SC Civil War Letter (19th SC Inf/3rd Battn. SC Light Arty (Palmetto)by Ron Skellie

Thought someone may have an interest in the SC units.

A copy of the transcription of the original letter, from Jell Turner April 11th 1863 to his friend G.W. Howard, that was offered for sale at an Atlanta, GA antique show, Jan.2, 2005 was obtained by my friend, Linda Sermon, for my review. Knowing my interest in preserving history, she looks for Civil War era letters for me so that we can make sure that the letters are not lost to future researchers after a sale.

The letter was not identified as to unit or state of the addressee so it was a little challenging to make the connection. A cursory review of the letter revealed that the likely home state was South Carolina (Charleston and Edgefield Counties). The regiment was part of the Army of Tennessee stationed at Shelbyville, Tenn. in April as well as the artillery unit. In addition companies of the artillery unit took part in actions around Charleston and were engaged at Vicksburg so the identification of the men named in the letter was narrowed down. Since I am a familiar with SC, having many relatives from SC who fought for the Confederacy, and the letter comes from a time when the SC men and my Brigade from Mississippi shared common territory, I decided to give it a try.

The Soldiers and Sailors system reveals that there were three people who could be the names mentioned in this letter and all were in units stationed at Shelbyville in April 1863 with Manigault’s Brigade.

The letter writer is one of the following men (Most likely all the same man, nickname could be Jell for JL):
1. Pvt. J. Turner Co. A 3rd Battn. SC Light Arty (Palmetto)
2. Pvt./2nd Lt. J. E.Turner Co. A, H, I 3rd Battn. SC Light Arty (Palmetto)
3. Pvt. J. J. or J.L. Turner Co. E 3rd Battn. SC Light Arty (Palmetto)

The other three people mentioned in the letter and the addressee, G.W. Howard were all from the 19th Regt. SC Infantry (Co B and C)
1. Alfred Heart is most likely Corp. Alfred Hart, Co. C 19 Regt. SC (CSR roster states he died in April 1863, Shelbyville, TN.)
2. George Hall is most likely Corp./Pvt. George L. Hall, Co. B 19th Regt. SC.
3. G.W. Howard is most likely George W. Howard Corp Co. B 19th Regt. SC (Looks like George was home on furlough or had received a discharge or could possibly be serving with another company in the Charleston area). [Possibly: Pvt. George W. Howard of Capt. Walter's Co. (Washington Art'y) South Carolina Lt. Art'y.]. The letter indicates that all the men had been together at one time at Shelbyville. In addition there was a possible relative of G.W. Howard, G.C. Howard (2nd Lt.) who served in the 3rd Battn Light Arty Co K).

This transcription is from the copy and has not been compared to the original so I cannot verify all aspects of the transcription. The owner of the letter did not identify himself so we cannot follow up at this time.

“Camp near Shelbyville, Tenn
April 11th 186

Mr. G.W. Howard

Dear Friend,
I take the present opportunity of writing you a few lines according to promise. This leaves all the family in perfect health and I hope to find you and your family in a like condition. I have no news to write to you at this time and therefore you must not expect a long letter from me at this time. Everything seems to quiet along our front row and no sign of an immediate attack but one may come off at any time as we always keep on the alert for fear that the enemy might accidentally take us on a surprise. We have information that the fight so long pending of the City of Chaleston has at last commenced and I hope that success will crown the efforts of our brave boys stationed at that place. I wish that we were there. I think that we could hold our hand with the Yankees but we are all confident of success at this point. I think that Charleston is one of the most impregnable cities that we have in the Confederacy save Vicksburg. A letter came for you today from Charleston and we broke it open thinking that we would hear something of the fight. George Hall broke it open and no one read it but him. I heard today that the fight had ended and that the Yanks had got badly whipped. God grant that it may be true. We don’t get much to eat now as we did when you were here but we occasionally get something by the sleight of hand. You must write tome and let me hear all the news in old Edgefield and tell me how the gals are getting on. Alfred Heart is very sick and they say that he is dying. Give my love to all the girls and all enquiring friends if any. All of the boys send their respects to you. George Hall says that he has written to you and he don’t intend to write again until you answer it. Nothing more. Write soon. Yours Truly,
Jell(?) Turner”

Hopefully this letter and the brief research I have done will lead to more detailed records and help a relative solve a genealogical roadblock.

Ron Skellie
2285 Brandon Ct. NE
Marietta, GA 30066

Research Project:
Lest We Forget-The Immortal Seventh Mississippi. Regimental History of the 7th Regt. Miss. Inf., Mississippi High Pressure Brigade, Army of Tennessee. The story as told by the men and boys of the regiment, their families and all their “connections”.