This letter, dated August 13, 1861, was written by John R. Beaty from Camp Marion, located on North Island, Georgetown District, South Carolina to his wife (Melvina) in Conwayborough, South Carolina.
Copy of the last will and testament of Robert F.W. Allston outlining his wishes to pay his debts by selling a portion of his estate, with ninety to one hundred "negroes." Robert Allston divides his enslaved persons among his family, often keeping enslaved families together. Referred to as "negroes," the enslaved persons are listed as: Alfred, Alfred's wife Lavenia, Frank and Frank's wife Hester, Thomas, Gilbert, Minda, blacksmith Anthony, Little Jacob, Henry, Solomon, Charles, York, Daniel, cook Joe, Betty, Mary, blacksmith Sam, carpenter Abram, Primus, Nancy, driver Richard, Milly, Amy, Susie, Stephen, Scipio, engineer Prince, cook Toby, valet Stephen and Stephen's wife Lizzie, Robert Allston's "old driver and friend Sam, his wife Mary and son Albert, Nurse Minda and her husband Bowie, blacksmith and engineer Guy, carpenter Billy, Beck and Phoebe. He also leaves his overseer the enslaved girl named Hetty whose "life he has (under heaven) thus far preserved." Robert Allston wishes that his faithful servants, James, Milly, and Mary "receive every proper kindness" from the Allston family as well as fifteen dollars a year. He also states that driver Sam, Moses, and Stephen receive five dollars a year.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Charles Alston to his nephew, Charles Alston Pringle, in which he clarifies John Julius Alston's meeting with Governor Pickens and the Secretary of War, explaining why Charles Alston Pringle did not receive a commission in their new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston to his sister, Mary Pringle, in which he clarifies the misunderstanding surrounding John Julius Alston applying to Governor Pickens for his and Charles Alston Pringle's commissions in the new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston to his sister, Mary Pringle, in which he defends his son, John Julius Alston, against claims made by his brother-in-law, William Bull Pringle, regarding John Julius excluding Charles Alston Pringle from a new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Mary Pringle to her brother, Charles Alston, in which she expresses her wish to move on from the family dispute surrounding John Julius Alston and Charles Alston Pringle's commissions in the new Company of Artillery.
A handwritten, two-page letter from William Peronneau to R. W. Barnwell in which he requests his aid in getting commissions from the Confederate government to establish a Company of Artillery. He presents this as a joint effort among himself, John Julius Alston, and E. P. Ravenel.
A letter from Eliza Ball to her son William Ball discussing a shipment of items such as towels, needles, scissors, a cake canister, honey comb, granite, and buttons on a schooner, a "bundle of work" for Sylvia, Marcia, Mat and Hetty to do, the status of Nanny's eyes and Sylvia's leg, the poor health of Eliza Ball's horse, the work of Handy, the secession of Georgia, the South Carolina company coming up from Morris Island, a sickness (possibly pneumonia) among family members and enslaved persons, and Isaac sending scissors to his mother Hetty.
