Letter – John Brown, 24 September 1863

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Letter of Private John S. Brown of Company F, 39th NC Infantry (illiterate), written for him by Private Samuel W. Cooper of Company K, 39th NC Infantry, to the family of Sergeant John Wiggins. The letter is sent from Ringold, GA, and while dated the 14th, this is likely a mistake as official records mark that he was wounded on the 19th at Chickamauga. It informs them of his death after being wounded on September 19th, 1863, at Chickamauga, TN. Wiggins was shot in the thigh and brought to a hospital, where he died on September 21st. Sergeant Wiggins’ brother, Joseph, was with him when he died, and had him buried. Brown writes favorably of Sergeant Wiggins, and mentions that he was a good soldier and well-liked in the regiment.

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Ringold Ga Sept 14th 1863

Asteemed [Esteemed] friends it is with sorrow that I right [write] at the present from the fact that I have sad news to wright your son & bro is Dead he was shot Saturday in the first charge, he was shot in the Thigh & the ball Broke his thigh & he was caried to the hospital where he remained till Monday he Died a monday Evening & he ast me to wright home & tell you [???] that he was wounded. John’s Bro, Jo. came to him before he Died & he stayed with him untill he died & he had him Buried there was is one consolation to wright that is he was a good soldier & fought & died for the good of his country & all of the Boys in the Regt Like Sargt Wigeons he all ways done his duty & acted like a gentelman & was good to all of the Boys I recking I had better bring this letter to a close so no mor your friend John, Brown,

written by S.W. Cooper

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John W. Wiggins, age 19, from Cherokee County, NC, enlisted in Company F, of the 39^th NC Infantry, circa February 23, 1862. He is listed as a sergeant as of November 25, 1862, and was wounded at Stones River on December 31, 1862, but returned to duty the next day. He was promoted to 1^st Sergeant of Company F on March 1, 1863. He was fatally wounded at Chickamauga on September 19, 1863, and died in the hospital on September 21^st. He was twice reported on the Confederate Honor Roll for valiant service, at Stones River and Chickamauga.

Letter – John Wiggins, 3 February 1863

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Letter written by Sergeant John W. Wiggins of Company F, 39th NC Infantry, to Mr. J. J. Colvard, from a camp near Shelbyville, TN. Parts of the letter are illegible. Wiggins writes that he has heard from brother Joseph, who was in good health and heading home. He has heard rumors that Kentucky voted to leave the Union and the government has called thousands of troops to defend the state. He requests news from home, particularly wanting to know who is killed or wounded from Company A of Ashby’s Regiment. Wiggins expects the next move by Union forces to be on the Rappahannock River, though they may try again at Vicksburg.

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Camp near Shelbyville Tenn

Feby 2d 1863

Mr. J.J. Colvard

Dear,

Brother and Sister its with the greatest pleasure that I embrace the present opportunity of Droping you a line to inform you that I

[next 12 lines illegible, obscured by traces of purple surface transfer ink]

John Cross was taken prisoner I suppose… any how that is all of the boys that is gone only them that you have heard of [???] I Recd a letter from Brother Joseph and he was in tolerable health and was on his way home

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There is not any news much here in camp & it is reported that to be true that the KY Legislature has voted out of the union and is now in arrest the Gov has called out (60,000) sixty thousand Troops to Defend the State of Ky this good if true you must write soon and give me all the news and if Joseph is at home tell him to write to me and write who of Co (A) in Ashby Regt was killed or wound we are not looking for the enemy to advance soon

Morgan and Wheeler is watching their movements daily I look for the next move the Yankees makes will be on the rapahannock they started the other day and the mud stoped them it may be that they will try Vicksburg again send my love to Nancy and Joseph and they boy tell Fathers folks that I am well Respectfully your friend until death

Jno W Wiggins Co (F) 39 Reg

NC Vols

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John W. Wiggins, age 19, from Cherokee County, NC, enlisted in Company F, of the 39^th NC Infantry, circa February 23, 1862. He is listed as a sergeant as of November 25, 1862, and was wounded at Stones River on December 31, 1862, but returned to duty the next day. He was promoted to 1^st Sergeant of Company F on March 1, 1863. He was fatally wounded at Chickamauga on September 19, 1863, and died in the hospital on September 21^st. He was twice reported on the Confederate Honor Roll for valiant service, at Stones River and Chickamauga.

Letter – John Wiggins, 20 April 1863

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Letter written by Sergeant John W. Wiggins of Company F, 39th C Infantry, to his brother Joseph A. Wiggins, from Shelbyville, TN. Wiggins is replying to a letter from his brother, and writes that he is glad that Joseph is safe. He mentions supporters of Abraham Lincoln, and says they “showed themselves to be what they represent.” He remarks on the deaths of family friends. Wiggins has heard of recent reinforcements sent to the Union army at Tullahoma. Wiggins mentions their hard drilling, and how they have a new brigadier, General William B. Bate. Wiggins hopes that R. B. Vance, who was recently promoted to brigadier, will get command of his brigade.

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Shelbyville Tenn

April 20th/63

Mr. J.A. Wiggins

Dear Bro

its with pleasure that I put my pen to respond to yours of the 7th which has been before me only a few days I was truly glad tohear from you and hear that you had come through on a [???] and from the account you gave me that you was in a tolerable close place and it also seams like the Lincens [Lincolns] and their gallant Leader showed them selves to be what they represent I can inform you that I received a letter from home today and they was all well it was dated Apr 12th it said that Geminie Welch was dead and I also received one from home a short time before this and it said that Calvin Colvard wife was dead;

I expect that we will have something to do in a short time the enemy is reported to have received a reenforcement of (20,000) twenty thousand

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and it is reported that they are reenforcing at Tulihoma [Tullahoma] with 3 Divisions from Miss and it is also reported that they are reenforcing from VA; I would be mighty glad to see we are living tolerable well at present we have to drill tolerable hard we have got a new Brigadier Gen Bate Col R. B. Vance has been promoted to a brigadier but has not been ordered on duty I am in hopes that he will get command of this Brigade Brother Burton was examined and came clear of conscript so I recon I must close for the present so no more only remian Your Brother Respectfully

John W. Wiggins Co F

39 Regt NC Troops 2nd Brigade

McCowns Division

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John W. Wiggins, age 19, from Cherokee County, NC, enlisted in Company F, of the 39^th NC Infantry, circa February 23, 1862. He is listed as a sergeant as of November 25, 1862, and was wounded at Stones River on December 31, 1862, but returned to duty the next day. He was promoted to 1^st Sergeant of Company F on March 1, 1863. He was fatally wounded at Chickamauga on September 19, 1863, and died in the hospital on September 21^st. He was twice reported on the Confederate Honor Roll for valiant service, at Stones River and Chickamauga.