Letter, from Alex Spence to Sallie Spence

Object number1998.044.47

DateMarch 7, 1864

Mediumpaper and ink

Dimensions8 x 11 3/4 in. (20.3 x 29.8 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection

Terms

DescriptionLetter from Alex Spence
Location: Camped near Dalton, GA
2 sheets of blue lined paper folded in half to give 4 pages written on front and back. Letter is to "Sallie" from Alex Spence. He is proud of the Arkansas regiments. He calls them "Cleburne's solid division." He is aware of the great things said about the Texas-Arkansas (3rd Arkansas infantry, Hood's Texas) brigade. However, he is upset about the troops in Arkansas and writes that they should be disbanded. He sent in an application for 60 days furlough He begs that they write him and send the letters, money, etc. through Mr. Carter. He says that Confederate money is worth little. He wants someone (either his dad or "Pete") to send him a "negro boy." He does not write to young ladies because he fears them all married. He has heard that in Little Rock they are marrying "federals." He says that his group will be marrying women in Georgia.

Born in 1838 in Alabama, Alexander Spence served in Co. B of the 1 Arkansas Infantry (Colquitt's). Company B was known as the Clark County Volunteers. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in Little Rock on May 8, 1861. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in April 1, 1862. Five days later he was wounded at Shiloh. He was promoted twice more, to 1st Lieutenant and then rising to the rank of Captain. Alex was killed at the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia next to his brother, Tom, who also served and was killed during the war.

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