© Copyright 2000 James David Pearce
Harrellsville
November 15, 1863
To: Isaac Pierce, Co. G, 31st Infty:
Dear Isaac:
After listening to Mr. Pool ranting and raving, I think I should stop worrying you with the little things that keep going on around here, but now I have some things that I really feel like I must let you know of. First off, Milly's leaving with all five of their kids. I'm kind of scared to put this down on paper, but I don't think it will hurt anything because I won't let it get out of my hand until after she gets away.
I really don't know how it happened – it didn't come from Mr. Adolphus – who is still hiding at the creek, but somebody got word to Milly from Cit. That sounds kind of odd, because I don't feel like Milly would do what she is doing just on somebody else's word. Anyway, somehow Milly got word from Cit that she should go down to the riverbank with the kids, meet some friendly blue-boys and get on their boat to Plymouth. It must be word from somebody that she really trusts, and I've been pondering if it might be Cit himself, but I feel like if he's wandering around down here he'd get in touch with somebody else, too.
I went to see her after Abigail told me, and Milly told me herself that she soon would be gone and told me not to worry and not to tell anybody else until after she and the kids took off. I told Job, and he told me to do just like she said, so I'm not telling anybody else but you.
It might be that Cit is rambling around down here himself, and maybe he is scared that there are still seceshes on this side of the county and maybe he doesn't know how friendly we've been getting with some of the blue-coats. I could guess that he's got a good right to be scared, because of what we're hearing that the CSA is doing to deserters. Word at the wagon-shop is that the CSA Gen'l Pickett is mad fit to split about the deserters, and we heard but can't hardly believe that 22 – 22, mind you – 22 boys were hung before breakfast over at Kinston a couple of weeks ago, all at one time on one big gallows, because they had quit the CSA and joined up with the northerners.
The blue-boys from Plymouth are saying now that the USA generals got mad about that death circus, and that they have orders not to let any more "galvanized Yankees" – that's blue-coats that used to be gray-coats – get too close to the front lines where the CSA can get its hands on them. They say they've been told to use them in the rear regiments for work and supply and try not to let them get where they can get captured and hung. I don't know what they're doing about the colored regiments, but I expect those fellows would be on thin ice too, because I don't think any of the CSA is going to take kindly to getting shot at by coloreds in blue uniforms. If they are caught, I don't guess they would even live long enough to get to the formality of a hanging.
Anyway, somebody she trusts has got Milly ready to put everything she and the kids can carry into tow-sacks and drag them down to the river, where they say a boat is going to get them down to Plymouth. She says she has been told that the people down at Plymouth would take care of her and the kids and would know how to help them link up with Cit somewhere further down the road. To me, that sounds like Cit is in on it and is already on his way. If he is, I wish him the best, but I'm sorry he couldn't get around to see mama and Abigail before all this takes place. Mama is real quiet and resigned about the grandchildren going. Sgt. Brown has told Abigail not to worry one minute. We're praying to God they will be all right.
There is worry everywhere. And I have come right up against that big black door in the middle of that big black wall in the middle of the fields. I've got to go through it. I've had a little look at some of what might be on the other side, but I still really don't know what is best.
I know I have to do something right quick. I hope we meet again.
Your brother James
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