11.27.1861 - Ann to JB

November 27th 1861

I commenced to writing this letter last Sunday, as Wesley Mcdaniel was to come here Monday for Father to carry him to the depot, but on account of his ankle being so bad he did not come. I packed your box to send by him, as the people is so smart they wont carry a box by mail, and I am obliged to send it by somebody. Father received a letter from William the other day; he is well but he wants to see some of his friends from home very bad. I reckon you think you never saw as bad wrting as the letters I wrote to you, but I am rocking the cradle or Thomas standing by showing me which line to write next or reading what I have wrote. Sally is getting along as well as we can expect. I have not any much news to write. If you should get sick or anything happens to you do not keep it from me for I am prepared to hear anything. And if you should die so far from me may the winds of Heaven waft your soul on high and may the same winds carry your wife and children to the same high where there is rest and peace forever more. Nothing more, but write to your affectionate wife.

Ann C. Mansfield

11.21.1861 - JB to Ann

Camp Wilkes, Bogue Island

November the 21st 1861

Dear Wife It is with pleasure to me this evening to write to you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along in camp. I am well at present and truly hope when these few lines come to hand (they) may find you all well and doing well. There is a good deal of sickness here in camp at this time; we have three very bad cases of sickness at this time. Hadley and Smith and Hill is very sick. Davis is getting along very well. He will get a discharge before long. Hamy is waiting on Hadley at this time. Dr. Jake was _____ to see him a few days ago. 2 of _____ E______'s sons (are) in our company. Adam Smith is not very well at this time. We have had 2 deaths in our regiments this week. First Lt. John W Mathews (Chatham-Hays?) and one Private Frank(y) Siler also in the same company. We have the strong company and turn out more in the regiment that _________. I wrote you that I would send my likeness. I was going to have it taken and they commenced firing up at the wreck. (This was the Federal steamer Union) Three was two companies up there; the pirates __________________ shells at them. There was nobody hurt but there was pieces went through their tents. They loaded their guns and stood waiting for them if they came on land, but they went away. As that firing commenced we was kept in readiness to march at the _______ for we are ready and waiting at any hour for them (to) come on land. We have 2 of the bombs here in camp. I had the chance to go close yesterday evening to have it taken. I am going to send it to you. I had it taken in the same suit that I had when I left home. I was standing and looking at the pictures and I was a picture look so much like Thomas as could be. I wish I did have your likeness and the children's. Dear wife I will send you a (ration box?) of shells they are as pretty as I can find; on Bogue Island is fas as I have looked for them. _________________ I would be very glad to receive my box you're going to send me for I need it very bad for I like cold at night. I have written to William this week; you must write and tell me how the family is getting along, and tell Thomas he must not claim all of these; he must let Mother and Brother have some. Please write soon and don't fail I. Remember me in that parting day and pleasure thy heart from your dear husband until death. Farewell dear wife.

J.B. Mansfield

11.17.1861 - Ann to JB

Pittsboro NC

November 17th 1861

My Dear Husband It is with pleasure that I embrace this opportunity to answer your kind letter which came to hand Friday evening. It found me and all well except colds and Sally has been sick a week; she is some better today but she is very sick yet. Her baby is dead; it was buried last Thursday evening. It was a beautiful boy but it only came to earth to show her how a flower in Heaven can bloom. Mr. Fick and Fannie was here Friday. He could not get any boots or thick shoes so he went to Mr. Thomas to get some made. He said he could not make them till he got his leather out of tan, and then he would make them as soon as he can and you shall have them. I was glad to get the twenty dollars you send me. I will take as good care of it as I can. I have wanted to take a paper but did not have the money. Father did not leave home as he expected. Mr. Horton heard that his overseer had to go on the court and he wanted Father to go down to his plantation and stay till Christmas, but his overseer was not gone. Old Mr. Woodall is dead. He died last Thursday and his wife is very low.

11.09.1861 - JB to Ann

Camp Wilkes

Bogue Island

November 9th 1861

Dear Ann It is with pleasure that I avail myself of a few moments of time to let you know how I am getting along. I am well as in common and in good heart. Our company is as well as common. We have some six or seven in hospital. We have some dangerous (?) Mr. Elwood Davis met with a bad accident. He was on picket guard and set his gun down and when he went to take it up it went off and shot his arm off and he is in the hospital. I want you to take the Standard so you can get some news. Ben was up here today; he looks as well as I ever saw him, and is looking for a letter. I will send you twenty dollars enclosed in this letter by Mr. William Rainey, which I hope you will get. I have kept fifteen dollars for myself. Write soon and let me hear from you. Your husband till death.

J.B. Mansfield

You will please take care of this and use for yourself and benefit of your children. I take as good care of your likeness as I can and I keep it in the ________. It is a pleasure to look at but nothing compares to you. I wish I could see the little head that light hair grows on. If I have the chance I will have my likeness taken in my uniform and send it to you. The Sundays seem long ever since Mr. Marsh left. I will close by saying good-by if I never see you any more.

J.B. Mansfield

11.03.1861 - Ann to JB

Pittsboro November 3rd 1861

Dear Husband I am glad to read your kind letter which I have just received. It found me well but impatient for I thought you was sick or something was the matter. I was ready to write to know what it was when I heard there was a letter at town for me. We are all well except colds. Uncle Jehue is better. You say you are expecting a battle; if you or any of our friends should get slightly wounded, attend to it as soon as you can and not be like poor Alexander McIntosh. He was shot Tuesday so slightly he never stopped nor paid attention to it and felt a fever in it Friday and died Sunday. Father got a letter from Wm. Last Thursday; he is sick but he didnt say what was the matter with him. There is a good bit of sickness in his company. I heard that the York Town boys sank one of Mr. Lincoln's large ships last week and not one of them was hurt. I received that box of shells and was pleased with them but Thomas claimed them all. He carried them to supper with him and then went to sleep on them. The baby seemed to be pleased as much as any of us. He can sit alone. We all call him _____ Thomas says bur dayway I cannot tell you how sweet they are. If you could see them you could guess for your self. They get the praise by all that see them. I wish you could one to see them and me too. It would give me much satisfaction to see you, but as you cannot come, I must be as patient as I can. If you write to Wm. Direct your letter William P. Gean Wilmington NC Company G 28th Regiment N.C. Volunteers. I sent my letter to the office on Saturday evening and then I got the one that give me satisfaction to my heart. I must give my thanks to Mr. Marsh for being so kind to read and instruct you. I hope you will tell others of the road they are going but I fear that Father is case hardened. You know how wicked he is. He got a carriage for the claims you and him had against Moleet by trading them. Lucy is up at Mr. Marion Brooks teaching school. Isaac Brooks says he thinks he will start down there next Tuesday week. I will sent your things by him. You must answer this letter so I can get it before he comes. I would write more but cannot at present. The family all sends their love to you. Nothing more but write as soon as you can. Your affectionate wife till death.

Ann C. Mansfield

10.23.1861 - JB to Ann

Camp Wilkes

Bogue Island

October 23 1861

Dear Wife As your most welcome letter has just come to hand I will now endeavor to answer it for it cheers me very much to hear from you and not only _____ but to hear that you was well. But I am truly sorry to hear of the sickness of Aunt Sinia and Uncle Jehue but do truly hope they are better by this time. You can hear from George Carter by directing you letter to Carolina City Company C, 7th Regiment NCST I cant see him myself as we are at least five miles apart. They are on the other side of the Sound and I cant have the opportunity of going over there. We are now at this time nearly all our time engaged in standing guard and throwing up embankments. We expect a fight here daily. We can see some of the enemy's every day. When you write to me inform me how to direct a letter to William. There is no chance for me to come home for we are needs here all the time. I cannot write much more for they want us to go to work throwing up reinforcements. Tell Mary I sent those shells up last Monday. Your Father can get them by calling at Ramsey's. You will send me a pillow and bedquilt when you send my clothes. I would write to _inny and _____ but you must excuse until another time. Write as soon as you receive this. I am looking for an answer from one that I wrote to you some time ago. There are several of our Chatham friends in camp today. They are showing their respects to the old Chatham Company. No more at present. Write soon. Give my love to all the family. Your affectionate husband. 

J.B. Mansfield

10.14.1861 - JB to Ann

Camp Wilkes                                                          Bogue Island October 14th 1861

Ann I want two check shirts, 1 pair pants, two pair socks, and the yarn shirt to button to the pants, and 1 pair of good boots. Have them ready as soon as you can and send my overcoat.

I know that your chance is bad to prepare these things in a hurry but you must do the best you can. We can furnish our own clothing if we think best, and we will get pay for them.

J.B. Mansfield