Letter, Alex Spence to his sister, Sallie
Object number1998.044.21
DateMay 10, 1861
Mediumpaper and ink
DimensionsOverall: 15 x 10 7/8 in. (38.1 x 27.6 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
Terms
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.
Little Rock Ark,
May 10th, 1861
Sallie,
Agreeable to promise I have seated myself to write you a few lines as t will be the last opportunity I will have for some time. We leave here to morrow morning for Va. 5 Companies have already left. 4 besides our leave in the morning. The Camden Company and ours go on the same boat. The Camden Co. are all nice men, but the worst of it is we all have to take "deck passage." Our company now numbers 110 men. We have the name of being the most civil, moral and gentlemanly [C'?] that compose the regiment. I believe ours is the "favorite Company" with the Citizens of the place. The ladies here have been very kind to us, have don a great deal of work when they would not for other Companies. We have been encamped her in the arsenal for four days. I have a special permit from the Captain to let me pass when I chose [sic]. A soldiers life is a hard one, but I can't say that it is worse than I expected. The "Convention or State" has appropriated $10,000 for paying the expenses of this regiment to Va. Each one of Company is to receive $10 when the boat leaves in the morning. I shall not receive anything yet a while as I shall most assuredly quit the Company at Memphis unless there is a change in some things. Thomas was elected Lieut Col. of the regiment & Mr. Starke is Captain. I don't think he is enough. From the laate telegraphic dispatches I think we will have big fighting and plenty too. The Northern States are wary when preparing for battle. Lincoln says the United States Flag shall float over every seceding state, a glorious time he will have in placing it over them. There was a large steamboat brot [sic] up this evening that was captured at Pine Bluff by Capt. Jno M. Bradley. She was loaded with provisions for the west. Mr. Ashby is here just from Gin. He says northern people will all swear vengeance against every Arkansian.
I will try and write to you again from Memphis. Please write to me and direct your letter to Lynchburg, Va. If I do not go there I will write and have my letters forwarded to the place I go to. You need not look for me home as long as I have an arm to strike for the "Southern Confederacy" should she need my services. I expect the most of us have seen Arkadelphia and its inhabitants perhaps for the last time.
So far I have enjoyed fine health, and I think Camp life will agree with me. All of the Company are standing it fine. You would be amused to see me seated at our "provision chest" writing this. I find camp life is attended with great inconveniences.
Sallie I must close this, as it is getting late and our drum has beat for retiring. Tell all the folks to write and do so yourself.
My love to all
Yours,
Alex E. Spence
I will write to Marcha soon
[punctuation added for readability]
Status
Not on view
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