Palmetto Sharpshooters & 9th South Carolina Infantry - Wounded 3 times

Item CON-65

Description

Original Civil War dated, 4 page Confederate letter written in period ink from James C. McKinney of the 9th South Carolina Infantry and the 1st Palmetto Sharpshooters.

Centreville, Va. Feb. 26th, 1862

My dear Sister

Your kind and most welcome letter came duly to hand and I was very glad in all to hear that you were all well. This leaves me in good health. I received a letter 3 days ago from Donald stating that he was improving very fast and expects to return to camp soon, he is at Charlottesville Hospital under the care of Dr. Edward Rembent who he says is very kind and attentive to him. I wrote to him to remain at the Hospital until he was extremely well. I am in hopes that you all have received my letter which I wrote about the 10th or 12th inst. I would have answered Janey’s letter but I was waiting to hear from Donald before I answered her letter. I have sent a letter to Father by Capt. Colelaugh who left here on the 19th inst. I was in hopes of getting off on furlough about the 20th of March but Gen Johnston has countermanded the order for giving furloughs, so I do not know when I will get off. Things here are somewhat in confusion and it is rumored that the Army of the Potomac will fall back soon. I do not know where we will fall back to. There is no point to fall back to except Richmond. It is evident that there is some plan of movement on foot with the Army. We are now under gen. Johnston. Gen Beauregard is in Kentucky at Columbus where I expect there will be a desperate fight soon. Gen. Beauregard will hold Columbus at all hazards. I suppose you have heard of our defeat at Fort Donelson, Tenn. It is a heavy loss on our side but we have by no means despaired but to the contrary have made us all more determined. A great many of the men have reenlisted and determine to fight it out before they ever lay down their arms. Nearly all the men from our neighborhood have reenlisted – among the number is myself. I see that there is no other chance in the world but to stick to it until the war is decided. Nothing can be made at home & even if there was I could not stay at home satisfied. I expect to get a furlough and come home at an earlier day as possible it may be that furlough will be granted again by this March.
Tell Father that if the Blockade is not lifted by some foreign powers by the 1st day of April that he had better plant all corn & provisions as anything in the provisions will sell well. The Government will buy everything of the kind at the highest prices and for cash. There will be a great demand for provisions next year. Bacon will be very high & so will corn. The government will consume a great deal and it will be scarcer too as Western Va. & Eastern & Northern Va. has made nothing in the way of provisions last year. Donald has not reenlisted and I shall prevail on him not to reenlist so that he rest sufficient to recruit himself entirely and to go to school six months. That is what he is trying to save his money for, to go to school six months. He is also under age. I must now close by sending much love to all the family.

Your Devoted Brother,
James C. McKinney

P.S. – Tell Janey I am very glad that Ma is saving some potatoes for me when I come home. I have not had any this season.