“Dear Martha ..."Alexander Faulkner Fewell letters

[SCTiger]

Re: “Dear Martha ..."Alexander Faulkner Fewell letters

Greg and everybody:

I am still in contact with Mr. McKintosh and hopefully will see a new book in 2008, I also went to the South Carolina Confederate Relic and procured these photos:

The first one is of former Governor-Colonel John Hugh Means, who was killed leading the 17th SC at Second Manassas.

Middle photo is of Private Henry Allen Coleman (left), who died of wounds on June 3, 1863 and was also present at Second Manassas on August 30, 1862.

His brother, (right) Sergeant Major Robert Charles Coleman, who drowned on John's Island on June 6th, 1862. The brothers are from the Fairfield District.

This is the only photo I have ever seen of any 17th Regiment Confederate soldiers in uniform, it was probably taken in Charleston in December of 1861.

Right photo is of Benjamin Franklin Coleman of Co. A 17th SC, he died of disease on October 28th, 1862.

All photos are courtesy of Mr. John Bingham and the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room, all copyrights reserved.

[SCTiger]

Re: “Dear Martha ..."Alexander Faulkner Fewell letters

Let's continue, I found another copy of the book:

(Letter #104)

Entrenchments Petersburg

Thursday Nov 3rd 1864

Dear Martha--I rec'd John Wm. & your letter on Tuesday and you write that that you are expecting to be Sick before it would Reach me. Oh how I wish to know how you are to day. I Can Scarcely See how to write for when I think of your situation I can't keep the tears out of my Eyes. My feelings I shant pretend to describe. I do my duty mechanically not that I am thinking what I am doing for my mind is at home. I think of you al the time, day and night [except] only when I sleep. Our situation here is rough but I never think of that for that has to be so. We are still in the rear lines It commenced raining yesterday and every thing is wet & muddy & no chance to write--Thos. is well in bodily health as usual but has a verry sore mouth. I got him to the hospital this morning until his mouth got well. It is a disease now prevailing in camp. I think it Caused by eating so much salt provisions & no Vegetables and lying out at night--I received a letter from Sister Mary Ann yesterday by Mr. Allen. (370)
She says all are well and that She is getting along verry well. I want to write to her but don't know when I will have the Chance--I went to see Dan on Tuesday & tried on his coat. It fits me better than my own. It is a little longer in the sleeves & skirt than mine but does verry well--I have got no oil cloth. I sold that ham of meat for $70.00 which will buy me an overcoat & his oil cloth when I can find them for Sale. I am glad to hear that pa thinks we will make Corn enough to do for us I want you to have planty to eat & health and I can be better satisfied...

[an incomplete letter written by A. F. Fewell]

370-From note 341, Allen is a member of the 17th SC, but his exact identity is unknown.

It would appear that Robert Thomas (Tom) May was suffering from the onset of scurvy.

[btfire]

Re: “Dear Martha ..."Alexander Faulkner Fewell letters

To all who enjoyed these letters, the balance of the letters are posted on the Tramp Brigade website. They are currently available to view as a PDF. You must rotate them 90 degrees left, sorry....

[SCTiger]

Supplies issued to the 17th SC.

Some requisitions relating to the 17th SCV while in-state in 1863 and 1864. I will post more of these special requisitions as I find them:

Invoice of Ordnance Stores:
issued by Beaty, Capt. Comdg. Acting Q. M. 17 SCV and for transportation to James Island, SC, May 13, 1863 from Secessionville by Lieut. W. W. Leagre :

1 Rifle Musket
19 S. B. muskets
13 Cartridge boxes
18 Cap Boxes
50 Canteens, Tin
11 Sabre bayonets
11 Sabre bayonet scabbards
7 shoulder belts
8 waist belts
12 knapsacks


Green Pond: 8 March 1864

From: Lieut. Samuel W. Maurice, Ordnance officer, 2nd Military District.

16 Bayonet Scabbards
16 bayonet frogs
58 Waist belts
29 Knapsacks
29 haversacks
17 cap pouches
15 screw drivers
4 wipers
1 quart Neatsfoot oil

received by : Jas. Beatty, Capt. comdg. 17th SCV Regiment
(Capt James Beaty of Company D.)


Green Pond: Special Requisition 40.

for Company I, 17th SCV.

12 pair shoes

22 cotton shirts

20 drawers

15 flannel shirts

14 caps

3 jackets

32 pants

2 tin pans

10 jackets

The above articles were received by Col. F. W. McMaster comdg., from Lt. S. R. Fant
31 March 1864

[SCTiger]

Ordnance Statement

Statement of Ordnance and Ordnance stores turned over by Lieut. Col H. C. Cunningham, Comdg. Officer, 7th Military District to Col. F. W. McMaster 17th SCV:


24 Austrian Rifles & bayonets
21 Cartridge Boxes
28 Short belts
21 Cap boxes
20 bayonet scabbards
22 waist belts
7184 Cartridges Cal. 54

I certify that the above items were issued, November, 2 1863, Camp Green Pond, SC.

Col. F. W. McMaster
17th SCV

In addition to the Enfields and Brown Bess conversion muskets, it looks like the 17th had a sprinkling of Austrian Lorenz rifles as well.