Library of Congress photo

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This Week's Story

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Plymouth
December 5, 1863

To: Abigail Pierce, Petty Shore, Chowan River

Dear Abigail:

I am writing this from the United States Army camp in Plymouth. I haven't been here but two days and a half and I have already run down to see Milly and the kids. I want to tell you that they are safe, warm and well-fed, though they are living now in a tent. It has a board floor, and it is not so bad. They were able to bring just about everything they had to wear, and the USA is seeing that they are getting everything else they need like vittles, sleeping rolls and blankets. Cit is nowhere around, but I am not worrying too much about him, because he is a smart old man and I think he must have all this worked out.

I have to tell you too that your friend Sgt. Brown is some kind of a real man. He met me almost as soon as I got off the boat, and he knew all about Milly and the kids and showed me where to go to find them. He says he doesn't know anything about where Cit is.

I don't think we could get to stay at Plymouth, because they don't really have what they need around here to take care of a lot of people. Where Milly and the kids will be going, they and I don't know, but I'm pretty sure Cit knows.

Where I'll be going, I've got a pretty good idea. Today, I stripped stark naked and a doctor looked me over from front side to back and looked down my tongue and said I could join the U.S. Army. I know now where my next shirt, pants, jacket and shoes are going to come from. They say I am going to swear allegiance to the United States of America at some flag ceremony in a few days, and I can't hardly wait, I am so happy to finally be all the way on one side, and I am so sure the Union is the right side.

It was really a great boat ride down here. The wind on deck was a little cold but the sky was so sunny and clear, and things like all this could just make you feel so happy all of a sudden about the world and what might happen next. I know there might be some more hard times waiting down the road, but I think now that everything is getting on the right path. I have gone through the black door in the black wall in the middle of the field, and I am so happy to be on the other side.

I can't wait to get me some clothes like Sgt. Brown has, even if I can't have the stripes on my arm that he does. I think I'm going to look pretty sharp, and I'll bet I am going to be one of their best drill men and I'm going to work hard to be sharp as a tack. Already there's sergeants and officers down here that seem to have taken a liking to me, and they really seem surprised to see that I can read everything that passes by and that I can write so well. I've been told that I have got a great future in the U.S. Army. Lord, I'm happy.

If they have prayer-meeting around here, I am surely going. If they have prayer-meeting over where the women and kids are, and I can go, I am surely going. I feel like I have a lot to thank the Lord for, and also I feel like when I get my new clothes I'm going to look kind of sharp. And if I can find some pretty lady to talk to at prayer-meeting, I'm surely going to do it.

Abigail, I hope you won't be too sad, left back there just you and mama. Also I hope Sgt. Brown won't have to go anywhere else, and can keep on stopping by to check on you. Tell Job and Priscilla not to be sad for me, either. Tell them how happy I am, and that Christmas is coming and the New Year behind that, and Lord, the whole world is going to open up for us with bright sunshine.

The dirty war is on its dying legs, and when we turn the corner into the sunshine, I'm going to be marching right there in the front ranks. Lord, I'm happy.

I'll send this letter by boat to Petty Shore or Harrellsville. I can't give you another address right now, but if you hear any word at all from Isaac, please write me quick to let me know. Send it here. If I have moved on, the United States Army will know where to find me.

Your loving brother, James

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Washington NC
December 26, 1863

To: Abigail Pierce, Petty Shore, Chowan River

My dear beloved sister Abigail:

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and let me tell you what has happened, and that is nothing much but a whole lot of walking.

I raised my right hand in Plymouth December 18th. I am in the 2nd NC Infantry Volunteers USA. I am so proud. I've got new shirts, pants, coats and boots and one long coat. I don't have a gun yet, but I really believe I look just about as spiffy as any other soldier in this man's army. I am determined that I am going to be one of the best in every regard.

After the flag ceremony, it wasn't 12 hours before we joined up a wagon train that must have been two miles long and headed out for this place – Little Washington. (This is a right smart-size town, and it was the very first place in the whole US that was named for our first president. It's where Thomas got shot and killed in '62.) Tell Job that I know he would have been whistling happy to see all that many wagons lined up in a row and rolling. In our train we must have had at least 500 high-back-wheel wagons and almost that many tip-carts. The carts all have one mule in the traces, but depending on what they're pulling, the wagons have from two to four.

It was no picnic getting here. It was a right hard week. I'm telling you that there are a lot of woods and creeks between there and here. I'm guessing 40 miles and at least 80 creeks. But crossing little creeks is no worry when you got big-wheel wagons and good high boots. It took us until yesterday to get here, and I mean to tell you that trip didn't leave us any time for lollygagging around.

We traveled hard. We walked all the days and half the nights. There was no room for anybody to ride but the teamsters, what with the wagons full of guns, bullets and provisions. But we sure ate good. Traveling don't bother the USA cooks one bit.

We're going to leave a big bunch of this stuff here, and then we're supposed to get on to New Bern somehow. But I don't think we're going to stop there, because they say New Bern is overloaded with soldiers and people too. I am sending this by USA mail and I hope you get it soon. I will write again as soon as we settle some place. My love to mama and all.

Affectionately,
Your brother James

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This Week's Verse

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Bring my brother back to me,
When this war is done,
Give us all the joys we shared
Ere it had begun
O bring my brother back to me,
Never more to stray.
This is all my earnest prayer,
Thro' the weary day.

All the house is lonely now,
And my voice no more,
In the pleasant summer eves
Greets him at the door.
Never more I hear his step
By the garden gate,
While I sit in anxious tears
Knowing not his fate.

Bring my brother back to me,
From the battle strife,
Thou who watchest over the good
Shield his precious life.
When this war has passed away,
Safe from all alarms
Bring my brother home again,
To my longing arms.

~
George Cooper, 1863

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This Week's Mailbox

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...... Now you've gone and done it! ...... Putting a mug shot like that one (the "Chairman of the Bored"), in such a literary masterpiece (The Poor Town News No. 46), could spell trouble for your ratings ...... not to mention the rigid standards of excellence required for the Nobel Prize. I admire your courage, sir. I am truly honored. All the best. ~ HooDoo #1, The Man Will Never Fly Memorial Society

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...... I had to let you know that I think my favorite part of The Poor Town News is your weekly verse. They are great to use for scrapbooking, particularly heritage photos. Thanks for the time and thought you put into this. Brightest blessings. ~ Kara Mueller, Raleigh NC (grew up in Millennium and Ahoskie) www.revkara.net

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