Submitted by Carolyn Cooper, Special Thanks to Wilbur Cone and Bill Cone for Sharing this Letter.
Letter of Jesse Mercer Cone
while Serving in Civil War
Jesse Mercer Cone served in Co. I, 3rd Alabama Cavalry, CSA. He enlisted August 1861 and separated April 1865. He was wounded at the Battle of Girard in Alabama. From his post, on November 29, 1864, he wrote this letter to his brother, Francis Marion (Frank) Cone, who also served in the 3rd from March 15, 1862 until he was discharged on June 29, 1863 due to the aftereffects of measles. However, Frank re-enlisted less than 2 months later, on August 14, 1864, in the 4th Alabama Cavalry and served until the end of the war. William Stephen Cone owns the original and we thank Wilbur Cone for sharing it. Shown here is the content with its original spelling and punctuation: (Jesse and Frank were two of the sons of Lewis and Martha Ann Stuckey Cone.)
Grantville Geo Nov. 29th 1864 Dear Brother I have got back to my post again. I arived here yesterday morning at nine Oclock safe and well and I sincerely hope that this may reach you and find you the same. I left all well at home. I brought a letter for you that was handed to me it was directed to Jacksonville and mother had just got a letter from you that stated that you was at Oxford and after I started I heard that you had moved over this way som where and I brought the letter on but I cant hear anything from you here and I have put the letter in an other Envalope and directed it to Oxford. I had a very good time at home con sidering the rain and bad weather we had while I was there I had a very nice time with my little pet and a grate many other girls. I went down to se Bill Watson and it mad me very sorry to se him getting about on his crutches though he seemed not to be troubled very much about it his foot is cut off at the ancle joint but Bill said it was better his foot than his head. The yankees have gon down by Macon and are still going on in the direction of Augusta though we cant hear what they are doing. times seem to be very dull here very little news any way. I have got no horse yet and I dont expect to get one soon. I expect to remain at this place some time with Capt Ridly but I dont know what I will do yet I hope I can stay with him this Winter. but if I have to go to the Regt and cant get a horse pritty soon and cant get some detail I have a notion of aplying for a transfer to McNeils company though I do not know what I will do yet. Frank if you do come round this way come and se me for I want to se you the worst that I ever did and I do hope that I will se you soon. be shure to [write] me as soon as you get this and remember your ever devoted Brother Jefse Actual image of Letter Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 ***Note from Carolyn Cooper Besides these two, the following family members are known to have served in the War Between the States (probably others that I've missed): Eli Bibb Cone, son of William Neal Cone, grandson of Jesse and Sarah Bailey Cone Jesse Travis Cone, son of William Neal Cone, grandson of Jesse and Sarah Bailey Cone (died of wounds) James B. Cone, son of James Bailey Cone, grandson of Jesse and Sarah Bailey Cone (died of illness) George Washington Cone, son of James Bailey Cone, grandson of Jesse and Sarah Bailey Cone James Lewis Cone, son of Lewis Cone, grandson of Jesse and Sarah Bailey Cone William J. Weatherford, husband of Nancy Cone (oldest daughter of Lewis Cone) (died of illness)
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