1865: Elijah's Letter To Brother Anderson

July 17, 1865

N.C. Person County

Dear brother. I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know we is well at present hoping when these few lines come to hand they will find you and all well. We have a good crop of corn at this time, if we can have two or three more rains in time we will make plenty of corn. I have not heard from you since the war began. All my boys was in it but William he was not old enough. John A. Snipes died the first year of the war in the mountains of vir. at the blue sulpher spring in Gen. Leas army. I went and brought him home and buried at home. George was with Gen. Leas army when it surrendered and come home safe. In a good many battles come out. (James was at) Raleigh and Salisbury guarding the railroad. He was one of the state guard he came out safe. Ther was no use for this war. It has ruined us. I had forty negroes I shall have to loose. I have worked hard to (resow). I shall never try to make a thing more only something to eat. Times hard here. Money is no count. There is no silver nor gold to do any good. The paper currency is gone down. They left us without anything. If they have taken all your negroes you better come back and stay with us. You write as soon as get this letter and let me know how times is in mississippi. I will come to a closeby remaining your brother until death.

July 17, 1865

Elijah Snipes, To, Anderson Snipes

Eliza & all the children send howdy to you. Our youngest girl died, Last May was a year ago. Her name was Martha. We have lost two of our children, John A. & Martha. We have seven living yet. Come and live with us. Be sure to write.