Private Jonathan W. Holland Letter to Aunt Mary

Private Jonathan W. Holland (Co. B, 1^st Battalion NC Heavy Artillery) wrote the letter below to his Aunt Mary [Mary A. Holland], his father’s [Wills J. Holland] sister. The letter is part of the Sally G. Quinn Papers, Rubenstein Library, Duke University. Images and transcript by Kirk Ward.

Hanover Co. NC

Fort Strong June 3^rd 1863

Miss Mary A. Holland

Dear Aunt

it is with great pleasure the I

embrace the opportunity of writing

you a few lines to let you know

I am well hoping this may find

you the same Aunty you cant

how glad I was to here

from you Aunt Mary I will

send you the Song Ballard but

I cant send you the tune

I wish I could be there to sing

it for you Aunty I have just

eaten my supper you may think

we haven’t much to eat but we

have a good deal at the present

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Aunt Mary I wish I could be

up in Duplin to see some of

them girls you must look at them

for me until I get the chance

to go up and look for myself

it has rained a very good shower

this evening it was needed verry

much indead Aunty you may

tell them girls if nothing happens

I hope I shal get the chance to go

up the Country and see them

you wont know what to tell that

little girls if you were to see hir

if I could see hir I could tell

this the fact write soon to your

sincer well wisher Jno. W. Holland