Letters from Langdon Cheves Jr. to General Edward Porter Alexander discussing the confederate balloon, Indian rubber and other details concerning the creation of the balloon.
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to Mary thanking her for a package she sent, his poor health and treatment from a doctor, and reflections on a party during the Christmas season. The letter goes on to discuss the Christmas of the "good old days in slavery time, thanks to Mr. Lincoln" and that two servants remain in the household as they "never left us."
A letter from P.D. Hay at the St. Helena's Rectory to William Ball on wanting to visit Strawberry Ferry, William Ball's parish St. John's and Ms. Deas traveling to Charleston.
A letter from Keating Simons Ball at Comingtee Plantation to William Ball requesting him to take care of a dog while Keating Ball's family moves to the "Pine Lands." The letter goes on to discuss that this dog ran into a flock of sheep and injured one.
A letter from Pastor Howe in Summerville to William Ball expressing his sympathies for the death of William Ball's son, Private William James Ball. Howe states in his letter that William Ball died of fever as did Howe's own brother many years ago.
A letter from Henry L. Barker at South Mulberry Plantation to William Ball in Cordesville expressing his sympathies for the death of their friend Bill.
A letter from Alwyn Ball in New York to his cousin William Ball in South Carolina asking for financial help, having to sell furniture to "keep the wolf from our door," getting into a retail butter stand, spending one and a half years in an asylum for drinking, and not receiving any assistance from other friends and colleagues.
A letter from William Ball to his aunt discussing the birth of William's sixth son, him wanting a baby girl, ideas for the name of the boy, his endeavor to write a record on the family, a statement on the original grant of Comingtee Plantation, the "invasion of the Yankees in 1863," descriptions of land plats and questions regarding family history.
A letter from the accommodation wharf Cart, Kopff & Jervey to William Ball discussing the quality and value of rice from John Harleston's plantation. Makes notation, "how are you getting on with the freedmen?"
A letter from the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands regarding the removal of freedman James Simmon from Whitehall Plantation. The letter outlines the rules regarding the removal of freed persons from any plantation.
A letter to Woodward Manning from his brother Ira L. Manning discussing the death of their brother Elisha, the failing cotton crop, the hiring of freedmen, and requesting information on who from their hometown was killed in the war.
A letter from Mrs. A. R. Young of Pendleton, South Carolina to Eliza C. Ball in Charleston discussing the current state of the "humiliation & impoverishment" of the people, religious beliefs, and remembering a visit to Virginia.
A letter to Woodward Manning from Samuel E. Hunt ordering him to "divide your crops with the freedmen and women on your plantation according to the conditions of the "Freedmen's Contract."
A letter to Woodward Manning from the headquarters of the provost marshal's office discussing complaints made against Woodward Manning and his treatment of his "servants."
A letter to Woodward Manning from the Quartermaster's office ordering that any surplus of corn available is to be given to the army through purchase or impressment
A letter from William Ball at Limerick Plantation to his mother Eliza C. Ball discussing the birth of William Ball's daughter and Eliza Ball's first granddaughter and the timeline of Faith Ball giving birth. Makes notation on the presence of the enslaved women Masylla and Flora but not Harriet who was sick, and the baby having fingers made to learn how to play the piano "if war ends in time enough for her to learn." The rest of the letter goes on to discuss friends and family visiting the baby, the "negroes" in Charleston, the poor health of Frank, the myrtle berry pickers, and the weather.
A letter from E.A. Poyas to William Ball discussing the history of Josiah Smith, cashier of the U.S. Branch Bank of Charleston. Details include Smith's birth at Cain Hoy, his father's position as pastor of the church, the family's relocation to Charles Town due to the father's new position as pastor of the Independent Church or "Pastorship of the White."
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and giving potatoes as an allowance to enslaved children.
A torn letter from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing crops and the number of enslaved persons sick. The other side of the letter mentions the death of an enslaved child, a pregnant enslaved woman and a sickness on the plantation.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons, an enslaved woman named Lavenia who wishes to work in a different area on the plantation to avoid working with Bob and notes on cotton.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons, making molasses and a sickness spreading on the plantation.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing how the enslaved people who were sick are better, making bushels of oats and hogs on the property.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing corn, bad weather that blew down the sugar cane and sick enslaved children.
A letter from Charlotte Allston to her overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing the enslaved man Stephen, his family and the enslaved man Toney who escaped the plantation. She believes that Toney failed to escape the plantation and willingly returned to avoid being captured. She states that Stephen needs to be captured, not because he is valuable but for plantation moral. She further writes that she wishes Toney to be sent to work for the government on the fortifications until the war is over, to not be allowed to see his family and confined until he leaves. She writes that the elder enslaved persons James and Mary, the parents of Stephen, be held as hostages in jail as punishment for their child's escape. She states for them not to have communication with anyone in their family except if a white person is present.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing the crops and tasks performed by enslaved persons. Makes notation that the enslaved person Stephen, his family and the enslaved person Toney escaped the plantation for the "yankees." He explains that one of the boats is missing and how the overseer stayed up all night "not knowing what Stephen will do."
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing crops, a sickness on the plantation and resistance from enslaved persons, particularly females, following Stephen's departure. Makes notation that the enslaved person Toney came back and has not been punished. According to Toney, Stephen tricked Toney to travel with him, only to be told later on that Stephen, who was supposedly armed, was taking his family to the "Yankees" and that Toney needs to come with them. Toney eventually was able to leave and return to the plantation.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick and crops. Makes a notation about the enslaved person Toney from Chicora Wood Plantation who returned from the "yankees." The overseer believes Toney and his family should be sent to North Carolina as he does not wish to have him sent to the military.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Chicora Wood Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons and crop farming. Makes an inquiry on what should be done with the enslaved man Toney who is "under the belief that he will be punished."
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and clothes.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick, crop farming and rice.
A letter to Charlotte Allston from the overseer at Nightingale Hall Plantation discussing tasks performed by enslaved persons as well as those who are sick and crops.
A letter from Benjamin Allston writing about socializing with confederate dragoons, the names of those involved, dinner with General Walker's staff and reports of Union movements from a "negro spy." The letter also writes about a report in the newspaper discussing the brutal treatment of enslaved persons by the "Yankees" which the spy stated is common.
A letter from Langdon Cheves Jr. at Delta Plantation to Charles Haskell discussing Cheves' removal of his 250 enslaved persons, his fears of losing his enslaved persons to "the enemy getting a footing in our immediate neighborhood," the area in which the plantation resides being "open to occupation," and his home being used as General Drayton's headquarters.
