Civil War Letters

Hill Civil War Letters

James Leonidas Hill born Dec. 21, 1844, was the firstborn son of James Monroe Hill and Jane Hallowell Kerr of Washington Co. and Fayette Co., Texas. The following is a verbatim copy of a letter from James Leonidas "Lonnie" Hill to his parents, Mr. & Mrs. James Monroe Hill, written while he was serving with the CSA in 1864. Certified copies of the family letters reside in the Texas State Archives. My thanks to Robert Steele of Dallas for providing me with copies of these transcriptions.

"Camp Near Buena Vista, Miss. July 22, 1864

Jas. M. & Jane H. Hill,

My dear parents,

By the blessings of Almighty God, I am permitted to write to you again. We have passed through scenes of danger, and where the missles of death flew thick, and where some of our best and bravest comrades have fallen victims to our foe. Poor Lee Farquar, who died without a moment's warning, and who had not time to give utterance to one word of farewell. I saw the poor fellow when he was shot; the ball struck just below the breast, lodging in, or near, the backbone. We were fighting on horseback, and in a large, open field through which the enemy were driving us. Lee and I, with several others, were back fighting the enemy while our forces were moving off, they being too strong for us. His horse ran with him about a hundred yards before he fell. He was picked up by George McCormick, Orderly Sergeant of our company, who was afterwards shot through the knee and fell back into the hands of the enemy, who took off his leg and left him. Poor fellow, I do feel so sorry for him. He was one of my best friends, and a noble soldier, but he has done his last soldiering for his country, but I hope he will still make as good a soldier for his God, which I have no doubt but that he will. He cried like a child when he picked up poor Lee. It ought to be a great consolation to Lee's mother to know that he died the death of a brave soldier, and not leaving an enemy in the company.

Dear parents, I will give you an outline of the battle. The Battle of Harrisburg was fought Thursday, 14th day of July. The enemy, with 25,000, were marching towards Okolona. On Saturday, 9th inst., we were camped at Verona - that night at 11 o'clock we started to Pontotoc, distant 25 miles. Sunday night we camped 3 miles north of Pon., and in three miles of their camp. Monday morning at sunrise they attacked our pickets and drove them in, killing one man in our Batt. Fighting continued all day, but light. Tuesday they remained in P., with but little fighting. The enemy, finding that we were prepared for them on the Okolona Road, and thinking it a hard road to travel, took the Tupelo Road on Wednesday. We followed close in their rear, thinking them in full retreat. Gen. C___ers (note: unable to make out name here but research shows it to be Gen. Chalmers) struck them in the flank, made them burn 8 wagons. They camped that night in Harrisburg 2 miles from Tupelo. They were throwing up breast-works all night. Thursday morning we made an attack with 4 brigades, McCullock's held in reserve, and was repulsed with heavy loss. On Friday morning, the enemy were supposed to be in retreat. Our Brig., mounted, and about 300 dismounted, and were ordered to make an attack on the enemy to ascertain if such was the case. We moved forward. A brisk fire was opened upon us. Our Batt. and the 2nd MO Regt. dismounted and charged across an open field, and on the same ground that our troops were driven from the day before. We kept our course, driving them before us until within 200 yards of their intrenchment, when a murderous fire of grape and canister from 10 guns were opened upon us, and we were ordered to halt, which we did, and remained there half an hour under fire, though not much exposed, and then orderd to fall back. Then came the trying time, a hot July sun pouring its heat upon us; hot, tired and nearly dead for the want of water. Hundreds were sunstroke and had to be carried from the field. We fell back slowly, although they were crowding us, until we reached our horses, which we mounted and awaited their advance. We had not long to wait. They were soon pouring a heavy fire upon us, and we on them. Bill Andrews was at my side. His horse was shot in the head and fell as if dead, but soon got up and he rode him off. Jimmie Fisher's horse was struck three times, but none fatal. McKee's was also wounded. We were ordered to fall back and a few were to cover the move. It was here that poor Lee was shot, but the enemy soon after were in retreat again. We followed closely until we had gone 4 miles north of Tupelo, when they turned on us, and after a very hard fight, drove us from the field. It was here that poor George McCormick was shot, not one of us seeing him, was left on the field. I think it was best for him, as he was shot so badly that it would have been worse for him, and perhaps more killed in taking him off.

The enemy made no other stand, but kept in full retreat. The enemy's force was 25,000 and ours 10,000. Our loss, killed, wounded and missing 1,500, that of the enemy 1,000, but they did not effect their purpose. Dear parents, I can plainly see that God was my helper. I was even surprised that I could stand it so well, when so many stronger men gave out. I can never be humble enough to my Creator for his kindness to me.

There is a great deal of stir up in camp at the present time. An order has been issued to consolidate our Batt. with the 2nd Mo. Regt., but a protest has been sent to Gen. Forest against it. The boys say they will go across the River before they will be consolidated.

All of our boys are well. Give my love to all the relations. Kiss my sweet little sisters for me. Tell bro. John to write to me, also cousin Hettie. I will write again in a few days. Goodbye.

Your affectionate son,
Lonnie

note: James Leonidas Hill was called "Lonnie". He survived the war and married Miss Annie Fordtran.

The following is the letter written in 1864 by Jane Hallowell Kerr Hill to her son James Leonidas Hill who was away fighting with General Forrest in MS.

"Spring Hill (TX), Aug. 27, 1864

Mr. James Leonidas Hill

My dearest, precious Lonnie, that sweetest of all other names to me. Oh, how I love to call it! How often memory recalls bygone days, and though you were always very dear to me, you are much more so now. What a treasure I have before me, and what do you suppose it is? Well, I will tell you, it is a letter from YOU, our first-born. Let me assure you, you are becoming more and more endeared to the hearts of your parents, as well as to all of their friends continually.

Since you have been exposed to so many dangers, and have proved by your conduct, that you possess such noble principles, well may a mother be proud of such a son. I do not speak thus, my dear boy, to flatter you, but to encourage, and because I think you really deserve it. Oh, how good it does me to find that you seem so humble, and feel your dependence on Almighty God, who hath shielded you and preserved your precious life, while so many of your brave companions have been snatched from time to eternity, as you say, without a moment's warning. That shows, my dear son, how necessary it is that we should try to be ready all the time, for we know not how soon we may be called off. While I rejoice that you are safe, I deeply mourn for poor Lee and others who are gone; and most sincerely do I sympathize with the bereaved poor old Mrs. Farquar. I went to see her the next morning after I got your letters and found them all much distressed. She had, like me, been counting on so much happiness - and had been laying up nice things to feast him with when he came home, as she thought he would when his time was out in the fall. Oh, how all her hopes were blasted when the sad tidings came that her beloved son was killed! It makes my heart ache to think of it. I reckon none but a mother can imagine what that mother's feelings are. She said if she only knew that he had gone to rest she could give him up better reconciled. Can you give her any comfort as to whether he was prepared? Poor R. R. Andrews is gone too. He died in July. I attended his burial. He was buried with Masonic honors. I thought of the time when you both left here together - and of your being mess-mates. I knew then that he had gone to his long home, but did not know what your fate might be. I have tried to resign you to the Lord, and I firmly believe that he has heard and answered the prayers that have been offered in your behalf. I feel that I can never be thankful enough to the Lord for his mercies to me and mine. Remember, my son, that His grace is sufficient for you. I know that your lot is a hard one, but try to cast all your care upon him - He will sustain you, and I believe will bring you safely through! Oh, glorious hope! My soul leaps forward at the thought of once more embracing you, and folding you to my heart. Cheer up, my dear boy, if you can stand it when you have to go through what you did on that dreadful battlefield, I know I ought to bear it the best I can, and be thankful that you have been supported and strengthened in that trying time. You say you know I do not want you to desert - No, INDEED, I never want it said of my Spartan boy that he did anything which was dishonorable; but I hope and pray that the time is not far distant when we shall all meet and make a happy family again.

Your father and John Williams are still at Anderson. We had the plesure of their society for nearly two weeks not long since, in peach time. Your Pa's health is very good, but John William does not stand it so well. Their time will expire the 15th of September. John Wm. is very anxious to be with you, but he is not able to stand what you have to, he is small for his age. Now, my dear boy I must say adieu, that is I commend you to God who has watched over you and taken care of you when surrounded by danger on every hand, praying that He may still be with you and bring you safely back to us - Give our love to all friends and with a great deal for yourself, I am as ever,
Your affectionate mother,

Jane H. Hill"

Notes by Lucy Amanda Hill Jones, daughter of Jane H. Kerr Hill and sister to James Leonidas Hill, written in 1936: "When Jane Hallowell Kerr was only a little school girl and reading of the Leonidas, the Spartan general, whose valor she greatly admired, she was heard to say, that if ever she were grown and married and had a son, she would name him 'Leonidas'.

Truly, her earnest impression remained with her, as told by her in later years to her children, for after she became the wife of James Monroe Hill, their first son bore the name of James Leonidas, and most worthily until his death May 23, 1873, at the age of twenty-eight."

The following is a copy of a letter from Mrs. Lucy Kerr to her daughter, Mrs. Jane Hallowell Kerr Hill, on hearing of the departure of Jane's son, James Leonidas Hill, for Galveston, on the eve of his four years' service in the Civil War. Lonnie Hill, as he was called, was less than seventeen years of age when he left his Fayette Co. (TX) home in response to his country's call.

"Forest Lodge, Oct. 18, 1861

My Dear Daughter:

I deeply sympathize with you, knowing experientally the anguish of maternal tenderness when duty dictates the sacrifice of resigning a beloved son to his country's call, to assist by his mite in her defense. Hearing by Virginia that Leonidas was to start on last Wednesday for Galveston, my mind was much absorbed in the subject. I prayed fervently to the Lord to give you fortitude and grace - and while thus engaged I felt sensibly that the great "I AM", who is Omnipotent is also our Father in heaven, whose eye is over the righteous and whose ear is open to their cry - that He would sustain us. But this is the first trial of the kind that you have had to encounter, and it requires humble faith to submit. Mr. Hill, I know, feels the love of a father for his first born, just ushered on the active stage of duty, but he has been familiar with the emotion of patriotism, and he feels, if it must be so, his Isaac must be given up. You, in choosing his name in infancy seemed to admire Spartan valor -tho' I hope you will not be required to exercise the courage of a Spartan matron, but will, with the blessing of the Lord, receive your beloved son returned safe after performing his share of duty.

Ever try to look at the bright side of a gloomy subject. I expect you to receive this by Serena who can tell you of the health of the families here. The sick at William's are all recovering. My own health as usual. Some of our neighbors are to start next week for Galveston, Albert McClelland for one. I intend to request him, if Shropshire's Command is contiguous to the post he may occupy, to seek Leonidas, and let me, through his friends, hear of his welfare.

Mr. Hill, I hope, will consider the helpless family that depends on him for comfort, and be satisfied to render the public cause all the assistance he can, but remain where he can promptly attend to their need. When he had no family he devoted himself to his country. Now, the safety and happiness of an interesting family of small children and feeble wife look to him as their stay.

I thought Alfred would have written to me before now, but as yet I have received nothing. I send George Alfred socks by Serena. One is a little shorter in the leg than it ought to be - he must excuse it. My love to all. Miss the dear little ones, and believe me
Your ever affectionate mother,
L. Kerr"

The parents of Jane Hallowell Kerr Hill b. Oct. 28, 1824 Giles Co., TN, were Hugh KERR b. 1776 Sligo, Ireland and Lucy THOMSON b. 1783 Charleston, SC. Hugh and family left GA for TN and then in 1831 to Texas where they settled in Washington Co. and were long associated with the HILL family. Two of Jane H. Kerr Hill's brothers married sisters of her husband, James Monroe Hill;

George Alexander Kerr b. 1810 GA m. Serena Pinckney HILL b. 1820 GA, in 1837 Washington Co., TX.

William Penn Kerr b. 1814 m. Louisiana Elizabeth Hill b. 1824 GA, in 1843 Fayette Co., TX.

Jane Hallowell Kerr b. 1824 Giles Co., TN m. James Monroe Hill b. 1818 Putnam Co., GA, married 1843 Washington Co., TX.

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