Voices That Frequently Can No Longer Be Heard.




etters and diary entries form a non-traditional segment of oral history. Letters and diary entries are a primary source material, that is they were written at the time an event occurred. They tell us much about the past, in voices that frequently can no longer be heard. The following letters are from a collection donated to the Montgomery County Historical Society in 1976. The letters were written in 1855 and 1864 and were sent to residents of Miamisburg, Ohio. Susan Keller, of Woodville, Mississippi wrote the two letters from 1855 to Phoebe Richardson, her sister, concerning a yellow fever epidemic and the death of Richardson's son from yellow fever. The letter dated May 1, 1864 is also written from Woodville by William Keller to his aunt, Phoebe Richardson concerning the death of another of Mrs. Richardson's sons. The last letter was written "from the field near Acworth, Georgia" following a battle during the Civil War. Captain A.J. Eminger, a Miamisburg resident writes to a Mrs. Coleman, also of Miamisburg, to relate to her that her husband, Nelson Coleman is missing following a battle and is presumed dead. Through research in the Roster of Ohio Soldiers it has been determined that Coleman was killed on May 27, 1864 during the battle of Dallas, Georgia. These letters have not been edited for grammatical errors, but have been transcribed 'as written.'

Woodville, Oct 3rd /55

My Dear Sister,

I scarcely know how to commence writing as it is always painful to me to communicate sad news. The yellow fever made its appearance here the first part of Sept. The Doctor advised all who wished to escape having it to leave town, a great many did leave. Your son John and family, among the rest left town, but poor Ephriagm would not go, but chanced to stay at John's house with those that remained. Little August whom you are acquainted with, staid with him. Ephriagm said he expected to have it, and spoke to Lila Leach, a coulered woman (you know her) to wait on him when he should be sick. He was taken last Saturday morning. Sent for Doct Holt one of the best Doct's we have, the Doct told my son William soon after he was taken that he thought his care very doubtful, as he had Chronic Diarrhea. He died last evening at 9o'clock PM Oct 2 and was interred this morning in the graveyard at half past 9 o'clock near to his dear Unkle. My son William staid with him as much as he could he saw that he had men to sit up with him who could be depended on. Lila faithful woman done all it was possible for her to do, he was sick only four days. He lay in Johns room on a good feather bead and fire all the time in the room. He seamed to have some presentment[?] of his death, he told Mr Crist that he expected to die that life was not desirable to him that he was so much afflicted, he told Ann the Servant before he was sick that he wished to be buried in a new suit of Broad Cloth cloths it was done as he wished. While he was sick he sent for the Presbyterian Minister to pray with him the minister went but what he said I have not heard, he was told by his friends to pray he said he did pray.

I hope his sins were all forgiven and him saved, through the Merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. I wanted to see hem but the Doct will not let a Yellow Fever patient see any one one that would excite them in the least. I came very near losing my youngest son Henry, he was violently attacked, there was but little hope for him for some time, but it pleased the good Lord to spare him this in the eleventh day. He is now able to sit up a little. There has been about sixty cases and ten or twelve deaths, there are a good many more still to have it mostly young men with whom it goes the hardest. Oh what a dreadful fever it is, the patient dies generally after the fever seams to have left them that is the critical period. It is heart rending to read the accounts from all the Citys of the distress, sickness and death that prevails, there is nothing thought of but attending the sick, it spreads in the Country as well as in town. (It is the Lord) May the people humble themselves under his mighty hand.

My Dear sister I beg of you not to grieve for your dear son as one without hope. I trust that he has gone home to Heaven, far from a world of affliction and sorrow. May the Lord be with you to comfort and support you under this deep affliction.

Remember me affectionately to
all my relatives, and believe
me your affectionate sister
Susan A Keller

Woodville November 17th

My Dear Sister,

I rec'd your letter on the 14th inst and should have answered it the next day, but I wanted to learn all tha particulars that you wished to know. I had seen Lila Leach, and talked with her before, but I sent for her and read your letter to her it affected her very much. She said Ephriam never mentioned your name but once, he told her when he saw her walking about the room it put him in mind of his mother as she is large and fleshy, but Lila said she would not say any thing to him about home, for fear of exciting him. She said before he was taken sick he talked about dieing and said he was not affraid to die. And after he was taken sick the minister called to see him with the Doctor, and after they were gone he enquired who he was and when he was told, he said, was it Brother Beach why I did not know him, I wish I had, I should like to talk to him the next morning Lila asked him if he would like to see Mr. Beach he said send for him, he was there directly, and asked him if he wished to have prayr he said he did, and after kneeling by the bed and praying fervantly for him, the minister asked him if he heared him pray, he said he did, he told him to look to the Savior and pray for him self he said I do. After that he talked but little, as he appeared sleepy. I saw John last Saturday he came in town in the middle of the day but did not stay long he thought about bringing his family home but he said all his friends advised him not to return until we had colder weather, he is in fine health, he talked a great deal to me about his brother, sheding tears while he talked, John loved his Brother he said he tried to get him to leave town by the said he would rather stay and take care of the house he was not affraid.

John said there was a great change in him from the time he came from N'orleans he never used a bad work or any thing of the kind, but appeared to be entirely a different person. I was glad to hear it, as it is in health we should prepare for eternity, but I have no doubt of his salvation, for none ever came to Christ and was cast [?] away. O no; He says come unto me and be ye saved and again; God so loved the world as to give is only begaten son, that who so ever believeth in Hime, might not perish, but have everlasting life. Are not the Scriptures full of exciting great and precious promices.

I have just seen your son John again, he is in fine health, I gave him your letter to read he wept very much, he told me to tell you that he wrote to you the next day after his brothers death, he thought he would come home next week, but I beged him no to come till we had more cold weather he said he would take my advice.

The Yellow fever still lingers here there has been two or three cases every week or two or three weeks past and what appears more strange they are those who have been here all through the summer and to have it so late, but it is not in the atmosphere. I think some do not air their houses as they aught after they have had fever in them.

Lila brought me a lock of your sons hair which she was so thoughtful as to save for you, which I enclose.

I trust the good Lord will give you the consolation of his Holy Spirit, and enable you to bare up under your deep affliction, comfort you in all time of trial, and when your work is done may you receive a crown of life and be reunited with the loved ones that have gone before. And if we should never meet on earth I trust we shall meet in Heaven.

Your sister
Susan A Keller

Remember me to all our relatives and in particular Sister RL

I cliped a peace from the N'orleans Delta, which gives a faint idea of the many sorrowing ones, who have been derived of loved ones who died of Yellow fever.

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Woodville, Oct 3rd /55

Mrs. P. Richardson,
My dear Aunt,

You will think it strange to receive a letter from me; A painful duty devolves upon me- it is to acquaint you with the death of your only, beloved and affectionate son, John Richardson. Had he died at home of some disease, surrounded by his beloved wife and kind friends, I would not regret so much as I do, to inform you of his decease. He was charged by some person with having given information and pilotted the Yankees in their raid on this place on the 14th of February last, and upon this rumor was arrested and conveyed to the camp of a Col. Dillon, about 30 miles from here, where the heartless commander refused giving your son any opportunity of rebutting the circumstantial evidence against him (which he could have abundantly disproved) and was ordered by this scoundrel of a Colonel, devoid of principle and humanity- without the shadow of law, civil or military, to be taken in hand by two of his hireling tools, conveyed to a distance of twenty miles from his camp, and then and there murder him.
Alas! The scoundrels were faithful in obeying their master's directions to the very letter. They started with your son, held out inducements that they would release him for a sum of money and allowed him to stop and borrow $800 from Mrs. Talbert, an old acquaintance in Amite Co. He then had $1000 in Confederate money. They went only a few miles further, when they carried their horrid design into execution, robbed him of his money and hid his body in the woods.

His affectionate wife, at whose request I write you this letter, searched diligently to fin some tidings from her dear husband. She traveled all over the country, in vain. After six weeks had expired a citizen, who was out hunting, discovered the body in a mutilated condition, and immediately word was sent here. His devoted wife as soon as she heard the dreadful news (for which she had become prepared) started for the place 30 miles distant, and returned with the remains of what was once a noble, kind, benevolent, true-hearted, affectionate man, - in whose heart pulsated the best of feelings towards all mankind- who was ever ready to do a friend a favor, no matter when or where. The day after the arrival of his corpse, he was followed to the grave by numerous friends and citizens, and the Order of Odd Fellows, and was buried with the honors of the Order.

Your son is not the only victim of this cruel monster who for several months held swey over this portion of the country. Men were arrested upon the statement of only one person, who might probably be an enemy. They were then brought before this Col. Dillon, who would have them taken to some out of the way place by two or three of his men, then brutally murdered and left as a "prey to the wild beasts of the field and the birds of the air." No less than 10 or 15 men have been slaughtered in this way.

Thank God! One of the murderers of Cousin John has met with speedy justice. He was shot down by some of our citizens. There was only two men with Cousin John, and he was murdered by the two- one of these has received his deserts, and I trust the other one and this Col. Dillon will soon meet a like fate. If there is an avenging God above, and I know there is one, He will bring these murderers to an early accountability, their days are few and short- their life will be a horrid one, and some evil will surely befall them.

Cousin Sarah has three sons, Ben, Willie and John- the last is about two years old. They are all well and in good health; and have plenty left to support them if some misfortune does not befall their property.

My youngest brother is in the Virginia Army. My other brother C.E. Keller is now at home. He was in the service for about a year. I have never been in the army. I have been exempt from military duty. Andrew J. Kellar is a Colonel in the Confederate Army. He is not now in the field, his health not being good, but is the commandant of a few counties in Georgia, his duty being to pick up deserters. My mother is still living and in good health, so is Aunt Lucinda. Two of her boys- the youngest, Fred and Jacob are in the Army.

I have given you all the particulars of the death of your dear son. I hope God will temper the affliction to you; we are not without hope that we will meet him again in the land of the blessed, if we prove faithful to the commands of our Lord and Master.

Hoping this letter may reach you safely, I remain your nephew

Wm. J. Kellar

P.S.- I would like to know whether you receive this letter. Write me a few lines, and direct your letter on the outside to Overton Bell, Fort Adams Miss. care of gunboat opposite said place, and I will be sure to receive said letter.

Wm J Kellar

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In the field near Acworth, Ga.
June 7th 1864

Mrs. Coleman,

You have perhaps heard ere now that your husband was severely if not Dangerously wounded and left on the field in the Battle of May 27th. As I had no opportunity to write to you before now I mentioned it in a few lines to my wife and told her to inform you.

He was wounded while nobly doing his duty and as none of the men are allowed to take off any wounded men and the Hospital Corps had more than they could do at the time- he was left on the field and fell into the hands of the enemy when we were compelled to fall back after fierce Battle of 3 or 4 hours duration for want of support. We went over the field after the enemy evacuated and went to the spot where he lay expecting to find a grave near by. We were disappointed and there is a possibility of him being alive still and in the Rebels hands. It was noticed in many instances when our men fell that they were burried on the spot, and from this I infer that he may still be living. Hope it may be so.

Nelson proved to be an excellent soldier and did his duty well. He fought Gallantly at Buzzard Roost and Resacca and here received his wound on the front lines. Should he never return home, you have the consolation of knowing that he died in a noble enterprise and doing his whole duty.

If I can do anything for you concerning this let me hear from you and I will use my utmost endeavors.

Very truly yours
A.J. Eminger
Capt Co. E 93rd OVI

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