David C. Gregory — Letters to and from his family

The reading and translation of these letters was generously provided by David C. and Martha Ann’s great-grandson, Truman Gregory. All Gregorys are indebted to Truman for his years of dedication and stewardship of our Gregory history. RWG

State of Georgia, Alanta  1862
Dear Wife and children and Pa
I seat myself to write to you on time more. I am still improven. I will soon be well if I get no back set. I do hope these few lines will find you all well and doing good. I recieved your kind letter. It done me good to read it. I wish I could get one from you ever day. I would of rote to you sooner but I was trien to get a furlow but I made a failure tho thar is a good many got furlows. I think when I got a little stouter maybe I will get one. I shall try any how. I do hope I will get to come home this winter sometime. I will tell you my Dear if I had of had no money since I come here I would have starved for shore. We only get two meals a day and it (louest) to us and nothing but beef and corn bread and it cold at that. I will now give you the price of every thing we have to buy. Eggs ten cents a peice. Butter one dallar and 25 cents per pound. Chickens from 75 cents to one dollar. Shoes twelve dollar per par. Wool hats ten dallars per hat. Tobacco 75 cents to dollar per plug. Pork 50 cents per pound. Beef 25 cents per pound so you may know what sort of times we have here. I dont know how long I will stay here. I hope thoe tel the war brakes. I hear this morning the Regment is still in Tennessee but I dont know whar it is. I have got better satesfide than I was. Me and a man by the name of Adums (Adams) that lives in Pickens Vill has tuck up together and is as same as brothers. Well hun I want you to sell the cotton and live on it. I do hope you all will git plenty to live on I could send you a little more money if I had the chance but it wont do to send it by mail. I sent you 25 dollars by Lieutenant Stuart and you hav never rote whether you got it or not. So write weter you have got it or not. Well hun it does seem like I cant do without seeing you and the children much longer. But I shall have to wait tel it is the will of God for me to come. So I want you all to do the best you can and pray fo my safe return and quick. Tel the children that PAPA wants them to be a good obedient children. Tell Liga to kiss Davy ever day for papa. Hun I want you to write to me as soon as you git letter and send me some babary bark powderd up as fine as you can. I have got the scurvy the worst kind and the fool Dr. cant do nothing. You send a little in the letter. I can git the snuff here. Well hun since I commenst this letter they come in a good old man and give me two dollars. If one third of the men was like him the war would brake in twenty four hours. I think it cant last long. Well hun I must close with you this time. Write soon and often I hope you have your wheat sowd and corn geatherd. Give my love to Dady and family. Tell them I want to see them. Tell Polly God bless her. I love her and I hope will see her before long.
( ) saying God bless you all.
D.C. Gregory to his sweet wife M.A. Gregory
Direct your letter as before.
Dear cousin
I am on the mend but in the hospittle yet. I hope you are all well and doing well. Canidy (Kanidy?) if you please I want you to haul some wood for the work that Hamp done for you if you hant paid it. Kanidy slip me a few lines in with the old woman if you please.
D.G. to K.G.

(Undated but probably 1863)
My Dear I will try to right you a few lines to let you hear from me. I am about like I hav bin for som time. Hun I recieved your distresen leter yestidy dated Apr the 30. Hun it nearly brakes my hart to no that my loven wife and children is liven the way they ar. Wold to God that I was thar to assist you. Hun if I was able to travel I wold bea attemped to try to come home. I hav applied fur a furlow. They cant furlow for another regment. The Leiutenant tried to git mee sent to the hospittle this morning. The Dr. told him he wanted to wait a few days. He thought I wold git beter. The Leiutenant ses if I was at the hospittle it wold bea no truble for mee to get a discharge. He ses he will git mee off if he can. Hun I intend to do all in my power to git to com home. Hun for God sake dont greav more than you can help for I do want to sea you again. I hope and trust to God that we will all meat again be for long. I think this war will close before long. Hun I dont want you to work so hard. Do for God sake take care of yourself. I no it is awful to bar but I hope to God that it wont last much longer. Hun it greave mee nearly to death but I cant help my self. Hun I want you all to pray for my safe return. Well my Dear I am so pesterd I cant think of no more to right. I git a leter from you ever week so I remain your husban
D.C. Gregory to his good wife

(Undated)
Well Martha Ann I have got but a few ninutes to go on. I am cook and had but little time to go on. I have caught the worst cold in the world. Tho I am giten well. Dick and Jerard has the measles. Jim and Jehu taken the mall at once. Our company is in a chocken fix with the colds and mesels. I will come home as soon as I can My Dear as soon as I git time I will write you a full letter for thar is plenty of rascals here.
D.C. Gregory to M.A.G.
(M.A. Gregory at home forward by W.F. Rawls.)

Undated – probably 1863
Well my Dear sweet little wife and children
I am yet spard tho not well. I recieved your kind leter yestidy. I was proud to read your loven leter. Hun I no I art (ought) to bee discharged but I dont no for they (say the) Dr. is as mean as the devel wants them to be.
Hun I am right bad off with my feet and legs. They ar sweld so I cant war my shoos. I have ruined my shoos that I fetcht from home waren them slip shod but I hav drawd me a splendid par of shoos and a coat and blanket. Hun I do want to come home the worst in the world. I hav bin on duty twist (twice) sense I com back. Well Hun the boys is gon out to diner and I hav to set in the tent darson (dont dare) to eat any thing that is greesy. I hav to by ever thing that I eat except bred. My apitite is good for any thing but I am darsome to eat anything. Hun I dont no what is best to do for mee to git a discharge. Ask Lomy what he thinks is the best to do. I am doing no good hear and I dont sea why it is that they keep mee hear. The Dr. told me this morning he thought he would cure mee but I dont no. I think he is a vary clever man. Hun if you think it will be any advantage (to you) giten mee home right to any of them. Right ever chanse. Goodby sweet loven wife. Dont fail to rite.
D.C.G. to M.A.G.

State Ala. April 19 1862
Tuscaloosa County
This is to let you know that we got hee safe and sound but very tired. We had the best of luck. We all got a blanket a piece and some of us got two. Gerard (Jehu ?) got two. Hamp got a blamket and comfort. Martha Ann I want you to send this to Pa and Babe send word to Dan Bounde and Mrs Holimons and let the neighbors all knoow what good luck we had. Tell Mr. Levels folks that Grif is here and well. The boys someof them is very lively, some very solumn. We got here in time to see the Yanks as they is ( ) some of them barefooted and nearly naked. Well old woman we stopped at Wider (Coopum) to get a drink of water and they cheered us with the piana which made some of the boys open their eyes. Well old woman they are holeren corperol of the guard in our direction. Tho we will get used to it for we have to stay here I suppose. So all of you do the best you can and we’ll do the same. Jehu has lost his pocket book already. So I am tired and have to quit for this time so I will write ever day that I can.
D.C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory
(on back side of letter: Martha A. Gregory, Jena, Ala.)

State Ala. July the 2, 1862
Dear wife
I am well. I got here all right and found Dick in camp going very well and thyem packing up to move. They start tomorrow. My Dear I hate to go but I cant afford to desert. I love you and the children to wellto desert that way. I will rite to you whan we get to Marion. I want you all to do the best you can until I get back. The ( ) says we will be mustered in ( ) if that is so I am free for sure. Tell Bob and Hemp to stop at home until they get their clothes, canteens, napsaxes haven (sox) is all in the box. We will leave it in the cearsey (buggy) of Dr. Little. Thar is some soap in the box that belongs to you and Martha som of them can come after it. We will leave all that we dont take with us with Little for to go home.
My Dear dont grieve no more for me than you can help for God will bless the soldier. So pick up courage and be a soldier and God will bless us all. I feel in good heart that ( ) Miss Infrum is here this morning telling fortunes. They have give us twenty five hundred pounds of bacon to do us to Marion. So my Dear I cant think of nothing no more now so I remain your lovin husban til death.
D.C.G. to M.A.G.
D.C. Gregory………. David C. Gregory
M.A.S. Gregory…….. Martha Ann Sanders Gregory
M. Gregory………… Margarette Gregory
W.R. Gregory………. William Robert Gregory
M.C. Gregory………. Mary C. Gregory
E.G. Gregory………. Elija Gerard Gregory
D.A.W. Gregory…….. David Allen Wayne Gregory
R.D.S. Gregory…….. Richard Daniel Simpson Gregory
(Family of D.C. Gregory & M.A.S. Gregory August 4, 1878)

My Dear Wife this is July the 21 (1862)
Well my Dear we have landed to Marion found a pretty town, Me and Jehu and Dick is well. Dick mended eve day. We got tired of our march tho faired well plenty to eat, good water. Well my Dear I hant got time to write half of what I want to. We hav to straddle the iron horse (train) in the morning at 8:00 oclock. I will write you a full letter when we get to Mongumry. I want you to write me a letter as soon as you get his. Direct it to Montgumry Post Office Ala. in care of Capt. B.F. Eddens, 41 Regment Volenteers Company F. The people of Marion greeted us smartly. Tell Bob we have got his blanket. Tell him and Hamp to come ahead as soon as they get well. Jim had better keep himself close. Tell cousin Budy that I didn’t have time to go to the factory nor nothing else. Wah Givens will send you your Pa taxes (tax) receipt and Betys all together. I O (owe) your Pa one dollar and 25 cents. Betty O (owes) the same so when you get thar tax receipt you will git some money. So let Bety pay your Pa the dollar and 25 cents and them pay you the amount of thar taxes and that will get us all straight. My sweet and loven wife do write me a full letter. Give my love to Kanidy and family and everybody that inquires of about me. Dick is going to write some. Dick and Jehu and me is as same as one. Tell Martha that Wiseman says he will write to her when we get to Selma. He is well. Goodbye for this time.
D.C.G. to M.A.G
R.V. Gregory to dear Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters.
I seat myself this evening to write you a few lines to let you know that we are well. We are in Marion and will leave tomorrow on the car and we will get a good ride. I would be glad to see all all but we are a good pease from home and in a few days will be further. Well it is getting dark so I will have to quit. When we get to where we stop I will write to you all and give all the news. So good bye to all until I get the chance to write again.
R.V. (Dick) Gregory to G. Gregory and all the rest.
D.C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory

Letter written by David C. Gregory, Pvt CSA Co. F. 41st Inf. Reg. Alabama
Ala. Dales County July 24, 1862
My dear and loven wife and children
it is with the greatest degree of pleasure that I seat mysfelf by a cotton bale to let you know that I am well with the exception of colds. I do hope ans trust to God when these lines come to hand that they may find you all well and doing well. We are in Selma. We have been here two days and nights. We are waiting for a boat. Six of our companys started to Montgomery the day we got here and they got ten miles before the boat sunk. With (no one) hurt tho they lost a heap of their bags. We are looking for a boat to take us off but it is uncertain when it will come. Well my sweet honey if you want to know how fast I traveled when I stradled the iron horse just look at a buzzard sailing in the air and you can tell. We travelled a mile in two minutes. My Dear I intend to write you as often as I can. I do want to see you all so bad. I want you all to kiss Davy for me. Tell him Daddy will come home as soon as he can. I dont think this war can last long. ( ) as far as we have come. Cotton is worth twenty cents in Selma. I want you to hold on to our cotton till I instruct you to sell it for I think it will be worth thirty cents. Well we have plenty to eat as yet althought not very good. Well Hun the boys is all washing today. Dick and Jehu has just gone to the wash place. Dick says tell you all he will write when we get to Montgomery. Jehu says gives his love to you all. (And) for you to give his best love to his sweetheart. There is a heap of complaining tho nobody bad sick. Billy Kelly is getting on fairly well. Hun you may beleive in old Miss Ingrum. She told Dan (Baunate) fortune in Tuscaloosa. She told him that a part of the Regiment ( ) for they got their men and guns on the (tide) the boat would sink with them tho none of them would get hurt. Tho they would lose a heap of their plunder. So it has turned out just as she said it would. She says we will never be in a hard battle. Selma is a pretty place. A heap of ( )Regiment ( ) carried on at it. Naval ( ) are team boats. There has just passed a regiment of Plowboys volenteers. Three is far more right behind them. I dont know what it is all about tho I think they are volenteers. ( ) I want you all to pray for my safe return. I feel like I will be. I intend to get back before long so I must close so I remain your true husband.
D.C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory

State of Ala. July the 28, 1862
Mongumry.
Dear wife and children.
I am well. Dick and Jehu is well. I dear have a heap to write to you but hant got time. We have to cook two days rashens (rations) by two oclock and it is ten now. Dick and Jehu is cooken now. Well my Dear I sead (saw) a site (sight) this morning. I saw five Regments at the Depa (depot) this morning. Well they are going to Chatanuga by the thousand. Well honey dont write to me till you hear from me again. We left Selma yestidy morning and got here last night and have to take the two oclock train. They say a part of the Regment is gone. I believe our Colonel will do very well. Well honey when we get stationed I will write you a letter that will do you good to read. Kiss Davy for me. Ligy kiss ma for me. Goodby to you for this time.
D.C.G.

State Ala. July the 2, 1862
Tuscaloosa Co
Dear and affectionate & sweet & loving wife and children & Pa.
I can inform you that I am not very well tho I am better that I have been. I have had the bowell complaint pretty bad. I have not drilled none since Friday. I hope these lines will find you all well and doing well. Well my Dear this is a hard life to live but it cant be helped yet awhile but I do hope it wont bee so long. There is a heap of sickness in camp out of twelve hundred thar is three hundred able to go out on dress parade. Thar is a great many died but only one in our Company. That was Dave Bricks. Thar was seven dide at the hospitle in one day and night. Gerard (Jehu) is puny and Dick is vary sick. I am afraid he is taking the fevor tho I hope not I hope the sick will mend now. Our Capt took a squad of his men with thar guns and went down in town and prest two barels of molases and two sacks of flour. Gehu was in the squad. Well Sug you wanted to know when we will leave here. I dont beleive we will leave here soon tho we may. I intend to come home before I leave here if I live if I cant come one way I can anouther. Well old woman we have met two of our cousins in the Regiment one of Jim Gregorys sons and Tom Fealds (Fields) son. We dont care for Fields but we like Gregory. (this might possibly be S.L. Gregory but I doubt it) He was the proudest man to meet with us you ever saw. Well Sug I intended to send you this letter by mail but I have heard since I commensed that Fleck was going home so I will send it by him. Bob is going to try to come a Friday if he does I will send a letter by him. I want you to send a letter by Fleck he is coming back Sunday. I will get it as soon as by mail. Send your letter to old Ikoys by twelve oclock a Saturday and I will be shor to get it. Sweet wife I was so glad to get your letter I wish I could get a letter from you every day. Hilsman is to be here Friday. I will send you a letter by him. I was sorry to hear that Davy was sick but I hope he is well now. Would to God that I was thar to nus (nurse) him and kiss him. I want to see you so bad I spend ever breath thinken about you all I want to see Pen and chickens and Pink and all the rest. Tell Betty God bless her for I am sorry for her. Tell her I think of her often. I want you and her and Sis and the Old Man and Bud & Lidge & Babe to write me a full letter. Davy must rite a big letter. I want to no how everything is at home that sweet place called home so I will quit for this time as I shall rite often. Hug and kiss Davy for me so I remain your loven husband til death.
D.C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory

Jena (Ala.) Tuscaloosa Ala. July the 31, 1862
Dear and affectionat husband
I seat myself this morning to converse with you by letter. We all hav dreadful colds and coughs. Lide (Uncle Lidge) had the errake very bad. Well Hun I do hope this will come to han (hand) and find you well. My Dear I hav got no good news to rite. Thar has bin no rain yet. The money you paid for corn has bin sent back to me. F.T. Rolason want let the corn go. ( ) went to see (J) Sanders and (J) Rolason ans thar says that thar is no corn for sale on the warie (on account of the war). Bob rode all day last Tuesday hunting corn and we all cant get a grain no whar. We hav sent Hamp home. I could not let him stay and eat what I had. I sent a little note with him. Bob can tell you about Mr. T (maybe Mr Sanders above) when he gits thar. I recon iff (T) had not hill (no will) back when he did he would of found out whither you had left friends hear or not. We ar trying to save sum Fodder now. Well my sweet husband I do want to see you so bad. It seems to me like you had bin gone a year. O how can I bare to think about being so fare apart and no one to protect me and the children but I do pray daly (daily) for piece to be made and see you all comeing home again. O may God help you and us too for I dont no what we shall do. I no we hav worked and tried to make some thing to eat. Love noe money want git bread now. I believe people will starve. We have 1 hundred bundles of fodder saved. Old Aunt Liza Gregory has bin down. She sent for Pa to go to se hur. Wel my dear husband I am so pestered I cant think of nothing to rite. I do hope to God piece is makeing and you can git home to us again for iff any man on earth is needing at home you ar the one. Well I must closefor this time. O Davy has grode and fatened so you would not no him. Myself and the children sends our love to you and Dick and Jehu. I hope God will spare your lives and permit you all to land home save again whar all ar loved and long look for with tear full eyes and sad hearts. O I do want to see you all so bad I dont no how to bare it. So rite to me soon an often. So good by my sweet and loveing husband. I will send you another letter by Bob. Your people is all well.
M.A. Gregory
Pa we made 3 bushels of wheat.

Chattanoog Tenessee August the 3 1862
Dear Wife and children and Pa.
It is with the greatest degree of pleasure that I seat myself to converse with you this morning. I am well as yet. I do hope these lines will find you all enjoying the blessings of good health. I have nothing that is very strong to wrtie to you. We have plenty to eat as yet bacon (meal) flour. We fry our meat and shorten our bisket make real coffee. My Dear I want to hear from you so bad that I am crazy. I have not heard from home since I left. I have wrote a letter once every ( ) week since I left. I am looking for a letter. Direct your letters to me in care of Capt. B.H. Eddins, 41st Regiments Ala. Volenteers, Company F. Direct to Chattangoo Tenessee (in order) from here to ( ) Tenessee to guard a bridge to keep the Younion men from burning it up but I dont know when we will leave here. There is a heap of sickness in Camp with mumps yellow jangers some fevor some very dangerous. Memry Jacobs is dead. A man by name of Mulins died the same day. Dick and Jehu is well. Billy Kelly is well. All the boys from our Regiment is well. Well my dear I am sitting on an old white oak root writing ( ) Country has called and we are bound to serve ( ) there is some left back there but how are ( ) war is bound to stop to stop and I dont think it can last long (so honey turn to page 2). Grif is well and fat. Well my Dear I have plenty of good ( )
The 18th Regiment is here five miles of us but we have not saw none of them yet tho I think we will get to see them yet. If Bob and Hamp has not left when you get this letter send me the best pair of my woolen pants. If they can fetch them it wont take so much washing. We have our own washing to do or pay ten cents a garment. Money is scarce in this Regiment. They say we will get our money soon but I think it doubtful. I want you to write me the news in full. I want to hear from you as often as possible. I want to see Davy so bad. Tell him to rite Pa a letter. I want you all to rite to me about ( ) how treats you well and how. Do tel Bety to rite to me for I think of her often and her baby. Well my loving wife I think as I think as I did I think justice will take place yet some time. It grievesme to have to be away from home but maybe it is right that I should be. I want you to do as I have told you so many times. pick up a good heart and pray that it wont be long until the war will end and we all can get to come home in peace. Dick and Jehu sends their love to you and the children. Tell Davy Uncle Dick wants to see him. Be sure to direct your letters to me as I have directed you and I will get them ( ) they will ( ) us. Give my respects to ( )
Your truly affectionate husband till death shall part us.
David C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory his wife.

Charleston Tennessee — August the 13, 1862 (?)
Dear Wife and children
I take my pen in hand one more time to inform you that I am well as yet. Dick and Jehu is also well. I do hope these lines will find you all well and doing well. I hav nothing strong to right to you. We hav moved fifty miles from Chattanooga to this place. It is a vary prety place good water and plenty of it. I think it is a helthy place. The crops is vary good hear. My Dear I hav traveled over a heap of country sens I left home som vary good and a heap of poor. I bever saw no good corn tell I left Chatanooga.
Well my Dear wife I do want to hear from ome so bad it seams like I cant wait. I never hav heard from home sens I left. I no you right to me but they git misplaced but I want you to keep righten to me maby I will git (a letter after a) while. Well my dear I hav saw no Yankes yet. We hav no guns yet. We stand gard with sticks and rocks. We hav plenty of rocks hear. We may git guns but I think it doubtful. I dont think we will be sent any furder (further). I think when we leave hear we will go toward home. I hope it wont be long tell we can say that glorious word that we have talked of so much. Thar is a prospect of peas I think it has to close and God send it. Well my sweet wife I cant explane the joy it would give me to bea at home. I dream of you all every night. I want you to keep in as good hart as you can for I think and feel and hope that I will git to come home between ( ) Crismas (Christmas). Jest think wat a joyful time it will be if it is. please the Almity which I do hope and trust that we may all liv to meet one time more. Take care of David A and think of his Papy ever time you kiss him. Tel the children to be smart and obay you. Tell Hamp to bee a good boy to work and I will fetch him a hat when I come. Old woman I want you to rite to me what they are oferen for coton thar. I think coton will be worth twenty five cts. by the first of next month. I want you to not sufer as long as you have a dollar if you cant git provisions (without) sell the coton for what you can get for it and liv off of it. Direct your leter to Charleston Post Office Tennessee. You can tell Daddy and Polly for me and the boys that we want them to write to us. Jehu ses you must save him a watermillon till he comes. Also give his lov to his gal. Bee shor tell Jim and Alline (Allen?) to rite to me. Giv my lov to all that inquires of me. I wold like to right more but hant time. This is the 7 leters I hav rote to you so I think I will git a leter from you before long. So I must close for the lack of room.
D.C. to his loven wife and children
I hope to sea you before long.

Charleston Tennessee — August the 17, 1862 — Bradley Co.
Dear Wife and children
it is with the greatest degree of plashar (pleasure) that I seat my self this lonesom Sabboth morning to simpathise with you in your lonesom condition. I want you and the children to put your trust in God for I know he will heart the prayers of his people. I hope you will not suffer for lack of provisions. I know you all will suffer for my attention for my God and yours knows that I was affectionate husban and a loven father hoo (who) all ways thar to help in sickness and health. If teirs (tears) would bring me home I wold git to come for that is all the relief that I can find. It does me good to get your letters. I got two letters from you yestidy. I got the one you sent to Mongumry. We all got letters yestidy eavening. We had a ginerel cryen in our camp reden our letters. We all are so glad to git letters from home. Tell everbody thar to write me that can. Tell Kanidy and Anna to write. Simp and Kanidy Simps Daddy and Polly, William Cork and cousin Nancy. I wont name no body else but tell all to write that can and will for it does me so much good to hear from home. I am so sorry to hear that the corn is no count. I want you to right to me how much you think we will actually make whether any or not. I hope thar will be a chance for you to get it. I wish you and the children was here for thar is thousand of corn here. Crops is good here. Wheat was splendid here this year. It is a hilly broken country but the land is rich and the best orchards you ever saw. We can git as much fruit as we want. Jehu says to tell you he can beat you making peach pie. I must brag on Jehu. He is the best cook in the company tho I am pertty good myself and so is Dick. Jehu is on duty today. Me and Dick is about a quarter of a mile from camp on top of a high hill in a grave writting. Dick righten (is writing) to Mose (?). We got a letter from him yestidy. They was all well. My Dear we are right among the Union men but they all seem to be mity clever people. Well Honey I feel in good heart that peace in maken. The Yanks is geten tired as we are. Thar was 8 hundred come to Chattanooga the other day and giv up. I do think from waht I can see and learn that peace will be made be fore long so honey do pick up a good heart and do the best you can. I know it seems like it is more than we bare but let us wait on the Lord with patience for his will will be done. Tell Bud I eat the apple he sent me by Mr. ( ) and shed tears over it. Tell him to tend to his mare and colt as good as he can. Tell all the children to be good children and obey thar Ma for they have got the best Ma in the world. Tell them to take good care of thyar little Budy and kiss him ever day for their Pa. Try to explain my feelings to you for thar aint paper anuff in Charleston to write it on. I want to go home so bad that I cant think of nothing else to write tho I am gest a going to keep on until I write up this sheet. My dear I was truly sorry to hear of Daniels wife death. I greaves the poor fellow so bad but all we can dois to simpathise with him. He is trying to get a furlow to come home. The Capt. and Colonel has granted it to him. They have sent it ti the General to sign. If he signs it he will start home in a few days and I will sent this letter by him. I will let you know. Now me mess mates Dick, Jehu, Daniel (T.Kay). Tell Bob to stay at home till he git sound for it wont do for a puny man to come to camp. It you git this letter before Bob starts I want you to dye the best of my yarn pants as black as you can for I have to do my own washen and I want something that wont take much washen. Tell Bob if he aint comming soon to write to me and let me know how he is comen on. Tell Hamp to get a doctor to write to the Capt. how he is and it will all be right. Well my Dear the country is tuck full of solgers they are camps every whar but it is to be hopt they will have no more fighten to do. We have got 6 hundred splendid guns. We got them yestidy. We may be in a fight but I dont think thar is any danger. The North has changed prisners with us for they passed here two of them stayed in our camp. The doses (?) Graf Furganson is well as comen. Well my sweet and loven wife tell Betty I am sorry for her and would help if I could. That she knows for I have been a brother to her and a child to your Pa and they both know it. I think this un (his children) will certainly help Betty for I know if I was back thar I would do all I was able to do for her. I want Pa to be sure to stay with you until I get back if I ever do. Tell your Pa to write to me for I write to you it is also to him. I want to know whether Wash Givens has paid his taxes or not and how much money he sent you. The health of the camp is improven fast. All the boys is well with the exception of colds. The weather is as cold here as it is there the first of October. The nightrs is real cool. The peolple is gest beginnen to pull fodder here. This is the 8 letters I have wrote home since I left. I wrote you as long as I can get paper. I shall have to send this without paying for it as I have no stamps but I will git some by the time I write again if I can. I dont know when we will git our money. Tho I have some yet but not much. So I will have to close. write often. Give me the news in full about everthing. Tell Mr. ( ) I hope I will see him again ( ) Derel. So I remain your ( ) and ever loving husband til death shall part us.
D.C. Gregory to his wife M.A. G.

State of Ala. Jackson Co. August the 24, 1862
Dear wife and children and Pa
this is Sunday morning. I am well as common.
I hope thru the murseys (mercy) of God these lines will come safe to your distant sweet hands and find you all well and doing well. I recieved your kind leter the 21 that was dated the 12 it done my hart good to read it. It releaved me of a hevy hart to now (know) that you was all doing as well as you ar. I hope you will all keep in good hart and do the best you can. I want to sea you all mity bad but I try to pass off the time the best I can. I dremp of seaye (seeing) Davy last night. O Lord how long can it bee before I can get to come home to my sweet wife and babys. It shorly cant bee long but I dont no the Yankee is close by. They are on one side of the river ans us on the other but we ar not allowed to shoot at each other. They ar vary frenly. wee can talk to each other as much as wee please. They ar as will (willing) to quit as wee are. They ar coming over and given up ever day. Our Regment is tor (torn) all to peases. We left three companeys in Charleston to gard that bridge. We left thar the 21 and landed at this plase the 22. They sent us hear to keep the Yanks from crosen the river this morning. We have orders for three companeys to go to some bridge to gard it. I dont no what companys will hav to go. I dont think we will hav to do any thing but dog about and gard bridges and clean camp of camp grounds. That is all we hav don yet. Well Hun my mess is all sick but mee. Danil and Heay(?) is not much sick. They can eat vary hardy. Jehu was left in Charleston sick with the ganders. Dick was taken very sick last night with the bowell complaint. I hope he will bee beter by night. Wee hated to leave Jehu mity bad but it was the best for him. I think he will be up with us in a few days if wee are one of the companys that has to leave hear. I hope I wont have to leave Dick. Tel Father and Mother that Dick and Jehu I dont think is any ways dangerous and Jehu is whar he will be tended tow (to) and if I keep well Dick wont lack for attention if I am permitted to stay with him. Wee ar about 75 miles from Charleston. Tel Bob and Hamp that the Capt has rote on to his son and giv him the athority to bring the boys thru. Well loven wife this is a hard life to live but it has to bee. I hope it wont last long. I think they are fixen up to quit. It is the opinion of the people generly. Well my loven wife and babys and I want you all to do the best you can and pray for my safe return and quick. This is the 9 leter I want you to wright to mee how may leters you hav got from mee sens I left home. Giv my best respects to everybody that inquires after mee. I am seten (sitting) on an old log and rightin on a barel hed (head). Billy Kelly is with mee. I am going to right a leter for him when I finish mine. So I shal hav to close for the lack of room and som thing to right. Direct your leter to Chattanoog Tennessee. So I remain your and loven husban tel death shal part us.
D.C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory his wife.

State of Ala. Jackson Co. — Sept 16, 1862
My dear wife
I will write to you a few lines to let you know that I am not well. I have got the ganders mity bad. I am not able to write much. I do hope thes lines will find you all well and doing good. I am able to poke about but it is all I can do . I think I will get to come home before long. Tell your Pa I want you and him to sow the wheat whar youns think it will make the best. Honey I will send you twenty five dollars by Lieutenant Stuart of which he promised me to deliver to you. If you hant sold the cotton hold on a while longer. If you hav sold it it is all right for any thing you do is right with me for I look to you for protection. Well Hun I cant set up to write no more. I want you to write to me it does me so much good to read your letters. I will try to write. Billy Kelly wants to send his Pa twenty dollars. Hun you can send Billeys money or send his Pa word that you have it and he can come after it. Dick and Jehu is going to send Daddy forty dollars. We will roll our money all in seperate bundles with our names on each ones so you will know which is which. I shall be compelled to close. Dick is going to write some. Goodbye sweet wife and children for this time. I will write to you in a few days I think we have to go out in the country for ten or fiften days.
D.C. Gregory to His Wife M.A. Gregory
Dear Father
I seat myself this morning to write you a few lines to let you know that we are improving. I think we will be able to stand our hand in a few days. I have nothing strong to write at this time. We have drawn our money at last. Me and Jehu sends you twenty dollars each which will make 40 dollars. You can use it. It may be that you can get salt or something else. I would like to come and bring the money but I cant come this time. I hope that we get to come home soon. We will draw money again the first of October if we have no bad luck. We will send you more the next time. We drawd fifty seven dollars a pease. Write us a letter when you get this and let us know you all are getting on. I will write to you ever chance I get.
R.V.G and C.J. Gregory to Gerard Gregory
Send this if you please to Dady or take it. I rather you would take it. I will write some to you next time Dave write.
R.V. Gregory to M.A. Gregory

Knoxville Tennessee Knox Co. — Oct. 11 1862
My Dear Wife and children
I am glad to say to you that I am able to set up and right to you one more time and doing well. I do hope and trust to God that you are all well and doing well. Well my wife I hav had a tolerable bad spell of the ganders. I hav bin don (down) for four weeks to day. A part of the time not able to wait on myself. I was sick when the boys come so that I cold not enjoy myself with them. I dont know when I will git to sea them for I am left in the hospittle hear and Dick come hear with me but not in the same hospittle. Him and Wiseman and several uthers sent to a little plase cald (called) Loudon. I hav bin hear two weeks to morrow. I have bin vary wul treated by the nurses and Dr. tho our eaten is sory. They feed us on beef snap, light brown bread and cofey is all wee git so I shold of suffered for something to eat if I had no money but I wold git one and anuther to go a by (buy) little nurishments for mee. Well han in the time of all the rest of my sickness my right year (ear) ris. Thar was for days and nights that I cold (could) not sleep with it tho is has broke now and has run and has run a power tho I shall have to keep it tide up all this winter unless I had a cap. Well hun I am afrade I hav lost some of my cloths. They was sent to the washry the next day after I get hear and I have got non but my britches my shirt ( ) drawers socks and hand towel is gone and I hav no. I dy (doubt) I no chanse to git it non from home for thar is no chanse to git a furlow in the world. If I dont git my close I shall hav to hav five dollars for a shirt if Fleck has not left try to git him to fetch me one. Well my Dear I would giv the world to bea with you all to day but thar is no chanse yet but I do hope the time is not fer off honey. You and the children must do the best you can. I dont want you to suffer as long as you have got a dollar or a lock of coton that is one thing to asirten if I am ever permited to git home I shal stay as shor as I liv tho you ned (need) not say nothing about it for the man that wants to git home worse than I died in a bad fire. Git som body to sow the wheat if you hav them to pay. Shorly they will gether the corn and sow the wheat too. Tel Polly I want to sea her mity bad and hear her laugh whisch she wold do if wee was all at home. Tel Dady and the children for them to do the best they can. I want them all bad to see them. Tell Martha and Alaline (Allen?) I dont no whar Bob and Jim is but for them to do the best they can. Tell them I want to sea them bad. Tel Bety I want to sea her mity bad but cant yet. She must do the best she can. I received your leter the uther day that was dated the 18 of Sept. (1862) I was so glad to git it is don me so much good to read it. This is the first leter I have rote to you sens I rote by Lieutenant Stuart for I hav not able to rite.
I want you to right to me as soon as you git this leter let me no wheter you all got your money or not. Well hun I am tired doon (down). Shall hav to quit for this time. Direct your leter to Knoxville Tennessee. So rite often as you can so I remain your faithful and loven husband tel death.
form (from) D.C. Gregory to his sweet wife M.A. Gregory

Tulahoma Tennessee Jan 31th 1863
Dear Friend
I embrace the present opportunity of dropping you a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you yet. We have seen hard times since you left us. You thought we had hard times before you left. We have seen the elephant (the beast) you may guess we may guess we get into the fight and I tell you it was know Stevenson affair jumping in the branch was no object. We would have been glad for it to have a Stevenson scrape but it was not as. Bob has wrote all the knews. I have nothing to write I will again you must write to me as soon as you get this. Write all the news in general. Write all the news that you can get in the country. So I will come to a close.
Yours as ever
Thomas N. Mennell (Merrell?)
To David Gregory
the rarieter (writer) send his love and respects to you and family.
Rufus H. Dennings.

Talahoma Tennesee Jan. 31, 1863
Dear Brother
I recieved your most kind letter yesterday which afforded me great sattisfactin to hear from you and to learn that you were mostly well. I am quite sorry that you are so diseased but you are ginerly (generally) better off at home diseased than you would home in good health but it is all the Lords work he knows what is best. I have been quite well except colds for some time past until last night I taken a chill wich lasted me several hours. From your letter it looks like that some of them know what soldiers will do after being out one or two years. I wish soldiers the soldiers could have the privelige of passing through the country. I think it would be stimulate those at home to get up a peace convention. I think they would see the fruits of war and haul in their War Signs. and advocate peace. Some think that we will have a big battle here but there is no telling any thing about it. I think that we are staying here in order to get all the wheat and corn fodder here out of this country back to Bridgeport and then we will fall back there to protect Chattanooga as that seems to be the point to save as all our provisions are there for the whole western army. There is a great many reports now in regard to peace. It is reported in camp this morning that some of the Lincoln men passed through here last night on their way to Richmond to the Confederate Congress to go in Convention with us to get about peace. Numerous reports afloat. I do not know wether any of them are true or not but I hope some of them are true for if we could have peace once more in our land and all get home what a happy time it would be. You can state to the old man that I have sent him fifty dollars by Lieutenant Clements. 31 dollars of Dicks and 19 dollars of Hamps. Hamp had four dollars a half and I sold his clothes which made the balance. As for Dicks and Franklins clothes I have never heard any thing from them at all. I think there was a misanderstanding in Dr. Gregory in regard to that for we have never heard any thing from them as all. Tell the old man to write to me as soon as he get the money that I have sent to him. So that is all that I can think of to write at this time. So I will come to close. Good bye for this time. Yours as ever.
R.I. Gregory to David Gregory

Ala. Tuscaloosa Co. Feb the 19 1863
My Dear Wife and children
I seat my self this morning to inform you that I am well. I hope these lines will find you all well. when I got back the boys was all gon but mee and two uthers. We hav to start in the morning. Thar is a good many going with us. I wold of like to come home again but cant so you must do the best you can tell I come back. I hope that wont be long. The river is a man this morning and risen. We ar going with wagins to the railroad. We wont git thar before Sunday for we will have ( ). Wee will not git to the Regment befor the last of next week. I will right to you when I git thar ar before if I hav the chanse. Tell father I saw the little boy this morning that has his money. He ses he will send his money ar thred by Pink Roberson. Tel No Jacobs that I saw Capt Hendgens. He ses he has not saw Parker sons the last days fight. He expects he is a prisoner. Ed Sealy is ded. He dide at Murfuburow. Tel Jacobs that he can get (Memry) money to colen (calling) on Judy Meguir after the 27 of this month. It will be left thar. Well my Dear I must confess to you that I got tite a Monday but I shant do so anymor soon. Tel Bud he must go this grandpa and git him a bee gum to put his bees in if they swarm. I shal take good care of my self and I want you to all do the same. So I cant think of nothing mor to wright now so I remain as ever your true husban tel death.
D.C. Gregory to his wife M.A. Gregory

Georgia Westpint (Westpoint) Feb. 23, 1863
Dear Wife and Children
these lines levs me well. I hope they will find you all well. I hav nothing to right that will interrest you. We had a mity storm of wind and rain Saturday night at Selma tho we was not exposed. We was on the boat. We stade at Mongumry last night. We left thar this morning at 8 oclock. I is 85 miles from hear and it is now one oclock so you may now (know) how we come. Tel father and mother I will right to them as soon as I get thar and can rite them a satisfactorel leter. We hav to li over hear tel 12 oclock to night. It is the opinion of the people that peas will soon bea made. I hope it may bee so. I want you and the children to do the best you can. Take good care of all. Lov my hart is with you. Hyer (Hire) that hand if you can. I will rite as soon as I get thar so good by sweet wife and children for this time.
D.C.G. to his wife

Manchester Tenessee March the 1 1863
My Dear Wife and Children
I seat my self this morning to converse with you. I am not vary weel this morning tho I think i will bee beter in a few days. I have a mity bad cold I do hope these few lines will find you all well. I got to the boys night before last. Found them all well but Wiseman he is right sick. Flick is in the hospittle at Tallahoma. I saw him. He has bin mity low tho he is on the mend. They hav not heard nothing of Simp (Simpson Lidge) and Jehu but from all the information I can git from the boys they ar prisoners. Simp was vary sick. Bob looks better than I ever saw him. He ways two hundred. He dont look natural. He was glad to sea me. Graf has jest steet in so I will rest and chat with him awhile. Graf has stept out he is well. Bob is out cuten wood. The boys is all very well ficts (fixed up). We have good tents with chimneys to them. It is thought we will leav hear in a few days and go South but I dont now (know) whether we will or not. I hope we will. I dont think we will hav any more fighten hear soon. Thar is a grate (a great deal of) talk of peas hear. I hope it may bea so. Well my Dear I drawed som money at Atlanta. I paid Harison McDonel ten dollars and I am going to send you ten dollars and ten cts. if you git it I will send you som more. I want you to do the best you can. Hire yo a hand if you can. If you cant git a hand to suit you hire by the day ever chanse you hav. Wiseman is going to the hospittle to morrow. My friend Adams has bin to sea him. He was proud to sea me. My Dear I do wich I was with you and the children this morning. I hope it wont bea long befor I can come to stay. The boys is dezerten and going home. We git plenty to eat yet. I hope you are doing well. I want you to keep in good hart and do the best you can. Do your own traden (trading) and maneg your own bisness. I want you to right to me ever week. Giv me the news in full. Tell Father I right to him to morrow. You can tell martha that bob got the clothes she sent him. My clothes was lost in the fight. I cant think of nothing to right that will interest you. O that I was at home this morning for I no you are lone som to day. But I want you all to bea together as much as you can. Tell Mother I will right to her in a few days. Sis I want you to be a good daughter and obay your ma for you hav got a good ma. Bud you must bee smart and take care of your colt. Bob you and Liga must care of your little Budy and kiss him every day for me. Davy I want you to bee a good boy and gro fast for papa wants to sea you mity bad. My Dear I hope you will git this leter and money. You must right to me as soon as you get this leter. Direct your leter to Manchester Tenessee. I will hav to close fur this time so I remain your true husban tell death shal part us.
D.C. Gregory to his wife M.A. Gregory

Manchester Tenes. March the 8 1863
Dear wife and children
I seat myself to right you a few lines to let you hear from mee. I am tolerble well with the exception of cold. I hope these lines will find you all well and doing well. Mee and Bob was on picket night before last. It rained all night and wee had no shelter jest had to stand and take it. I tel you I thought of home all night and wished I was thar. I hope I will git to come befor long. Tel Martha Bob is well and cuten wood to day. I will hav to cut tomorrow. Sug I tel you this is a hard life to liv. We git plenty of old bacon and corn bread but ant fit for a dog to eat. Wee hav a heap of our provision to by and it is hy. Pys three to the dollar. Eggs two dollars per dosen. Chickens two dollars a pease. Tobacco one dollar per plug. I never did think that ever thing cold git so hy. I want you to rase as many chickens as you can. Make that hog as fat as you can for I am coming home the first chance shor for I hav served as a negro as long as I intend too. It jest rains all the time. Wiseman is gon to the hospittle. Little Grif is guard to day. Mose is up hear at (shelter? shelterville?) Bob got a leter from him. I hav rote to Dady and Polly boath. I want them to right to me. This is the 4 leter I hav rote you. I want you to right to me ever week for I shal rite to you jest as often as I can. Giv mee all the news about ever thing. The boys is all lowsy as any use for I expect I will git full of them and dred them. My Dear I want you to keep in good hart and do the best you can. I want you and the children to hang together to the last. Sis I want you to bea a good girl. Lov and obay your ma. Bud you must bee smart. Babe you must obay your ma for you have got the best ma in the world. Liga you must love your ma. Davy you must make them all step round and kiss Ma for mee. My Dear I do want to sea you all the worst in the world but cant yet. I dont think wee will hav to fight hear soon tho wee may but I hope not. Giv my love to Kanidy and family. Tel him to right to me. Tel Mr. Jacobs that Parker is a prisoner if he is alive. So I must close for this time.
Good by sweet wife and children.
D.C. Gregory to his wife M.A. Gregory

Manchester Tennessee March the 21, 1863
My Dear Beloved one and children
these lines will let you know that I am still spard and thru the merse (mercy) of God I am on the mend. I hope to God these lines will come safe to hand and find you all well and doing well. I hav nothing to right that will inter rist (interest) you. Bob is well. We hav not heard from Wiseman sens he went to the hospittle. Him and Fleck is both in the hospittle. The health of the Regment is tolerble good at the time. We hav heard nothing of Sims and Jehu yet. I hope you all have heard of them before now. I hope we will all git to come home be for long. I want you to wright what the conscripe (conscription or draft) is doing and whether thar is any deserters thar or not. Thar has lots left hear and I shant be seprised if thar ant some more leaves som day. Hun I do want to sea you and the children so bad it seams like I cant wait but I shal hav to wait tel I can git the chanse. I hope that wont be long. I dont think wee will have to fight hear any more. Well Han I hav drawed mee another blanket. Han I am giten mity tired waiten to git a leter from you tho I think I will get one this evening. You and Martha must rite ever week. Tel father Martha and sister they must all rite to us. Tel father he must give us a good full leter. I want you to give me the news about ever thing on the plase. Jim Sealy is gon to git mee and him a py (pie). They ar for (four) bits a peas ever thing is powerful hy (high). Jessa Garner is ded. He deide the 14 of this month at Tallahoma. I hope I will git a leter this morning. It is nearly mail time. Bob wants Martha to rase him a dog. If Pen has any I want you to keep one. Hun try your best to git Mo Leatherwood to plant your crop for you. I was sorry to hear that Davy had bin so sick but I hope he is well now. Tel him Pap wants to sea him mity bad. I want to sea you all so bad I cant think of nothing else to right. So do right often as you can. You and the children must do the best you can. Rite how your geese comes on. How your gilt has don. O that I cold hear Pen bark. So God bless you all good by for this time.
D.C. Gregory to his wife M.A.G.

Manchester Tena April the 19, 1863
My Dear Beloved wife and children
I am hapy to inform you that I am yet spard and still improven. Tho not stout yet. I am harty as I ever was if I had diet to give me. I cant eat bacon nor grease of no kind nor peas. My bowels is not rite but better sens I quit eating such as dont agree with me. I hope these few lines will come safe to hand and find my sisolate family well and doing good. Hun I was glad to git your kind leter that was dated the 2 of this month. Hun I am so sory that you and the children has to work so hard. I do hope to God that it will prov to bea a blessing to us yet. I hope I will git home before long so I can help you all work. Hun I do hope your wheat will be good and you can save it. I do hope you wont sufer for something to eat. But I no times is hard and will be. Hill is what I thought he was but maby he will giv up the hide yet. He had beter do it if he wants to ( ) I hope he will. Hun we hav eat our mess of pys (pies) Bob baked them. Altho I coldent eat much of them they dont agree with mee. Hun me and Bob is on picket today. I hav something good to eat today. I bought me a turcke yestidy. Had my supper out of him. This morning had muten and turcke for breakfast, and for diner. Got some for super. I hope you have a prety garden for I never wanted greens so bad in my life. I think I will hav a mess of poke salet bee for long if the weather keeps warm a few days. Vegetation is beginen to put up rite smart. Tel Sis I think hern and Siler dresses is mity prety. Tel her and Siler and Bety they must right to mee and let mee now what ( ) about them. Tel Bud and Liga I am proud they had got such a prety colt. That is rite Bud fight for your Ma. Let no body run over her for you hav got the best ma in the world. Bob take good care of Davy. Davy you must rite to pap the first chanse and giv me the news about your chickens and geese and dog. Well Hun is Hiram forty tho I hope he ant. Hun I cant think of no mor I will rest awhile. Well hun mee and Bob is off of picket. Wise and Dick is well. Well old woman they ar runen troops from whar the 18 Regment is at Talahoma. I dont no whether they are going to fight hear or not. They may. Simp is on the way (back) hear. I expect he is at Chattanooga. They say that ( ) ar not. I think they will be hear in a few days. Tel father and Mother that I will right to them as soon as Simp gets hear or we hear from him. Hun I want you and the children to do the best you can. I hope I will get to come home before long. I will right to ( ) Leatherwood about the wheat. You must right to mee as often as you can. So I must close for this time. So I remain your true and affectionate husban.
D.C. Gregory to M.A. his wife.

Manchester Tenessee March 30, 1863
My Dear Beloved Wife and Children
I seat myself to let you know that I am improven som. I hope these lines will find you all well. I recieved your leter yestidy that was dated the 10 and 13 of this month. I was sory to hear that my baby had bin so sick and glad to hear that he was beter. Hun it seems like we have mity bad luck but try to keep in good hart as you can. I was sory to hear that Pus run away with the plow. Hun right whether Bud was plowen him or not. Hun you can let Bran hav Pus to plow. Hun you do what you think is best. It will be all right with me for I look to you for protection. I am proud of you. Hav your potatoes planted I hope you planted som water mellions. Hun I will right to Uncle John to morrow and sea what he will do if he cant it one for you you must do the best you can. I think if I live I will be at home this summer. Som time Hun ar you willen (willing) for me to come home without leaf (leave). Me and Bob talks strong of coming home before long. I hav bin sick 4 weeks and had to by purty ny ever thing I eat and it is got me jeears (scarce) of money. I recon we will draw money in a few days. Me and Bob rote you and Martha a Leter the other day. I hav rote to you ever week sens I left home. Bob is well and boilen a pot of hominy to day it is rainen today ans mity cold. Thar no sign of spring of the year hear everthing looks like the ded of winter. Wee hav heard nothing of Simp and John yet. I have got a leter from Jimy Cork and Jo Heath and one from Danel. They ar all well but Danel he is sick but beter. Hun I hope I will git home one time more. Thar is some talk of pease. I hope it will be made before long. One of our (company) dide Saturday vary sudent (sudden). He was fixen to eat his diner asked for a peas of bread an fel over ded. His name was Johnson. I wish I was home to plow for you. I hope I will git it to come before long. I shant be so prised (surprised) if I am sent to the hospittle again. Wiseman is riten to ( ). I shall look for a leter from you and father everyday. I hav rote to him and mother beath (both). I want you all to right often. Be shor to right whether you have the money I sent you or not. Hun I hant nothing to right as I hav gest rote to you the uther day. Giv my love to Bum and family, Kanidy and family, Ant Ruth and family. You must kiss all the children for me. Sis kiss Ma for pap.
D.C.G. to M.A.G.

Dalton Georgia May the 26 1863
My Dear Wife
I seat myself this morning to right you a few lines to let you now (know) how I am. I am improven. Som think I will git well. I hope these lines will find you all well. I hav jest red your kind letter that was dated the 14. Bob brung it to me this morning. Our Regment is ordered to Vicksburg. They past hear this morning. I wanted to go with them mity bad but coldent. Tel Martha Bob is well and harty. The boys is all well. My Dear I hope that I will git to come home before long. I shal try to git to come. Dan Bounds is hear he is not doen vary well. He looks vary bad. Little Griff is doing toleable well. O I am so proud that your wheat is so good. I do hope to God you wont suffer yet. Tel Sgt. Hufman he is a white man and is a gentleman. Give him my best love and respects. Tel him I shall ever respect him. I hope I will sea you befor long. I wish I was thar to help you eat letes (lettuce) and shalots for I am starved out for greens. I am so proud that Davy groes so fast. God bless his little soal (soul). I want to sea him so bad. Tel all the children to bea good smart children. Tel Bud and Liga to tend to thar colt and stock tel I get home. Hun do the best you can. I hope you will do well. Giv my lov to all the connection (kin). Tell them to wright. Giv my lov to mother and father. Hun right as often as you can. Direct to St. Mary Hospittle Dalton Georgia. So I must close for this time.
D.C. Gregory to his good wife M.A. Gregory

Dalton Georgia June 6, 1863
Dear Wife and Children
I not time to wright much. Danel is going to start home in a little time. I am about as I was when I rote to you before. I hope these lines find you all well and doing well. My Dear I have no news to right to you. I hav not tride for a furlow yet for it ant worth while. I hant bin hear long a nuff. I think that I will git one after while. I shall try as I think the chanse is good. Well Hun right as often as you can and do the best you can for I think I will git to come home before long. I hope this war will close before long. Well Hun we have ruff (hard times) for hear. Hun I wish I cold of drawd som money to send you by Danel. They say we will draw in a few days. I hope we will for I am out and has bin for a week. I tel you Hun it is hard livin hear. Old fat bacon and ( ) (corn?) bread. But I hope it wont last long. Hun I am wilen to send you some money as soon as I draw it. If I cant git to come and bee fetch it I hope I will tho if I cant to come home I intend to stay hear as long as I can for this is a hospittle plase. Hun I am expecting a leter from you. Right me all the news let mee now whar the Regment is. I no more room I mus close for this time. So God bless you and the children. I want to sea you so bad. Kiss Davy for me.
D.C.G. to his good wife

Mongumry Ala May the 17, 1864
Dear Wife
I right you a few lines to let you hear from mee. I am well. I hope you ar also well. I am giting on finely. I am in (good) company (with) Mr. (Garest?) is with me. (no po?) that belongs to my Regment. We will leav hear to morriro morning at 8 oclock. I hav not caut (caught) up with Jehu yet no (nor) wont tel I git thar. Thar is wonded solgers coming most ar ( ) from Dalton. I talked with one of them. He ses the Brigade that Danel is in was cut to peases. The Yanks is backing them at Dalton and Va. I think it vary doubtful of me giten to my command tho dont bea uneasy for I shal take care of myself. I hope in God that I may get home again. I will rite to you again before I git to the command if I hav the chance. So do Dear Wife and Children do the best you can. Tel Bud and Ligy to make a heap of corn and take good care of the stock. Tel Davy Dady wants to sea him mity bad. Tel him he must not forget me. Tel Bety and Sis to the kakes (cakes) yet taken to the boy. So Hun do keep in good hart and rite as soon as I am stationed. So I will close by asken you all to pray for me. Tel father I will right to him soon.
D. Gregory

Atlanta Georgia May the 20, 1864
Dear Wife and Children
I rite you a few lines to let you hear from mee. I am not vary well. My bowels is running off but I hope they wont bea bad. I hope you ar all well and doing the best you can. I hope I will get home before long. Hun I dont no when yu will git anuther leter from mee for the Yanks is at Kingston and I shant bee so sprised if they ant hear at this plase in ten days. If they do git hear it will be bad ( ) for letters to pass but I shall rite ever chance and I want you to do the same for I want to hear from you all mity bad but I no thar is no chans yet but as soon as I am stationed I want you to wright to mee. I will send you ten stams that I found. I hav fard vary well sens I left home. I intend to as long as I can. I shall leave hear at ten oclock today. I shal go thru Columba South Carolina. I bin in company with a Mr. Van that lived near Union Cort (court) house. He nows all our connection (kin). Tel Martha I hav all of her things saf yet. Tel father I will rite to him as soon as I git with the boys. Tel Bety I will giv the boy the cake and cort (court) him hard. Tel her and your Pa they must rite to me. Giv my lov to all of the connection and friends. Hun I want you and the children to do the best you can. I hope you will hav a good time so I am your true husban and father. Be good and kind to each uther. Take good care of Davy. So good by for this time.
D.C. Gregory to his good wife M.A. Gregory

Chaffens Bluff, Va, June the 3. 1864
Dear and afectionate Wife and Children.
I seat myself to converse with by leter these lines will let you no that I am not vary well the I am up and about. I hav a vary soer leg. I fear it is goin to be a bad sor. I hope you ar all well and doing well. Wel Mat I tel you they ar fighting about hear everday. The canon has bin roring all day to day. Our Regi is out on the battlefield somewhar and has bin three days tho I dont think thar is any danger of them being a fight in a day or two. I was with them two days and the Capt detailed me to go back to camp and wait on Nat Smith. Nat is right sick tho some beter. Bob Flick and Dock Little Griff ( ) harten is all well and out hunting yanks. Jehu is well and in good hart. They wont hurt him mor than keep him under gard a while. I am going to sea him as soon as I finish this leter. Well My Dear Clemons has been mity good to mee ever sens I come back. He never axed me fur no papers nor nothing else. He ses he nois I am not able for feald serves and as soon as he can he will hav me sent before the bord. I dont no what they will do with mee. They may discharge mee or send mee to hospittle for a nuss. Hun I hope you will hav a good time. Try to keep in good hart as you can and do the best you can. Take good cear of the stock and everthing. I hope in God that it wont be long tel I can come home in peas. Tel the children to all be good children. Tel Davy not to forget Dady. Giv my lov to Martha and children, Alyein and Children, Bety and Pa and Mary. I hope you all will do well. Tel them all to right to mee. You must right as soon as you git this leter. Direct to Co. F 41 Reg. Grases Brigade Richmon Va. So as I want to right a few lines to father I will close for this time. So good by for this time.
D. C. Gregory to his wife M. A. Gregory
Dear Father and Mother
I right you a few lines to let you no that we are all still liven. Bob and Jehu is well but I am not. I hav got a bad sor on my shin. It is as large as the pam of your hand and inflamed mitely it come without any hurt. Father they haf Jehu under gard but Clemons ses he shant refur no charge against him. They may keep him under arest for som time but wont hurt him and thar is no danger of bulets whar he is so father right to us as often as yoiu can. Giv my lov to all the family. I am your son.
D. C. Gregory

Mongumry Ala July the 8, 1864
Dear and Beloved Wife and Children
I will endeavor to going to wright to you a few lines to let you now how I am beter than I was when I wrote to you before. My bowels is a heap beter than they were but that swellen is come back in my feet and legs. I am bloted prety bad. Thar is not much chanse to git a furlow hear. The hospittle is gitin two ( ) had out. The Dr. wont let no mor off unless they will be going mor sick if they cold. about 50 it would be no trouble fur me to get off. But I hope I will git off after while. Som way if I can I shal serten if it was. So you cold com after mee it would bea no trouble to git off. But I no it is a bad chanse for you to come. Thar is a woman bin with her husban ever sens I hav bin hear waiting on him to git well anuff to go home. They feed her as same as him. Hun I want you to wright to Capt Bachs and tel him that I worse off with the dropsey than I was when he saw mee and I want him to hav mee sent home if he can. Wright him as good and fulen a leter as you can. I would right to him myself but I dont no whar to wright to tel him to send it to you and then you can send it to mee. Do this quick as you can fo I want to git home mity bad. Hun I do want to hear from home mity bad. I hav not hav not got a leter from you sens I left the Regment. I dream of home ever night and you all. Hun right mee all the news for I do want to know how you all are giten along so bad I cant sleep hardly. I hav got ten dollars to send you. I wold send it in this leter but I am afraid my leters dont go home for I think if they did you would write to me as soon as I git a leter from you I shal send it to you if I dont git to come. Right as soon as you git this leter. Hun I wold like to let you no how I hav fard and bin traited sens I hav bin sick but it wold take mee a week to right it all. I hav suffered fur attention and something to eat tho I fare vary well hear. I can by any kind of vegtable that I want to hav bing byen tomatooes and prety my liven on them and bread. I hav mended ever day sens I commenst on them. O how I wish I was at home so I cold git as many squashes and tomatoes as I could eat. Hun be shor and right as good a leter to the Capt as you can and as quick so I do hope and trust to God this leter may come safe to hand and find you all well and doing well. I hope I will git a leter from you soon. Good by sweet wife and children for this time.
D.C. Gregory to his wife M.A.G.

Macon Georgia Dec the 2, 1864
Dear absent wife and children
I write you a few lines to let you hear from me. I am not vary well this ( ) morning and ( ) up and going. I hope these few lines will reach you in due time yet find you all well. I hav got this fur without any truble or losing any thing. Leutenant Thompson lost everything he had but what he had on. I was sory for him for he is a good boy (as ever) lived. Tel the people that I will take the things they sent by mee if I can but it will bea bad chans for I hav to walk 65 miles. Tho I will take them thar if I dont giv out. We ar at he Way Side Home but will leav hear this evening. Thar is five of us to gether. Hun git Mr. Fortner to liv with you if you can. Make your hogs as fat as you can. Do the best you can. Tel the children all to bee good children. Kiss Simpy (this is R.D.S. Gregory, Truman’s grand-father) for mee for God nows I do love my family and wants to bee with you all mity bad I have got some of my biskets yet. I hav drawd no rashins yet. Hun I want you to right ever chans tel them all I will right the first chance. I remain your true husban tel death.
D.C. Gregory to his wife M.A. Gregory

Peters Burg Va. December the 26 1864
Dear Absent Wife and children
these lines will inform you that I am well. I hope these lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. I cant interest you much. We hav mity hard times hear it is mudy and wet if I had hogs in such a pen I colent sleep tel I got them out. We git but little to eat but I wolden mind that so bad if we had a clean plase to stay but we ar oblige to stay in the diches if wee hav to swim for if wee stick our heads abov the brest works we ar shot at. They ar shooting all the time. I was on picket last night. I cold set and listen at the Yanks talk and laugh and play the fiddle. They maid a fuss like they had plenty of whiskey. Jehu is over thar with them doing well. I hope they are going to the Yanks ever night. Thar was a liatenant went over to them last night. I hope this war may close befor long I dont sea how it can go on. Well my Dear this is the 27 day and still the same all mud and water. Hun I dont sea how we can stay hear this winter but I hope we wont have to stay hear much longer. But I dont no. Well I wold lov to rite you interresting leter but I cant for ever is in such a fix. And the boys is going so at thar mischeif. But I will scribble on the best I can. I want you all to do the best you can. Sis I want you to bea a good girl and obay your ma for you hav got a good ma. Bud I want you and Ligy to bee good boys and mind your ma and take good car of your stock and dont fight each other. Babe you must bea a smart girl. Take good car of Simpy. Davy you must bee a good boy and not forgit you Dady. Simpy I want to sea you mity bad. Hun I want you to take good car of yourself and children and make them obey you for God nows I do hope you all may do well for I think I will be at home with you bea for long for thar is grate talk of peas. But God noes. Bob is expecten a furlow it is gon if he git it I will send this leter by him. I will wait tel to morrow for Bobs furlow and if it dont come I will start this leter. I want you to rite to me ever ( ) chanse. If Bob coms I want you to send me a little something to eat and a big leter. I wish I had som money to send you but hant drawd none but twenty three dollars on my furlow. I hav found mee a splendid blanket sens I got back. They say I will git som money befor long but I dont no. The boys is all out of money. If Bob comes I will send you and sister a ring and Babe if I can git them I hav not made you one yet nor dont no as I (shall?) Tel Bety I will send her a ring ( ) I hope that you git this leter. Bob fetching it. Well Mat I cant think of nothing to rite for times is so hard and worse a coming. It seems so a nuff of that. Tell Mr. Fortner that I hope he is living with you. Tel him I will rite to him as soon as I hear from him. I am geting mity anxious to hear from home. Tell Kanady and family that I am well and wold like to sea them give my lov to Lemy and family. Tel him to rite to mee for I wold like to hear from home ever day. Tel all the connections to rite to me. I wold rite to them all but I hav a bad chance to rite for I am seting now on a little box over a mudhole of water riteing. Tel Ant Ruth and Mc and Harett I have not furgoten them and want them to rite to me. Tel them Rose is well. I will rite to father and mother next Week if I am spared. Hun dont think hard of my badly riten leter for I cant compose a leter but I have don the best I cold. So you must rite the mor (more). Tel Bety to rite mee a full leter so I will have to close for this time. So remain your and absent husban tel death.
D.C. Gregory to his loven wife M.A. Gregory.
Kiss little Simp for me.

Peters Burg Va. Jinuary the 12, 1865
Dear Absent wife and children.
I this cold morning will rite you a few lines to let you hear from mee. I am well as comon. The rest is well. I umble (humbly) hope these lines may rech your lovily hands and find you all well and doing well. I have nothing to rite that well interest you. Wee ar in a awful condition hear. Tho Bob can tel you that. But you can tell Bob that wee ar mity warse than we was when he left us. The bumfassffs ( bomb shelters ?) has all fell in but two or three in the company. Ours has not fell in yet but it is sho (sure) mouth in mud and water. Thar was seven men from our Brigade by thar Bumfssff falling in and a grate many cripled. We hav had a heap of rain sens Bob left. Well hun I dont sea how we can stay hear this winter for wee are in mud and water all day. I hav to ly down in it at night. Well Mat Wise(man) got a leter (from?) Martha yestidy that was rote the 18 of last month. She stated you was all well. I was glad to hear that but sorry to hear that sister had lost her sweet little baby but por (poor) little baby it is beter off. Tel Algeline I wold write to her today but han got the chans but this leter is to you and her and father and the rest. Tell them all toright to mee for God nows I do lov you all and wants to be at home with you all mity bad. Han I have recieved but one leter from you sens I left home. That was the day Bob started home. It was dated the 9 of last month. I think I will git one today shorly. I want you to rite to mee as often as you can for it is so much satisfaction to read your lovly leters. Sis I want you to be a good girl and smart and rite to mee. You and your ma must do the best you can. Bud you and Liga and Davy must be good boys. Tel Davy I am proud he hant forgot his Dady and dremp about me. I hope and trust in God that I may git to sea you all before long. I want to sea little Simp mity bad. I want you to take good car of him Babe and bea a smart girl. Dad hated to leav you so sick but thank God I am glad to hear that you ar well. Your Ant Martha Wiseman rote that you was able to go sea your little cosen when she dide. You must be smart and tel Bud and Liga not to fight each other. Hun this is mity sory paper and I hav to rite with my pencil but I hope you can read it. I want you to send me a big leter by Bob and all the word that you can think of. The boys is all in a mity nothin of going to the Yanks. I dont no what to do for the best. It dont seam like that wee can stay hear for wee dont git half a nuff to eat and no money nor no talk of any. But maby wee can liv with out it tho seams mity hard. I woldent mind so bad if the d…d infurnel sessions all was in but d.. dam they ar lik a d….d short taild first. Mak a hel of a fus but do nothing. So tel all them war men back thar for mee that thar negros is gon up shit creek. So good by loven wife and children for this time. I will rite again soon if spared.
D.C. Gregory to my wife M.A.G.

Peters Burg Va. Jin (Jan.) the 19, 1865
My Dear wife and Children
I onst more take my pensil in han to converse with you by leter. These lines will inform you that I am well and harty. The boys is all well. I hope to God that these few lines may reach you in due time and find you all well and doing well. I hav nothing to interrest you. We hav but little to eat and plenty to do. I hav drawd no money yet nor I dont now when I will but I hope soon for I need it mity bad and I no you need some mity bad but I cant help it. O Hun I do wish I was home to help you to provide for our sweet little children but as I cant bee yet you must do the best you can for I hope it wont bee too long till I can come home for thar is a grate talk of peas. I hope it may bee so but I dont no. I am hapy to say to you that I received your kind leter that was dated the 24 of December. But was sory that Fortner was not going to liv with you. You spoke of Bud living with uncle J.V. and renting the land. That is rite do as you think best and it will suit mee for I dont want you to trade Jiny if you can help it. It ant no youse of mee saying anything about our condition for Bob has told you all about it. I hope. The boys is all bad disatisfide. They ar going to the Yanks ever nite or two. I dont no what I shal do if they dont make peas soon. Hun I will send you a ring with a hart on it that I think will fit your little finger. I want you to war (wear) it well. Hun I want you to send mee a big leter and all the word you can by Bob. I send this leter by Eddsons (Eddison?). He will be back by the 15 of February. You can send a leter to Dr. Little in Tuscaloosa and he ses he will bring it to mee with plasher and that is all the chans to get leters now.

Petersburg Va Jinuary the 21 (or 4) 1865
Dear absent wife and children
I this lonesom ( ) seat myself under the ground to rite you all a few lines. I am hapy to inform you that I am well and all the rest of the boys and Bob has his furlow and is going to start home this morning. He can tel you all about how I am but I thought I wold rite you a few lines. I started you a leter ( ) like it well ( ) I hope you will rite all a few lines is ( ) worth ( ) to say ( ) runabout ( ) Bob can tell you all about ( ) But I hope it wont be long. I am getting mity anxious to hear from home. I hav not heard from home sens I left. I want you to rite often and tell them all I wold say something about a big diner that was given us a new years treat but Bob can tel you all about it. Well I can say it beat ( ) kill so nuff of a dide if I think if thar ant a change ( )

Petersburg Va Febuary the 3, 1865
dear wife and children
these few lines will inform you that I am enjoying the blessings of good health. The boys is all well. I hope these few lines may com safe to hand and find you all well and doing well. I hav nothing much to rite to you. Times is hard hear. Wee git but little to eat corn bred two or three days old and a little mouthful of beef. I can eat all that I git for 4 or 5 days rashens at one meal and not hav anuff not that ( ) disatisfied they still ar going to the Yanks. Thar was part of one company went off to the Yanks the other night. Dud Moor and John Burns ( ) Furgason is gone to the Yanks and grate many uthers. I think the war will close before long thar is one thing sirtin (certain) I intend to quit when my time is out and that is out the first day of April. So will rest and rite som more to morrow. Well Hun I write a few more lines. I am still well and I hope I will git a leter from you today. I hav not got but two leters from you sens I left home but I hope Bob will bring mee a leter or two when he comes and I recon he is on his way by now. I shall be mity proud to sea him for I hav bin very lonesom. I hav bin out on a twenty four ours pass. I saw plenty to eat but had no money to git it with but I baked in som corn and I am going to make me some hominy. I sufer for something to eat. Tell Dav and Lige that Dady wold lov to be permited to git to eat the meses that they fix up fur thar puppys. I hope you hav plenty to eat and I hope I will bea at home with you this spring. I want you to rite often to me as you can. I will rite to you ever chanse. The Yanks is sheling us vary raped (rapid) this morning. I wold like to rite more but has a bad chans so good by loven wife for this time.
D.C. Gregory to his wife M.A.G.

Petersburg Va. March the 5 1865
Dear absent wife and children
I take up my pen to rite to you onst more these few lines will let you no that I am still living and enjoying tolerble good health. I hope they come to hand and find you all well and doing well. Bob got back the 19 of February ( ) for I was vary lonesum. Han I thank you a thousand times for the soshedge meat and cakes you sent. They was so good. Wold to God that I was at home with you and the children this morning. I hope to God that this war may close soon so wee all can get home in peas for this is a hard life to liv. I hope you hav got (corn planted) befor now. If you hant keep after (them) tel they do git it for you. I hav not drawd a sent of money yet nor dont no when I will. They say we will next week but I dont no. It seems like they dont (hav) to pay. Well Han you must not think strong of not giting leters from mee for thar is no chans for leters to pass only by hand. I wold like to rite you a big leter but hant got but a few minets to go on. The Yanks has mity ny got us shut in and will soon hav the last atin gaffens put up and ( ) is all the chans for peas. Hun you and the children do the best you can. O how bad I do want to sea you all. Kiss all the children for mee. Sis and Babe kiss your ma for mee. Tel Bety I was proud to git her kind leter. I would rite to her but hant the time now but will the first chans. Tell her what I rote to her was so ar he sed so. I will hav to close as the man is redy to start. Rite ever chans. Giv my love to all. I saw Hill Jones the uther day. He was well. So good by sweet wife and children for this time.
D.C. Gregory to my wife M.A.G.

New England Mutual Life Ins. Co.
of Boston, Massachusetts
Charles D. Hill, General Agent
West Missouri & Kansas
Kansas City, Mo.
May 1, 1898

Mr. David A. Gregory:
My Dear Cousin
It is more than 2 months since I last wrote to you. And I have not heard from you. Well write again to inquire the cause of such delay. I hope you are well and wonder if the busy spring time is causing you to forget your far away cousin. I hope this is not the case for I certainly enjoy hearing from you. We are now beginning to have a little warm weather though we yet sleep under blankets. There was heavy rain last night and has rained the best part of today. It is now 3 oclock in the afternoon and it is brightening up a little. Looks as if the sun ( ). Well we have here in our city one regiment of soldiers. It is called the third Regiment. I think there is about one thousand or 12 hundred men in it and yesterday afternoon they were out on dress parade. They marched through the streets a rank five miles long. We went out and looked at them. They looked very nice. Though some of them looked sad. While some had pleased expressions on their faces. The Colonal of this regiment is a member of our church and lives only a few blocks away from us. They expect to be called out at any time now to go to Cuba. “oh” Cousin it makes my heart ache when I think of the desolate homes that may be made of this war now existing between us and Spain. For they are such a cold blooded and treacherous nation of people. As for my dear husband I trust he may not be called on to go and I am sure of one thing. He will not go until Uncle Sam says he must. Though there are several of our neighbors who have enlisted as volunteers. Most of them however are single men with no family depending on them. There have been hundreds and hundreds of soldiers passing through this city by rail R from other states all going south to be ready when called to Cuba. Well how is that new girl by this time. You did not write to tell me whether the name I selected was satisfactory or not. I should like to know about it. And how is my dear old Aunt? Hope she is enjoying good health. I should like so much to read a few lines from her. I received a letter from Mary Gregory a few weeks ago. Also hers and Roberts picture. I think she looks something like Aunt Mat and Roberts picture shows him to be very nice looking and something like his father. Mary asked for your address and I sent it to her. I suspect you have heard from her before this time if she got my letter. I suppose you people down in the sunny south are enjoying vegetables in plenty from your own gardens. We have a very small garden with only onions lettuce and raddishes planted in it. And they will not be large enough to eat for some time yet. Though they are plenty of vegetables and strawberries on the market. But they are rather expensive as yet. Though it will not be long now until such things will be shipped in here in such quantities that they will be cheap enough that almost every body can afford to eat them. The most of our strawberries which come in so early are shipped from Arkansas and Texas. The home grown berries will not come in for quite awhile yet. Now cousin I hope you will write soon as you get this as I am anxious to hear from you again. Love to Aunt and Cousins from your Cousin.
Mrs. C.G. Dietterich
3333 Garner Ave.
Kansas City, Mo.
(letter written to Mr. David A. Gregory DeLeon, Texas.)

Dr. A.K. Wier
Physician ans Surgeon
1181/2 Main St.
Ranger, Texas
January 17, 1947
Dear Mother Gregory:
Bless your dear heart it has been my job and privilege to have known you through a long period of years. Your patient, devout, and consecrated life, has been an inspiration to me, as well as the great host of people with whom you have come in contact.
Too bad folks like you, cannot stay with us indefinately, but if and when, you pass on, which we trust will be many years yet to come it should be a joy, and consolation to you to know that the ideals you have sponsored, the influence that has emanated from your life will live on to bless humanity.
We deem it an honor and a privilege to sign as
Your Friend,
Dr. A.K. Wier
(letter written to Grandma Gregory just before her death in Ranger, Texas by the family doctor for many years.)

Jena Tuscaloosa Co. Ala. — April 15, 1879
To Mrs. M.A. Gregory
Dear Sister and Family
I seat myself to answer your kind letter that came safe to hand and found all well. I hope this may go safe to hand and find you all enjoying the same blessing of life. This leaves all well as common. Faney health is better than it has bin in a long time. She is getting fat and sassy as a bobtail hen with one chicken. I fear I shall fail to interrest you in the way of news. We have five little goslings. One did have the stradels but it is better now. We have three hens a setting. ( ) a month. We have on little calf. We milk 2 cows. We get more milk and butter than we can use. We have a verry nice garden but the outworms is very bad. We had 2 hevey frost the 5 and 6 of April it kild all of the fruit and bit down the corn but it is coming out soon now. We had prayermeting and singing at the school house Sunday evening last the quarterly meeting will be at Flatwood the 26 & 25 of May. We have the same preacher. Dr. Corks is the presiding elder this year.
Bud Teir is at his home plase and well. I havent seen Lige since you left here. He is liven with Aunt Eatmen. Bud Gregory is move back to Drake Leavells. David Cork is liven at home getting agood prise. John Young is liven with Henry Thomas. Jimer Young is liven with Bud Morgan. Daniel Gregory is liven at Pegey Levels old place. Old Jhon Burten is liven with Levi Cork. Levi has got one of the finest colt I ever saw in my life. If it was mine I would not take one hundred dollars in gold. Andrew Leavell has a nise colt. Henry Teir has nice colt and Sanford Story will have one soon. Old Charley Burten about (built) a fine house. So you may lookout he has bin ( ) to see you for what I no. Little Miss says to tell sister Mat hoddy for her and she is as smart as ever and wants to see you. Well Alice Morrow has a fine boy. Sam and Marendia is married and liven with his Pa. They put up a house for (Besey) and is move to it but they air still liven together. Lee Wells is not married yet and De Bonds aint married. I aint sen the preacher to get your church letter since I recieved your letter. I will go to preaching to day April 20.
I have sad news to write you this morning. Hood Taylor had kild Joe Studeven. They maid friends at the grave and diden go a half mile before Hood stabed him thrug the hart. Jim Wells seen Hood before he got off of Joe. It is supposed it was in cold blood. Hood is in jail and I dont no some says that it will hang him. It is a bad thing. I aint got the time to give you but a fint (faint) ide (idea) of the truble it well cause his ( ) and the periclers of the scrape. Si will drop that subject. Ma wants to know if that woman liven close to Aunt Suckey whin she died and what was the matter with her and when she died and all about her. I have ( ) sell the balance or not. I sould (sold) your wheel (spinning wheel) and one bedsted and if I can get the money I will sell the wash pot and the table. I have sould it. I must bring my letter to a close. You must write soon and fail not. I remain yours untill death.
fan jain is sending our love to you all.
J.U. Cork to M.A. Gregory
A few lines to the boys
Buck Dave Simp I think of you often. We have a nice time in our debait. I no you would like to be here ( ) time. it will be interresting time. I expect you all has ciss (kiss) them girls to you look like a suggar key. Write soon and fail not. Tom Wash love rnfers capering a round the girls like they had a fride (fried) goos egg to thier heal and a cake of soap to thire nose. So I must close for this time. I remain as ever.
(Jermiah U. Cork?) to Buck Frankling, Dave Gregory, Simp Gregory
whin this you see
remember me
though many
miles a part
we be
V. G.

Marriage License and Certificate
Simpson Gregory
and
Mollie Singleton
issued Oct. 29, 1883
Married Oct. 31, 1883
License Recorded Oct. 31, 1883
on page 154 of Marriage record
G.M.E. Andrews, Circuit Clerk
State of Mississipi
Lafayette County.

Romulus, Ala.
Feb the 11, 1894
Mrs D. A. Gregory
My Dearest Aunt
it is with great pleasure that I take the opitirnity of righting you a few lines to see if I can hear from you one more time. Pas has written to you two or three times and has got nor answers yet. I would try and see if you would answer mine. Grandma fell last Feb the 13 1893 and broke her leg. She died Oct. the 21. Wee are living in sight of Pep Powell and cousen David Gregorys. Willie is living with Mrs. Dalla Park. Robert is living with Mr. T. Barten Taylor and Peps boys is to gether all the time. I weigh over ( ). I written to Cousen Mary Dietterich today. She was the one that told us where you was. We have had some wet weather it is raining here today. This is preaching day at Romulus. I did not go. We have preaching here 4 times one month. Cousen Sali Cork is dead and Cousen Simp is married again. He married Miss Alice Sealy. Me and Pa said to tell them what Cousen Simp (R.D.S. Gregory) and Cousen Lige. This leaves us all well and hope these few lines may find you all the same. Tell Cousen Dave and his wife to right. Well I will close for this time by asking you to right soon.
I remain as ever your loving niece.
Mary Gregory
(letter mailed from Romulus Ala Feb 14, 1894 to Mrs. M.A. Gregory, Denmark, Mississipi.)

C. G. DIETTERICH
Dealer in
Standard & Household Sewing Machines
Needles Oils & Parts for all Machines
Repairing all Kinds of Machines a Specialty
1023 E. 12th St.
Kansas City, Mo
The Standard Sewing Machine Company
Kansas City, Mo. December 13, 1893

My Dearest Aunt:
Your kind and very welcome letter of the 7th inst. came to hand in due time and don’t know how glad I am to think I can hear from you. And it would give me so much pleasure to see you once more. I am going to see how much it will cost to go from here to Oxford. And if I ever see the time that we can afford it and we are both yet alive I shall see you. I am very sorry to hear of Babes death. Where did she live in Texas and where does Bob live. I mean in what town or county and tell me do you ever hear from my poor mother’s children in Texas. I never hear from any of them. I have never written to any of the family since Ma died. You remember the Mrs. Cooper I lived with in Texas. Well she has buried two husbands and married a third one since I have been in this city. She is still in Texas. I hear from her quite often. She seems to think a great deal of me and I do the same of her. She was a good friend to me at a time when I needed one very badly, and I shall not forget her very soon. Well I have not heard from Uncle Dan since I last wrote to you. I fear he is sick. Well dear aunt you did not say anything about sending me your picture. Now I should be glad for anything if you would send me one of yours. Willie and Oscar are saving money to buy themselves a new suit of clothes and when they get them we will have our pictures taken and send to you.
(rest of letter to David A. Gregory)
Well cousin it is getting late and my husband has a very bad headache so I must close for this time and hope to hear from you soon and a long letter. What is your wife’s name and who was she before you married her. When you see Eliga and Simp give them my love and tell them to write to me. So good night and love to yourself and family. Kiss the children for me and take good care of Dear Aunt Mat from your Cousin.
Mollie E. Dietterich

April the 13 1897
Ma and Ginger
I will try to rite you all a few lines in answer to yours. This leaves all up but not well. Simp has not been well for some time but is better now. ( ) over has been having the chills ( ) have missed them several days ( ).
I hope this will find you well and enjoying yourselves. ( ) well as you was when you wrote last. I have no news to rite. Our garden looks very well ( ) chickens yet. I set 2 hens they both quit their nest so I have not tried it any more. I have 15 goose eggs to set. I have our old geese. I am glad you have such good neighbors to but they are not able to be as good as you ( ). You are so well (and write). I dont think I could ever be satisfied out there. I want good water to drink if I am scarce of something else. Ma, Bob has another daughter. Tell Effie Mary has got a mouth full of teeth. She can eat by her self. She is mity lively. Ma I wish you was out here this summer to stay with us. You could have a fine time. Mrs Spruil lives right in sight of me. She has said tell you howdy for her. Her boy is the finest boy you ever saw to his age. She said for you to ( ) with us Sunday. Mat Diskey ( ) the evening with me two weeks ago. You ought to be here. (Sat ? ) Morris and Cassey will both be ( ) the old baptise church. Mrs Spruil is flying around this ( ) you bet. Well, I will close. Hope to hear from you all soon.
as ever
Mollie (Mrs R.D.S. Gregory)
to Ma (Mrs D.A. Gregory)

Around the Throne
Around the Throne of God in heaven
ten thousand children stand
Children whose sins are all forgiven
a holy happy land
Its Chorus singing glory glory glory
be to God on high
What brought them to that world above
that heaven so bright and fair
Where all is peace and joy and love
have come those children there
Chorus
Because the Savior shed his blood to wash
away our sins
Bathed in that pure and precious blood behold
How white and clear
Chorus
On earth they sought the Saviours grace
on earth they loved his name
And now they see his blessed face and
stand before the Lord.
Chorus
Mr. Dave and Simp Gregory
(probably around the 1890’s)

Mr. D.A. Gregory
Dear Brother
I seat myself to rite you a few lines to let you hear from us. We are all rite to day but not well. The children is rite puny. Well I dont no nothing. You dont rite to me for I have looked fora letter so long till I have all most got ( ) a wart. And been uneasy. I saw Brother (Morris?) Sunday. He said you all was sick. ( ) When Brothers so much sweet there is so much better. Dave our prayer to God is to see you all again on earth.. Please come back for all we are promised is our bread and give me good cold water to wash it down with. We have a good school; three churches. Our nation is in peace……
Dave I think you better come back ——– you said you was not coming back. Such stance ( ) dont get mad at me for I think that it would be the best. I am done chopping cotton and have planted everything and have got five acres of corn ready to lay by. Ma I wish you was here. I know that the land is better there than it is here but the world is about on a balon. I drempt the other night that you all was coming back and I clapped my hands with joy. I know that you all would be broke up and lost. I try it going to Albame (Alabama) and no I can see futhur ahead than I ever was. In debt less than ever was and have had good luck all except last year. ( ). Well I must finish my letter. I feel so good tonight. I wish you all war hear tonight. I would feel so much better. Dave come back and let us rent Bill Harnble place. He is going to move to Paris and we can make a good trade with him. If you all have been sick you can come back. Rite to me if you cant to come back and you can come. You let me all make bad grampos buter ? ( ) said tell you to come back for he knows that you could make a good living here in joy it. Dave dont get mad with me for I have been so sinsy (sincere?) that I could not hardly stan it. Well rite to me and tell me what you are going to do ( ) told me I have been feeling bad so please rite to me and tell me what you think about it. Dont get mad at me for you know that I dont want to make you mad but want you back if you want to come. Well Ma Mrs. Sprill has got a big boy and she thinks she has got a fortune. Genger you and Ma must not think hard of me for trying to get Dave to come back for I believe that it would be best. Well must close for this time and if we never meet in this world no more I hope that we will meet on the sweet bank of sweet deliverance.
good bye brother, mother and sister sweet children and God bless you all till we meet again. br> R.D.S.G. to D.A. Ma and Genger and sweet children

( ) 1879
Dear Sister and family
I will try to write a few lines to let you hear from us. The Fred Whittle family is in toleerble health ( ) last march I can do my cooking and milking and ( ) and saich (such) as that most of my time but when we can get ( )
Mr. Sanders has it to do and Sister you know me well emough to know that that goes hard with me. ( ) You not long since ( ) was the first of the year. We was glad to hear from you and glad all ( ) that you had resoluition enough to get out to write. You can make something or get along in the world ( ) For the children be working themselves to death and making nothing. Now children be good boys and worke and I think your labor will make you something and Aunt Betty thinks of you all often and would be so glad to see you all once more. There was hardly a thing made hear this year. Nearly every body has their bread ( ) Also all the corn they can use there was such a heap. Well Sister I fell very bad and cant write much this time. I do want you to write often. I love to hear from you (hope) I don’t ( ) I can ( ) hear much longer for my ( ) has nearly worn me out. I must close. We all (join in love) to yourself. Write soon and often to your brother and sister and children.
G. W. and M.E. Sanders and children.
Dear Niece and family I will try to write a few lines to let you know I have not forgotten you. I was glad to hear from you ( ) was well. You did not say anything about Mr. Morris. I am at a loss to know whether he is liveing or not and you did not tell me your child’s name. Well Babe I do wish I could see you one more time. The children says tell you Santa Claus filled their stockings full of candy apples and oranges and shirga (sugar) cakes and Hiram a knife and (Miney) a little ( ). Write soon and often to your aunt Betty. Kiss the baby for me.
To Babe Morris (or Norris)

September 26, 1876
Dear Sister
I seat myself this lonesome to answer your kind letter wheech we recieved yesterday. We was glad to hear that you was all well. This leaves us all about as well as common. I have had the worst riseing in my breast it is better now. Mr. Sanders is not at home today. He is at the Drs. hauling for him in payment of our Dr. bill. He halled a lowd of lumber from town yesterday and I recon will hal an other load tomorrow. We have a good wagon and two splendid horses. So he can make more with them than just with his own hands. We all got in the wagon and went to see poor little (Buddys?) grave last Sunday week and if every thing suits I want to go again next Sunday. It is some satisfaction. The grave yard is about half a mile from hear but my health is so that I cant walk there or I would visit oftener. I will send you some of his hair if I dont for get it. It is just at times that I can collect my mind enough to write a letter in any sence. If I did not have one of the best husbands in the world I would have bin intirely insain. ( ) you have to live so disatisfied. I hope ( ) Levy Cork makes is the best chance that could ever she expected. I (wish) you was near us. Sister I would be so glad to see you. Give my best love to Babe and tell her I want to see her so bad. Tell Davy and Simpy not to forget Aunt Betty for me. I will never forget them. O that I could see you all one more time. Tell cousen (Mollie) God love her I have not forgotten her. I would be so glad to see her and talk to her again. When you write again tell us all the news about the kind old neighbor. Where Brother Dan is and how he is getting on and Sis and Bud and Elige Cousen Wil’ (William) and Kenady and children and how many children brother Dan has and wish I would like to see Babes boy. Tell Babe I think of haveing a mess of butter beans tomorrow. I wish she was hear to help me eat them. She used to love them so good. The poor little children apear so lone some since they lost their Buddy. They cant hardly stand for me to be at any thing that they have to be away from around me. I will have to quit for awhile and keep them company. Poor little things thay appear the worst lost children I most ever saw. So lose and lonesome (D ) says to tell Aunt Mat that she is smart girl. She washes the dishes and dryes them and puts them away and sweps the floor for mama and help her mama a heap. Her and Hiram is geting up cheps (wood chips) and trash for ma to make a fier (fire) to cook super and breakfast. Sister when you write again tell me if Mollie writes to you and if she does if she says anything about Ma or any of the family. My Mollie could any body that knew of my troubles wander about it. If I were to loose my mind little Hiram heard (Dwmif?) talking about Mollie (to me) Poor (Billie) way yoner (twme) home (Billie) poor mamas Dick he means sick and poor sister Dick and poor Papa Dick and poor baby Dick. He puts us all on the sick list he ( ) is so much like Buddy had when he was little. Tel me where Mrs. Taylor is living and wher Cal & Bindy, Jorry and Faney and how large there familys is and Mary H. (Hoffman?) is still living with Aunt Elizabeth and where Ibbey Cork is living. Write soon and give us all the news. I quit till nite when Mr. Sanders comes he may want to write some or have some news more than I think of now. Corn sells for 25 cents a bushel hear. Tell us what it is worth there. Sister if Ben Well is about there or if he is not tell or write to him ask if he can pay us the money he owes us we would be glad he would so so for we are needing in very bad. We have a large Dr. bill to pay and besides that I am in such a state of health that the Dr. bill is continously going on. Try and pay us if he can. We have waited a long time for it. Sister write soon as you get this. We ar hear yet but I dont know for how long we will be. Your letter was written the 15th and we got it the 25th. I must close. Mr. Sanders will soon be ready to start to town. Give our love to all endearing friends and accept a large ( ) your selfs. Tell Babe to rite to us.
G. W. & M. E. Sanders to M. A. Gregory
Dear Nephews I will write a few lines to you in answer to the one you written to me. I was glad to get your letter from my Dear little nephews that I always loved so dearly but I sould be a heap prouder to see you. Your Ma says that those you work for like you so well. I am glad you ar such good boys. You must take good care of your ma in her old age and afflections and dont turn again her and think more of see others as some other children do. Remember Aunt Betty and Uncle Wash. So far well Dear children for this time. Write to us for we love you.
M.E. Sanders to D. & S.G.
(to Uncle Dave and Grandpa (R.D.S. Gregory)

Mr. D.A. Gregory
Dear Brother
I seat myself to answer your letter which I just recieved. Was glad to hear from you and to hear that you all was well. Well I have no news that would interest you. We are all up but not very well. I have been nearly down for two weeks but better now. The children is punny. I hope this will find you all well. Well I guess you are having corn by this time. I have ten acres of corn planted and planting my cotton today. It has been raining six weeks nearly all the time. There is lots of people that has not plowed a furrow yet. Dave tell me what horses and cows is worth out there. I have a good mare and cow one heiffer and three steers and them all paid for but I feel ( ) last year on the account of sickness and bad crops. I dont know whether I will ever hear the owls holler or not. I am about ninty dollars in debt now. So you see I have a tough pill to take but about sixty five dollars is last years debt but I aim to try by the help of the Lord to pay it all. I have had many trials and troubles since you left but God has blessed me and sparred me and family so far. I want to see you all mity bad. I could talk all night and not get tired. We think all the trash will come there this fall. Jim Spruille, John Maner, Brother Box, John Keel, Sam McCord, Jessie McCord, Joe Palmer has all got the Texas Fever and I dont know how many more. Me and Bob Singleton is going to enlarging pictures. Tell me what you think we could do out there. We can enlarge from one dollar and a half to three dollars and put them in frames.
Well Ma I will try to rite you a few lines. I wish I could see you. I wish you would come out here this summer and stay with us awhile. ( ) sick all we ( ) want to the ( ) hear that you are so well satisfied I wish I was but I recon I never will be without I could get to Texas or some other place where I could make a living without working so hard. Dave I want you to rite me a letter and tell me if you think I could do ( ) even plowing. He can plow right well. The children talks a heap about you all. They want to see you all mity bad. Well I will close. Rite soon and let me hear from you. as ever
Simp to Ma and Dave and family.
Mr. Dave Gregory
Dear friend
I will rite you a few lines to let you hear from me. This leaves me well. Hope it will find you the same. Well I have no news to rite only hard times but that is nothing new to me it may be to you. I am ( ) creek ( ) runs through my pasture. Do you have anywhere to fish out there. If you was here you could go to the church every Sunday if you wished and not have to walk over a mile. We have a good Sunday at our new church. Tell the children I want to see them ( ) Texas can here if you do ( ) well come before always. So I will close hoping to hear from you soon.
As ever your friend
John Maner