John Wilson Lee Jr. (1813 - 1864)

Born 16 Mar 1813 in Lee's Ferry [plantation] near Leesville, Lexington County, South Carolina

Ancestors

Died 18 Feb 1864 at age 50 in Lee's Ferry [plantation] near Leesville, Lexington County, South Carolina

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Richard Noegel [send private message]

Biography

John was born in 1813. He passed away in 1864.

Text of letter (please see "Images") from Capt. John Wilson Lee, Jr., of Leesville, South Carolina, to his older brother, Joseph Andrew Lloyd Lee of Upatoi Plantation (pron. "you-pa-toy"), Muscogee County, Georgia.:

Leesville, SC July 4th 1862

My Dear Brother [1]

Your favor of the 24th was rec'd on Saturday last, which gave me great satisfaction to hear from you. I would have answered sooner, but a great battle [is] going on near Richmond, which commenced on Wednesday before you wrote me [2]. I was daily expecting to hear from Joseph [3] so that I could give you particulars. I have not heard a word from him yet, and I assure you my anxiety is great indeed. I hope and trust to Almighty God that he is safe. I see that his Division was in the engagement (Longstreet's) and that the Brigade which he belongs to suffered tremendously (Anderson's Brigade), but no mention of his regiment (Jenkins 1st Palmetto Sharpshooters). Last accounts the fight still continues. We have whipped them, I have no doubt, but our loss is certainly heavy. As soon as I hear from Joseph, I will write you be the news good or bad. Our brothers Tom & Pat [4] belong to Stuart's Cavalry, “Jeff Davis Legion” and was [sic] with Stuart in his daring expedition in the rear and within the enemy's line [5]. Joseph says in his last letter the day before the present struggle, “Tomorrow the great battle will commence; I dread it: not that I fear being defeated, but at the thought of the misery and sorrow that will be carried into thousands of families.” Also says, “We are determined to conquer or every man will die in the struggle.”

I will see A.D. Bates [6] and make all arrangements for the grass seed for you. They have not threshed the seed yet. One peck is sufficient for one acre of land. I have all of my last year's crop of cotton on hand except thirteen bales that I sold early in the fall to pay for Ropes and Bagging. It is now worth in Hamburg 16½ cents [7]; I think we are bound to get 30 cents per pound. I have only 30 acres in cotton this year. Corn crops are backward and very sorry with us in consequence of the continued rains. It has been raining at intervals for the last four days, and no appearance of clearing away.

Your cattle I know are beautiful and would be pleased to get one to cross on my stock. But I suppose the distance and risk on the Rail Road to Augusta would be too great for even me to think of getting one from you. Your flock of sheep also must be good, which I consider very profitable. Your fruit is much earlier than ours. We have ripe June Apples but no peaches. I have an early variety of peaches that generally ripen in June, but our fruit is later this Season than usual. Our grapes are all rotting. I do not think a single bunch will mature.

Since I wrote last, misfortune has again fallen on me heavy indeed. On Sunday the 15th June, I lost two of the most likely young negroes that I owned, under the following circumstances, viz. [8], early in the morning they went in search of whortleberries [9]; on their return they passed a little mill pond about one mile from home, and concluded to take a wash. I suppose some other negroes, on going to the pond for the same purpose, found their clothes and berries lying on the bank and, not seeing anything of them, finally concluded they were drowned. A boy of mine commenced a search by diving, and soon found one, then sent to Church after me. As soon as I reached the place, I made my boy go in again, and he soon found the other. They were brothers aged 17 & 21 years, healthy, strong, stout young fellows. A heavy blow indeed [10]. It really appears to me that I am certainly one of the most unfortunate men in existence. I have been in debt all my life, worked hard, lived equinomical [sic] and yet it appears that I can't get along, but I must bear it and do the best I can. All our relatives in this country are well so far as I know. Brother Thomas [11] had three children, two sons and one daughter, since he has been in the army, two of them have died in four weeks of each other, the little boy named Andrew, the girl Fannie [12]. She was the youngest child. His wife is in Richmond on a visit to him, but I doubt if she sees him while the fight lasts. Mary [13] and Bettie [14] join in love to yourself and family.

As ever, your affectionate Brother

Jno W Lee N.B. [15] By request, “What is the character of a Mr Williams that came on here last winter as the friend of a Lady (Mrs Morris I believe is the name), being a Niece and heir of Joel Inabnit [16] of Edgefield District, Deceased?” Your Brother Jno W Lee

(AND THEN THERE IS A BIT OF TEXT THAT THE WRITER WROTE SEVERAL DAYS LATER, HAVING BEEN OBLIGED TO OPEN THE ALREADY-SEALED LETTER TO INSERT THE ADDENDUM THAT IS REPRODUCED HEREWITH):

“Monday July 7th. The Mail passed Friday before I finished my letter. I opened it today to write a few more lines to you. We rec'd a letter from Joseph Saturday, dated 28th June. He was safe; lost one Sergeant & 13 wounded [17], but the hardest fighting has been since. I hope to have particulars by Tuesday's mail. I feel thankful to to God for his protection over my only son. Your Bro John”

Sources

• First-hand knowledge. Gravestones. Profile page still under construction; documentation yet to be added.