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Root Family Civil War Letter

6/29/2017

Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society Collection

This letter from Archibald L. Simpson was written to his cousin, Henry Root, in 1865. Archibald was 17 and had just entered the war. Henry, then 16, had not enlisted and was still living with his family. In the letter, Archibald describes his first experience in combat, and advises Henry to stay out of the war as long as possible.

I began <this letter> on the wrong side

Camp Near Mount Pleasant
January 12, 1865

Dear Cousin Henry,
You must really excuse me for not writing to you before for I have not had time to write to any body but the home folks. I have not forgotten you for I have started two or three letters to you but have failed to finish it every time we would have to move or something would occur to prevent my writing.

I have now been in the army nearly seven weeks and I am very tired of it already. You must stay out of the war as long as you can – that is the advice that I now give you.

I have been in one fight since I have been out. You had better believe that I was scared at first but after we got at it pretty hard I began to feel relieved as there was scarcely any of our men getting killed. But you had better believe we gave it to the Yankees. I never want to be in another one as long as I am in the army. We have got to a very good place at last but I don’t know how long we will stay here. We are on an island now and I expect we will stay here all winter. I tell you Henry it don’t feel good standing Videt at 12 oclock at night a hundred yards in front of the picket lines right in the face of the enemy and looking for them to rush on you at any moment you will feel right rusty in spite of yourself.

Well how is the Girls coming on pretty well I suppose tell them that as soon as I get out of the war I will come and see them. Give my love to Maggie and tell her that I will come over and see her as soon as I can get a furlough. Women are as scarce as hen teeth down here. I have not seen a woman in a month. Only infant I have seen was one since I left home. If I was to get with a parcel of girls now I would not know how to behave myself.

I have been to a great many places since I left home and seen a good many big citys in the bargain.

Jim Ried is in the same Co that I am in and we are together nearly all the time.

You must excuse bad writing for I just have to write on my knee. I take my knee for a table in eating and writing too. I must close. You must write to me as soon as you get this for I would not be a bit surprised to hear that you was in the army.

A. L. Simpson
Co. H 1st Regt SoCa Militia
Charleston SC

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Root Family Civil War Letter

6/28/2017

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Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society Collection

This letter from Henry Root (16 years old) was written to his father, William Root, after Henry and his mother fled from Marietta in 1864. They left Marietta in hopes of avoiding the advancing Union Army. The family eventually reunited in Washington, Georgia, where they lived through the end of the Civil War. They returned to Marietta in 1865.

Sis started this but did not finish it Anderson Dist. S.C.
May 31st 1864
Dear Father,
It is nine days since we left home and have not heard any thing from home yet. We are anxious about hearing from you. Ma has been sick every since she has been here. She wants to know where you will meet us. So we can go home. The people do not know that there is a war going on. We want to go home very much. At least where you are. This is a very lonesome place. We can’t hear no news out here at all. We get plenty of fish out here. Ma has a strong notion of going home. She wants to start this week but is too sick. I have enjoyed myself as much as I can considering. I wish you would come out here. We want to see you. We have been looking for you the last 3 days. Write an tell us the news if you don’t come yourself. I had just as stay at home as to go away. Money will hardly buy any thing out here. You would have to give provisions or any thing of that kind for any thing you want except in the village. I am going to Anderson with Etty Sadler tomorrow. It is 15 miles from here. The Post Office is 2 miles. When you come bring a box of pills. Your Elixir of Rhubarb, and Ess. Ginger, and a bottle of ink that I made. I hope you will get here by the last of this week certain. Lall knows how to direct a letter here.
I remain you affectionate son

Henry S. Root

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Union Army Occupies Historic William Root House

6/14/2017

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Join us at the William Root House Museum & Garden as we travel back to July 1864, when the Root family fled from Marietta, leaving their home to the advancing Union Army. Visit the disheveled parlor and dining room to see what the family may have left behind after rushing to leave. Head outside to meet with Union soldiers as they take over the house, constructing a headquarters and attempting to recruit new soldiers.

WHAT: Civil War on the Homefront
WHEN: July 8, 2017 10:00am – 4:00pm
WHERE: William Root House Museum & Garden

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Union Major General William T. Sherman invaded Georgia in May 1864. Moving into Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Union Army was on a mission to occupy Atlanta, and would follow the Western and Atlantic Railroad all the way down. As the Union Army approached Marietta, William Root made plans for his family to refugee south. The Root family gathered their most treasured belongings and made their way to Washington, Georgia. The Root family would remain in Washington through the end of the war and would not return to Marietta until 1865.

The Union Army occupied Marietta on Sunday, July 3, 1864. While most of Marietta’s citizens had refugeed south, some had stayed behind. A northern news correspondent observed that “probably not more than twenty houses are occupied.” As reported in the Lamoille Newsdealer on August 10, 1864, “throngs of soldiers are now roaming over the half destroyed gardens, or strolling through the mutilated mansions, thumbing on the ruined piano and lolling on the sofas…” Used as a supply hub, the city was occupied by Union troops until November 13, 1864. That evening Union Major General William T. Sherman was returning to Marietta from a visit to the nearby village of Allatoona. When he arrived he found the Cobb County Courthouse ablaze, with fires spreading to other structures around the Square.

This program is included with the cost of regular museum admission and free for Cobb Landmarks members. Special thanks to the Sons Union Veterans, Sons Confederate Veterans, and the 30th Ohio Vol. Inf. Regiment for their support of this program.

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Root Family Civil War Letter

Root Family Civil War Letter

Union Army Occupies Historic William Root House

Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society

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