Letter from Joseph B. Morgan to Patrick H. Morgan

Scope and content:

Written from Currituck County, North Carolina. Letter regards wartime civilian life, the death of an uncle in battle at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and enemy raids.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Indian Ridge
Currituck County, Jany 28/63

My Dear Son-
It is a long time since we have had a letter from you. The last one I think was dated the 16 of November last. We heard from you by Albert, who got safely home, but destroyed all the letters he brought off with him for fear of falling into the hands of enemies. He reported you tolerably well- but gives a horrid description of your fare, & seems very glad to get home even under the circumstances.

Your Uncle James has again been driven from his home by the shelling of his premises, and together with his family is now residing with us. Albert is going to school to Mr. Lowe, who now has a very large school. Since I last wrote you we have the distressing intelligence of the death of your Uncle [Geo?]. He was killed at Fredericksburg. His family is in great distress. They are making arrangements for moving back to Currituck & will reside with William [D___], who was recently married to Miss[A_nett] Barnard. Your Ma is in deep distress in consequence of her brother's death. She takes it very hard indeed. Otherwise we are getting along about as we have been for the last eighteen months.

The enemy occasionally makes raids upon us & plunder & destroy our property. A few weeks ago they came over to Indian Town & burned all the buildings on Dr. Marchant's place, opposite where he used to live, together with the academy, & plundered several citizens, taking horses, carts, [__groes], salt & c. They have since removed from Shiloh & have made their headquarters at E. City. One of their officers, a Capt. Sanders was killed in the street the night of the 5th inst.

The Diphtheria has been very prevalent this winter. I believe I wrote you of the death of two of Mr. Baxter's children. Now I have to inform you of the death of [Suda] Shaw of the same horrible disease. It was a heart rending scene to witness the distress of the family. I deeply sympathize with the bereaved parents, but for [Suda], we know she is better off. She is beyond the reach of harm, safe in her Heavenly Father's arms. Jodie has been strongly threatened with the same disease, if indeed he has not had it in a modified form. All of us have had sore throats & your Ma has been doctoring for diphtheria. All are however better now, Lillie & Ida going to school & Jodie playing about the house as lively as ever. He has grown very much since you saw him, & talks quite plain. You would hardly know him. from home and hoping soon to hear from you. You cannot imagine how anxious we are to hear from you, or surely you would write much oftener than you do. What can be the matter? Is it that you do not write, or does your letters miscarry? I know not the cause, but whatever it may be should be very glad if it could be remedied. I know not how to direct you more than I have.

There are so many changes. I received one letter from Mr. Lassiter from Mr. [Boro]. Since then I learn he has sold out & removed, so you must seek for information & opportunities, & neglect no possible chance of letting us hear from you. I have committed you unto Him that is able to keep you, and I forget not my prayers morning & night to beseech Him to take care of you, to preserve & keep you from all evil & harm, and restore you again to the bosom of the family, if it can accord with His blessed will. All send their love.

Your Father. Jos. B. Morgan

Subjects:

United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Home life
Correspondence

Places:

Currituck County (N.C.)

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