Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Jackson, Tennessee on March 3rd, 1862. Ferguson writes about an offer for promotion to Lt. Colonel, the illness of Gen. Beauregard, and the successful evacuation of Columbus, Kentucky, "an imperative but most difficult problem, accomplished with wonderful luck." He questions the Union's decision not to attack during the evacuation as this would have caused "the abandonment of many heavy guns and large supplies of ammunition, now happily in position at other and better points." 4p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation to his wife Maria Heyward. James writes Maria about a battle at Port Royal Ferry "full of danger to our property" and his anxiety over the dangers of the war. 4p. January 3, 1862.
Letter from E.C. DuBose, writing for Captain Chambers, to James B. Heyward concerning Nathaniel Heyward's body servant. Lt. DuBose writes to James that "your Boy John is with us" but that it wouldn't be safe to send him on "without some white person as the whole country is over run by straglers (sic) and he may be taken up." 1p. October 7, 1862.
Letter from John W. Chambers to James B. Heyward concerning the particulars of the death of Heyward's son Nathaniel at the Second Battle of Bull Run. According to Lt. Chambers the "musketing in our part of the field had ceased [and] the men were sitting down talking and resting" when a "shell exploded fifteen feet from them." He writes about having to bury Nathaniel and a Lt. Munro in the same grave, which he marked by carving "NH - 1st SCV" on a piece of board. He also asks James about hiring Nathaniel's body servant, John. 3p. September 6, 1862.
Letter from R.B. Rhett to James B. Heyward offering his condolences upon hearing of the death of James' son, Nathaniel, in Virginia (Manassas). R.B. Rhett expresses his sorrow at not being able to thank Nathaniel for the kindness he showed his son, Robert, at the battle of Gaines' Mill. 2p. October 1, 1862.
Letter from J. Keith Heyward to his uncle James B. Heyward. Enclosed in the letter from J. Keith Heyward is a note signed by several individuals claiming that they found and reburied the body of James' son, Nathaniel, per James' instructions. 4p. November 4, 1862.
Letter from H.C. Palmer to (probably) James B. Heyward. Heyward had questioned the veracity of a letter that claimed his son's remains were disinterred from the battlefield at Manassas. This letter from Palmer apparently informs Heyward how he came in possession of the note concerning the claim and apologizes if the information was inaccurate. 1p. November 10, 1862.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Centreville, Virginia, January 29th, 1862. Ferguson writes that General Beauregard has received orders to proceed to Columbus, Ky., a "new scene of action and I hope of victory and glory." He yearns for news of Union commander Ambrose Burnside's naval expedition which recently sailed and has "occupied so much attention both North and South." 3p.
Letter from Mary Heyward to her cousin Frank Heyward about the death of his brother Nathaniel at Manassas. She writes that his father, James, is traveling to Gordonsville, Virginia, and possibly on "to the battlefield" and laments "the war has really come home to us." 4p. September 11, 1862.
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Heyward and Ferguson Family Papers, 1806-1923✖[remove]30
