This group of letters written to Sarah (Sally) R. Eastburn
were all written by members of the 104th. This regiment was formed in mid 1861
in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. Thus, the regiment included her close relatives and
neighbors.
The 104th regiment made a distinguished record for itself and the county,
serving in the Army of the Potomac, and in the Southern Atlantic states. It
opened the battle in front of Richmond, for possession of the Confederate
capitol, by firing the first volley at the bloody battle of Fair Oaks, May 31,
1862, losing 175 in killed and wounded, of the 393 officers and men that went
into action.
One of those killed was Sally’s brother, Charles.
A struggle for the colors took place, the enemy coming near capturing them.
This episode, the "Rescue of the Colors" was afterward painted in oil by William
T. Trego, the most distinguished military painter in America, and presented to
Bucks county by the Honorable John Wanamaker, the ceremony taking place in the
court room, Doylestown, October 21, 1899, in the presence of a large audience.
It now hangs in a room in the court house in the custody of the Bucks County
Historical Society, and is visited by many persons. The canvas is 8x11 feet and
the frame an elegant piece of work.
Letter Writers:
Thomas J. Brown - Sally’s school teacher
Joseph Eastburn - brother
Alfred Eastburn - brother
Harrison Eastburn - brother
Reuben Krewson - regiment member, possible distant relation
Theodore Hoff - regiment member
William Ragan - regiment member
Camp Davis Washington DC Nov. 29th/61
Miss Sadie, My friend -- this morning your brother shewd me a letter which he received
from you recently in which you stated that yu would like to receive a letter
from me. I was pleased to see your letter and to learn that you are anxious to hear
from me, and I wish to inform you that I’m nevetheless anxious to hear from you,
and as I requested my pupils before I left school to write to me I have been
lokking for you to write first. I know of nothing new to communicate to you you doubtless know as much about
us as I do I’m enjoying good health and myself pretty well I often think about
you and the rest of my former pupils do not get tired of wating for the present
I owe you and if I’m sposed to return and an opportunity is afforded I will get
it for you. Give my respects to Father and Mother and the whole family
Yours Truly
T. J. Brown
To Miss Sadie Eastburn
-----------------------------------------------------------
Carver’s Barracks Ring d Regt. 104th P.V. Washington DC Dec. 29, 1861
Miss Sadie,
My young friend --
Your favor bearing date of the 20th inst. came duly to hand I’m glad to hear
from you and to learn that you are pretty well but am sorry to learn that your
little1 has been burried and your elder one2 is quite
indisposed Sadie it is a great affliction to a sister but to loose one so little
so harmless and gentle as she was it is a consolation to believe she has gone to
a better home try to meet her there.
Your brothers3 returned with us yesterday safe again we were glad
to see them come, During their absence we moved from Camp Davis to Carver’s
Barracks on Meridian Hill we are now comfortable quartered her and enjoying
ourselves very well.
I am sorry I did not send your present to you when I promised you I would but
I entirely forgot it nevertheless the first I see you I will try to have it for
you.
I hope you will be able to get to school this winter and succeed in getting
into a store in the spring.
I frequently hear from those who were my pupils at Pleasantville school and
am glad to learn that the school is well attended and doing well I’m enjoying
myself very well at present and have never yet regret that I enliste but still I
wish dreadful war was over and I replaced in my former vocation time passes
swiftly by spring will soon be here and I hope by that time the war will be over
If you puruse the CountyPapers carefully you will no more about our condition
here thn I can discribe it for you hence I know of no news to communicate that
will be interesting to you.
Sadie be a good girl try to do right writie often to your brothers who are in
the army and whenever you feel disposed write to me
Yours Truly
Thomas J. Brown
To Sadie R. Eastburn
---------------------------------------------------------------
1.Sallie’s sister E. Lavinia Eastburn 1857 - 1861
2. Sallie’s Sister Mary Alice Eastburn 1839 - 1927
3. Sallie’s Brothers Charles, Joseph, Alfred, Harrison Eastburn, all in 104th
Pa. Vols.
Note - Brother Charles was killed in action at Fair Oaks in May of 1862
Thursday the 13th 1862
Dear Sister I my pen in hand to inform you that we are all well and hopeing
that these few lines will find you the same you said that you expect that we had
had a good diner out of that box when you rote but we hav not seen enything of
it yet and dont expect to now it was a grate disapointment my mouth was a
wattern for something good out of it I reseived your letter tusday and I pitched
out to the express after it but it was not there and I thought that I would
leaved it a day or to before I rote I dont expect to get it now if we do it will
be more than I expect I dont no what had become of it but I expect some body has
stole it but it they hav more rite to it than we hav let them hav it We can liv
on uncle sam vittles it seems that the luck is a turning against us sum how or
other I reseived a letter from jain Eastburn1 to night and they was
all well and comin[??] we hav had a very fine day to day, we hav drilled all
day, and I feele a little tierd to nite because we hav not drilled much lately.
I heard that that they was a going sware the volunteers in for regulars now all
of them that will be swore in that way there is a goodeel of talking about going
home but I ges they wont see home as soon as they think they will you siad that
you would not let them folks hav a smell out of that box but we haint had a
smell our selves yet.
I think that they are liable fore things that is miscaried tha is if they
sent it by express I dont no weather they did or not but the aught to get a
check fore it and they would stand good fore it then I am very sorry they went
to so much truble to get the things and the expencse of sending it and it should
get lost it is now about 7 o’clock in the evening and the band is out playing it
goes out every nite and plays a tune or to I believe that there is no more that
I can tell you because there is no nuse here fore it is just one thing over and
over i has got to be a pretty dry place her give my respects to all the rest no
more rite soon from your brother Joseph Eas to Sarah E.
---------------------------------------------------
1. Jane Eastburn - 1st cousin of Joseph and Sallie, d/o father’s brother John
Eastburn
Beaufort, S C
Tuesday Aprile 14th 1863 Dear Sister this evening I will endever to write a few lines to you an ancer to some of
your writing you have sent me and to appologize fore not writeing sooner wich I
know I aught to have done but I hope you will excuse me for we have shifted here
and there and all over and not much Chance to write there is a grate many that I
should write to but I have kept neglecting We are all in rite good health and I hope these few lines may find you the
same. We are now laying at Beaufort SC I cannot tell you how long it will be
before they will shift us from here for they dont let the wath [??] lay still
long at one place. Dear sister I have been informed that you have been taken up with a burth
tending store that is a very nice business but it is a rather a wild place for a
young girl of your age and inclination. But dear sister I hope you will keep
your mind about you and remember your caractor keep it good rememter that you
have many folks and brothers though some of us in the army far away but hope
some day to meet at home with respect and hope to find you of good caracter and
remember out dear mother who is continually worrying about some of us and wish
to see us all act in a respectable maner. be good to her, Dear Sister for a
kinder mother to children is hard to find. And slso remember, Dear Sister that
we all have a father in heaven to serve who will always respect and remember
those who respect and serve him. Now Dear Sister as I have no news to send you at present I will close with my
love to you and all other inquiring friends
No more good night god bless you
From your affectionate Brother
Harrison W. Eastburn
Pleas excuse this writing
fore my pencil is very poor
But my love to you is truly
This I [k]now will endure
I hope soon that day may come
When pease will be restord
That we all can meet at home
and never to war no more
But if we be not permitted
to meet here on this land
I hope we will be enroled
In our Savours peacefull band
[Thrice folded and on outside "Please hand this to Sister Sally"]
--------------------------------------------------------
U. S. Genl Hospital No. 5
Beaufort SC
March 17th / 64
Dear Sister
I once more take the pleasure of addressing you to inform you that I still
remain at the old hospital thought in excelent helth. And also to apologize for
my ungreatefullness to you, Dear Sister I feel that I have abused you greatly in
being so careless and neglectfull in writeing to you, for I am sertain that you
wroat to me last, I certainly have a great many to write to but that should not
exempt me when I have so much time as I have here. Therefore I should not blame
you if you should scold me some when I here from you again.
The mail steemer arived yesterday bringing me five letters and to behold one
among them bearing a dark border. Dear Sister, you cannot imagine how it
startled me, it made me tremble from head to foot to see that black border. For
I had herd preavesly of you being very ill. It did not contain such newes as I
expected, though very bad the letter was from Dear Aunt Sarah1
stating the decease of cosine Rachel States.2 We must expect sickness
and trouble in the world but I hope when we depart from this we may all meet
ware troubles are no more.
I received a letter from Mother yesterday stating that you where on the mend
wich I was very glad to here. I also received one from Brother Joseph3
stating that he and Alfred4 had both reenlisted and expected to start
for home soon. So you will soon get to see them. It seems by there estatement
they went it for money this time. If I did not want to inlist I dont think uncle
Sams money would get me, or be much inducement I could go without it as soon as
with. Well Dear Sister I cannot tell you how soon they will get me out of this
place I hope soon, I am acting as an orderly here at present for the Hospital.
Please excuse my many mistakes, As I have nothing very interesting to send to
you, I will close for the present with my love to all From your affectionate
Brother H., W. Eastburn
To S. E.
--------------------------------------------------
1. Sarah States Helstead - Sally’s and Harrison’s aunt, sister of mother
2. Rachel States - 1st cousin of Sally and Harrison, d/o mother’s brother,
James R. States
Note 1. After the death of James States and his wife, Rachel (Randall), their
children were raised by his sister, Sarah States Halstead.
Note 2. This is the Randall/Randel connection that raises the question
whether the Randel
store owners, that Sally first worked for, were relatives.
3. Joseph Eastburn - brother
4. Alfred Eastburn - brother
U. S. A. Gen’l Hospital No. 5
Beaufort, S. C.
April 2nd/64
Dear Sister, Your noate of the 23rd along with Dear Mothers came to hand
Thursday eav. I am very glad indeed to here that you have got well again. I
wroat to you some time ago though I presume you had not got it before you wroat
as you said nothing about it. I received a letter from Brother Alfred1
a short time ago, stating that he (along 6 others) had been detailed as
orderlies for Davis, and also saying that they expected to start home soon. Well
Dear Sister, you requested me to send you my photograph I would rather wait
until I get some sort of uniform. I have drawn no clothing since I got wounded.
I dont believe much in patronizing the soldiers robbers any how down here I get
no more of them than I can help. They have $5 a dos. for them here We had quite a fire in the city the other eav. one Hospital burnt to the
ground, though all the inmates were taken out uninjured. Well, Dear Sister, here is some reading matter a lady gave me wile over at
the Sanitary Commission yesterday I have red them so I thought perhaps they
would be interesting for some of you to read. So I will send them to you. I
suppose you hadnt herd that I have become a veteron. they have done away with
the name invlad Corp and and gave them the name of the veteron reserve Corps the
invlad Corps was intended to be a Corps of honer, but from accounts I see in the
paper, they seem to think they have got some in it that does not deserve to be
in it. Well, Dear Sister, I will now close with my love to you all. From Your
Affectionate Brother
Harrison W. Eastburn
To Sister Sarah R. Eastburn
------------------------------------------------
1. Alfred Eastburn - brother
Port Royal, S. C.
May 27, 1764
Friend Sarah,
I will now take the liberty to write you a few lines to let you know that we
arrived a Port Royal safe and sound on the 16th after a pleasant voyage of four
days I’ve found all of the boys well, and anxious to see us. Both of your
brothers1 are well. I have not seen Harrison2 yet. Now
Sadie, I will not write much this time, for I an in a hury. the mail will go out
pretty soon. I have forgotten wether you got one of my cards or not - But I will
send you one. You promised me one of yours, therefore I shall expect it pretty
soon. I do think Southampton beats any place for pretty girls that I have seen
yet - and I think that I will come there to live when my time is out.
Well I will bring my letter to a close by informing you that I am well and I
sincerely hope these few lines will find you the same. From you true friend
Reuben H. Krewson
Good Bye
Write soon
Miss Sade Eastburn
Please forward
-----------------------------------------
1. Joseph and Alfred Eastburn - Sally’s brothers, in 104th Pa Vols with
Reuben 2. Harrison Eastbu
rn - Sally’s brother, previously in 104th, but wounded, now
at Hospital in Beaufort , S. C.
Hilton Head S. C. June 6th 64
My Dear Sister With plasure I knw seat myself to write a few lines to you and I hope they
will meet you enjoying good and fine Spirits for I am happy to inform you that
they leave me enjoing the same Blesings and I hope to soon hear of your enjoing
the Same. Thear is no new of any impertance to tell you so you need not expect mutch I
am orderly for general Hatch now I have it very nice in fact all of the men has
nicer times then they had on Maris island thear aint so mutch Duty to do as
thear was it is getting very warm down hear now thear is some talk of Carnal
takeing the regiment to Beaufort to stay this summer but I don’t know wether
thear is any thruth in it ore not Beaufort is a very nice place I was up there
yeasterday I saw Harrison1 and stayed all night with him he looks
first rate his arm has heald up pretty will but it is very weak his arm has fell
away so it will take it a good while to get right sound again I don’t think he
will be fit for service before his time is out the Hospital that he is in is a
very nice place Splendid large brick building and the yards is full of kiferent
kinds of trees such as lemon and oringes and fig trees but still he wants to get
back to the regiment I think if I was in his place I would stay whear he was I
think he is better off. thear has not been mutch sickness down hear yet as I know of I hear the small
pox is pretty bad out amongst the nigers thear is a vilage of them about a half
of a mile from us they say they have it pretty bad and they alow them to crum
about amongst the soldiers it ought not to be alowed Well Sade I believe I don’t go to any more balls or partyes that is played
out with me but never mind when we come home again we will play it is again I quess I have told you about all of the news and that aint mutch So
therefore I will close for the present and with our love to you. Will Davis2
and ragans3 sends they regards to you Well when you write send me you
picture and tell M Alice4 to send hers so now I will Bid you adieu.
I remain yours as ever
your affectionate Brother
Alfred Eastburn Co I 104th
--------------------------------------------------------
1. Harrison Eastburn - brother, served in same unit, wounded, presently at
hospital in Beaufort, SC 2. Will Davis - army buddy in unit 3. William Ragan - army buddy in unit and beau 4. Mary Alice Eastburn - sister
Hilton Head S. C.
June the 5th 1864
Respected friend
I now sit down to write to you according to promise It was my intention to
have gotten over tohave seen you but you all is gold that glitters so it is with
mans hopes man proposes and God disposes but in my case I was the one that
proposes and the Adjutant General disposes in his Offices at Washington D. C. so
I had to git off to my regiment in hot haste I say ho hoho would not be a
soldier. Well Saide I want you to send me your photograph you know what you
promised me at the party I shall send you mone as soon as I get them from
Philadelphia. Alf1 and Joe2 are both well and hearty as
can be Will Regan3 says he is looking for a letter from you with
those photographs you and Alice4 owes him. he says he not only wants
the photogrpahs but a good long letter toacompnay them. My eye get no better and
it is really a hardship for me to see to write so I shall look for you to excuse
my scribbling and shortness of letter hopeing to do better the next time I write
when I shall say something about Military matter please write soon and give me
the news for you do not know how it lightens the heart of one at least a soldier
no more at present.
good by Yours Truly
Theodore Hoff
Direct to Theodore Hoff
Co. F 104 Regt. P. V.
Hilton Head Port Royal S. C.
--------------------------------------------------------
1. Afred Eastburn - Sally’s brother, in 104th 2. Joseph Eastburn - Sally’s brother, in 104th 3. William Ragan - army buddy and beau 4. Mary Alice Eastburn - Sally’s sister
Ward 6 Division No 1 U S Gen’l Hospital, Beaufort S C
July 16th 1864
Dear Sister,
This afternoon I sit down with pen in hand for the pleasure of ressponding to
your kind and most wellcom letter, of the 26th, ult. which reached me July 5th I
was very glad to here from you and to here that your imployers are kind to you.
You requested me to send you some little books! I will try to fulfill it but
I fear I have none that will interest you much, I have no very suitable ones to
send the little girl: I will send her the Soldier’s Song Book.
I will send you a ring with this which I cut out of bone since I was wounded.
The Soldiers has offered to give any price I wished to make them rings to send
This I suppose is most too heavy to ware.
Well Brother Al1, has been up to see me again. The Gen’l didnt
take him along with the expedition so as he ad nothing to do he got permission
to come up to see me again. I suppose you have herd all the details of the
expedition before this time. The Col. was brought here wounded. I went to see
him he promised to have me returned to my regt as soon as they could The Regt is
at the head again and they have a great many on the Sick List. I have been quite
unwell myself this last week I have the diarhea prety bad. though I am better
this afternoon. We have a good doctor here he is from our state, he will bring
me all rite again soon.
Well Dear Sister. I have nothing very interesting to narate for you. and my
hand is so trembly to day that I can scarcly govern it to write at all. So I
will close with my love to you and all inquiring friends.
From your ever affectionate Bro.
Harrison W. Eastburn
To Sister S R Eastburn
--------------------------------------------------
1. Alfred Eastburn - brother
Camp near Winchester, Va
October 30th 1864
My Dear Sister
I is with I now seat myself to answer your kind and welcome letter with I
received aboout two weeks ago at the I got it we wear lying at Martinsburg and
we have been marching and guarding wagon trains ever sense till day before
yesterday we came from the front down here to relive a grigade that has been
lying hear for some time and now we have taken thear places and sent them to the
front and I guess we will stay hear until the main army falls back and that wont
be till after the presidential election I mean not till after we get uncle Abe
in for four years more. Joe1 got a letter from you the same day that
I did they each had a photograph in you wanted to know witch I thought was the
best. Well I tell you I think the one you sent me is the best and Joe thinks his
is the best and thats the way the money goes and now I must tell you how my
money goes. When we left Martinsburg I put yours and Rabs2 pictures
in my album and put it in my knapsack and we started on a march to the front and
lost my knapsack and all my clothing and everything I had and them two new
shirts that mother sent me is gone in all I alost about thirty dollars worth and
mow you see I have lost all of them pretty girls that has gone back on me in the
letter writing espesly Miss van Sant3 Davis4 and Ragan5
is will and they said they would except of your picture very readily When you
send them don’t send them to me Send them to the ones that you want to have them
you did not say wether that fall that Mary finey6 got knocked any of
that Devilish Teclsh[??] out of her or not. if it didnt then I hope the next
time she falls down them stone steps she will brake her Devilish head and see if
that wont fetch Regan just came in the tent and he said he has got a new album
and there is just room enough for another picture and he said yours would just
fit it out I believe I have told you all so I will close for this time these few
lines leaves us in good health hoping they will find you all enjoing the same
give my love to all enquiring friends and keep a large portion for yourself rite
soon to your
Brother Alfred Eastburn
to Sallie East.
----------------------------------------------------
1. Joseph Eastburn, brother of Sallie and Alfred
2. Rabs (girl) , unknown
3. Miss van Sant, unknown
4. William Davis, army buddy and beau of Sallie
5. Thomas Reagan, army buddy and beau of Sallie
6. 1st cousin Mary Helstead Finney, d/o Sarah Eastburn Helstead, Sallie’s
father’s sister
Bermuda front Va
Feb. 14, 1865
Kind Friend
I take the liberty to write you a few lines to inform you that I would like
you to fulfill you promise that you made last spring a bout that photograph you
promise to send So I have bin lucking for it ever sence I came back but look was
in vain So this morning I came off of yard and most of the boys was on picket so
everthing was quiet I thought I would write you a few lines to remind you of
that photograph you promise me. Mary Allice1 all so promise me hers I
wish you would pleas tell her a bout it I did not think that of the lady of
Southampton I give five of my photographs out up thair and only got too in
return. I have got rume in my album fore them there that is to come yet well how
dou you like citty life by this time
I supose you would sooner be thair then in the country if you was like me you
would chuse the country before the city Joe2 and Al3 is
well and in good spirits it has been cold here this two ore three day but now I
think it will be nice whether here now the famly is all well wat dou you think
of the peace question I think it is pladout [sic] I hope G. Grant and Sherman is
our peace commisioners let the men of the north join hart and hand and Zn [sic]
then we will have peace to our country and onner to our nation well I must close
I supose you will get tired of reading such babbling pleas excuse poor writing
and spelling and all mistake give my regard to all of the family
I close hopeing to hear from you soon from your els[sic]
William Ragan
Co B 104 P V
Bermuda Hundred VA
--------------------------------------------
1. Mary Alice Eastburn, sister of Sally 2. Joseph Eastburn, brother of Sally 3. Alfred Eastburn, brother of Sally
Camp ot the 104th P. V.
Bermuda Front, Va.
February 21th 65
My Dear Sister With plasure I take the present opportunityof writing a few lines in answer
to your kind and welcome letter witch I received on the 19th I was glad to hear
that you had got well again these few linew leaves us all well and in good
health hoping that these few linew may find you all in good health when they
reach you We had quite a lively time on the hight of the 61th [sic] We weare on picket
and it was a very dark night in a peace of woods and about 1 o’clock we heard a
noise out in the woods in front of us but it wasnt long before we knowed what it
was they come up with in about fifty yards of us and fired a volly at us and
then set up one of those howling yells and made a charge on us but we met them
like so many rocks they could not drive us an inch and it was so dark that they
got afraid to come any further and thear officers couldnt get them any closer to
us So they broke and ran back to thear own line they make an attack somewhere on
our line nearly evry night but this time they made it on our line right in front
of the post that we weare on Thear was four of us on that post thear was James
Erwin1 Merit South2 and Will Ragan3 and myself
and when daylight came we went out wheare they had been and found two ded men
lying thear and we could see whear they had been some wounded by the blood thear
was some deserters came in that night and said that thear loss was three kiled
and about a twelve wounded and one of themthat was kiled was shot by James Erwin
he had his gun nearly against him when he shot him I dont mean to say that ws
four men done all of this because thear was posts on our right and left that
helped us. Joe4 had a post on our right about a fifty yards from us
they helped us and Thomas Simms5 he is corporal now he had a post on
our left they helped us also and others but luckly thear wasnt a man hurt on our
side thear men are desserting evry night now last night thear was 12 privates
and one sargent and one officer came on our lines they keep coming evry night
and night before last thear was a reb Cornel and five men came in they all have
the same yarn all tired of fighting they say thear confedercy is done up and we
have good news from Sherman he is a knocking things in South Carlina it is
reported hear that Columbia is taken and Charleton is evacuated this twenty
doler bill I want you to give to mother to keep for me I got it out of one of
them ded men’s jacket I got his pocket book he’d had Sixty dolers in it the man
that James Erwin shot and I gave it to him and he devided it around two us he
have mothers bill and I want it waved I guess I have give you enugh of war news
and by the looks of my room all other news so I will close with my respects to
all no more
from your Brother
Alfred Eastburn.
---------------------------------------------
1. James Erwin, army buddy
2. Merit South, army buddy
3. Will Ragan, army buddy and beau
4. Joseph Eastburn, brother
5. Thomas Simms, corporal and army buddy
Bermuda Hundred
March 12, 1865
Dear Sister
I reseved a letter from some two weeks ago I was verry much pleased to hear
from you but sorry to hear that you was in ill health. Alf1 reseved
one from Mother last night dated the 8th She said you had been right poorly but
was getting better witch I was glad to hear, I think you have a hard thring of
it at home I beleve you all have had a spell of sickness this winter but thank
fortune you have all been spared so far I hope by the time this reaches you it
will find you in a better condition. Tell Mary Alice2 I have not had
a letter from her yet but am looking eveery night for one. I hear Mary A Karr3
is liveing with you if so tell her I would be pleased to hear from her I have
geen thinking of writing to uncle Johns girls4 I expect they think it
queer that I never go their or write to them, but I have more than I can tend to
keep you folks at home sattisfied with with writing , but give them my kind
simpathy and tell them they will hear from me soon, when you write give me their
directions, there is little or no news from here that would interest you, I send
$20.00 in this letter you can give ten to Mary Alice and keep the other tem fore
your self it is not a very big present but it will buy a stick of candy, I have
just wrote Linford5 a letter and am a going to start them both to
gether when you write let me know if he got it or not. I expect you have saw
Lanni Larry6 before this time he is home on a furlow his time will be
out in a few days. Well I beleve I cant think of eny more so I will close with
my kindes love to you all Write soon and tell the rest to write.
From your Brother
Joseph Eastburn
Co B 104 P.V.
--------------------------------------------------
1. Alfred Eastburn - brother
2. Mary Alice Eastburn - sister
3. Mary A. Karr - unknown
4. Uncle John Eastburn - brother of Joseph’s father, had several girls about
Joseph’s age -
Alice, Martha, Jane, Sarah, Susan, Mary Ann, and Margaret
5. Linford Eastburn - brother
6. Lanni Larry - unknown, handwriting very poor at this spot, could be many
spellings with same number of humps and loops.
Bermuda front Va
March 17, 1865
Kind Friend
Your very kind letter has been recieved and it is with pleasure I sit down to
reply to it I am much pleased to hear that you are a geting better I hope by
this time you are enjjoying good health as fore myself I am happy to say well
and harty I hardly know what to write. news is so scarce I have not seen any
account of Sherman for Several days but there is no fear but that he will come
out right side up with care the Jonnys finds him rather a hard pill to swallow
Tha have found out that he is fore the union right or rong he is bound to go
iwhile he young how are you Sheridan he is another good man in the right place
the Jonney hate him worse than a black snake he is the man to gain victory over
them.
you sade that the rebel general Early was captured I guess you have found out
diferent by this time you wanted to know when I received a letter from Sallie A
States1 I have not received a letter from her for nearly a year that
is keeping up a prety regular corrispondence aint it She sent me her photograph
and I sent her back a letter to let her know that I got it if you see her give
her my best respect tell Mary A. Eastburn2 your sister if you know
her to to send her photograph to me if she live up to her promis well what do
you think of the war I think it will be over by next July the deserters come in
very fast tha say that the Confedrcy is go up tha are clad very poorly tha say
that this summer will finish it up If that is so that will be gay dont you think
so if Sheridan keeps on I think it will b over Ale3 and Joe4
is well and send thair love to all of the famly Alf told me to send his respect
when I told him that I was a going to write but he did not know that I was a
going to write to you well I must close for ther is nothing to write remmerber
me to all inquirrirs I expect to wee yourphotograph in the next hoping to hear
from you soon again I close with my
kind regards and best wishes
your sincere friend
William Ragan
to S. R. E.
pleas excuse foor speling and bad writing and poorly compose letter.
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1. Sallie A. States - relationship unknown 2. Mary Alice Eastburn - Sally’s sister 3. Alfred Eastburn - Sally’s brother 4. Joseph Eastburn - Sally’s brother
Camp of the 104th
Burmuda front, Va
March 29th 1865
My dear Sister With Plasure I now seat myself to answer your kind and welcome letter witch
came two hand on the 25th I was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you
was all well for I an happy to inform you that these few lines leaves us all in
the best of health at present. hoping that they may find you all engoing the
same blessings When they reach you tell Bobart1 I am mutch oblige to
him for that nice interesting Song that he sent me in your letter but sure enugh
Why dont they do it now yet why dont they Because we just growed a little Well the news is very good as far as we have heard. grant has had a prety
heavy fight on our left and has come out victorious so far but they are still
fighting we dan hear the roar of the artilery plain from hear the fight
commenced last Saturday thear loss in that days fight is estimated at 6 thousand
while ours was only about eight hundred Considerable of a diference isnt thear I
supose we will hear something of Sheridan he pased through hear with his calvery
and artilery last Sunday and Sunday night the general opinion is that he has
gone to open communications with Sherman and then keep out of the way Beauregard
Johnson Brag and Lee Sis or else you will get gobled I tell you they are
fighting hard on our left by the way the cannons are roring I can hear them
plain while I am writing it sounds as thow our fellows had got further in the
range of Petersburg than they where a day ore to ago I guess I have told you about all of the news so I will bring my letter two a
close William Davis2 and Ragan3 wishes to be remembered to
you all give my respect to all enquiring friends and keep a good share
foryourself no more at present I remain aas ever you affectionate Brother Alfred Eastburn to Sally R Eastburn Ask harry4 what in the D. has got into him that he has never rote
sense he left us I guess he has got up in the world sinse he is going to church.
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1. Robert Eastburn, younger brother 2. William Davis, army buddy 3. William Ragan, army buddy and beau 4. Harrison Eastburn, brother also in 104th who was wounded
Beaufort SC May 21 1865
dear Sister I take this opportunity of writing a few lines to you to let you know that we are all
well and in good health hoping these few lines may find you engoing the same
health when they reach you. I reseived you kind and welcom letter witch came to
hand a few days ago you must excuse me for not writing sooner I will try and
answer the next one sooner I received a letter from Cousin Sarah Ann Croft1
the other day They have all been sick but they have all got well again except
her she has the nerology in the face I answered it yesterday. It is very warm down here I think the South will agree with us firstrate I
like it better down hear than I did in Virginia. we have the nigers at work on
the plantation uncle Sam is agone to have a Crop of Coton this sumer independent
of the rebs Beaufort is the prettiest town I have seen in the South it has been a nice
place for the peopel of Charleston to come out in the Sumer time and spend the
warm months But I guess we will have charge of it this summer we are busy at work on forts and other works now we have one large fort done
if the rebs keeps away a little longer we will have it so they cant take it I cant tell you mutch news now because we only I get the papers once in ten
day if all is true that we hear form the army of the Potomac Richmond must be
taken if so the war will soon come to sone kind of an end well dear Sister you
are quite young to be ware you are where thear is so mutch blayarding agone on
at knight I supose you are not in the store at knights But I supose you thought
you would haft to do something for a living But try and keep your self
respectable witch I supose you do try and stay in good company Reckalect we have
a mother who cares for us for my sake I will close for this time rite soon this
is from your ever loving brother
Alfred Eastburn
to dear Sister Sarah Eastburn
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1. Sarah Ann Croft, 1st cousin to Alfred and Sallie, d/o Lavina States Croft,
sister of Sallie’s mother. They had moved to Ohio and then, by the time of this
letter, had moved to Illinois
Norfolk Virginia
May the 27th 1865
My Dear Sister
With pleasure I now seat my self to wrtie a few linew to you I have forgot
witch rote the last letter Weather you ore I did but anyhow I have nothing to do
this afternoon so I will attempt to write a few lines to inform you of our
present welfare it is raining verry fast hear to day and has been doing so for
about a week it would be very nasty under foot iff we whear encamped out on the
ground but thanks to God We are done trailing through the mud and what little
trailing we haft to do now we have pavement for. Well how do you like tending
store in the city mother told me that you whear tending store on Second Street
do you like it thear better than you did at Randels and what kind of a store do
you have a Clothing store ore a grocery store or a rum shop and iff it is the
latter how do you sell rum by the basketfull ore do you stand out in front and
catch peopal by the coatails and haul them in and make them by weather they
whant to ore not ore do you black peopal boots when they come in or do you run
erands with a weelbarrow or what do you haft to do I whant the full perticulars
and iff thear is any pretty girls thear Just give themmy highest regards and
warmest wishes for thear future welfareand tell them we will be marching home as
soon as we get a good ready
We are all awaiting anksously for the time to come for them to muster us out
but I guess we wont hardly get out this summer I whant to get out more now than
ever I did I was satesfied to stay in the field as long as thear was need for us
but now the war is over and I whant to get home although we are having nicer
times than ever we had before bu we are not satesfied We whant to come to our
morthern homes and enjoy the comforts of a home life a little while and then we
will be ready for the emergency again yes again (thinks I to myself) (over the
left)
Well I shall bring myletter to a close it is about supper time and I haft to
walk about five squares to get it I an orderly at the provost marshal office
every other day I am on to day but I never have nothing to do but sethear and
scribble these few lines leaves us in good health hoping they will find you in
the same health give my regards to all enquiring friends and my love Tecolect my
love to all the pretty gals and keep a Chip Basket full for yourself so I will
close Good Day
I remain as ever
your affectionate Brother
Alfred L. Eastburn
Co B 104th Pa Vol
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