity of dropping you a few lines to in form you that I am not will at present I have a verry bad coal and the year ache but it all a mending I received your letter and was glad to here from you received 3 alot men money I was much pleased with it you direct your letter s kinston I am a bout twelve mile on this side at a butcher peir I do like to be a butchre verry will we kill seven arry other day give mi love and best respects to alla of my friends and to miss francis A.. mother alsas I must come to close by saying remains youres terly
John J Wilson
Camp Camball N C sept 15 1862
Dear mother
I arrived here safe I moved as I rote to you that I was a going to I am well except a bad cal and I am much pleased with mi move I have no time to rite much I commensed mi letter and was orderd of too miles on picket evr thing sels verry cheap but I have no money we have not drawn no money yet we have hired Linsbull this month send your things to warsaw on wednesday so he can come down on thuesday send me a couple of chickens send that sall Jay H Smith the the regiment is in good health I have nothing more at prsent we ar 7 miles forom kinston
direct your letters
Camp Cambell Near kinston
John Ja Wilson
[back of page]
Mary has leave to go to henry.
Mary has leab to pas and repas on good behvier home Monday [?] henry best Amanda
Sept the 19 1862
Kinston N C
Dear Mother I receive your kind letter I was glad to here from you & I receive that box you sent me and was glad to see it I am much pleased with mi shirts Mr David J Smith wants you to make him a coupple like mine he offers $5 for the too do not make the pockets qite so large abd I received mony chickens also your letter reached me well as common I have A severe cold we move eight miles since I rote to you Mother I would have sent mi box home but I cannot the chance I am much pleased with mi move there is nothing between us and the yankes but pickets the yankes has bin 3 miles to this plase I want to send Joseph next thursday send me some money up I think that we will draw I will send one box now and the othr first chance
PS Dear Mother some few words I forgot to tell you that they have nice crops all through here we expect to draw our wages before long I expect to send one of my boxes this time and the other the first chance I get give my love and best respects Brother & sister & Miss Frank Mathis I. W. Herring send his love to all the folks
John. J. Wilson
Notes: Privates David James Smith and Isaac William Herring served with John Wilson in Company B. The 51st Regiment did not pay its soldiers until January 2, 1863.
Camp Allen N. C. Nov. 9th 1862
Dear mother
I write you a few lines informing you that I am well at present hoping these few lines may find you and all the family enjoying good health I am well But I am very soar from marching. I have drawd my clothes & I am going to send some of my cloths home By charity Pollock I want you to make my pants and put a Black cord down each leg I will send you a pattern to cut my coat the first chance I will get charles cowles to end the patrens Tell Sam I want him to catch me a good oposom n send by the first passing you never saw the like of blisterd feet in your life as there is in this Regiment I marched the other night through the mud and Rain thought of home. I went down too trenton and I never saw as sorry a place Before in my life I am not able to what those peopple lives on I dont Believe there is pound of meat in Trenton there was one hog there & Lieut Swinson Bought him and Brough up to the camp Lieut Herring & David J Smith went down Below Trenton eleven miles & a half & thy went in Eight miles miles of trento & tried to get a shot at the yankees But they could not get nearer then A quarter of a mile of them so the had to come back without shooting at them there is a portion of our Boys Anxious to fight But they cannot get the chance give my Best Respects to all Enquiring friends if any
John J Wilson
P. S.
I W Herring sends his Best to you & family and to the school house
J.J. Wilson
Old Thomas says he would write But he is two sleepy
Notes: First Lieutenant John Swinson, Third Lieutenant Thomas Herring, Corporal Charles Cowles, and Privates David Smith & Isaac Herring all served in Company B with John Wilson. Lt. Colonel William Allen, commanding the 51st Regiment during this period, commented that the regiment executed a “tedious and exceedingly unpleasant march of several days through rain and snow, mud and water.”
Hollingsworth Corelia Adline
Camp Allen n.c. Nov. 12th 1862
Manday wilson
Dear Mother mother I will write you afew lines to let you know that I am well at present & hope this will find you and family Enjoying good health. I have nothing of interest to write so I will not undertake any thing But I want you to Send me two or three pair of Socks. I will Send you their patrens the first chance I get I would send them by Dallas But Charles Cowles is going up So I cannot get them cut. But I will send them Soon I dont want you to make my coat untill you get them I will close By Saying write Soon & oblige
John J. Wilson
Note: Corporal Charles Cowles served in Company B with John Wilson.
Camp Whiting N.C. Dec 1st 62
Dear mother I embrace the present moments to write you afew lines informing yow that I am well at present hoping this will find yow and all the family Enjoying good health. I Recieved the Barrel of Potatoes you sent to me & was very Glad to get them, I have nothing interesting to write at present. our camp is on or near the plank Road about one mile and A half Wilmington and it is not a very pleasent place, But it is better than I thought it would Be when we first come here we have very strict Rules in Camp at this time. there is not But one man from each Company in the Regiment allowed to go to Town Each day But I dont care for that. I dont know when I will get the chance to go home Captain Hobson tried to get me Detailed to go home but General Clingman would not approve it. But I and Lieutenant Herring is going to apply for a furlough Before long But I dont know whether we will get them or not. as time is Short I will have to close By Saying prease write Soon and oblige
John J. Wilson
Notes: Captain Caleb Hobson and Third Lieutenant Thomas Herring were officers in John Wilson’s company. The 51st, 8th, 31st, and 61st Regiments were assigned to the brigade commanded by General Thomas L. Clingman.
Camp Whiting N. C. Dec 5 1862
Dear mother
I Embrace the present momen to write you a few lines informing you that I am well at present I hope this will you and family Enjoying good health I have nothing very interesting to write we are throwing up Entrenchments the [?] up Wilming which looks like it will never Be any Benefit to us or anybody elce there is one disgusting at A Graveyard we have dug up 3 dead Bodies which I suppose had been Buried between [?]
I want you to send me another bag of potatoes by James Strickland next thursday he will come down evry thursday so you send any thing you want to send the potatoes in a bag they will not take barrels on the cars I close by say saying write soon & oblige
John J Wilson
Camp Whiting N.C. Dec 13th/62
Dear Mother I write you afew lines informing you that I am well at present and hope this will you Enjoying good health I have nothing interesting to write at present there is part of our Regiment at work in Wilmington throwing up Entrenchments. I dont know how long it will take them to get done. I want you to send me some potatoes and fresh Meat Lieut Herring has got hurt in his leg and ankle so that I Expect it will be sometime before he will be able to do anything he has to travel on crutches but he dont want you to let his mother know that he is hurt as I have not got much time to write I will close by saying write soon and oblige
John J. Wilson
Camp Whiting
January the 11 1863
Dear mother I am not very well at present I hope those fiew lines may find you and family well William D Carell in in the horsepital Mr stricklin is a coming a fry day send me thing to Eat I understand that a o Smith is dead mother send me mi root song Book for D J Smith Give mi love to all of my in quiring Friinds nothing
Jonatin J Wilson
To Amanday Wilson
Mr D. J Smith & I W Herring sends you there best respects
Notes: Privates Isaac William Herring, David James Smith and William D. Carroll served in Company B with John Wilson. Private Albert O. Smith served with Company B until he was wounded on December 17, 1862 at Goldsboro. He died from his wounds on January 8, 1863.
Camp McKeathern
March 10 [1863]
Dear Mother I embraci the present opportunity of dropping you a few lines to inform you that I am well at present & I hope those few lines may may find you the same blesing I have bin to Savannah since I rote to you savannah is the prettyist place I ever saw we faird verry well we returned here this morning we fare verry bad for some thing to eat mother georgia is a nice country in travling I saw three alligotors I have not seen not seen a half fo a dozen of hogs in south carlina I want to go to Old North Corlina or Gergia mother I rote to sister allas & I have not hearn from it since I want you to rite to me what post office you direct yours to you rote to to me something about my bying ant nancy I dont know what to do I donot know how I would pay for heran I want you to write to me how much mor corn I have to sell I think you had better save som for fear you would be scerse miss bom said should she wanted a barrell and she wanted to know what I would charge her I want you to charghe what you think is write
I here some tell of peace the is a nigra man in savannah a 112 years old says the war will end the last of this month this is the smartest the strongest place I have ever saw mother if the war does end and leave me alive I want to live in Georgia a year or to to shoot varmomps and catch fish the swamps are all green I saw some guarden pe blossoms in the savannah rive I found a bee tree mother there is thar the is 75 largs guns mounted guns a round savannah the yankes will never take savannah neither charlston if wimington was as well fotifide as savannah I should wan the yanks to come John J. Wilson
[This letter is missing part of sheet on lower left]
April 2nd 1863
James Island near Charleston SC
Dear mother
I receive your kind and affectionate letter and was glad to here from you I receive it with much pleasure and it reach me enjoying good healh I have nothing worth writing Chesnut J Ezzell got too of his toes in cutting up beef the ax come off and cut threw the sole of his shose Mother I want you to send about 25$ home the first chance I can get mother I want you to spend my money and keepe and set it dow account of it I had rather you would spend it all I send home I had rather you would get some body to keepe it for you suppose you was to die? I am glad to her from sistr mary & sister Prisilla & sister A F Johnson but I am sorrow to here that Mary wer sick I want to know if Kenon or Evran or R. Wassington is in the war or not We wer on the field all day last friyday on gen review we never kept fot we had gen Beauguard to re view us and [?]
[?] we don verry well he is grey headed [?] looks like a verry smart man [?]de a verry fine seach to us [?] time is short I must come to a [?] soon tell sis I want to see her. [?] bad I am glad the is going to school [?] want the war to end and I want to go to school too year tell Joseph I would like to see him verry much
[?] David James Smith gives his [?] respects to you and family and Miss Frank want you to give mi love to all of mi qiring friends if any and keepe a due portion your self mother I am a going to write to sister mary to morrow our company is as healthy as I ever saw it corrs have was verry
Nothing more
John J Wilson
Notes: Private Chestnutt J. Ezzell remained with Company B for another year, despite missing two toes. He was wounded on May 13, 1864 and died a few weeks later. John Wilson’s three elder sisters were married to three Johnson brothers: Mary to Richard Washington Johnson, Sarah Priscilla to Kinion Johnson, and Alice to Evan Johnson.
Camp near Charleston SC
James Island
Apl 15th 1863
mother I received your kind letter & was glad to here from you you letter found me well I am in better health than I have bin in some time mother I should like to see you all verry much Mother you rote to me that they was a going to divided the land Mother I am willing to do this any way that esq ward think best mother the boys is all as como we think that we will go some whr but I do not no wher it will be we may go to wilmington or to alabaah we do not expect to stay her much longer I have no time to write as I am on guard to day I should like to see Miss bats excuse bad writing and speling nothing more
John James Wilson
To his mother
Amanda Wilson
[This letter is badly faded and entire lines are illegible]
May 1863
Wilmington NC
Dear mother [?]
[?] to her from you we do not know wher we will go we are a waiting for orders to leave your letter found me well + harty the regiment is in good health you aught to have seen them when we got orders to leave mother I was glad to here that you was well + famly you rote to me to help you pay for too shirts of the [?] mother I spent all of mi money [?] for something to eat [?]
[?]
[?] twenty dollars at the present [?]
[?] I am a going to try to stop at home if I can mother I want you to write oftener than you have latly I do a finly thought you was not a going to write no I thought you wer all sick the reson you did not [?] [?] I will come to a close write soon
John J Wilson
To his mother
Amanda Wilson
Note: John Wilson’s Tribute of Respect was printed in The Biblical Recorder on August 12, 1864. The image below was downloaded from www.digitalnc.org and is not included in the Willis and Amanda Papers Collection.
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