Willis writes from the centre of the Army of Richmond of the loses of the 5th and 6th South Carolina Regiments, skirmishes around camp and his concern for James Island, his family and the location of their slaves
[Incomplete letter] Willis writes detailing life at camp, a fateful charge [also described in previous correspondence] and its death tolls, and also the experiences of his camp slaves, Paris and Fred, who apparently declined an opportunity to desert.
Willis writes from camp that they are rumoured to be sent to Stonewall Jackson in "the Valley" and that Paris has found better clothing in the knapsacks of dead Union soldiers.
Willis writes from camp outside Richmond, that he is marching to western Virginia. He has sent his slave, Paris home and is in search of another "boy".
Willis writes from Camp Gregg thanking his mother for the food she sent; his fear Paris will die and his eagerness to get a replacement slave; his delight that an ironclad has been sunk in Charleston harbor
Willis writes from Camp Gregg asking about news from home. He writes that Paris is well again, but he still feels Paris will not last the war and wishes for a replacement slave.
Volume Two in the Cote Bas and Mepkin Plantations Collection is a Miller's Interleaved Almanac for 1886 repurposed as a journal by Peter Gourdin. Entries pertain to rice planting, livestock and social activities. Other information includes newspaper clippings on various topics such as General Order No. 1, January 1, 1866, issued by Federal authorities to govern the employment of freedmen as plantation laborers as well as other rights and liberties given to freedmen.
The John Ravenel Estate Book contains an inventory and appraisement of the estate of John Ravenel, deceased. Found in the volume are the accounts of John Ravenel with Alfred F. Ravenel, executor, accounts of St. Julien Ravenel, Alfred Ford Ravenel, born 1822, Alfred Ford Ravenel, born 1857, R.N. Gourdin, M.A. Pringle, Mrs. Frances E.H. Frost, Miss E.P. Huger, and Francis G. Ravenel. Other entries refer to stocks and bonds, a store on East Bay Street in Charleston, South Carolina, a house and lot on the Battery in Charleston as well as slaves mentioned by name. The names of the slaves are listed as: Alick, David and William.
