Letter, James Candler to Mr. Spence

Letter, James Candler to Mr. Spence

Object number1998.044.05

DateNovember 11, 1864

OriginCamp near Tuscumba, Alabama

Mediumpaper and ink

DimensionsOverall: 13 5/8 x 8 3/4 in. (34.6 x 22.2 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection

Terms

DescriptionTwo-part letter from James M. Candler to Mr. Spence and to his family. Handwritten in a light black ink on blue lined paper. Contains two messages. First message is to "esteemed Mr. Spence," signed James M. Candler. The second is a message to Father and Mother.

Mr. Spence is the father of Alex and Thomas F. Spence, both of whom served in Arkansas regiments and were killed during the war.

James M. Candler enlisted in the Confederate Army on July 27, 1861 at Camp McRae, Arkansas. He served in Co. F of the 2nd Mounted Rifles (Tom Spence served in Co. E of the 2nd Mounted Rifles).

Nov. 11, 1864
Camp near Tuscumba, Ala.

My esteemed Friend,
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I seat myself today to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time and I hope when these few lines get to hand they will find you enjoying the same blessing. I have nothing that would interest at this time but the Army is in good spirits at this time. Mr. Spence, Alex Spence was over to see me a few days ago. He is well. We have had a hard campaign of it. General J.B. Hood did tear up the railroad up from Kennesaw Mountain to Dalton. Burnt all the cross ties and bent all the iron, and captured 700 negroes and 800 Yankees and killed 7 negroes and about 600 Yankees in the forts on the road and mules and wagons and often it is reported that we will go in to Tennessee but I don't think now that we will go. Sherman has brought some of his force back to Chattanooga, Tenn. I think we will go into winter quarters soon. Mr. Spence I have written 2 or 3 letters to you. I have not received one. I want you to take the letters out of the office for me and keep them till you see father. I don't know who to write to. I think you will be the best one to write this. I have written one to Cousin Nancy Hawkins about 12 miles from Arkadelphia. I want her to get the letter. I have not much to write this time and so I will bring this to a close for this time. I remain your friend till death. You will direct your letters to James M. Candler in Company F, 2nd Arkansas Regiment, Reynolds Brigade.
James M. Candler

To Mr. Spence

Nov. 11, 1864
Camp in the field
A few lines to father if you see him you will please give this to him for me.
My Dear Father and Mother and Sister:
I take this great opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time. I hope when this gets to hand, it will find you all well. I received a letter from you. I did not get one this time by Barksdale. Father, I know nothing that would interest you at this time but we had a hard march about 400 miles. We captured 700 negroes and 800 Yankees and a great many wagons and oxen. We killed 7 negroes and about 600 Yankees. I think Sherman's loss was about 45,000 killed and wounded from Dalton. Our loss about 10,000 killed. We have a great many wounded. I have written a letter to Cousin William Candler. A few days ago General Forrest captured 16 transports and 4 gunboats and 4 barges loaded with clothing for the Yankees. If you see Cousin Nancy Hawkins tell her if she will go to Arkadelphia she will find letter there from me. I have written 2 or 3. I received one from you and Uncle William Freeman and also Will Moore. In a few days it is reported we will go into Tennessee, but I don't think so. I think we will go into winter quarters soon. I will bring this to a close for this time. I will write again. I think I will get a furlough this winter.
James M. Candler
Company F
2nd
Reynolds Brigade

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