Tag Archives: Benjamin Cheatham

Letter – J.P. Graves, 5 November 1864

2015.002.093d

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Private J. P. Graves of the Warren County MS Light Artillery, Army of TN, to his sister, from Tuscumbia, AL. Graves writes that he has been scouting recently, which he likes better than artillery service. They get better food, and he gets to travel all over the country on horseback. Hes mentions that Lieutenant General Stephen D. Lee’s Corps is across the Tennessee River, while Major General Cheatham’s and Lieutenant General Stewart’s Corps are camped nearby. Graves expects they will soon move into the middle of Tennessee, and writes of a rumor that Richmond, VA, has fallen. Graves is hoping to get furlough for Christmas.

-Page 1-

Tuscumbia Ala Nov the 8 1864

Dear Sister

I thought I would write to you this morning as all of the boys has gone off ond a scout except a few. the last time I wrote to you was at Jonesbourough I believe; you must excuse me for not writing to you sooner as we have had so mutch scouting to do. I like scouting better than Artilery service; we can get more to eat and travel all over the country I rode my horse down so I will have to get me an other one but that is very easy don as their is a grate many Tories in this county we can get horses from them We drawed clothing yesterday I drawed a jacket a pair of pants and shoes; we expect to draw blankets and overcoats pritty soon. we need them right mutch as

-Page 2-

the weather is getting pritty cool Bud came over to see us yesterday he is well and enjoying fine health. Lees corps is a cross the Tennessee river; Cheathams & Stuarts Corps is camp a round this place I expect a move will be made in to middle Tennessee pritty soon frome all appearances. The troops are all willing to goe as they have been clothing and shoeing up the army. It is reported hear that Richmond has fallen; It is all so reported that the troops refuse to charge; that can never be said of the army of Tennessee! we have all ways had double numbers to contend with. all the Generals made a speach to the troops the other day amongst them was Beaureguard he tole the boys he would be with them in the hour of battle I am going to try and get my furlough a bout christmas so you must look for me in a bout

-Page 3-

two months. Tell Sunny Clem he must have his dogs well train by christmas, so we can goe opossum hunting. I have got a splendid burnside rifle it is a breech loading gun I can shoot a partregs [partridge] head off evry time with it, it was captured frome the yankees. I must close as it is getting so cold I cant write give my love to Ma & Sallie and tell them I will write to them as soon as I can Believe me as ever your Brother

J P Graves

PS

Direct your letters to Shannons scouts in care of Col. Cofer provo marshal Gen

your Brother

J P Graves

J.P. Graves enlisted on March 20, 1864 in Dalton, GA in Captain Swett’s Company L, the Warren Light Artillery. He survived the war and is shown on a muster roll of Confederate soldiers paroled at Greensboro, NC on April 26, 1865.

Letter – James Cooper, 27 January 1865

2015.002.059

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Confederate Captain James Cooper, Assistant Adjutant General for General John Bell Hood, to Captain Francis M. Farley of the 8th FL Infantry, from the headquarters of the Army of Tennessee near Tupelo, MS. Cooper begins by mentioning an “ill-fated” campaign into Tennessee, then encourages Francis to continue fighting despite recent losses. Cooper is determined to not give in to depression, for he feels confident in the Confederacy’s victory. He describes the current movements of corps commanded by: Benjamin F. Cheatham, Stephen D. Lee, Alexander P. Stewart, and Nathan B. Forrest. Cooper recently took on the responsibilities of the A. A. G., and has been busy furloughing troops. He gives Francis the unfortunate news that his old brigade has not done well recently.

-Page 1-

HdQrs. Army of Tenn

                            Tupelo, Miss Jan. 27 1865

My dear friend

     More than a month has passed since I received your last letter – it reached me during our ill-fated Campaign into Tennessee. It is useless to attempt to excuse myself for not answering sooner, for though I may have had some reasons for not writing at times, and at other times had no opportunity to write, yet I should before this time replied to your letter. But believe me, my friend, if I did neglect to write, I did not fail to think often of you – to sympathize deeply with you in your troubles, an account of which I received in your letter. It is a consolation to know that you were enabled to offer gallant resistance to the foul invaders of your home and that you succeeded in punishing to some extent the Yankee wretches. I am proud of your conduct on the occasion; it was however only what I would have expected of you.

I can appreciate & respect your feelings, Farley, at the time you wrote to me – but you must cheer up. Do not yield to gloomy feelings. The spirit displayed by the inhabitants of your little town [Marianna, FL] of itself (however sad in result) shows what the Yankees have to do before they can accomplish their ends. I have witnessed recently much to discourage; our army beaten & disgraced – disorganized and suffering. But I will not yield to depression. I have faith in our final success the justice of our cause and feel certain of success. And at all events let us go

-Page 2-

down with colors flying.

Cheatham’s & Lee’s Corps of this army are now en route for Augusta. I shall leave in a day or two. Stewart’s Corps and Forrest’s Cavy will be left in this country under command of Lt. Gen. Dick Taylor. I do not know who will command the army in Georgia, but suppose Beauregard will command in person.

After the army reached this place I was very busy for a week, both night & day, furloughing the troops, having all the work of the A.A.G.’s office thrown temporarily on my shoulders. I assure I am glad to be relieved by the movement of the troops from the irksome task. Col. McDonald of your old regt [1st Florida Inf.] returned to the army a few days since, after 2 years’ absence; has tendered his resignation & left on 30 days leave of absence. Your old brigade [William B. Bates’ (Finlay’s)] I am sorry to say did not gain much reputation on the recent campaign. To Bates’ Division is ascribed the misfortunes of the Army. They will do better another time.

It is so cold that I can’t write more. I am in a tent and my fire won’t burn. I only write to you now because I leave here tomorrow & do not know when I shall write again. By the way I wrote to you twice before receiving your last letter. So you owe me one.

                       Sincerely yours,

                                        Cooper

James Cooper was originally commissioned as a captain in Co. D of the 1st LA Infantry, in March of 1861. He was captured near Pensacola, FL and sent to Ft. Warren Prison in Boston Harbor before being exchanged. After returning to duty with his regiment he was assigned sometime in August 1863 to duty as an inspector’ general at General Braxton Bragg’s headquarters. When General Joseph E. Johnston assumed command in 1864, Captain Cooper remained on the commanding general’s staff. In July 1864, when General John Bell Hood was made army commander, Cooper served in the same capacity again on his staff.

Francis M. Farley was originally commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in Co. E of the 1st FL Infantry on April 5 of 1861. He was captured at Santa Rosa Island, FL later that year, and imprisoned at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, where he met and became good friends with Captain James Cooper. After being released from prison, Farley was wounded at Fredericksburg, VA, and later resigned November 2, 1863. He subsequently served with the 8th FL Infantry.