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THBConfederate Citizen's Letter Regarding Camp Sumter, Andersonville POW Camp
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Cincinnati , OH 45232
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About Auction
LiveJun 22, 2018
Cowan’s American History: Premier Auction, scheduled for June 22, 2018 is comprised of early photographs, documents, manuscripts, broadsides, flags, and more dating from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Late Indian Wars, World War I and II and beyond. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
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- Lot Description
Letter regarding Camp Sumter, or Andersonville Prison Camp, written by a Confederate citizen (probably Fanny Hansell). ALS "Fannie," 4pp, 6.25 x 7.25 in., "Oglethorpe." March 13, 1864. Addressed to "My dear Lou," identified as Louisa Young Jones, sister of Major General Pierce Manning Butler Young.
Fannie begins the letter by describing her father's improvement from a recent ailment and her work teaching in a church across the street from her home. She writes, "We have 80 scholars; the majority of them grown, or nearly so - some young ladies of twenty; & boys in tail coats. We have had applications to take many others, but find the school too large as it is...The tax is great, on mind & body." She goes on to describe the toll her work is taking on her, and the reason for which she endures it: "I am so weary that I am incapable of either giving or receiving pleasure. I feel like a machine - wound up to run five days. There is but one thing to sustain me dear Lou in this trial - it's the motive - I am teaching that I may add to the comfort of my parents, in their old age."
The letter continues, with Fannie discussing the status of loved ones, some of whom have been taken prisoner. She writes, "I am so rejoiced at the thought that cousin Tom will soon be with you. Lula too is congratulating herself that Pelham may soon be released from his northern prison - she has never heard from him except thro' his family, since he was captured."
Fannie then reports some fascinatingly grim details about the nearby Andersonville Prison Camp, or as she calls it, Camp Sumter, writing: "We are within ten miles of the prison post, Camp Sumter - the yanks escape from there constantly, but many are caught by the dogs - which are kept in this region for running negroes: three of them were taken almost in sight of our house last week. Small-pox is raging among them; six died from it last Sunday. I heartily wish they were all in the Red sea." It is known that conditions at Andersonville, where nearly 13,000 men perished, were so miserable many men did try to escape despite great risks, among them betrayal by desperate prisoners and the notorious slave-hunting dogs.
The letter wraps up with questions about Louisa's intentions to stay at the plantation at "Walnut Grove," Fannie's desire for a visit from her dear friend, and a mysterious line about a remark made by Louisa's brother: "It was merely a remark I heard of Pierce's having made about Lula. More, I cannot tell you."
CSA General Pierce Manning Butler Young (1836-1896) had an impressive service record including participation in the cavalry operations of the Gettysburg Campaign and successful maneuvers at the Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns in October of 1863. After the war, Young represented Georgia in the US House of Representatives for four terms. His sister, Louisa Young Jones (1831-1902), is identified as the intended recipient of this letter written by Fanny Hansell (1828-1895).
Provenance: Consignor's note relates this item is from the General Pierce M. B. Young ArchiveLetter is in good condition, with minor spotting and possible clipping at bottom edge. First page with cross writing.Condition
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