38th VA - Military History

The Personal Letters of Pvt. John W. Mahan, Pvt. Co. B
38th Virginia Volunteer Infantry

Last Upated: 07/06/2001

September the 20th 1862 Jefferson CO VA
My Dear wife & children
I set my self this evening to let you no That I am well as common and I hope these few lines may find you all well Car and Elleck is not well. Car got up with the .... The Regiment this morning left at.. . dark ellick has got the yellow janders and went on picket last night and have not come up They Say Capt. Ramsy’s Company was all taken prisners & left. . from. ... I got to the 38 Reg the 16th and they were line to Start in Mearilan we followed That night tell midnight & they took.. .and in one our I had to March, and I could not get any futher the next morning I went on to the pertmick River I Stayed tel the next day Me and. . oin and we went on over. We went on over we went into Meariian 5 miles where they fought all day the 17th george corbin was kild with a burn cut nearly in two bill alien was kild they were back in the Rear I was on the battle field the 18th 1 Seen plenty of ded man it was a hard fight god many lost on both Sids that night our army left there and come back this Sid the River And yestady evening the Yankees sheld us there was heavy canonadeing Cross the River. we marched all night last night and it is verry rugh they are canonadeing to day and beieve that we all have got to go back this evening. I do dread to go back across that river again we have to wade it I can’t tell you any thing a bout it now if live to See you again. I Can tell good’eal we have a hard time I want to See you all bad anough, but I make my self easy. Tell father he must ge me Substitute and get John Blair to Bring him to the 38th. I like it better than I do the 57th. I clost to ellick and car See them any time. you must wright to me as Soon as you can and direct letter to the 38th Va in care of Cpt John Cabell all hands must rite I must come to close god bless you all So no more at present only your truly husbern until death John W. M. To Matilda A. I want to here from you all so bad. You must kiss John A. for me. [And written perpendicular to the other text is:] Take good care of evry thing I hope I will see you all again tell mother howdy for me.

September the 20 th, 1862

Jefferson County, Va.

My dear wife and children,

I sit myself this evening to let you know that I am well as common, and I hope these few lines may find you all well. Car and Ellick is not well. Car got up with the.... Regiment this morning left at. dark. EIIick has got the yellow jaundice and went on picket last night and have (sic) not come up. They say Captain Ramsy’s Company was all taken prisoners and.... left. .. . from Co. I got to the 38th Reg. the 16th, and they were line to start in Maryland. We followed that night till midnight, and they took up camp and in one hour had to march, and I could not get any farther the next morning. I went on to the Potomac River. I stayed till the next day. Me and... Owen, and we went on over. We went into Maryland 5 miles where they fought all day the 17th. George Corbin was killed with a burn, cut nearly in two. Bill Allen was killed. They were back in the rear. I was on the battlefield the 18th. I seen (sic) plenty of dead men. It was a hard fight: good many men lost on both sides. That night our army left there and... come (sic) back this side [of] the river, and yesterday evening the Yankees shelled us. There was heavy cannonading across the river. We marched all night last night, and it is very rough. They are cannonading today and [I] believe that we all have got to go back this evening. I do dread to go back across the river again. We have to wade it. I can’t tell you anything about it now. If I live to see you again, I can tell a goad deal. We have a hard time. I want to see you all bad enough, but I make myself easy. Tell Father he must get me [a] substitute, and get John Blair to bring him to the 38th. I like it better than I do the 57th. I [am] close to Ellick and Car, see them anytime. You must write to me as soon as you can and direct [your] letter to the 38th Va. in care of Cpt.John Cabell. All hands must write. I must come to a close. God bless you all. So no more at present. Only your truly husband until death. John W. M. To Matilda A. I want to hear from you all so bad. You must kiss John A. for me. [Addendum:] Take good care Of everything. I hope I will see you all again. Tell Mother howdy for me.

[This letter is written on wide lined paper, doesn’t have so many folds that obscure the writing.]

fed rick Co Va October the 4th 1862
I take the pleasure of answering your letter This morning I Received the Second of Sep. which I was glad to here from you all once more I had not head from you all since billy Corbin was down. I am as well comom ellick & Gear is well I have Just Read Gears letter that Beck Sent to him latter than yours we are in camp fore miles north of winchester I dont no where we well go to from here. you Seem to be pesterd because I did nQt keep that money but you dont no any thing about it. Mager Yates had the money and worked all the week after billy left and he could not get one in four Me I under Stand Gabell is agoing to let me go to Cpt. Raimsys Company. You can direct your letters to either Ridgement I will get them if I do get to their company I want father to get me a Substitute by the first of next month. Cabell wont take one in his company for that Reason I want to leave his Company. Charles Oakes wilt go to his company in my place. his brothers is all there I don’t no when we will make the change henry gill will leave in a day or two and I want to Send this by him. I want to See you and children very bad and I want to here from evry thing that is growing how your potatoes is you must have them all dug out and put away good.. . in the garden if you Can get any wheat Sewed I want you to have that east hill all of it Sowed and the two flats next to the Spring I wish I could be at home I would give any thing in the world if I had it to be Thare you must do the best you can with evry thing I writen you two letters the first September and one the 10, one 12, one 20th one 24th you must write often. Tell willmuth She Must learn her book and be a Smart girl tell ellinTeny and her they must be smart girls kiss little Albert for me and dont let him for get his Pa. I would like to be there to eat Some fruit I want you to have them crabaples put up all that you can tell father he must Save me some brandy and if we get back towards Richmond he must bring us some. I never want to go back into Meariland again. It is thought they will be a fight down here about bunker hill, the dust is ankle deep over here I hope it will rain be tore we march again So I Must come to a close by saying To you write Soon I hope you all may do well and not trouble about me. I see anough for all of us. So no More Only
Re mains your affectinat
husband untel Death.

John W.
To Matilda A Mahan
dont you never gromble at hard times any more

[This letter is written on wide-lined paper in a dear hand. What folds there are make reading difficult.]

federick dy Va Oct the 6 1862
My Dear wife
And children I Take the pleasure of writeing you few lines again to day to let you no that I and ellick and cear is Still well this evening Henry Gill is agoing to leave you may not get the one I maild this morning I hope these few lines may find you all well and fathers family well & my father’s family also and all the niaborss I want to here from all and all the news I hope you all are doing well I would give any thing to See you all once more I have Just wrlten a letter for Mr oen he wants to See home as bad as I do I have Seen all of my old acquaintances here and I am doing very well you must not be in troubble about me no more than you can help tel willmuth She must be asmart girt and learn her book. Tell ellin and Teny and... they must be smart girls and tell Little John A. that I want to See him Verry bad Tel Mother I want to see her & father and all the Rest Tel billy corbin he must writ to me and Tel harriet that the boys are all well and she must write to Me. you aught to See me eat fat beef and bread I am Thankful that my health is better Than I thought it would be. Tel Mother I had give ellick my brown pants and She must give you cloth anough to make me another pare and you keep them tel I want them. if any person comes to our Redgement you must Sleeve Jacket and coat if they are a coming back I will send my Blew coat back you must take good ceare of every thing and do the best you can and be Satisfied. I want here from all the stock hogs and all I Say to you there is no chance for a discharg here the dr. wont excuse aman from duty as long as he can Stand up I have not been to one yet and I wont have to go to one here I want to get me a Substitute hire him by the month if he can and not Stand on the price Tom Cooks man is gone and if he dont come back Tom will have to come they Say. Tel father he may not Send no money down here They are fixing to draw money and clothes I have got some money yet will do for all of us Tel we draw I recon we cant by any thing here but Some little apples at fifty cents per dozen little peachis the Same we get anough to eat now but we had a hard time on marching I would been Thankful of the vittals I have seen you throw out to the dogs tel the children they must Save their Chinkapins tel I come home and they must their granpa to Save me some brandy Tel mother I often Think of she would say to we children when we would go to the table and grumble at our dinner She would say you may thank your god if you always get as good and have made the Same Remark to you dont’ gromble anymore while you get anough Sutch as you all ways have had. So T I quit my writing and come to close by saying farewell to you and My Dear Children I wish I could See you all once more. So no more at present only Remains your affectionat husband untel death John W

To Matilda A Mahan
Frederick Cty., Va. Oct. the 6th, 1862
My dear wife and children,

I take the pleasure of writing you [a] few lines again today to let you know that I and Ellick and Gear is (sic) still well. This Evening Henry Gill is agoing to leave. Youseem to be pestered because I did not keep that money, but you don’t know anything about it. Major Yates had the money and worked all the week after Billy left, and he could not get one in for me. I understand Cabell is going to let me go to Cpt. Raimsy’s Company. You can direct your letters to either Regiment. I will get them. If I do get to that company, I want Father to get me a substitute by the first of next month. Cabell won’t take one in his company. For that reason. I want to leave his company. Charles Oaks will go to his company in my place. His brothers is (sic) there. I don’t know when we will make the change. Henry Gill will leave in a day or two, and I want to send this by him. I want to see you and [thel children very bad. and I want to hear from everything that is growing--how your potatoes is (sic). You must have them all dug arid put away. . .good in the garden.If you can get any wheat sowed, I want you to have that east hill—all of it--sowed and the two flats next to the spring. I wish I could be at home. I would give everything in the world—if I had it [to givej--to be there. You must do the best you can with everything. I [havej written you two letters~ the first [ofl September and one the 10th, one the 20th, one the 24th. You must write often. Tell Willmuth she must learn her book and be a smart girl. Tell Ellin, Teny, and her they must be smart girls. Kiss little Albert for me and don’t let him forget his Pa. I would like to be there to eat some fruit. I want you to have them (sic) crabapples put up—all that you can. Tell Father he must save me some brandy; and if we get back towards Richmond, he must bring us some. I never want to go back into Maryland again. It is thought there will be a fight down here about Bunker’s Hill. The dust is ankle-deep over here. I hope it will rain before we march again. So I must come to a close by saying to you: Write soon. I hope you all may do well and not trouble about me. I see enough for all of us. So no more only remains your affectionate husband until death.
John W.
To Matilda A. Mahan
Don’t you never (sic) grumble at hard times any more.

may not get the [letter} I mailed this morning. I hope these few lines may find you all well and Father’s family well & my father’s family also, and all the neighbors. I want to hear from all and all the news. I hope you all are doing well. I would give anything to see you all once more. I have just written a letter for Mr. Qen. He wants to see home as bad as I do. I have seen all of my old acquaintances here, and I am doing very well. You must not be in trouble about me no more than you can help. Tell Willmuth she must be a smart girl and learn her look. Tell Ellin and Teny and ... they must be smart girls ,and tell little John A. that I want to see him very bad. Tell Mother I want to see her & Father and all the rest. Tell Billy Corbin he must write to me; and tell Harriet that the boys are all well and she must write to me. You ought to see me eat fat beef and bread. I am thankful that my health is better than I thought it would be. Tell Mother I had to give Ellick my brown pants, and she must give you cloth enough to make me another pair, and you keep them till I want them. If any person comes to our Regiment, you must [send my] sleeve jacket and coat. If they are coming back, I will send my blue coat back. You must take good care of everything and do the best you can and be satisfied. I want [to] hear from all the stock: hogs and all. I say to you there is no chance for a discharge here. The Dr. won’t excuse a man from duty as long as he can stand up. I have not been to one yet, and I won’t have to go to one here. I want to get me a substitute, hire him by the month if he comes, and not stand on the price. Tom Cook’s man is gone; and if he don’t (sic) come back, Tom will have to come they say. Tell Father he may not send no (sic) money down here; they are fixing to draw money and clothes. I have got some money yet. [It] will do for all of us till we draw. I recon we can’t buy anything here but some little apples at fifty cents per dozen; little peaches, the same. We get enough to eat now, but we had a hard time on marching. I would [have] been thankful of the victuals I have seen you throw out to the dogs. Tell the children they must save their chinkapins until I come home, and they must [tell] their grandpa to save me some brandy. Tell Mother I often think of [what] she would say to we (sic) children when we would go [to] the table and grumble at our dinner. She would say, “You may thank your God if you always get as good,” and [II have made the same remark to you, “Don’t grumble any more while you get enough such as you always have had.” So T., I quit my writing and come to close by saying farewell to you and my dear children. I wish I could see you all once more. So no more at present; only remains your affectionate husband until death.

John W.

To Matilda A. Mahan
[Understandably, the writing is strained, but clear. He has apparently just heard that the four daughters have died within a time span of one week of scarlet fever.]

Oct. the 9th 1862
federick Cty Va
My Dear wife and one Dear Child I will Try to write you a
few lines if I Can. I Read you letter this Morning dated the first and a
desbiefing one it was to me To think that my poor little Children is all gone but one I don’t no what in this wold to do I am in so mutch trouble I thought I had seen Enough of it before but if it be gods will and I will try and think it all for the better. Little did I think of all this when I left home. I dread the next letter I fear that I shall be left alone If it be so I hope to god we will all meat in heaven. I am well at present as to health. Ellick and Cear is well. Capt. CabelI and Col. Edmonds is trying to get me a furlow but the dr. dont think they is any chance to get it. I Showd him the letter and he said the never head of the like before he Says he wishes I Could go hQme I told him your situation and he roat very Baring furlow for me. I am trouble to think you are agoing to breake up I no it is bad to Stay thare, but I trust to god you will stay thare tell I get home if I ever do you must bare your troubles the best you can the dr says you will be apt to have the disease. I am afraid to hear from you and for little Albert again [there are small pen ‘touches’ here in the original, as if thinking or grieving] poor little willmuth & Ellen & Tena & lder, I hope they are all in heaven and I know we will meat them there in a day to come. you must do the best you can and take advice from our fathers. They must all try and get Me A substitute as Soon as they Can and not stand on the price and if you See any Chance for me to get home you must not break up I think some body mite stay with you troubles and trials will change after while. I cant tell my feeling it Seems SQme times that I cant live. I will come to close You must give my love to all of our familys and except of it your Self. So No More at present only Remains your affectionat husband untell death
John W.

[This postscript is replete with small dots indicating that the pen has rested on paper during periods of thought, grief, or a search of what to say. The writer is devastated.]

To Matilda A. Mahan
I did not think I could write when I commence. george blair got a letter from John blair the 7th dated the 30th that Stated that my little Ider and willmuth was ded and the reast was all well, then your come. 0 how it did hurt me to think that my poor little ellen and Tena was goun.goun forever & never I had see them anymore
0, my dear wife what. .shall. .1. .do. .what. .ShaI . . ..I. .do..

god help you. I hope this will find you and my Dear Child well Farewell my dearest friend [Note that the complimentary close use of
‘Iriend” is the only one of its kind in the letters.] may not get the [letter] I mailed this morning. I hope these few lines may find you all well and Father’s family well & my father’s family also, and all the neighbors. I want to hear from all and all the news. I hope you all are doing well. I would give anything to see you all once more. I have just written a letter for Mr. Oen. He wants to see home as bad as I do. I have seen all of my old acquaintances here, and I am doing very well. You must not be in trouble about me no more than you can help. Tell Willmuth she must be a smart girl and learn her look. Tell Ellin and Teny and ... they must be smart girls ~and tell little John A. that I want to see him very bad. Tell Mother I want to see her & Father and all the rest. Tell Billy Corbin he must write to me; and tell Harriet that the boys are all well and she must write to me. You ought to see me eat fat beef and bread. I am thankful that my health is better than I thought it would be. Tell Mother I had to give Ellick my brown pants, and she must give you cloth enough to make me another pair, and you keep them till I want them. If any person comes to our Regiment, you must [send my] sleeve jacket and coat. If they are coming back, I will send my blue coat back. You must take good care of everything and do the best you can and be satisfied. I want [to] hear from all the stock: hogs and all. I say to you there is no chance for a discharge here. The Dr. won’t excuse a man from duty as long as he can stand up. I have not been to one yet, and I won’t have to go to one here. I want to get me a substitute, hire him by the month if he comes, and not stand on the price. Tom Cook’s man is gone; and if he don’t (sic) come back. Tom will have to come they say. Tell Father he may not send no (sic) money down here; they are fixing to draw money and clothes. I have got some money yet. [It] will do for all of us till we draw. I recon we can’t buy anything here but some little apples at fifty cents per dozen; little peaches, the same. We get enough to eat now, but we had a hard time on marching. I would [have] been thankful of the victuals I have seen you throw out to the dogs. Tell the children they must save their chinkapins until I come home, and they must [tell] their grandpa to save me some brandy. Tell Mother I often think of [what] she would say to we (sic) children when we would go [to] the table and grumble at our dinner. She would say, “You may thank your God if you always get as good,” and [II have made the same remark to you, “Don’t grumble any more while you get enough such as you always have had.” So T., I quit my writing and come to close by saying farewell to you and my dear children. I wish I could see you all once more. So no more at present; only remains your affectionate husband until death. John W. To Matilda A. Mahan

[This letter is written clearly in rather wide lines. There are none of the pen-touch marks such as we see in the one dealing with the deaths of the four daughters; however, even here the touches increase on page 2 as he begins talking about the grave sites for the girls and his own death.

Oct the 11 1862
federick Cty Va
Dear wife and Child
I Take my pen in hand this Morning To write you and familys a few lines To let you all no that I am well as Comon as to health and I hope when These comes to hand they may find you all well. I have no news to write to you all. Times is quiet here Now So fare as I no I Receved the letter That Drosy and Jane and billy Corbin Sent to us writen the 4th and mail the 7 which was fore days Coming. Cear will Answer them. and I feel like I want to write to you again about my Dear little Children I want to no how they ware put a way. and which Side of the grave yard and how fare off and what Sort of plank was put over them and above them and I want father to get nice toom Stones and put to their graves and have their births and deaths and names to each Coffin it will be Some Sadisfaction to me I don’t ceare if it cost one hundred dollars I want it done Shortly and I want him to have them nicely pailed in Poor Iittte things I feel that I want to do Something for them but I can’t I don’t no what to do.. I want to Come home So bad.. you Say you are agoing to break up and want to no what in the you are agoing to do with evry thing I don’t want my Sold of and Scattered about and it wont do to leave them there. . There’s my crops to take Ceare of and hogs to fatten and all to tend two. My bees I want tended to I wish I could come home to See about evry thing, I have not heam from my furtow yet but I dont expect to it

If I Should never get home again I dont want father to Sell that land There is one man close there that wants it that I hope never well get it if he had done me the favor that he done two other men in Richmond: I would bin at home now there is children enough to live on it if I dent get back.. I hope that I will be berried by my children if I Should not die there and I dont want them graves neglected what ever I want evry thing taken cere of and do the best you can for Self and Child I have been writing So mutch to you about. the Children thinking it would pleas them but poor little things never live to hear them Read. Tell harriet She must knit me a comfort and Send to me the first chance. I will come to a colse by Saying to you must Soon give my love to Mother and father and famly and your father and Mother and famly and all in quirmg friends. I will Say to you that all of my company wants me to come home they the Cpt. That they would make up my time if he would try get me off Some of them Said they would give 20 dollars if could come home. evry man wanted To See the letter and hear it read they Seem to be Sorrow for me death aint notest here atall they was a man kild here by a tree burning down one night and they dug a hole and put him in it. So no more at present only Remains your true loveing husband untel death John W To Matilda A. Mahan
Kiss little Albert for me.

In camp Near fetters burge [Fredrlcksburg] March the 13 1863

My Dear Wife as I have been Looking Several days for a letter from you and don’t get any I will try To Write you a few lines to let.., know That I am well at present. Ellick and Car was well last mondy The 57th is gone 18 mUse below hear To Worke on breast works they will be back next week.
William Allen got to the company yesterday he sayed he was at fathers last Sunday and all was well he Sayed he Saw you last Week at fathers I.. .so glad to hear from you. He Seems to be verry.. .but muctch down he had no idler of having to come hear when he Left home Monday Morning I have no news. Times Is quiet So far as I no and The weather is verry Changble Some Times R[a]ng Some times Snowing hailing and And blowing. So we have A greatt Market hear fervislan planty brout out from fetters burge at one dollar a snack and If I was hungry I could eat 2 or 3 Sutch Snacks as they give they Sell 2 or 3 little Sweat potatoes At 50 cts. they are worth 2 or 3 dollars per peck now. they have A little of every thing most but it wont do to by mutch I can eat of my money a great deal fastter than I get It We can make out verry well with what we draw hear In camp now we get pees and beans every day Sugar aplenty bred plenty but not mutch meat (p. 2) Matilda I presume that you people at home have got to come Down to live like we foot Sldlers I see In the papers. that people is liveing two esctravigently The Soldiers’ In the field has got to be fed I Tell you If this war holds on long you never Saw Sutch times as will be in a few months, that is my opinion. I am In hopes that it will end be fore we have to Suffer Mutch More than we have for Something to eat. When it comes to eating horse flesh and And Mules. I think I Shall knock under and give up I dont think I can live any longer
So you must all do the best you can and be Saving of evry thing (p. 3) Skip this Side I have mead a mistake
So I will Close letter by asking you to writ Soon give me all the news give my love to all inquiring friends
esccuse my awkward wrot letter

your ever affectlonat husband
Jno. W. M To M.A. M.

I have not got any letter Since the first day of March if get one In a day or two I will write again.

March the 29th 1868

My dear Matilda & dear little children,

How often do I think of those innocent and happy days when much of our time was passed together, but servitude has since separated us. But if I may judge of your heart by my own, feelings of affection towards each other have not undergone the slightest change. Our attachment is the same, and we must both long for that time when freed from service again. My Dearest. I hope that happy day to which I have looked is not far distant when we shall meet again.
Dear Te.,

Take neither exception nor trouble at what I write to you. God bless you and the children & trust that Providence will be with you throughout. To the letters I sent to your father and Harriet: Thomas Oaks wrote for me. I did not have the time, and he could write them a good deal quicker than I could. Tell Harriet I got the things that she sent me. I have not used the comfort any yet. It is getting too late now to put it on. I would like to have a good coat and to send my old coat and sleeve jacket home again. I hate to wear my blue coat, but I shall have it to do, I expect.
So farewell, my dearest love, and don’t you be uneasy about me though I have to go through many dangers. Dear Te, I wish I knew the future of the next 12 months or the next 3 months. I want to see little Albert so bad sometimes that it looks like my heart will break.
[This letter is in poor shape. Pencil is smeared; and some portions, especially those caught in folds of the original, are illegible.]

In Camp Near Ivans Station
Southhamton Co. Va. April the 3 1863

My Dear Wife and children I will write you a few lines this evening in anseer to your letter I Received yesterday dated the... of March which gave me great pleasure to hear from you all as it is the first letter I have got Since the first day of March by Mail. This... es me and Ellick and Car well as common at present. The 57th come up last night. I Think they Are a looking for a fight they are fixing pontoon bridges for us to cross black water. it is Thought we are going to... The Sufflok but I hope that is not so. I have no news to write of importance. They have Several of our boys came in lately. ~Joe Reynolds James Woodall, bill loyed Tom kindrick from the house pittle., we have a verry nice camp but I dont like this country. I don’t think The water will be good in warm weather

Matilda I will Say to you that we have drawed our money up the first day of March but I don’t recon I Should Send any of it home as it will be Some Time before we.... I told John Riddle to get you... paper in peters burge. . . John Blairs for you I don’t no wheather he did or not. we are looking for him back now he is dew hear to day
So no more at present you must writ Soon and let me no wheather you have got all of my letters I sent one in March.... Give my love to all, And except a double portion of it your Self

Your ever true and loveing husband
Jno. W. Mahan
To Matilda A. Mahan kiss my sweet little babies for me

In camp near Ivan Station
Southampton County, Virginia
April the 3, 1863

My dear wife and children,

I will write you a few lines this evening in answer to your letter I received yesterday dated the.., of March which gives me great pleasure to hear from you all. It is the first letter I have gotten since the first day of March by mail. This leaves me and EHick & Car well as common at present. The 57th came up last night. I think they are a looking for a fight. They are fixing pontoon bridges for us to cross black water. It is thought we are going to... Suffolk, but I hope that is not so. I have no news to write of importance. They have several of our boys come in lately: Joe Reynolds, James Woodall, Bill Loyed, Tom Kindrick from the hospital. We have a very nice camp, but I don’t like this country. I don’t think the water will be good in warm weather.
Matilda, I will say to you that we have drawn our money up [to] the first day of
March, but I don’t reckon I should send any of it home... will be some time before we. you. . . . told John Riddle to get you... paper in Petersburg. ... John Blair’s for you.
I don’t know whether he did or not. We are looking for him back now. He is due here today.
So no more at present. You must write soon and let me know whether you have gotten all of my letters I sent one in March ...
Give my love to all, and especially a double portion of it [to] yourself.

Your ever and true loving husband
Jno. W. Mahan
To Mattkla A. M.
Kiss my sweet little babies for me.

[This letter is clear, lines are close together and straight. Writing is less difficult to read.]

April the 7 1863
In camp Near I[vans] Station
My Dear Matilda and children. I Received your kind letter yesterday of the 28th. I was glad to hear from you and the children I liked to hear often from you. This leaves me well as common And I hope will find you and all well. I have no news to write to you. I thought I would write a few lines to let you no that I had got your letter. I will Send it in Gears etter as there is but few lines of it. I am Sorrow to hear that you have got another mean niggro to deal with this year. pleas watch her verry clost and if you ketch Stealing any more get your father holt of her. it Seems to me we have the worst luck I ever Saw any Two poor Mortals ever had. but I am in hopes it will Change in the future. So do the best you can... her dont Trouble a bout me I am doing very well during this war I hope and trust that I may live to see you all Again and I hope that you will prosper and get along well, every body that goes home and Comes back Says that people is a heap more low spirited thare than they are hear. but I Say to you that men nor woman don’t cear for any thing hear. They enJoy them Selves finely
So I will close my Short letter by askin you To write Soon and give me all the news
Your ever and true living husband
Jno. W. Mahan
Tee., you dont direct your letters wright
This way
In cear of Cpt. W. M. prichard
Co. B 38, Va
armstend Brigard
put Co. B to the captains name not to the division [page 2]
John Riddle got back yester evening He Said he did not get you any paper So I dont no how you will get any
Te. don’t get out of heart of making any thing be cause I ain’t thare do the best you can to keep your stock and every thing tend to your bees And your hogs Slop them well and save your corn by Saveing of all your food. take cear of your meat, and dont Sell any thing for confederat money that you can help. writ to me AbOut every thing Dear Tee.
Jno.W.M

[As if an address written on the fold is this information.] To Matilda A. Mahan Muservelle Pittsylvania Co Va from Jno. W. M.
Co B. 38. Va Vol.

April the 7, 1863 In camp near Evans Station

My Dear Matilda and children,

I received your kind letter yesterday of the 28th. I was glad to hear from you and the children. I liked to hear often from you. This leaves me well as common, and I hope will find you and all well. I have no news to write to you. I thought I would write a few lines to let you know that I had got your letter. I will send it in Cears letter as there is but few lines of it. I am sorry to hear that you have got another mean niggro to deal with this year. Please watch her very close; and if you catch [her] stealing any more, get your father hoft (sic) of her. It seems to me we have the worst luck I ever saw any two poor mortals ever had, but I am in hopes it will change in the future. So do the best you can.., her [and) don’t trouble about me. I am doing very well and hope to do well during this war. I hope and trust that I may live to see you all again, and I hope that you will prosper and get along well. Everybody that goes home and comes back says that people are a heap more low spirited there than they are here, but I say to you that men nor woman don’t care for anything here. They enjoy themselves finely.
So I will close my short letter by asking you to write soon and give me all the news.
Your ever and true loving husband,
Jno. W. Mahan
Tee, you don’t direct your letters right.
This [is] the way:
In care of Cpt. W. M. Prichard Co. B, 38th. Va.
Armstead's Brigrade
Put Co. B to the captain’s name, not to the division.
John Riddle got back yesterday evening. He said he did not get you any paper. So I don’t know how you will get any.
Te., don’t get out of heart of making anything because I ain’t there. Do the best you can to keep your stock and everything. Tend to your bees and your hogs. Slop them well, and save your corn. Be saving of all your food. Take care of your meat, and don’t sell anything for Confederate money that you can help. Write to me about everything, dear Tee.
Jno.W.M

[This letter is folded in quarters, crossways, then thirds lengthwise. The folds are indecipherable. Lines are straight and close together.]
In Camp Near Hanover junction
May the 28 1863
My Dear Matilda Albert and Jolly

I will write you a few tines I am writing to send by father but I have nothing for one... father can tell you. I think I am improving Rite smart. ... can eat somenow but I am A.
notd when it comes to... diet again. [There are two lines missing in a fold here.]
... ob Stomic on it. The... don’t agree verry will with me, though I eat Some I can eat the cakes and peaches verry well I wish you had of sent me some eggs they tast better to me than anything .......
Tell drosy I am much oblige to them for sending up me and ellick & cear a copple of eggs and marking them to billy A... all a token well. Te. S.. .e Mit’s Jolly has left you Tel her next time you See her that I did not think she would of left a good home for the like of old Marsh linthicom you must keep your eyes open I could of made her... thare as good as She could at home.
[There are 3 lines obliterated here.]
I will.., you a nice new jacket knife for your own use. I will send you my Comfort and Socks home. I don’t want to toat them this summer and you can send them back this fall if you get the... if I don’t come home that is to....
[page 2]
I may not see you again in two or 3 years but you must not get out of heart. keep up your home and be saveing. I am in hopes we will live to gether again... once share father says you have picked up rite Smart money this.... think.... [There are two illegible lines here where the letter has been folded.] So I will stop writing. Dear Tee you must write to me and tell me all the news in neibour hood, and.., home... Two write about every thing.
So farewell My Dear companion ever your True and loveing husband. [illegible] To Matilda A Mahan

Pleas excuse my bad writing and Speling
.Te... I am nervice And weak but I think I will be of in a few days if we dont march We are under marching orders know [Three lines obliterated]. Self... by me. . . sleep.
So farewell my Dear and kiss my little boy for me and raise him...

In camp near Hanover Junction
Maythe 28,1863

My dear Matilda, Albert, & Jolly,

I will write you a few lines. The writing to send by father, but I have nothing for
one . . .Father can tell you. I think I am improving right smart. I can eat some now, but I am afraid when it comes to. . diet again. [Lines Missing.]. .. . Stomach.. . it. The... don’t agree very well with me though I eat some. I can eat the cakes and peaches very well. I wish you had of sent me some eggs. They taste better to me than anything else.
Tell [drosy] I am much obliged to her for fixing up me & Ellick & Cear a couple of eggs and marking them to Bill’s call a token well. Te., I suppose Mill’s Jolly has left you. Tell her next time you see her that I did not think she would of left a good home for the sake of old Marsh Linthicom. You must keep your eyes open. She could of made her days there as good as she could at home. Tee, you were little when... Mitty died of [two fold lines are missing here.] Tee, I will send you a nice... jacket knife for your own use. I will send you my comfort and socks home. I don’t want to tote them this summer, and you can send them back this fall if you get the. . .l have come home that....
I may not see you again in two or three years, but you must not get out of heart. Keep up your home and be saving. I am in hopes we will live together again.., once have. Father says you.. .have picked up right smart money th~... think.., way to do [two missing lines lost in the letter fold].
So I’ll stop writing, dear Tee. You must write to me and tell me all the news in [the] neighborhood and.. . home.... Write about everything.
So farewell my dear companion Ever your true and loving husband,
[Probably “Jno. W. Mahan”] To Matilda A. Mahan
Please excuse my bad writing and spelling.
Te, for I am nervous and weak, but I think I will be off in a few days if we don’t march. We are under marching orders now. [Three lines disappear into the worn fold here.] Self. .hear. . . . lying... by me... and sleep.
So farewell my dear and kiss my little boy for me and raise them. ...


		Letter - Sept. 20, 1862
		Edited Letter - Sept. 20, 1862
		Letter - Oct. 4, 1862
		Edited Letter - Oct. 4, 1862
		Letter - Oct. 6, 1862
		Letter - Oct. 9, 1862
		Letter - Oct. 9, 1862- Postscript
		Letter - Oct. 11, 1862
		Letter - March 13, 1863
		Letter - March 29, 1863
		Letter - April 03, 1863
		Edited Letter - April 03, 1863
		Letter - April 07, 1863
		Edited Letter - April 07, 1863
		Letter - May 28, 1863
		Edited Letter - May 28, 1863

38th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry Company F "Davis Rifle Guards"

38th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry
Company F
"Davis Rifle Guards"