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  1863 April 19, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James

  1863 April 19, Letter from J. Edward James, Franklin, Tennessee, to Lizzie James, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "I am enjoying myself hugely. But pile on all the pleasure that circumstances will permit and soldering is at best, a lazy life. I am sorry that such a state of things exist in the church. I heard it stated in one letter that it was divided into two classes the "Whippleites" and the "Weighlyites". I know not two which you belong but I hope the trouble will soon be settled. There are all sorts of stories out here about the affair. I keep dumb about it and keep out of all discussions."

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  1863 June 21, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James

  1863 June 21, Letter from J. Edward James, Triune, Tennessee, to Lizzie James, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "Well have been down to the picture gallery or rather tent. Robert had a single one taken and then I purposed to have a double one taken of him and me for the special benefit of the house hold which we did and send with compliments. Hoping you will all except the same. Leaving you to judge whether they are good or not. Mine which I enclose in this is for you. All say that it is a pretty good picture of me. You will let my friends see it of course. But you may take a little train to let the little "M"(?) over the river see it. But don't tell her I told you to. I should have had a standing up one taken but they cost and are not as good. Then if you think the one with Robert is enough for you, you can let sister Mary or some one else have it. I am so glad I have yours. I take delight in looking at it. "

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  1863 March 31, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James

  1863 March 31, Letter from J. Edward James, Brentwood, Tennessee, to Lizzie James, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "I am very sorry indeed to hear of the trouble at the parsonage. Though I must say I am not much surprised yet I did not think it would come on so sudden. I had scarcely read your letters when, one of the boys in the tent read aloud a letter which had just came telling all about the affairs. But I cannot believe it is as bad as represented. Tell me in your next all about it. It must make the Weigley(?) family feel very unhappy. I think it rather late for such snow storms and it speaks for a late spring. Though weather here at present is cold and windy but the country looks beautiful. The fields of grain are all up and the woods are looking thick with young leaves."

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  1863 May 11, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James

  1863 May 11, Letter from J. Edward James, Franklin, Tennessee, to Lizzie James, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "The past week has been one of the dullest that we have seen in this part of the country for a long time. No moves has been made. No skirmishes. No scares. Nothing but the regular route of fatigue, picket, and camp duty. So the men has had a good chance to wash up old duds and drowned some form of those little industrious critters."

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  1863 November 9, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James

  1863 November 9, Letter from J. Edward James, Nickojack Cove, Georgia, to Lizzie James, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "My health is very good and I can out weigh you by a pound and a half (bully for me). I have found out for a certainty that my knapsack was burnt and all in it (?) was burnt with it. Now for 39. Its contents are more striking than any one before. As you suppose I am very much surprised. Oh Lizzie can it be true. Must I give you up to the care and protection of others hands? It is hard but I trust for the best. If the Mr. S. mentioned is the one I think (?) I must confess I have a few scruples and might submit a few questions for your consideration. But will for bare and if you feel that on him you can place all reliance. That he will ever hold the relationship sacred and that as a life companion he will ever be to you true in short he will be the one to make your future easy and agreeable. Affording a respectability you deserve and above all is worthy of your best affections hand and heart. So trusting that you fully realize what you are about to do and given subject a clear searching and hoping all will be well. I give you as you ask my hearty approval and may God bless you."

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  1864 August 22, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James Lamberson

  1864 August 22, Letter from J. Edward James, Atlanta, Georgia, to Lizzie James Lamberson, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "So you'd think I'd laugh if I could see you and Harvey well I took a good one any how. I just imagined and laughed the harder. And I assure you Lizzie nothing pleases me better or does me more good then to have such good accounts of your happiness and hope it may be lasting. Don't mind naysayers(?) but take all the comfort you can. And regardless of the past I have no doubt but that Harvey will ever be a true husband to you. I hope if ever any thing should come to mar your happiness you will not fail to let me know. As you will ever have my sympathy. I have often thought of writing Harvey and did intend to. Perhaps he has wondered why I haven't but what I write to you I know he hears and that is all that is needed. I give you both my best wishes of welfare. I wish he could get a business started among the soldiers (I mean a field gallery) there is a fine chance of making money."

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  1864 December 2, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James Lamberson

  1864 December 2, Letter from J. Edward James, Nashville, Tennessee, to Lizzie James Lamberson, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "The day before we left Pulaski I rec'd your letter with handkerchief and picture. All good. Many thanks Dear Lizzie and such good news too. I must say "Bully for you" if Master Edward don't make (?) and noisy time of "our home" he will not be doing as his Uncle did in his younger days. May he live to a great age and may his mother live to see his good works. I could not imagine why a certain young man called me Uncle Ed for a day or two previous to the arrival of your letter. But I all of a sudden "smelt amiss". Be sure and send me a "fac simile" of mister man as soon as possible. Give him a smothering kiss for me."

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  1864 June 22, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James Lamberson

  1864 June 22, Letter from J. Edward James, Big Shanty, Georgia, to Lizzie James Lamberson, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "Col. Champion was struck by a buck shot under the left eye, the shot coming through the temple it is thought he will loose his eye. Lizzie, Col. Smith shot through the left chest under the shoulder but only a flesh would. Capt. James (of Lake Cor(?)) about the same place. Capt. Gilmore (Lake) through the top of the head and thigh. Not expected to live. Several men killed through the night but not acquaintances of ours. In the whole 38 killed, wounded, and missing. Co. A. all right. Major Hicks was in the hospital sick at the time but took his place next day. Our brigade has not been engaged since but still on the front line. Hooker is engaging the enemy today on our right. It is thought trying to flank the enemy and if successful, will end operations at this point and we shall push on again for Atlanta."

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  1865 June 3, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James Lamberson

  1865 June 3, Letter from J. Edward James, Camp Harker, Nashville, Tennessee, to Lizzie James Lamberson, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "Well Lizzie I suppose you are looking every day to see us roll in to town. Well we are looking just as much but we aren't commenced to roll yet though there is every reason to believe that we will before long. Our "Muster out rolls" were sent around last evening. It will take only a few days to make them out and we shall then make for Illinois where we will remain to settle up (perhaps 10 or 14 days) so that by the time we are fairly out of this scruple and snugly at home June will well nigh be gone. As we are from the northern part of Illinois we will no doubt go to the northern rendezvous at Chicago and if we remain there long you will have a good chance of seeing the "Glorious 90". It is proposed by the officers that if we do stop at Chicago the regt. is to make Lake Co. a visit en masse. But we can't see it and I think that when we get so near free as that we will let the officers go where they please and the men do likewise unless I can't help myself. I shall be for making a straight bee line for west Galena up a few flight of stairs on a hill. One thing certain these officers won't find it an easy job to run us around much."

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  1865 June 9, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James Lamberson

  1865 June 9, Letter from J. Edward James, Camp Harker, Nashville, Tennessee, to Lizzie James Lamberson, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "We have been awfully pressed in business for the last six or eight days making up our 'muster out rolls' a very particular and large job. We are through now and the rolls have been examined by the Mustering Officer and accepted and "High Hip Hurrah" we are mustered out. Or as much so as can be here. Though the rolls and papers are not to be delivered to us until final muster out and pay. Which will come off at Chicago some time next week. We will leave for 'Gods country' Sunday afternoon. Pretty certain and if we are not delayed will be in Chicago Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. It is thought we will remain there only three or four days. I hope no longer. One thing certain it ain't as easy a job to get out of this soldiering as it was getting in to it. But we can see a hole through the wall and are rejoicing at the prospect of a better pasture. We calculate to be home by the 4th July to throw ourselves away so if you know of any gal that ain't spoken for or one that 'won't be in use' for that day please recommend this ex soldier. Tell her for me I will hire a coach and four more if she needs them. And have a 'splendid splay' of fine works and ice cream after candle lighting. They say in the papers that a fellow can get married for nothing at the fair in Chicago by applying to the lady who is boss of the New England Kitchen and farm house. I don't know what sort of a lady she is but I believe it is a good bargain and as I have refused lots of plantations(?) down here I will take it up ha! ha! 'How are you marry'".

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  1865 March 17, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James Lamberson

  1865 March 17, Letter from J. Edward James, Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, to Lizzie James Lamberson, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "Cap. Vincent arrived at the regt. today before we left Huntsville was very sorry that he did not have the stamps for me he said he was so busy while at home that he did not call on any body. I don't think he troubled himself much as he did not bring much for the boys. Both him and John are getting below par with the company. I am not much sorry that I am out, I have got nearly over my Ague [malaria] spell again and will soon be all right. Whiskey and Quinine knocked it pretty well. There is one thing that I am afraid I shall have to do that you won't like any more than I do and that is chewing tobacco. Don't scold I think I will be able to quit when I get home."

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  1865 May 25, Letter from J. Edward James to Lizzie James Lamberson

  1865 May 25, Letter from J. Edward James, Camp Harker, Nashville, Tennessee, to Lizzie James Lamberson, Galena, Illinois.

  Excerpt: "I think the plan as stated by you would work well and I think were I at home I should take the offer. Though as I cannot here judge just what is for the best I can hardly give a decisive answer. You say 'the only question is whether or not I would fancy the business'. This is only a small questions with me - yes I think I should and as it puts a fellow a little on his ingenuity I would like it all the better for that. And with Harvey I think I could soon learn enough to help. If Harvey thinks he would like to take me in with him and has not made any other argument and if he could delay matters until I get home (which I think will not be long) I think I shall be ready to take the offer. I shall have when paid up between five or six hundred dollars and I would prefer letting it or investing with him than any one else I know of. There is one point in your letters that I cannot by the words decide as to what is meant. Am I to understand that I am to rent the Gallery in Galena or am I to be the partner spoken of and go with Harvey while a third person takes the Galena Gallery on shares? Perhaps if Harvey would write me a few lines on the matter I could tell better what to do. At all (?) before any other person is taken in. I would like to understand matters fully that I can come to a conclusion and said before I rather like it and as in taking it up I shall remain more at home (by being with you). I would prefer it rather than going in to anything with strangers."