Letter, C.C. Grandy to his brother, Willis

Letter, C.C. Grandy to his brother, Willis

Object number1998.055.10

DateApril 20, 1866

Mediumpaper and ink

Dimensions8 x 11 in. (20.3 x 27.9 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum collection

Terms

DescriptionLetter is handwritten in black ink on unlined paper. In the letter, C.C. Grandy writes his brother discussing post-Civil War actions. He addresses how to escape Union troops, where his slaves are and what to do with land, etc.

Apr. 20th 1866
Monticello, Drew Co., Ark.

Bro. Willis
Yours of the 19th of Feb. is at hand. I was glad to hear from you all and that you were living and I hope will still do well. Bro. Tom, after he was detailed to collect clothing for the army, went before the Medical Board and was discharged and his discharged [sic] signed by all but Col. Shaver, who was then in command, lo it did not amount to anything, but the oldest on the Board (a N. Carolinian) said to Tom if he wished to be discharged he would have his discharge if he had to go to Head Qr. himself after it. Tom said he was willing to remain provided he was assigned to some light duty. Tom remained in camp but did not have much duty to perform. He was at the Ark. Port when it fell, but made his escape by swimming a small stream. He came home then and remained some time. He went then to the Rock(?) and there remained until the retreat of our army from that place. Over fatigue on the retreat threw him into a fever from which he never recovered. The Capt. said he had a man detailed to wait on him but all to no purpose. He was sick about three weeks. I would have went to see him but about that time a man or woman had to have a pass to go from place to place, and even then was liable to be taken up by the Missouri Troops and robbed or killed. The Missourians done more damage than the Feds.
I was in the service but I don't know what number, Rights Batalion [sic]. I was not able to do duty more than two or three months on account of affliction of the spine. I had a good capt. and he let me stay home. My family remained in Monticello. The Fed soldiers were at my house several times. They did not do much damage. They took me prisoner once and carried me about 40 miles on bareback and turned me loose. Many negroes went to Pine Bluff after the Fed took it. Some returned saying it was not what they expected. Three of mine went & two came back. I am now about six miles from Monticello on a farm. I have ten hands hired. I expect to plant about 50 acres of cotton. I have three other families farming on (?). All I hire are of my own or used to be. Some are doing good work while others are not. In your next, I want to know if Bro. Miles is crazy and how Lester is getting along. Aunt Hester and any of our acquaintances about Camden, Haywood, (?) wants to know Tom Upton and M.A. Boushall(?) are living and what doing [sic].
We have no mails in this state yet. Direct yours to me at Eunice, Arkansas in the care of H.A. Thorten & Co. We are all well. Our best wishes. Write soon.
C.C. Grandy
p.s. Was that Edmund (?) the negro troops carried to Norfold and there died. I could not make out whether the middle letter was a C or E. If so, how is Maddy getting along.
C.C. Grandy

Status

Not on view

Collections