Excerpts from Letters by Confederate Soldiers

Jennifer S. Mansfield, "Yours Fraternally Until Death:Confederacy and his faith in God. In Sam's letter of
The Civil War Letters of the Brothers Love," EastOctober 14, he paints a grim picture of the Battle of
Texas Historical Journal, vol. XXXVIII (2000), 53-70.ThisCorinth, Mississippi on October 3-4, 1862.The brothers'
article is a series of excerpts from letters written byletters reflect many changes that the Confederate
four brothers who served in the Civil War for theArmy went through, such as the enactment of the
Confederacy. Jennifer Mansfield uses the letters toConscription Act and the increasing concern over
offer insight into the personal experiences and feelingsdesertion which led to execution of the deserters. Not
of four Texas soldiers. The brothers, Cyrus, Sam, John,all the letters were depressing though. In the winter of
and James, represent a range of human emotions:1863, Sam describes the warm welcome the ladies of
optimism, courage, weariness, patience, and resignationTennessee gave to his regiment. He expresses his
during their tour of duty.Twenty-nine year old Cyrushopes that soon Union soldiers would be driven back
Love was the eldest son of a Limestone Countynorth, and the South could live in peace.This same
farmer; he was working as a schoolteacher at thewinter, James wrote the two letters that comprised his
start of the Civil War. He volunteered in theentire war correspondence. In his letters, he is very
Confederate army in August 1861, and he joined thepessimistic and weary of the war. He states he has
Seventh Texas Infantry, Company G. The other threenot been in battle and does not wish to be. James also
brothers, twenty-three year old Sam, nineteen year oldrequests that he be replaced with a substitute. On
John, and twenty-four year old James, enlisted in theJune 12, 1863, Cyrus wrote to tell his family of James'
Sixth Texas Cavalry in September 1861, but theydeath, but no mention is made of his cause of death. In
would become separated later.In late 1861, the brothers'June 1863, Sam wrote to counsel the youngest brother
letters reported hardships, but remained optimistic andRobert to stay at home and not enlist in the army, as
dedicated to the Southern cause. In his letter ofRobert was anxious to do. However, Robert did join
December 1, 1861, Cyrus reiterates his determination tothe army sometime in 1864. Cyrus was killed in action
remain in the army as long as he is needed. The winterin October 1863.Mansfield concludes the article by
of 1861-62 was very difficult for the soldiers, since theybriefly describing the brothers' lives after the war.
lacked adequate clothing, food, and medical care.Robert Love held a variety of public offices, such as
Cyrus' company lost twenty-three men to illness alone.deputy sheriff, sheriff, United States marshal, and state
In a letter from James, his repeated requests for foodcomptroller. He was assassinated by an ex-employee
from home shows how the soldiers wereon June 30, 1903. John Love survived the war to
underfed.Sam's first experience in battle, which wasbecome sheriff of Limestone County, with brother
with a force of Creek Indians, shows the commonRobert his deputy. John was killed by escaped
opinion of Indians at that time. Sam compares them toprisoners as he was transporting them from
animals, such as a dog, a wolf, and a turkey. Cyrus'Shreveport to Limestone. Sam was the only brother to
first battle was at Fort Donelson on February 15, 1862.live a full life; he passed away at the age of
He was wounded early in the battle, and this savedseventy-four in Fort Worth, Texas.Mary Arnold
him from being taken prisoner with most of hisgraduated from University of Houston-Clear Lake with
regiment when the Confederates at the forta B.A. in literature and history.She is an author on which
surrendered to Union troops. Cyrus' letter of June 14,is a site for Writers.
1862 demonstrates his commitment to the