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Mollie to B.F. Edmonston, July 20, 1864, page 4

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  • Mollie to B.F. Edmonston, July 20, 1864 Alta Vista, 20th, / 64 Mr. Edmonson, Your kind invitation to the picnic was like a voice from the spirit world, for it had been an age since I had heard from you, or any one connected with the Regiment. I return many thanks for the invitation; and would have been delighted to have attended, but there were too many mountains, hills, and valleys between Weldon & old Russell for me to have that pleasure. I should have acknowledged the reception of your card before this, but over are harried on so rapidly there was times, that I am not aware of the flight of time. It seems but a short time since 1863 dawned upon us with all its joys, and sorrows, but since that time the curtains of time have been again drawn aside, and ushered us into a New Year, and now the anxious inquiry of each one as, what new pleasures, or sorrows will it bring. I was truly glad to hear that you have out rode the storm so far. I did not know but what you had sacri- ficed your life, for your country, and had long since been sleeping beneath the turf in my own dear State; but I am truly glad to hear that such has not been your fate. I hope you had a nice time at the pic- nic. Christmas was quite dull in this part of Virginia, and I have been told it was all over the state. We have all felt the war too severely, to indulge in many of the luxuries, and amusements of life, while so many of the noble sons of the South are exposed to the dangers of war, and deprived of all the comforts of home. I have often thought of all the soldiers who I knew at Asheville, and wondered what had been the fate of each. What has gone with Mr. T. Young, J. Devae, and all those nice fellows that I knew? Is Capt ____ still in the army? I suppose Mr. Edmonson you remember that I owe you a letter, and although it is said that apologies make matters worse, I feel that tis due but you and myself to make one. When I received your last letter there was no such an article as paper to be had in the county, and by the time I received supply your Reg. had moved, and I knew nothing of where you were. I have heard of the Regiment since, but never learned any thing respecting you until I received the invitation. I suppose you know all about Cousin Rosa by this time, as she has long since left school, and is no longer under the restraint of teachers &c. If you need any information on that point let me know, and I will give you all the aid in any power; however, this is strictly confidential. Remember me kindly to Capt C---- and give my best love to my kind friend Mag if she is near you. Tell her to come home soon I am anxious to see her. Remember me to all the boys that I knew at A--- and let me hear soon how you are getting on. Please excuse Confederate paper and this scribing [scribbling]. With many wishes for your happiness I must say goodnight. Your friend Mollie Envelope 20th 1864 Forks of Pigeon NC July ___ [torn] ___ B F Edmonston [torn] 25th Regmt. N C Troops Petersburg Va. ---------------------------- Possibly Russell, a town in Virginia. Perhaps Thomas Young, Private, Co. E, 25th Regiment. “Resided in Transylvania County where he enlisted at age 20, June 15, 1861. Present or accounted for until wounded in an unspecified engagement in January - May, 1864. Reported absent wounded or absent on furlough until December 1, 1864, when he was reported absent without leave. Listed as a deserter and dropped from the rolls of the company on January 3, 1865.” Perhaps Thomas J. Young, ___________, Co. H, 25th Regiment. “Resided in Buncombe County and enlisted in Henderson County at age 26, July 15, 1861. Mustered in as Sergeant and was promoted to 1st Sergeant on November 16, 1861. Elected 1st Lieutenant on April 30, 1862, and was promoted to Captain on December 15, 1862. Present or accounted for until paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 9, 1865. Perhaps Thomas L. Young, Private, Co. I, 25th Regiment. “Born in Buncombe County where he resided as a laborer or farmer prior to enlisting in Lenoir County at age 26, May 12, 1862, for the war. Present or accounted for until wounded in the left leg at Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 17, 1862. Reported absent wounded until November 10, 1864, when he was retired to the Invalid Corps. There was a Sergeant John A. DeVane in Company G, 24th Regiment, from Robeson County. [perhaps an initial - i R or i B] She does not write out the name, only C___. Perhaps Captain James Madison Cathey, Company F, 25th Regiment, “Resided in Haywood County and enlisted at age 23. Appointed 3rd Lieutenant on June 29, 1861, and was elected Captain on April 28, 1862. Present or accounted for until he was killed at `the Crater,’ near Petersburg, Virginia, July 30, 1864.” She does not write it out, only A_____, perhaps for Asheville.
Object
  • In a letter to B.F. Edmonston written on July 20, 1864, a woman known only as Mollie writes with information about people both knew while they were attending school.
  • Mollie to B.F. Edmonston, July 20, 1864 Alta Vista, 20th, / 64 Mr. Edmonson, Your kind invitation to the picnic was like a voice from the spirit world, for it had been an age since I had heard from you, or any one connected with the Regiment. I return many thanks for the invitation; and would have been delighted to have attended, but there were too many mountains, hills, and valleys between Weldon & old Russell for me to have that pleasure. I should have acknowledged the reception of your card before this, but over are harried on so rapidly there was times, that I am not aware of the flight of time. It seems but a short time since 1863 dawned upon us with all its joys, and sorrows, but since that time the curtains of time have been again drawn aside, and ushered us into a New Year, and now the anxious inquiry of each one as, what new pleasures, or sorrows will it bring. I was truly glad to hear that you have out rode the storm so far. I did not know but what you had sacri- ficed your life, for your country, and had long since been sleeping beneath the turf in my own dear State; but I am truly glad to hear that such has not been your fate. I hope you had a nice time at the pic- nic. Christmas was quite dull in this part of Virginia, and I have been told it was all over the state. We have all felt the war too severely, to indulge in many of the luxuries, and amusements of life, while so many of the noble sons of the South are exposed to the dangers of war, and deprived of all the comforts of home. I have often thought of all the soldiers who I knew at Asheville, and wondered what had been the fate of each. What has gone with Mr. T. Young, J. Devae, and all those nice fellows that I knew? Is Capt ____ still in the army? I suppose Mr. Edmonson you remember that I owe you a letter, and although it is said that apologies make matters worse, I feel that tis due but you and myself to make one. When I received your last letter there was no such an article as paper to be had in the county, and by the time I received supply your Reg. had moved, and I knew nothing of where you were. I have heard of the Regiment since, but never learned any thing respecting you until I received the invitation. I suppose you know all about Cousin Rosa by this time, as she has long since left school, and is no longer under the restraint of teachers &c. If you need any information on that point let me know, and I will give you all the aid in any power; however, this is strictly confidential. Remember me kindly to Capt C---- and give my best love to my kind friend Mag if she is near you. Tell her to come home soon I am anxious to see her. Remember me to all the boys that I knew at A--- and let me hear soon how you are getting on. Please excuse Confederate paper and this scribing [scribbling]. With many wishes for your happiness I must say goodnight. Your friend Mollie Envelope 20th 1864 Forks of Pigeon NC July ___ [torn] ___ B F Edmonston [torn] 25th Regmt. N C Troops Petersburg Va. ---------------------------- Possibly Russell, a town in Virginia. Perhaps Thomas Young, Private, Co. E, 25th Regiment. “Resided in Transylvania County where he enlisted at age 20, June 15, 1861. Present or accounted for until wounded in an unspecified engagement in January - May, 1864. Reported absent wounded or absent on furlough until December 1, 1864, when he was reported absent without leave. Listed as a deserter and dropped from the rolls of the company on January 3, 1865.” Perhaps Thomas J. Young, ___________, Co. H, 25th Regiment. “Resided in Buncombe County and enlisted in Henderson County at age 26, July 15, 1861. Mustered in as Sergeant and was promoted to 1st Sergeant on November 16, 1861. Elected 1st Lieutenant on April 30, 1862, and was promoted to Captain on December 15, 1862. Present or accounted for until paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 9, 1865. Perhaps Thomas L. Young, Private, Co. I, 25th Regiment. “Born in Buncombe County where he resided as a laborer or farmer prior to enlisting in Lenoir County at age 26, May 12, 1862, for the war. Present or accounted for until wounded in the left leg at Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 17, 1862. Reported absent wounded until November 10, 1864, when he was retired to the Invalid Corps. There was a Sergeant John A. DeVane in Company G, 24th Regiment, from Robeson County. [perhaps an initial - i R or i B] She does not write out the name, only C___. Perhaps Captain James Madison Cathey, Company F, 25th Regiment, “Resided in Haywood County and enlisted at age 23. Appointed 3rd Lieutenant on June 29, 1861, and was elected Captain on April 28, 1862. Present or accounted for until he was killed at `the Crater,’ near Petersburg, Virginia, July 30, 1864.” She does not write it out, only A_____, perhaps for Asheville.