The images of the four letters on this page are from the online exhibit of the Catherine McGeachy Paper, Rubenstein Library, Duke University. The folder/image numbers of the letters precede each one. Transcripts by Kirk Ward.
Folder 163/Images 149-152
This letter is missing at least the last page. Although there is no signature, the content indicates that the writer was in the 51st North Carolina, and the handwriting and phrasing suggest it was written by Lieutenant John D. Malloy.
Camp Florida NC
May 14th 1863
Dear Cousin Kate;
I would [?] be sur-
prised if you are becoming tired waiting for
a reply to your long and very interesting
letter, such as are most acceptable to the
soldier in camp. Now I will make this
bargain with you; if you will consent
to not accuse me of flattery when I
that your letters give me more
real satisfaction than any of my other
correspondents, I will confer the same
favor on you. They are so much like
you that I almost imagine myself con-
versing with you face to face. They recall
to memory scenes that are past, and cannot
be enjoyed in these times trouble – they
suggest ideas that tend to cheer up
the spirits of the soldier, so often de-
pressed by the monotony of camp life
[page 2]
and cast down by the gloomy prospect
that seems to extend so far in the future
But it is a cheering thought that is
suggested in the old maxim “the darkest
hour is just before day” We are seeming-
ly going though the deciding struggle
yet all is dark and gloomy as to the
prospects of an early peace It must
come though, and let us cherish the hope
that the day is not far distant when
all our hopes and bright anticipations
will be realized Yes Kate the war cant
last always – it must stop some day and
then shall we have peace! Glorious
news! It is almost beyond our concep-
tion, and yet we could not appreciate it
fully when we did enjoy it. But it will
be appreciated now, and the more so if
we shall have won the victory by the
prowees of our own arms, and declaired our-
selves masters of our own rights – a free and
independent Nation.
[page 3]
Well Cousin Kate we have left James
Island with its dust and its sand flies
and all it other disagreeable [?]
and have come all the way [?] Topsail
Sound and have encamped in a beau
tiful grove – one of the most pleasant
places we have ever had the pleasure
of camping at. Our camp is near a
place called Scotts Hill at the end of
the Wilmington and Topsail Plank road
It seems to have been a place of resort
for the seekers of pleasure from town
It is truly a delightful place – in fact
the whole country down here on the Sound
is pretty. It is seldom that the poor
Soldiers have the privilege of exchanging
a bad for a good place, but fortune
smiled on the old 51st when we were
sent down to this place – or such is
the opinion formed from our fable com-
prehension of the dispensations of providence
[page 4]
We have good water, a cooling breeze
in the heat of the day, the facilities
for [?] fish are good, can ocasionally
[?] [?] butter and eggs, &c. So
you may depend we wouldn’t swap this
place for James Island ever. But you
are almost too hard upon S Carolina
Now I must speak a word in her
behalf. In the first place, James
Island is a very small portion of SC
and probably the most disagreeable spot
in the state; and in the second place
SC is not responsible for the mis-
takes of our Brigad Comissary. I believe
the same amount of provisions was
isued to our Brigade that was isued to
the SC troops on the Island. But
the fault lay in our own Brigade com-
issary, whose only excuse for the mistake
was sickness and inability to attend to
the business but I dont think he is very
excusable in this case
[end of letter]
Folder 1863/Images 63-66
This letter is signed “your Frind”; the page is torn on the lower edge and not enough of the signature remains to conclusively identify the author. The spelling and phrasing are similar to that of Archibald Shaw. It is obvious from the letter’s contents that the writer was serving in Company D of the 51st North Carolina.
Camp Whiting Feburary 5th 1863
Miss Kate McGeachy
Dear Frind
it is with Pleasure that I Sete
my self for the purpose of writing
you a few lines to let you know
that I am well and harty hoping
those few lines will find you in
the enjoyment of good helth and
all of the Rest of the Fambley I
have nothing of entrest to write
to you. The helth of the Company
is not so good. S J Cobb and D A
McGoogan has bin very sick but
they are on the mend all the rest
of the Company is in very good
helth with the exception of the
[?] but I think they are all
on the mend and all semes to
be in fine Spirit There is nothing
New stiring about here it is
Rumord strong in Camp that
they are expeting a fight at
[page 3]
Carleston and they are looking fore
The old 51st Reg to be orderd
there but I canot say with enny
Sertenty of the Rumore whither
it is sow or not but I dont
think there is mutch truth
in the report but if there is
the Tigers will do there best
it semes from the News of
they day it would seme that
we would not have meny more
days to stay in Camp but I
canot put mutch Confidines
in what is put in publick
print for it is a matter of
emposibility to her the truth
those days and all this good
news we here is to keep the
Soldiers in good hart and that
is the plan they have taken
to keep the Soldiers in hart
but I hope this creul war is
nearly over we all thought
[page 3]
that we would sone get Furloughs
to gow holm but it was rede
out on dress peraid yesterday
evning that no more furloughs
till further orders that is
they way we are treated about
geting to gow holm but I
hope the time is not far
distant whin we will all
get home in peas and oh
what a glorious time that
will be thin we can have the
plesure of seeing hour Sweet
harts and talking with thim
oh what a delitful time
that would be[.] well Miss
Kate I must chang the subged
we have very cold wether here
the third of this month
and it has bin very cold
ever sinc. Miss Kate I
would like to have bin at
[page 4]
old Lumber Bridge the day your
Chool was out I understand
you had a fine time there
but I hope there is a bright
day coming whin we will
all be freed from this Bondage
and one more[.] well Miss Kate
it is almost too bad to think
of so I will not say eny more
on the Subgect while I
am writing all the boys are
talking about the 14 of this
month There is one man in
the tent says he is going to
write tols on that day if
they do not have to be in a
battle you may be on the look
out for you will be shure
to get severl Valentines
So I must com to a close
hoping to here from you
Sone I still Remain your Frind
Folder 1865/Image 45
An unsigned letter that gives updates on Robeson County men killed at Bentonville and the status of some of the men in Company D, 51st North Carolina. This may have been written by Catherine McGeachy’s fiancé, Duncan Buie, who served in the 40th North Carolina. The Fortieth was assigned to Hagood’s brigade during the Battle of Bentonville.
Camp Hagoods Brigade
Hokes Division
Near Smithfield N. C.
March 27th 1865
Dear Kate:
I have heard that the mail between Raleigh
and Fayetteville was open so I will risk a few lines
hopeing they may reach their destination in safety
John B McNeill A. D. Biggs James McPhaul and J. D.
McLauchlin were killed in the battle of Bentonsville
near this place on Sunday the 19th the greater portion
of the 1st Battallion and 40th Regt were killed wounded
and captured – the remainder of the Division suffered
but little Jno D, Dunk and J. Little Frank Currie
& his bro D. Shaw and J. McDonald are well. Robert
Hughes is missing. John McNeill was left on the battle
field our men having to retreat – had not the oportunity
of taking him off. I hope he was buried by the
Federals tho. Write soon and give me the news in general
I am anxious to hear direct your letter to Smithfield
Yours as ever
Folder1865/Image 43
Unsigned letter written from near Smithfield shortly before Johnston surrendered.
Camp Clingmans Brigade
Near Smithfield No Ca.
Apl 9th 1865
Dear Kate:
I wrote you a letter yesterday another some time
before that and to day another, and as yet not one from
you or any other person from Robeson neither have any
of the boys heard from their homes directly from our homes
Mr. McDowell from Red Springs is here I have not seen
him yet perhaps he can give me some news from home.
I am anxious, anxious to hear from home, and my little sweet
heart I am afraid the yankees frightened her out of her wits
besides taking everything valuable from her – hope not
though – tho they are cowardly an mean enough to do about
anything I received your letter of the 8th Ultimo, a day or
two after we encamped here will answer it when I hear
again from you this letter is a mere repetition of the other
two – not knowing that the others would reach you
John D. Dunk and J Little D. Shaw J. McNeill and all other boys
from Robeson are well. Mr. McD. By whom I will send
this is waiting for me. I must close and send it half
finished as it is. My love and respects to all.
as ever yours in love
Direct:
Clingmans Brig Hokes Div Hardees Corps Johnsons Army
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