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WCU - Civil War in Southern Appalachia

Absalom Joshua Burum to Nancy King Gallaher, September 21, 1851

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  • This is a typed copy of a hand-written letter by Absalom Joshua Burum to his cousin, Nancy King Gallaher, on September 21, 1851. Burum tells his betrothed how much he misses her and wants to know when they will be married.
  • Louisville, Term Sept. 21, 1851 Dear cousin, I need not tall you how lonesome I was that day on my way home for I know that you must have experienced the same kind of uneasiness, if love acts on all persons alike; though I must have underwent the greatest trial, because I had no one to cheer my drooping spirits. I found that it was worse than I had even imagined--Qoing up hill all the way home, without caring whether I got home or not, is nothing to compare to my trip; though it is useless to try to tell how I felt and what I thought of all the tims for you know it all. I arrived at home that evening over an hour by sun, and after I had put up my horse I learned that our great revival was still going on. Souls were converted more or less every night. I tried to participate around the sacred altar, but I could not succeed very well, in trying to pray for mourners, I would find myself praying for the preservation of the life, health, etc. of one several miles distant. Our meeting closed on Thursday night, all was silent again. But it was all the same to me. I was surprised when I got home to learn that "pass" and Mary Ann standfield is to be married on next Thursday. (25th inst.) He is almost crazy, has quit peddling on stoves, and in fact quit work all together. He says that you may all look for him and Mary Ann down there in a few days certain. He wanted you and Houston to come up to his infers*, but said that it was so unexpected that he did not have time to give you notice. I would be very proud if you could be here but it will bs almost impossible for you to get the news soon enough. It was very well known here at home some two or three days before I arrived that you and I were engaged. I never pretend to deny it. Every one that asks me about it i tell them that it is so, but they will not believe me. I told Pass all about it and he is telling it wherever he goes, it has got to be quite common and I don't care if ths whole world knew it, that would not make me think any less of you, neither will it interfere- with our arrangements. The time we can keep secret and let me say here, for you to appoint the time at an early day. That is very well because I want it over before the excitement with pass is dons and more than that I don't believe that I could live (a few words too blurred) you, especially if it keeps on like it has for a few days past, it already seems like an age since I left your house. I went down here to Holston meeting this morning just to find out when Robertsville Camp meeting would come off and learned that it was to be on the 2 sabbath in November. I thought that I must see you before then and left the ground immediately for home to write you this latter. I think that I may come down with pass and his wife, but you need not look for ms. I want you to write me an answer and say when, our folks are all vary willing to it. poppa seems to be very anxious for the match. I regret very much that we have so many boarders here at our house. I fear it will defeat the idea of having an infare. Pass intends to bring Mary Ann home without any extra company, on account of having our house nearly full of boarders. He intends to have only a private affair even at his weddin. I intend to bs thsre to see that all things are dons up rightly. I don't expect that we can havs much of an infare here without we turn off the 2 families that are staying here. It don't make much difference about others that have no wives. But we could do like pass, just have our best friende prseent and let the rest go. I want to hear from you right off, as soon ae you receive this— Yours - Affectionately - A.J.□. % mjr. H. B. Gallaher Kingston, Tsnn. »A party to celebrate a wedding.

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Civil War in Southern Appalachia

The Civil War, fought between the Union and the Confederate States of America, occurred from 1861 to 1865. This collection of items related to that conflict includes correspondence that dates to th...

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