Stephen Alpheatus Corker was born May 7th, 1830 in Burke County Georgia which is near Augusta. He died in Waynesboro, Georgia on October 18, 1879. He was a lawyer, soldier and US Congressman. These letters were written mostly to his wife before the War between the States, during the War and after when he served in the 41st US Congress. These letters tell the span American history from 1859 to 1872. "Copyright, 2012, John C. Hall, Jr."

Friday, May 18, 2012

December 17, 1863


17

Johnson’s Island Ohio
Dec 17 1863
My Dear Wife -                                                                                    
Your letter of the 27. ult was rec’d a few days ago & I was extremely happy to hear from you again & to know you & son & all are well.  I did not know how dear you were & are to me until this long separation & now the one great wish of my heart is to be restored to you.  I hope when we meet again our partings will have ended for ever.  I am also in recpt of a letter from my dear Mother.  Tell her my health continues verry good & I still have hopes of exchange.  Miss Emma sent me a few days ago a good pr of blankets & pillow.  So I am well fixed for sleeping.  I will write your oftener than I have done.  Mr. Nott sent me $25 more & I can afford to do so.  I have sent you from two to five stamps in each letter.  Do you get them?  I also sent Ma some.  Last night was the most stormy & blustering I ever witnessed & the drifted snow lies in huge lines & coils in every direction this morning.  The weather is bitter cold.  Of all climates this must be the most inclement.  I would not live here for any thing.  It is well addapted to generate its peculiar ism’s.  We have for a month been deprived of every thing to eat but a little bread & buf & not enough of that.  But I hear the Sutler will open today. If so we can buy vegetables again I recon. You know I ask them no favor & am willing to live on a mere crust if serving my country.  As there is no misstatement in this, I hope it will be allowed to reach you.  Their public prints say we are starving their men in Richmond. Let it be known that we are not faring any better.  You know I am inured to hardship & do not fear any severity.  Kiss my son & give my love to all.  With the hope of seeing you soon.  I am yr devoted husband
                                           Stephen A. Corker         Capt         P. War




[with envelope]

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