CONFEDERATE SOLDIER LETTER - COLONEL JOHN B. BEALL, 19TH GEORGIA INFANTRY

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Addressed to “My Darling” 7 pp. in ink on unlined paper, 5” x 8. Exhibits fold-marks, else VG plus.

A native of Carroll County, GA. John B. Beall lived a varied life as soldier, lawyer, poet, editor author and merchant. Included in his literary works was a volume of Civil War poems and reminiscences, title “In Barracks & Field—Poems and Sketches of Army Life.” Enlisting in the First United States Cavalry in 1855, Beall served 5 years on the western frontier. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he raised a company of which he was made Captain and taken into the 19th Georgia. Wounded at Mechanicsburg, VA, during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign he later was elected Major and then Lieut. Colonel of the Tallapoosa Rangers, a battalion of cavalry he commanded as a part of McCoy’s Brigade, served through the surrender of Johnston’s army in April 1865. Signed pardon, released at Greensboro, N.C.

Written to his fiancée, Mary J. Merrell of Carroll County, Ga.--(whom he would marry the following year) -- shortly after the opening battle at Bull Run…Beall’s letter reflects on home life, Yankee morale, the likelihood of a short war and the incidence of camp disease. As for his prose, Beall was a well-educated and, like many high-toned southern gentlemen of the era, writes in a florid and yet graceful and pleasing vein to his “Darling.” Excerpts as follows:

“Aug 11th, 1861--Camp Davis near Lynchburg, VA.

My Darling…I will not defer writing any longer. I am painfully anxious to hear from you, & did hope that in my first letter I could acknowledge the recpt of a sweet missive of love & good tiding from my Darling. I wrote to George from Louden…giving him my address, not doubting that he would write at once in case of your not being able to do so. I can only console myself with the reflection that no letters have been recd by our request from Ga., except some forwarded from Camp Mc Donald. It was so hard to have to come away and leave you with that fever burning your precious veins.

Perhaps it is a visitation on me for my many transgressions. How humbly I could bow my own head to the rod; how meekly receive the chastening from the Divine Rod! But you, my own Darling, pure, innocent & much a fledgling dove, humbly accepting every affliction as a mark the Father’s love, troubling ever lest unawares you should give offence. Why should the hand of affliction fall upon your dear little head!

I have got you little note. The Col. had kept it two or three days. Hed didn’t’ know how important it was to me. I am glad to hear that your going home was not attended with any serious consequence. I was not satisfied that you had typhoid fever, & should have been perfectly wretched if you had been compelled to remain at Dallas. But now I know you got safely home, were besides the attention of friends you will have the ears of skillful physicians…

We have 13 on the sick report today one right serious case of Quinsey, several cases of mumps. My own health is very good; indeed it seemed to have improves wonderful until yesterday. I was on guard night before last., & lost too much sleep and got tired. But I am not sick now only feeling bad & tired…One captain told me their were 24 cases of measles in his Co.

It is very fortunate for us to be detained here, until we get over these camp diseases, though many are complaining and want to be hurried into the field.; for my part, I want to stay here at least til we get our company uniforms which is to be made and forwarded to us….

Pardon my hasty writing. I still think the war will be of short duration. The Yankees who were in the fight at Manassas will doubtless desire an opportunity to redeem their character; but their people at home are already making a great fuss about the burdensome tax that it imposed on them to carry on the war, and it is highly probable that they not endure it long. No free people in the world would endure such a burden in a cause by which they can expect nothing to be gained. What a glad time we would have if peace were made! How it would lift up my heart now to turn my face towards the home of my darling! Heavens!...To take up the line of march with her down the stream of time, to part only to meet again—at the Headquarter of Eternal Rest! Bright anticipation! May it be realized!

The history of our love so far has been a sad one, has it not, my Darling? Yet we may indulge bright hopes of a happy future. Somebody spoke of Cave Spring yesterday, & memories flashed across my mind that thrilled me with gladness. I saw the road down the little creek, the little bridge to the left, the town the groves, the church, the spring & the cave, all as bright & distinct as when we were there on that happy day; & I though of how I helped you down the hill & wished there another hill to go down….What a mystery love is!

I went to see Marg as I came over, she was not expecting me. Thought I was gone. I walked in unannounced found her in a back passage very busy with her little girl. You ought to see how she dropped the child & fell to hugging & kissing me & kept at it till I told her the babie was scared almost to death. Willie came & I stayed with them from about 5 pm til the next morning & rode back to the RR 1 1/2by daylight. I got up to my company same evening at Bristol on the VA. line. Our wing arrived here without accident, but our man of the right wing (Capt. J.J. Beall’s Co. was killed & wounded, by the running off of two boxes.

Good Bye. Heaven keep you Darling, for happiness and one who, though he often feels deeply his unworthiness, still lifts his heart in prayer for you /Most Truly Yours / Jno. B. Beall”.

Interesting early war letter from a gentlemanly Georgian to his wife-to-be, who would bear him five children. A man of many parts, with a touch of the poet, Bealls led an interesting, varied life, living to age 84. Invites further research. In protective sleeve. [JP] [ph:L]

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