John writes that Union forces are putting torpedoes in the Stono river to blow up Confederate boats, but that all attempts, thus far, have been unsuccessful.
Willis writes from Williamsport, MD., on a disappointing battle [Gettysburg], where "very many valuable men" were lost; that General Lee is not to cross the Potomac for a "few days".
Willis writes from Chambersberg, Pa., at the end of a march from Fredericksburg, Va., on passing through "Yankee" territory, with General Jenkins at the head
Willis writes from Winchester, Va., on Paris having "disappeared" and being left with no-one "to do a hands turn for me"; his reflection: "Our reverse in Pennsylvania, and then the far greater blow, the loss of Vicksburg, and Port Hudson, look gloomy for the Confederacy"; his taking pants from a corpse? on the battlefield.
Willis writes from near Culpeper, Va., on the miserable marching at the Potomac; his impressive horse and the desire of the Regiment to go to S.to "storm the Yankees off Morris Island"
Willis writes from Williamsport, MD., near the Potomac River, unsure if they are to cross once again. His regiment lost 25 men in a recent encounter. Willis wonders if Vicksburg has fallen, and if his family are headed to Flat Rock, N.C., soon.
Willis writes from near Orange, Va., that he is upset by the dissatisfaction in some of the Confederate States, that he wishes a dictator was put in place (he would support Jefferson Davis in this role) and that civil law was abolished. He has lost all faith in England.
Letter from Francis William Heyward to his mother concerning a recent sojourn to Battery Wagner on Morris Island, probably written in 1863. Francis relates to his mother the dangers of his recent trip to the battery claiming "the enemy fired their shots so beautifully," and how he endured six nights of shelling while stationed there. Afterwards, Francis "went to the city for a day, and I met Pa at the Mills House." 3p. August 23, 1863.
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
Kate Ferguson, wife of Samuel Wragg Ferguson, writes to her husband's godmother. This undated letter was apparently written after Samuel Ferguson's promotion to brigadier general in the Confederate army. She relates how "Ferguson's command is now resting from his last terrible raid" and that "Capt Nugent and William Barker have not yet returned from Deer Creek." 4p.
Letter from James B. Heyward in Columbia to Dr. D.W. Ray, trustee for the late owner whose land James had verbally agreed to rent. James is anxious to move his slaves there for safekeeping but is worried the trustee had no knowledge of the agreement between James and the recently departed owner. James also mentions that he must hasten back to the low country "as my property there is in peril from the proximity of the enemy." 2p. December 19, 1864.