Background John writes home to his sister, Jeanette Wood.  He mentions sister Isabella (Bell) in the letter.  He is in Arkansas when he writes this letter.  He has mentioned this before, but he tells that he is sending money home.  I always wonder if this is because the financial situation was dire at home or only if he didn’t really have use for the money while he was off fighting. The Letter Jeanette Wood September the 11, 1862 Camp Camdan I now take opportunity of writing to you a few lines to let you know I am well at present.  All of the Boys are well.  My horse is fat. …

Background I have tried to not change the spelling John used when he wrote.  I find it charming, but there are times when his spelling makes it difficult to understand what he is trying to say.  There are several examples below. Mossourey is Missouri. Cape Jeradouk is, I believe, Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  There was a battle fought here just prior to this letter being written.  I think it is of this battle that John writes home to his mother about. John writes that “we come down langelle”.  I don’t know what langelle is or if I even have the word correctly transcribed.  Another mystery for another day… I would like…

Background Hugh Wood, son of James and Isabella, was born in Scotland in 1834.  He is maybe one of the more tragic figures in our family.  His letters are filled with a longing for home and he tends to be pretty hard on himself…talking about his failures and trials.  I am still working on what happened to him and will let you all know when I have the answer. The Letter Paducah, Ky 12 July 1857 My Dear Mother, I take this opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know where and how I am after the failure of our expedition to Nicaragua.  I felt ashamed to…

Background Hugh was the oldest of the Wood’s son and was the first to leave home in search of his fortune.  Hugh’s letters show that he was desperately trying to find a place for himself.  There was an economic disaster in the United States during this time period and that may account for why he had so much trouble finding work.  He talks about his desire to come home in almost every letter and also of his love of his family.  I keep wondering why he left in the first place and why he didn’t come home when he had the opportunities to do so. While reading the letters of…

Background John Wood was born in 1841 in Scotland.  He joined the CSA and wrote back to his family until his death.  This letter is incomplete and the year date is missing.   The Letter March the 21   Dear Mother, I received your letter the other day.  I was very glad to hear from home and to hear that you was well. We have got to___________________________ (Junebluff?) now and will be ordered away before long.  I don’t now where too.  I got in here yesterday.  There was a man shot for deserting.  I went out and saw him.  It was a dreadful sight.  Had to kneel down in front…

Background John Wood was born in Scotland in 1841 and was about 10 years old when they emigrated to Texas.  He became a soldier when he enlisted in the Confederate army (along with his brothers-in-law in Hill County, Texas) and went off to war.  These men joined the Confederate Army on March 28, 1862, a few days before conscription went into effect.  Conscription would have seen all eligible men who were not in the army arrested.  There is no written evidence of their opinion about the war, but the very late enlistment date of all of the family members may indicate a reluctance to join a fight they didn’t feel…