Civil War Alabama Confederate Letter Blockade Runner! Son's bravery

  

Written April 12, 1863 upon his return from Vicksburg. He did not see his son William who is serving in Co. D, 2nd Alabama Artillery, who would be taken prisoner at the fall of Vicksburg. He describes his sons bravery at the battle of Deer Creek.

He is a brave boy & I feel no uneasiness about him disgracing himself by cowardice. He stands high in his company particularly with his officers. It was essential while at Snyders Bluff 14 miles above Vicksburg that a small party of soldiers should go to Deer Creek in advance of the 40th Alabama. Bill volunteered with a few of his company to go. Consequently came near being captured but managed to hold the enemy in check till reinforced by the 40th Alabama Regiment. Killed a good many Yankees. Battle is a Blockade Runner.

They now allow it or in other words, the transportation can be bribed by that means. I managed to get through about 25,000 pounds for which I had to pay (65 cts) sixty-five cents. I shall hold the sugar until I can get one dollar a pound. I understand it will sell readily for that in Selma for which place the sugar is in transit.

William has bought 5 Negroes. Property has advanced a great deal since I saw you. Negro men could be bought for 1500 dollars the 1st of January. I have hired them out. I had no use for them & dont want to sell.

They are the only thing I have seen that was cheap since I got home from North Carolina. Your kind letter was received about ten days ago just as I was starting to Vicksburg. I was very glad to hear from you & family & my old neighborhood although I was sorry for my old friend Bob Gupton though his present misfortunes may eventually prove his gain.

I have just arrived home from Vicksburg. I did not see my son William. The company he belongs is in Sunflower County, Mississippi. [They] left Vicksburg about 3 weeks ago, had a fight at Yazoo River & came out unharmed. Had another fight at Deer Creek in Sunflower County, Mississippi also without an injury. Killed a good many Yankees & sustained a very small loss to our side. Deer Creek is about 65 miles from Vicksburg by land, 110 by water, & the richest land in the world, I expect. When I got home, sugar was cheap worth about 20 cents for good. I will be there in 4 or 5 days. Bacon one dollar, flour 100 to 125 per barrel, buff from 50 to 100 per lb. And everything else in like proportion. I dont know what we will do if things dont change soon. If you havent supplied yourself with sugar, I think you had better do it at once. None making out South of importance bound to be 3 or 4 dollars a pound & probably more. I dont know of anything to write that will interest you. This leaves us all well. With our best wishes for you & family through life, your friend & nephew, Wm. Tell Aunt Lew my little Sallie was very proud of her dress & sends love to Aunt Lew & cousin Mary, Cousin Malin & cousin Lucy & all the rest. Thomas my kindest respects & best wishes for self & family. The item "Civil War Alabama Confederate Letter Blockade Runner! Son's bravery" is in sale since Saturday, September 02, 2017. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Reenactment & Reproductions\Photographs". The seller is "mluther4" and is located in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Russian federation, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica.