Item No. 4899515

A group of five letters written by J. L. Harris, teller of the Bank of Chester, South Carolina, to Lieutenant John S. Wilson and Captain William A. Walker of Company D, 1st South Carolina Cavalry. Two of the letters were written on the official letterhead of the Bank of Chester. Three of the letters, dated September 1861, concern Harris's persistent efforts to obtain a pair of boots and shoes for Wilson from local shoemaker "Mick" McCormick, whose repeated delays Harris humorously attributes to the fact that he "has been on a spree for near two weeks," adding that "The Devil appears to have got into all those in our community who indulge on the Ardent and nearly all have been on a grand bust." Harris also remarks on sickness in camp, notes the passing of a funeral procession, and relates the death of Fannie Brice, expressing sympathy for her husband in the army (Co. F, 6th S.C.), writing, "Poor Charlie. How I do feel for him in his sad bereavement," before criticizing the Confederate authorities for granting the widower leave only after his wife's death rather than while she was still living.

The two 1862 letters, one dated on official Bank of Chester letterhead, were addressed to Captain William A. Walker. Harris sends Walker two bottles of tonic bitters, a bottle of brandy, and a bottle of whiskey "to cheer you up in your tiresome duties." He also reports the deaths at Richmond of John and Samuel McNinch, likely soldiers serving with either the 6th or 23rd South Carolina Infantry. He further comments on the illnesses of several prominent Chester residents and records the appointments of the field officers of the "Regiment of Reserves” (6th South Carolina Reserves). In another letter dated September 25, 1862, Harris unsuccessfully attempts to obtain Confederate jean cloth for Walker before noting, "I have just learned that you have received orders to go to Virginia. I hope they will give you time spend some days with us on your way to Va."

The letters were written in ink upon variously sized letter sheets. Creased at the original folds. Includes three of the original transmittal covers. The full transcripts follow below.

Letter No. 1:

Chester Sept 14th / 61

Lieut. John S. Wilson

Dear Sir
I sent to Mick McCormick on Thursday morning and called on him this morning in person. He says your Boots and Shoes shall be done on Monday evening, so that I can send them to you by Tuesday, and if he makes his promise good, you may look for them that day.

In haste, yours truly
J. L. Harris

Letter No. 2:

Bank of Chester, So. Ca.
Chester, Sept 23 1861

John S. Wilson Esq

My Dear Sir
Yours of the 21st Inst was received yesterday. I did not send your Boots for the reason that I could not get them according to McCormick’s promise. The truth is he has been on a spree for near two weeks, and I think does very little if anything at all. The Devil appears to have got into all those in our community who indulge on the Ardent and nearly all have been on a grand bust. Dave Carroll, Bob Madison, and others that I do not care to mention.

I called on Mick this morning and told him that I had a letter from you on yesterday that you wanted your Boots badly, not knowing what day you might be ordered away. He says now that he will certainly finish them tomorrow, and if he does I will send them to you the next morning.

I wish that I had the leisure to make a visit to your encampment. I would most cheerfully embrace your kind invitation, but I cannot get away from my desk and must therefore decline. I am glad to hear that your Company all keep well, and trust the same great blessing may be long vouchsafed to you all. I regret to hear of illness in the camp and we had one corpse to pass us yesterday on the way to Yorkville.

Wishing you every blessing and success in the arduous duty you have assumed. I am
Yours very truly
J. L. Harris

You have doubtless heard of Fannie Brice’s death. She died on Thursday afternoon and was buried on Friday. Poor Charlie. How I do feel for him in his sad bereavement, and how sad that he will never see her again.

Letter No. 3:

Bank of Chester, So. Ca.
Chester, Sept 25 1861

John S. Wilson

My Dear Sir
After much disappointment, I have succeeded in getting your Boots finished and will send them by the train of this morning, if I can get the proper kind of chance to send them.

C. S. Brice came home yesterday completely heartbroken. I have not seen him, but those who have say that he looks as bad as if he had been sick for a month. I have not heard what stay he will make.

It does appear so strange that the General would allow him a furlough to come home after his poor wife was dead and would not grant it to him that he might be permitted to see her while alive.

I will pay McCormick for your Boots & Shoes and take his receipt, which I will either hold for you or hand to your Father.

There is nothing new with us. Everything is dull in Chester.

If I can ever serve you in any way, you must not fail to command.
Yours very truly
J. L. Harris

Letter No. 4:

Chester Sept 25th 1862

Capt Wm A. Walker

Dear Sir
Yours of the 18th Inst was duly received. I was in Charlotte on Tuesday and could not get you a yard of the Confederate jeans at that time. Mr. Winston promised me that he could have it for me in two weeks, but I have my fears that he may disappoint me, as I learn he has done others. Carroll & West say that he has disappointed them several times in the same way.

I have just learned that you have received orders to go to Virginia. I hope they will give you time spend some days with us on your way to Va. I would be sorry to have you go and not be able to see you before you left.

If I can get the goods well, I shall take it for you.
Yours very truly
J. L. Harris

I saw Fred and Jimmy on yesterday evening. They were all well.

Letter No. 5:

Chester S.C. Augt 26th 1862

Capt Wm A. Walker

Dear Sir
As our mutual friend Wilson leaves for your camp this morning, I embrace the opportunity to send you two bottles of Tonic Bitters, one of Brandy, & one of Whiskey, which I hope will reach you safely and help to cheer you up in your tiresome duties.

I returned from the springs yesterday, was a week and hope I am a great deal better, and trust I will continue to improve.

I met Fred this morning, who says that all are well at home, and your father was able to ride out over the farm this morning. We learned yesterday that both of John McNinch’s sons John and Sam had died at Richmond, and Rev Simpson expected home in a few days with the remains of both. They were fine boys. Capt John McLure says that he never knew nobler boys than they both were.

I met Rev Douglas this morning. His family are quite well. He was up at Bethesda last sabbath preaching for the people up there. John Harris has gone to Richmond to see some of the sick of his congregation. Maj Ed McLure came home on last Thursday. Was a week. He has been quite sick before and since his return. I hope he is now in a fair way to get well. Pedon is able to walk about and yesterday went down the country with his father.

You may not have heard of the appointment of Field Officers for our Regiment of Reserves. If not, I will give it. A. J. Secrest of our town, Col.J. N. Shedd of Fairfield, Lt Col.Daniel Williams of York, Major. As a general rule, the Governor & council have appointed the command the regiment all those who proved to be apt to command in Virginia.

Things are moving along in Chester in the same old dull channel.

If you ever have any leisure to write me, I will be more than glad at all times to hear from you, and if I can ever serve you in any way, you must not fail to command.
Yours very truly
J. L. Harris