A handwritten, eight-page letter from Susan Pringle Alston to her aunt, Rebecca Hayne, in which she describes Union troops and newly freed people raiding and robbing houses while her family was in Plantersville at the end of Civil War. She expresses concern for similar things occurring in Columbia and Darlington, South Carolina.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Harriott Ravenel to Susan Alston in which she discusses the difficulties of life after the Civil War. In particular, she writes about the difficulty of keeping newly freed people working for their family and the status of various relatives.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Joseph Alston to his father, Charles Alston, in which he describes his efforts to manage the newly freed people at their plantations and rent out the Alstons' store following the Civil War.
A handwritten, eight-page letter from Sallie Lowndes to Susan Alston in which she laments the financial status of their families following the Civil War and worries for their futures.
A handwritten, three-page letter from Rosa M. Pringle to Susan Alston in which she updates her on the travel of her family and other acquaintances to and from South Carolina.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Catherine Ravenel to Susan Alston in which she discusses life in Columbia, South Carolina, after the Civil War and shares various pieces of news from families such as the Middletons, Winthrops, Lowndes, and Rutledges.
A handwritten, four-page letter from Margaretta Hayne to Susan Alston in which she discusses her family's situation following the Civil War, including the effects of Union forces plundering their house, the misfortune of having their money tied up in Confederate bonds, and their perspective on emancipation.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston to General Gilmore in which he petitions to regain possession of his house on East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina, which had been assigned to General Rufus Saxton following the Civil War. Alston argues that the house was never abandoned during the war because enslaved people remained in the outbuildings. On the back, the request is denied by Union officials such as Rufus Saxton and W. L. Burger.
A handwritten, two-page letter from Charles Alston to General Howard in which he petitions to regain possession of his house on East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina, after General Saxton's previous refusal. Attached to this letter is testimony from James Holmes and James Pringle who swore that Charles Alston was forced to leave his residence and was unable to return during the Civil War.
A handwritten, one-page letter from Charles Alston to General Howard in which he appeals the refusal of his previous petitions to regain possession of his house on East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina.
