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.
Letter from fellow Charlestonian Aimee B. Stevens in Pendleton, SC, to Maria Heyward in Columbia. Aimee offers her condolences on the destruction of the Heyward's house in Charleston and inquires if she saved "all her silver." She writes about living with other families who had fled Charleston and the warm "welcome given by the hospitable inhabitants" of Pendleton. 4p. June 17, 1862.
Letter from James B. Heyward to Rev. O.L. Bartier requesting a favor concerning the remains of his son, Nathaniel, who was killed in Manassas. James had traveled to Warrenton, Virginia, a few weeks after the battle and spoke to a wounded soldier who had helped bury Nathaniel but "the reported presence of the enemy" derailed James plans to accompany him to Manassas to disinter his son. James commissioned the soldier and two others to exhume the remains when safe and "place them in the grave yard of the Episcopal Church at Hay Market." A note was later received that the job had been done as requested but Heyward questions the veracity of the note and requests Rev. Bartier to look into the matter. 3p. November 6, 1862.
Letter from M. Munro to Maria Heyward concerning the deaths of their sons at the Second Battle of Bull Run who were killed by the same shell, August 29, 1862. Mrs. Munro writes that she is planning on retrieving the hastily buried body of her son and since Maria's son, Nathaniel, is in the same grave she inquires whether or not Maria would like to coordinate a plan to disinter her son as well. She notes that according to her information neither body "can be disinterred alone, without some violence or exposures, offered to the precious remains,..., if either of us, undertake this work alone." 4p. September 24, 1862.
Letter from Daniel Heyward Hamilton to James B. Heyward about the loss of James' son, Nathaniel, and the plans to return Nathaniel's body servant to James. Daniel writes that his own son was wounded by his side in a previous engagement. 3p. October 25, 1862.
Willis writes from near Frederick City, MD, on the Second Battle of Bull Run or Manassas. His account (which places him at Manassas Junction), describes the battle-scenes and skirmishes, and his belief the "Yankees" had suffered more casualties. He also notes his inability to get some goods at Frederick City on account of the store owners being "Unionists"; his discovery that his hired "boy" was a runaway slave, (he has also fled from Keith); the misery of camp and his idea of resigning and returning to South Carolina to join Marion's Artillery who "will never be sent out of state".
Willis writes from Charlestown, Va, on having taken 1,300 prisoners at Harpers Ferry (many Vermonters); on the Second Battle of Bull Run or Manassas; his continued interest in resigning and joining Marion Artillery in South Carolina; the deaths of Nathaniel Heyward and Lt. Munroe of Charleston and his frustration at not being able to secure a slave to tend to him. He notes that he is writing on "captured paper" and the pro-Union sentiment on the envelope ("The Union and the Constitution must and shall be preserved") is crossed out.
