Letter – Thomas Jackson, 25 January 1864

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Letter written by Major Thomas K. Jackson, C.S.A., to his wife Lucy Reavis Jackson, from Macon, MS. Thomas recently sent Mr. Hart to Mobile, so all of the office duties have fallen on his shoulders. He doesn’t mind the work, but would be happier if Lucy were with him. He is looking forward to returning home soon, and expresses his great love for his wife. “When will this cruel war cease,” writes Thomas, “that we may be with each other always!” He has a few social outings to attend in the coming week, and asks that Lucy extend his regards to family and friends.

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Macon, Jany 25, 1864

My precious Wife,

I have been as busy as a full hive of industrious bees in the blossom time – Only a little gallop, now & then, by way of recreation – I had to send Mr Hart to Mobile, & all the labors of the Office devolve on me – I don’t mind it though, for I like work when my duties are not perplexing, & would be perfectly happy if you were with me – I haven’t called upon Mrs Larnagin yet, but purpose doing so tomorrow – hope she will prove tractable – I am sure if she knew what a dear little thing you are, she would not hesitate a moment, and almost take us to board for nothing – Oh I shall be so happy when I can go home, sure of being welcomed by your smiling face – God bless you my own Darling – You are the pulse of my life – My love for you never wavers – It loves above all considerations except your happiness, which I pray for constantly –

Nothwithstanding all my occupations, the

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past week has dragged heavily along – I miss you so much, & wish for you continually – When will this cruel war cease, that we may be with each other always! Will you not be happy then? –

I have not been out since the party, but expect to attend several this week – I purpose calling upon the Misses Sledge this evening – This note will probably find you in Eutah – I hope you may enjoy your visit there – Be sure to give my love to all at Judge Pierce’s – You must bring Miss Mar Lou back with you – I wish so much to see her sweet face again before she returns home – At all events, assure her of my sincere attachment – & tell her to remember me with kindness to all at her house – I took a long walk last night – my thoughts were entirely of you – & I was happy in their indulgence – Oh! dearest you cannot know with what confidence, what fondness, what devotion I think of you – You are all the world to me, & I am entirely yours – If I write short letters, dearest, I will try to write them often – Believe in my love for it

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is entirely, eternally yours – When I reflect upon your goodness, yr virtues, your dear love, my heart expands & I love all the world – My love to all at home. May the perpetual smiles of Heaven be yours

yr fond husband

TKJ

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Lucy Reavis (age 21 in 1863) was the daughter of prominent judge, Turner Reavis. She met her future husband Thomas K. Jackson while he was stationed in Gainesville AL. They married December 16, 1863. At least 30 known letters exchanged between them during the war years have survived. They had five children together. Lucy passed away in 1876 at just 33 years old. Thomas never remarried.

Thomas K. Jackson was born December 12, 1824 in SC. He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 1844 and graduated with the class of 1848. He was appointed brevet 2nd lieutenant of the 4th U.S. Artillery, then transferred to the 5th U.S. Infantry, then the 8th U.S. Infantry. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant in 1849. He served about 7 years on the Texas-Mexico frontier with James Longstreet, until he was assigned as an instructor of infantry tactics at West Point in 1857. In 1858 he rejoined the 8th in Texas. In 1861 he resigned from the U.S. Army and was made a captain in the Confederate Army. On September 26, 1861 he was announced as Chief Commissary of the Western Department under General Johnston. He was appointed major on November 11, 1861. He was captured at Fort Donelson in February of 1862 and imprisoned at Fort Warren. He was exchanged c. May and returned to duty as depot commissary in Gainesville, AL, where he met Lucy Reavis. They courted and were married December 16, 1863. Jackson was stationed at various sites throughout the remainder of the war. He was paroled at Gainesville on May 13, 1865 following General Richard Taylor’s surrender. He remained in Gainesville with Lucy to raise their family and work as a merchant and farmer.

Letter – Thomas Jackson, 6 September 1863

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Letter written by Major Thomas K. Jackson, C.S.A., to his fiancée Lucy Reavis of Gainesville, AL, from Enterprise, MS. Jackson writes how happy he was to receive a letter from Reavis, as his “anxiety was fast becoming intolerable.” He mentions having dinner with the paymaster, Captain Decker, in Meridian. Mrs. Decker is a friend of General Hardee, and is planning to request that Captain Decker be sent to Enterprise. Jackson mentions the train times from Demopolis, as he is planning on visiting Reavis. He then expresses his great love for Reavis, and writes that he will get a photograph taken while in Mobile. Jackson concludes by mentioning a compliment he received from the Chief Commissary of Mississippi.

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Enterprise Miss.

Sept 6. 1863.

Thanks – thanks, my own sweet Lucy, for your charming letter, every word of which is a breathing echo of your dear self – I have just received it, & am the happiest man alive – even this stupid Enterprise wears a cheerful smile this morning – My anxiety was fast becoming almost intolerable – it had been so long since I had heard from you – I have also, this morning a kind letter from yr Mother [missing] she was still at Kemper, but was to be at home today – Yr Father had returned – They were all quite well. I spent part of last Friday at Meridian & took tea with the Paymaster, Captain Decker & his family, consisting of his wife & her sister, whom I met

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for the first time – Mrs Decker is a charming lady, & I do not know when I passed an evening so pleasantly. Meridian has been vastly improved lately – ditched, policed, & numerous wells dug, adding immeasurably to the comforts of the sick & passing soldiers. Mrs D. says she intends to see Gen’l Hardee – whom she knows very well – and ask him to order the Captain to this place, which I should regard as a piece of good fortune, for she knows so many of my old friends, is so intelligent, entertaining & I think such a delightful Lady to visit.

The train from Demopolis is due at Meridian at half after five P.M. so you will have to remain there ’till 4 A.M. for the “up train” – It will be quite convenient & pleasant for me to go for you, because I have some business in that direction, & would like to get a glimpse of the coun-

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try so as to set about it at the proper time understandingly; so if my coming be entirely agreeable to you – write immediately & acquaint one with the day you wish to start, so that my arrangements may be made accordingly, & be sure to furnish me with the necessary directions to find you in the “Canebrake” – such as when to leave the cars &c &c

A delightful rain is falling now cooling the air & laying the dust – How welcome it is! for the heat has been intense & the dust [missing] most suffocating during these past ten days – Oh! my love, I have been so joyous & happy all day in the possession of your dear, dear letter – With what tenderness I regard each word traced by yr loved hand! If possible, I love you more than ever, and long for the day which is to

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unite our hands, as, I fondly [missing], our hearts are already united – I am going to Mobile soon & shall comply with your request about the picture – My letters to yr Mother were only little friendly epistles about nothing in particular, but I told her I had something serious to write to her about, but have not yet been able to approach her with the subject – When I see you I will tell you what it is, [missing] perhaps you can assist me, [missing] remind me of it, if I should forget – I received quite a complimentary letter from the Chief Commissary of Mississippi the other day, & feel right down rain about it – I didn’t know I was such a clever fellow. Goodbye my love – Ever yours

Thos K Jackson

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Lucy Reavis (age 21 in 1863) was the daughter of prominent judge, Turner Reavis. She met her future husband Thomas K. Jackson while he was stationed in Gainesville AL. They married December 16, 1863. At least 30 known letters exchanged between them during the war years have survived. They had five children together. Lucy passed away in 1876 at just 33 years old. Thomas never remarried.

Thomas K. Jackson was born December 12, 1824 in SC. He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 1844 and graduated with the class of 1848. He was appointed brevet 2nd lieutenant of the 4th U.S. Artillery, then transferred to the 5th U.S. Infantry, then the 8th U.S. Infantry. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant in 1849. He served about 7 years on the Texas-Mexico frontier with James Longstreet, until he was assigned as an instructor of infantry tactics at West Point in 1857. In 1858 he rejoined the 8th in Texas. In 1861 he resigned from the U.S. Army and was made a captain in the Confederate Army. On September 26, 1861 he was announced as Chief Commissary of the Western Department under General Johnston. He was appointed major on November 11, 1861. He was captured at Fort Donelson in February of 1862 and imprisoned at Fort Warren. He was exchanged c. May and returned to duty as depot commissary in Gainesville, AL, where he met Lucy Reavis. They courted and were married December 16, 1863. Jackson was stationed at various sites throughout the remainder of the war. He was paroled at Gainesville on May 13, 1865 following General Richard Taylor’s surrender. He remained in Gainesville with Lucy to raise their family and work as a merchant and farmer.

Letter – Thomas Jackson, 1863

2015.002.130

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Letter of Major Thomas K. Jackson, C.S.A., to his fiancée Lucy Reavis of Gainesville, AL. The letter is undated but likely circa August 1863. Jackson had recently mentioned to other officers that he desired peaches. Reavis somehow heard the message, and supplied Jackson with a dozen. He mentions sending a basket to Reavis’ mother, as a show of his appreciation for her motherly attitude towards him. Jackson mentions that the train had run off the track above Macon, and that he recently met with Colonel Rosser, Captain Neville, Captain Williams, and “Bill” O. Winston. He remarks on the recent marriage of a friend, and he hopes that he and Reavis will soon be able to follow suit. Jackson writes that he expects to go to Mobile, Alabama, soon, and may even get a chance to briefly visit Reavis in the next few weeks.

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Your sweet little note of Wednesday, my dearest Lucy, was indeed a surprise, but one of such an agreeable character that my nervous system would have little difficulty in recovering from similar ones daily – However, ma chere amie – (you perceive I have a penchant for the cant language) had the least suspicion crossed my ming that you not only would be made acquainted with my message to Maj Barret, Jim Hart, or Capt Williams for a dozen peaches, but actually desired to gather them, my knowledge of your readiness, to oblige, & your goodness, would at once have led me to anticipate the happiness which awaited me at the Junction – Although it

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was too dark for me to read when it was handed to me by Mr Kelly, I nevertheless, experienced a most exquisite, tender joy as, with jealous care, I clasped it to my heart ’till the opening dawn should disclose those charming sentences which my Lucy, alone know how to pen –

I thank you for the peaches – they were delicious & I greatly enjoyed them – but oh my love! I thank you ten thousand times for the sweetest of precious little notes – I often wonder if there be a greater enjoyment on earth than is derived from the perusal of the unaffected, unpremeditated thoughts of the absent whom we love – whom we adore – I know not, but often fancy my heart could scarce contain a greater joy than that with

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which your sweet letters fill my very being – As I gaze upon your well known characters, a thousand tender images impress themselves upon my senses – I behold my gentle Lucy occupied in writing to me – All her features – her thoughtful brow – her smiling eye – her graceful attitude – are in harmony with her pleasing thoughts & the agreeable task upon which she is occupied – But this is a little hurried note, Knox is watching for it – I send your mothers baskets by him, & I do hope she will receive them safe & sound – Tell her she will know some day that my expressions of thankfulness for all her motherly kindness to me, are not idle terms forgotten as soon as uttered –

It was one o’clock before we reached the Junction last night

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the train had run off the track above Macon – I was glad to meet there Col. Rosser, Capt Neville Capt Williams & “Bill” O. Winston – I hope the order to take up the rails on our little road may be countermanded, & I think it will be if the subject is properly & forcibly represented – “Bill O told me of Miss Colgins marriage

I think she & the Dr have set us a fine example, dont you? & one I think we ought to follow without unnecessary delay – I have something to tell you, but not space or time at present to do it in – its only a little “perhaps gossip” – I expect to go to Mobile in a day or two on business, when I return I will write you further,

I hope to have sufficient leisure in a few weeks to make you a flying visit – Do not fail to advise me if you leave Gainesville on any of yr contemplated visits

Devotedly & affectionately yrs

TKJ

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much love to all your dear family

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Mr Barlow was not neglected nor treated badly by me – I not only sent him the strongest papers I could, but wrote to him frequently, & got an officer to enquire him out in Mobile – My letter & the papers – which I got colonel Rosser to countersign, must have miscarried & the officer could not find him in Mobile I wrote to him today I miss him, but he is not indispensable to me

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Lucy Reavis (age 21 in 1863) was the daughter of prominent judge, Turner Reavis. She met her future husband Thomas K. Jackson while he was stationed in Gainesville AL. They married December 16, 1863. At least 30 known letters exchanged between them during the war years have survived. They had five children together. Lucy passed away in 1876 at just 33 years old. Thomas never remarried.

Thomas K. Jackson was born December 12, 1824 in SC. He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 1844 and graduated with the class of 1848. He was appointed brevet 2nd lieutenant of the 4th U.S. Artillery, then transferred to the 5th U.S. Infantry, then the 8th U.S. Infantry. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant in 1849. He served about 7 years on the Texas-Mexico frontier with James Longstreet, until he was assigned as an instructor of infantry tactics at West Point in 1857. In 1858 he rejoined the 8th in Texas. In 1861 he resigned from the U.S. Army and was made a captain in the Confederate Army. On September 26, 1861 he was announced as Chief Commissary of the Western Department under General Johnston. He was appointed major on November 11, 1861. He was captured at Fort Donelson in February of 1862 and imprisoned at Fort Warren. He was exchanged c. May and returned to duty as depot commissary in Gainesville, AL, where he met Lucy Reavis. They courted and were married December 16, 1863. Jackson was stationed at various sites throughout the remainder of the war. He was paroled at Gainesville on May 13, 1865 following General Richard Taylor’s surrender. He remained in Gainesville with Lucy to raise their family and work as a merchant and farmer.