“we are not all ded yet”

July 4, 2024

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I thought as I was a lone to night I would write you a few lines to let you know that we are not all ded yet

Y ears ago I came into possession of a letter written in 1862 by Francis P. Black, a Lieutenant in the 10th Alabama Infantry, to a Miss Evey (Eveline) Johnston back in White Plains, Alabama. Black was a 26-year-old single farmer, originally from South Carolina, when he enlisted in the 10th Alabama in 1861. He belonged to Company H, known as the "Choccolocco Rifles", made up of men primarily from Calhoun County, Alabama.

Though according to the 1860 Federal Census Francis Black’s family was wealthy, he was not a particularly well-educated man. His idiosyncratic spelling makes for challenging reading. It’s unclear whether he had romantic intentions towards Eveline Johnston, who was about 20 at the time, but he obviously considered her a good friend.

Camp of the 10th Regt ala Vols
Near Manassas Junction, va

Januery the 1st / 61 [probably written by mistake, instead of 62]

Miss Evey

As this is the beginin of a new year I thought as I was a lone to night I would write you a few lines to let you know that we are not all ded yet. well Chrismus is over and passed and I asshoure you that I havent saw much funn. Still I have injoyed it a grat deell better than I expected for we have hade sevral dances scence chrismus set in, and just befoure it came on the yankees played of a pretty good trick off on the w[?] but I hope that we will be abel to meet them a gain we lost sevral of our boys that day killed on the feild and quite a number wounded our wounded boys are all geting a longe very well at this time except H.C. Sprincels he is very bade and I think will die in a short time. I came out safe and sound and I begin to think know that I was not made for the yankees to kill. I heard to day that you all have hade sevral partes their lately. I would like to have bin their to have spent a few hours with you but the best of friends have to part some time, we are all very bissey now bilden our hauts to live in during the winter and when we get them completed we are goin to give a party and give you all an invatation and I hope you will all attend. The boys are all well and injoyen them selves the best they can. Give my respects to all inquiring friends and for your self my best regards. Miss Evey if this is agrebel with you please let me hear from you soon for it tis a grate plesure to me to get a few lines frome a [?] friend. your friend as every

F.P. Black

"Letter, Page 1"
F.P. Black to Miss Evey Johnston, page 1
"Letter, Page 2"
F.P. Black to Miss Evey Johnston, page 2

The engagement mentioned in this letter is the Battle of Dranesville, VA, Dec. 20, 1861. The wounded man called "H.C. Sprincels" seems to be Private William H. Sprinkles of Co. H, 10th Alabama, who received a gunshot wound to the knee at Dranesville and died Jan. 16, 1862. He was a 24-year-old farmer, also born in South Carolina. The letter seems to be dated Jan. 1, 1861, but both the location of the regiment and the mention of the battle indicate that it was 1862, and Black wrote a "1" by mistake.

Black mentions building huts because the army had presumably settled into winter quarters. It was difficult for the armies to campaign during the winter months due to bad weather and even worse roads. Anticipating a long stay in one place, the soldiers would build semi-permanent structures so they could live more comfortably than in a tent.

"Winter quarters"
Culpeper, Va. "Manassas, Virginia. Confederate winter quarters"

Francis Black was later promoted to Captain of Co. H, and was killed at Turkey Ridge during the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia on June 6, 1864. He was about 29 years old. Whatever Eveline Johnston's feelings for him might have been, she held onto his letter, and so it got saved for posterity.

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