Sams was assistant professor at The Arsenal Academy from April 1862 - May 1865 and was an 1861 graduate of The Citadel. In this typescript, Sams describes The Citadel cadets firing on the Star of the West.
Letter from Sue M. Monroe to Mattie Hayne Heyward detailing how she cared for the graves of the soldiers in the days and years after the Second Battle of Bull Run and that the exact location of her uncle's remains are not known. 7p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Combahee to his wife Maria Heyward. James was unable to travel to Savannah as planned due to skirmishes at "Coosahatchie." He mentions the death of an "Edward" at the "Church Creek encampment" and bemoans his inability to get news on local troop movements and battles writing "Sunday night the enemy made a raid on the other side of Combahee and I never heard of it until Tuesday. I fear sometimes they may capture me in bed." 6p.
Christmas day letter from James B. Heyward back at Combahee to Maria Heyward in Columbia. In his letter, James is reflecting on the dire situation and the bleakness of their future believing soon "it will all be over and we shall be reduced to a poverty irretrievable." He struggles with what to do with his slaves given the eventual "scarcity of food" and "depreciated currency." He intends to leave the majority at his plantation but expects to bring up to Columbia "John's wife so as to take from him that temptation to running off." He writes that he will also bring "Mary if she will leave her daughter Molly...I don't value Mary so much as to saddle myself with the support of Molly." 10p.
Major General Perrin's detailed account of McGowan's Brigade, the infantry unit he led, during the Battle of Gettysburg. Mentioned are the efforts of various officers as well as the tactical maneuvers during the three-day battle.
Records consist of letters containing daily reports submitted by Assistant Engineer F.M. Hall at Fort Sumter to Major W.H. Echols, "Chief Engineer, S.C." at Charleston, South Carolina.Reports (Dec. 17-Dec. 23) concern work on fortifications being done by slaves and soldiers as well as small administrative and military matters.
Letter from Ada Henry to sister Lou concerning friends and family in England and India. The letter is undated, although Henry references the recent death of Stonewall Jackson and the troubles in America. The connection to the Heyward or Ferguson families is unclear. 6p.
Letter from James B. Heyward at Hamburgh Plantation to his wife Maria Heyward in Columbia. James writes Maria about troubles in Savannah and fears the city will fall soon depending "upon the time it will take to reduce the Fort." He continues to mull over the fate of Fife Plantation and its slaves but speaks optimistically about plans for next summer. 8p.
