| Title: | R.H. Kelly, Bridgeport, Alabama to "My Dear Parents" |
|---|---|
| ID | 1602 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Kelly, Robert H/8 |
| Year | 1864 |
| Sender | Kelly, Robert H. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | soldier |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Bridgeport, Alabama, USA |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | son-parents |
| Source | The Kelly Family Documents: Copyright Retained by The Ulster American Folk Park |
| Archive | The Ulster American Folk Park |
| Doc. No. | 300006 |
| Date | 06/04/1864 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 14:03:00. |
| Word Count | 656 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Bridgeport Ala [Alabama?] April 6th 1864 My Dear Parents I read a letter from Liz this morning giving me your address and I at once send you these few lines to let you know we arrived here safely on the 8th of last month and are quietly & comfortably quartered at this point. I have again become indoctrinated into and reconciled with Camp life - I am well and in the enjoyment of very good health. I was glad to hear of your safe arrival at St Louis - Liz stated in her letter of 31st Ham was convalescing, but her Ma was sinking very fast. And perhaps ere this, she has gone to experience the realities of another world. She expected Mary & Sarah Hitchcock out that day to spend a few days with them. Fan had been sick (a bilious attack) but was much better - But all this no doubt you have learned before now, there is no army news of interest to day - all quiet, and awaiting the perfecting of Gen [General?] Grants plan. Veteran troops are arriving daily, and everything indicates an early, earnest and vigorous prosecution of the War. The morale of this Army never was better. All seem inspired with a spirit of confidence that indicates success, the sufferings of the people through this section of country are awful. Hundreds & Thousands of them are fed daily at Uncle Sam's Crib. Hundreds are passing along the R.R [Rail Road?] daily making their way to the loyal states where they may find some kind of a refuge. I see refugees daily passing along - poor miserable - distressed looking objects - Whole families of every sex and age - from the delicate infant hugging to the breast of the half famished Mother to the hoary headed Octogenarian. And yet we are one kindred, one nation, one people - How paradoxical - The people in the north enjoying health, peace, prosperity & heavens best blessings have not the remotest idea of the, suffering, poverty & distress of these people. I suppose Liz & Mary keep you posted on the local news of Piltsby & vicinity. I have felt considerably worried about Ham. I made arrangements to send him to school this spring and summer, but I am afraid this will prevent him going - As I consider his physical education as paramount to his mental. I suppose by this time you have become rested and have had many a talk among yourselves about Piltsby and its environs. I saw a great many changes since I was there last and doubtless will see many more if I am spared to ever see it again I hope the children have recovered & they are enjoying their usual good health - I forget their names now except Tom, Davy Beth & Eva. I have seen them but not the others. I would not know them were I to see them now as I know them only as the little children they were years ago. Give them my kindest love and I often think of them, and trust they will be good children, and grow up to be good - honorable - respectable members of society. I will try to write to Ellen if I get time & affectionately - Give my love to her & Doll, and I would be pleased to hear from them. Liz wrote to me of her Ma & Ham got better she thought of making Ellen a visit this summer in order to have some kind of a settlement - But I told her I did not think it necessary - it would be so much money thrown away - But she could do as she pleased - I must close now Hoping you are all well & I will hear from you soon I remain Affectionately Your Son R.H. Kelly Excuse haste of style, this is a hard place for a man to write a letter. *Attached to this letter:- DIED: - At Yorktown, May 7th, of typhoid fever, Sergt. EDWARD KELLY, son of R.H. and Elizabeth Kelly, of Co [Company?] K, Capt. Brown, 63 regiment, Col. Alex. [Hays?], Pa. [Pennsylvania?] volunteers, in the seventeenth year of his age. |
