Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
A great collection of Confederate letters related to Pvt. Willis W. Pitts who enlisted as a private in the 3rd Georgia Battalion Infantry in April 1862. He served in the 3rd until his unit was transferred into Co. I, 37th Georgia Infantry in May 1863. He then had only months to live and was killed in action during the battle of Missionary Ridge, Tennessee on November 25, 1863. The collection consists of seven war-date letters (five written by Willis), totaling eleven pages. They read, in small part: "…[Willis, Cumberland Gap, Tenn., May 8, 1862]…we hired a wagon to carry our things after we [left] the cars and I staid with [the] wagons. The other boys went on…I landed here last night. It was the worse country I ever saw. We had a hard time of it. It rained on us…the roads were cut up the wost I ever saw with the provision waggins. I am not mustered in yet…this is the worse place I ever saw…they are looking for a fight everyday. rite soon…Cumberland Gap, Capt. [Meredith] Kendrick, [WIA Murfreesboro, Tenn., 12/31/62 & MWIA, as major, Pine Mountain, Ga., 6/14/64] Comp. C, Third Ga. Batt…Willis W. Pitts…[Willis, Shelbyville, Tenn., Jan. 26, 1863]…we have plenty to eat….report came to camp last night that Kentucky had come out on our side. We have fixed a sorter of a shanty to stay in. Our mess contains Jackson More [Pvt. S. Jackson Moore, WIA 12/8/64 under Nathan B. Forrest's command at Murfreesboro, Tenn. & POW 1/4/65 Murfreesboro, Tenn.], William Morgan [died at home, 1/27/64], William Dyer, Martin Spinks [and] Willis Pitts. I would be glad to see you all but as I cant see you I [?] to hear from you…[Willis, Shelbyville, Tenn., Mar. 8, 1863]…I have drawer my money all up to the last of March 1. 87 dollars. After I paid the Capt. 27 dollars. I have got 1.60 dollars left to send home. The boys has rote for Mr. More to come after our money…I hear no talk of leaving now…they had a fight last week near Murfreesboro…our side taken three thousand Yankes…we still get plenty to eat an generally well enough…[Willis, Shelbyville, Tenn., April 23, 1863]…we have moved about two miles further from Shelbyville. We are about 5 miles from there. Tell the old man I would like to raise a Colt if he will tend to it. [I] will pay to raise Colts these days…you must hire someone to help if you can. I don't want you to hoe wheat…if you can get one of the girls to stay with you, do it…tell the children that Pa wants to see them very bad. Tell them to bee smart children…when pa gets home he will by them a pretty. They have made a regiment of our battalion an[d] the ninth Ga regiment…call it the First Ga. regiment [37th Georgia Vols.]. Capt. Kendrick is acting colonel. Now Stovall [Marcellus A. Sovall] is promoted to a higher office [brigadier general Jan. 20, 1863]…their is a heap of sickness here in camp. They send them off as fast as they get sick…[n. p., June 23, 1863, wife Betty]…the children has all been very bad off with puking bowel complaint, but they are all on the mend. As to my own self I am some better…last Friday I suffered as much as I ever did…all the old women that saw me thought so. We sent after Dr. Reece. He come about 5 o'clock and commenced doctoring and I was better by night. I still have some running off of the bowls and other complaints so I cant sit up…I cant eat anything but a little soup or half cooked egg…Reece says I must not weave no more in four months and nothing else hardly. I reckon I will have to live a lady the balance of the summer and you know that wont suit me…there is no chance to hire. Everyone is alike. Ma wants to know if Horten's Brigade is about there. They have [not] heard from Newton in six weeks. He is in the 4th Ga. Cavalry, Horten Brigade, Graham Company. I gave Sweetman's folks one half the cotton…to tend it. It got so bad I knew the children would never do anything with it and it would make nothing for us…the hog weed out shines the corn…I forgot to tell you. Hubbard give me 15 dollars more…[Willis, Wartrace, Tenn., June 24, 1863]…your letter I received last night…but very sorry to hear that you was sick. The Capt. said that I cant com, but if you get dangerous…get the doctor to rite…[Gen.] Bragg will let me go home…James Morgan has gone to the hospital on account of his eyes…tother day the Yankees run in on Chattanooga an[d] they had a fight of about three hours…the Yankees had to save their self by flight. Our folks captured 50 horses. They was all mounted on horses…I want to see you all very bad…I still live in hopes that the time will soon come that I can get home to stay but I don't see any sign of peace…[to Willis' wife Betty, Covalescent camp Rome, Ga., Sept. 6, 1863 Pvt. S. Jackson Moore, WIA 12/8/64 under Nathan B. Forrest's command at Murfreesboro, Tenn. & POW 1/4/65 Murfreesboro, Tenn.]…I promise to pay you two dollars for Corporal C. A. Leigon [2nd Corp. Columbus A. Ligon] that he owed Mr. Pitts. If it should ever cause any fuss…you can…refer to this to settle it. He belongs to our company…I must close, but I would like for you to let me know whether you get the money…". Also included is a pre-war letter written by Mrs. Mary A. A. C. Wates, Betty's aunt, Sept. 6, 1860, Edgefield District, South Carolina containing much local and family news. Overall expected soiling and toning, else VG
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