WAR LETTERS FROM T. M. GARRISON

 

Letters courtesy of Rodney Leftwich.

 

Young recruit T.M. Garrison wrote these colorful letters to his family who lived in Reems Creek, just north of Asheville. The letters, written only a few months apart, reflect how quickly the excitement of marching off to “this holy cause” turned to the realities of “trouble war & blood shed.”

 

The irregular spelling and grammar is fairly typical of its day, as it was not until the late 1800s that written English became standardized.

 

 

TRANSCRIPTIONS FROM THE LETTERS:

 

October 8, 1861

“…wee had a fine time after wee got to the Rail Road Wee came there in double quick time The depots was crowded with girls They threw apples & flowers in the cars by hand fulls and waved their handkerchiefs to us to cheer us onward in this holy cause…”

 

 

 

February 9, 1862

“ . . .you must take good care of the girls untill I get back provided I am so fortunate as to return home & to the scenes of better days Many pleasant days have we spent together but alas those days of peace & pleasure have fled and give way to those of trouble war & blood shed…”