he following letter, written by Euterpsa (Brindley) Murphree (1808-1874) during the Civil War, is published compliments of Stan Reid of Austin, Texas. The original was submitted to the Blount County, Alabama RootsWeb list. |
Douglas Lowe wrote: Found in files at Blount Co. Museum (typed). A contribution by Cleo Abritton of Hanceville, AL. The letter, she says, copied from original and spelling, etc. are as original. Written by Euterpsa Murphree. Her husband Solomon, founder of Lebanon Methodist Church in Blountsville....Melba Lowe Murphree's Valley, April 9, 1863 Dear Children, I will try and write you a few lines though I have started so many you have not got it is almost desheartening. I reckon we had better keep writing and some will come to hand you received a few lines that I wrote. I have wrote so many you did not get. I don't know how to write. We received some letters from you 6 dated March 13, 14, 16 was mighty thankful to get them. We received on dated Feb 6 and Dec 25 is all. You know we was anxious to hear. We had heard they had been fighting and exceedingly anxious to hear more. These lines leaves us all in tolerable health. I hope with all my heart they may reach you and find you enjoying the same like blessing. Well, I must tell you distressing news. B B Murphree was not well but up and went out on a picket got a ginger cake eat and died. In a short time Daniel died and Moss Walker. There have been 15 or more of Ingrams Company died and he was very low the last I heard. Green Wade came home for another horse Seen E B last Sunday said is only tolerable. Not able for duty all the time. Bailey M is very low with fever. Daniels health is very bad this spring. He is now able to be up and was very sick a few days ago. I wrote to you the Doc discharged him at Blountsville. I look for Jesse here tonight has to start to Talladega tomorrow. There is some men called here from there said there is a heap there sick with measles and mumps. Jesse has not had them. I expect he will be sick. I hope he will be discharged for I don't think he can stand camp life well they sent some back after trying them a month. It falls to our to live in these troublesome sometimes when I am going about my work I hardly know what I am doing I am thinking about my children and friends that is much exposed and going through so much danger. I hope the Lord will enable me to bear these troubles without distraction promised to the faithful. Let us hear with all the patience and fortitude we can and look to one that is able to protect us and deliver form our enemies. April 12. This sabbath morning all is tolerable health. Phebe has sore eyes. Martha is complaining a little. Pheriba gone to meeting. Your Pa and Jesse started it is thought by some he will be sent back. I don't know your Pa will go and bring the horses back if Jesse can't come. Bit has mended up so he rode her as Dol and Rein will both Buck. Pheriba has a mule. Mary look well in garden. I think maybe you will get to come in time to eat some. Mary and Samantha went to meeting today and has got back. There was a good congregation. Asa and Daniel held meeting. Phebe expects to have some or all of her land tended feed her mare and let them work her and give her half. she has born to do her this year she got some wheat sold if her eyes does not get better she can't work out much. It is not strange to see women working out now some are laying off corn ground. I must close and to the office. Write as often as you can. Let us know how you are faring whether you are doing any better of dyspepsia or not so no more. But remain your affecitionate mother till death. Euterpsa Murphree, Mae (Mac) and James Murphree |
Updated 2 November, 2002
