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While serving in the Confederate Army, John Franklin Davies wrote three letters to his father, Dr. Henry Landon Davies. These letters were saved in a bible in which he wrote that he was a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware in May, 1864. He wrote the first two letters before he was captured at The Wilderness on May 6th, but the third one was written from a different prison, Fort Pulaski, on Nov 12th, 1864. |
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Camp near Winchester Oct 15th 1862 Dear Pa, Lt. D. W. Pattison of my company desires me to write this in order that I may have him a pair of boots made in Amherst. If I hear favorably from you in reply to mine written some 2 weeks ago, I shall send Ned up to Amherst last next month - He can then bring back articles needed for our comfort this winter. I am afraid we will be required to pass the Winter in the valley, as all the army excepting Gen'l Jackson's corps has been ordered away. We are 10 miles below Winchester, making it about 102 miles to Staunton. I hope we will get nearer to the R. R., if we do not, we will suffer for _food_ & _raiment_. Did you or Ma get a letter from me about trying to get me up some country-made clothes? When I left home, I thought I would get the cloth in Richmond, but it is no use in talking about getting out the camp now -- military laws are so strict. The description of the boots for Lt. Pattison will be No. 8 Scotch bottoms front of the leg extended about 3 inches, full legs, & substantial counters - Let me hear from you soon as practicable & excuse brevity. Love to all, Your Son, John F. Davies |
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Staunton July 14th 1863 Dear Pa, I rec'd a wound in the thigh at Gettisburg, Pa on the third days fighting. The wound was slight & is nearly well now. If I can get a transfer to Lynchburg I will be in Amherst soon. Tell Ma I saw Capt. Whitehead after the battle of Gettisburg & he told me that none of his boys were killed. Tomf was in the rear of his Brigade so I did not see him. I left Addison well. Affectionately your Son, Jno. F. Davies
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Fort Pulaski Ga Nov 12th 1864 Dear Pa, Yours and Sallie Bev's letter of the last Oct. was recv'd today & altho I wrote Dick by last "Truce boat" still I'll write again to let yous know that your kind letters have been recv'd. They were the only letters I've gotten from home since my imprisonment. I thank you all for your kind recollections & sympathy in my misfortune. I hope that I have learned to trust in my "Saviour" & that He has aided me in that "spiritual preparation," which will comfort me in my emergency. You need not Pa give yourself any unea -siness about my clothing or other necessities. I am as well off as the balance of the Pris., and none of them are sufring much The distance and difficulty of transportation would make it impracticable for you to furnish me with provisions or clothing as you desire. My "old suit" is getting rather thin threadbare for the season, but I have sent on an order to a house in Baltimore for a supply. I recv'd the order from Calvin last summer, but did not use it, as I thought our Government would exchange us, after standing _this fire_ on "Morris Island". Bob Christian request me to present his compliments. When you write, you should mark your letters "via Savanah" Ga. Tell Sally Bev. I'll answer her favor first chance & that she must write again. My page is about out, I will conclude by asking you to accept loss, for yourself, the house -hold & its branches -- Write whenever you can & believe me Affectionately Your Son, J. F. Davies |
