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

February 8, 1865


# 40                                                                                        

            Johnson's Island Ohio
                                                                                                            Feby 8th 1865

My Dear Wife,
            I wrote you a few days ago in reply to yrs of the 19th and 29th December, but have just rec'd yrs written on the 19th October, &  will answer it on account of Judge Carswell.  Tell him I will do all I can for John, & regret verry much that yr letter in regard to him did not reach me sooner.  I have written to Mr. Nott on the subject and will write John as soon as I can send out another letter.  I will also write Aunt Mary in regard to him.  I am verry sorry I did not know John was a prisoner before.  Yr letter is the first intimation I have had of it.  If I can hear from him, I will report as to how he is getting along in my next.  Tell the Judge to be patient in regard to him, for he will find it difficult to hear from him often, at least it is so in my case.  Rest assured dear, that you are not wrong in supposing that I write often and I am equally assured that you do the same, but I rarely receive them.  I suppose that this is insepparable from my position as a prisoner.  I accept yr good advice and will be patient.  If I could know that you keep happy and contented, I could not be otherwise.  But why doubt it?  I know the superiority of womans equanimity, patience, and endurance under trials and misfortunes.  My health keeps good.  I had a letter and a little money from Cousin Emma a few days ago.  They are all well there, except herself.  She was afflicted with her old complaint rising [a rising or rison is a southern colloquial name for a boil.] in the face.  She writes that they are getting along excellently.  Charlie has grown a fine boy and is going to school.  Tell my dear boy father loves him "more than tongue can  tell" and would give anything to see him and that he must take good care of Mother until I come home.  I sent him a picture book by Capt. Snead.  Yr devoted husband,  
                                                                                     Stephen A. Corker
                                                                                     Capt. & Prisoner War

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