Weller Correspondence
Civil War Period Correspondence:

While David F.C. Weller served in the Confederate Army, he exchanged letters with several fellow soldiers, who shared their war experiences. He also received letters from relatives who discussed the war's impact on their lives at home. In contrast, his future wife Molly (Mary Emma Fowler), who was still in school, received chatty letters from other girls that included little mention of the war.

Soldier Letters

Fellow soldiers sent a number of the letters to David while he was stationed at Forsyth, Georgia. These letters indicate that the writers had undergone hardships, but were still hopeful for a Confederate victory. Most of the letters also focused on romantic matters, thoughts of home, and hopes for the future.

A letter, dated April 22, 1864, is from David's friend, G.T.W. Myer. He talks about his life at camp and the discomforts he is experiencing. He is serving as a cook for a company that is getting ready for battle. He expects that there will be a "big fight up here soon". He is confident that they will "whip the Yankees". He also gives David "fatherly" advice about romantic matters. 1864-04-22

David communicated frequently with his cousin Ino H. Weller, who served in the 4 th Kentucky. In a letter dated March 29, 1864, Ino explains that he has recently returned to camp, after being in the hospital with a bullet wound. He discusses romantic interests, happy memories and hopes for spending pleasant times in the future . 1864-03-29 .

A second letter from Ino H. Weller, dated April 5, 1864, says that his unit is still at camp, "lying here doing nothing". He mentions that there are a lot of rumors regarding his unit's future movements, but that these are based only on speculation. He wistfully talks about a desire to spend more time writing, but says that he has difficulty writing under the current circumstances. 1864-04-05

In a letter dated May 3rd, 1864, Ino writes of a recent skirmish with the Yankees. He also mentions that his company is low on rations and is foraging for food. He shares information regarding several friends and relatives and complains that he is not receiving much mail. He says that he appreciates David's efforts in introducing him to a young lady, with whom he hopes to correspond. It appears that David sometimes served as a "matchmaker" for his fellow soldiers, facilitating communications between them and his female relatives and friends. 1864-05-03

Another letter from David's cousin, Ino Weller, is dated June 29 th , 1864. He writes that his unit is constantly under fire, which has made it difficult for him to write. He says that he is glad that David is a Christian and asks him to pray for him. 1864-06-24.

A letter dated July 27 th , 1864 was received from David's uncle, Jim H. Ellis, a lieutenant assigned to Company B, 9th Kentucky. Lt. Ellis writes of having been slightly wounded in a recent attack on his camp, but says that he is returning to the front soon. The letter also discusses the status of a number of fellow acquaintances that were wounded and says that his brigade now has only 450 of the original 1160 soldiers they had when they left Dalton. He shares that his last letter from home indicated that all were well and he promises to send further news when he hears from his family again. 1864-07-27

Another of David's friends, a Captain George H. Hash, serving in the 25 th Tennessee, "Johnson's Old Brigade", sent a letter dated Aug. 8, 1864. He writes of his experiences after leaving Forsyth. He was also wounded and may have met David at the hospital. He describes his company's march to Richmond and recounts how some of his belongings were stolen on the journey. He also discusses his unit's situation, saying that "Johnson's Old Brigade" has had a very hard time. He mentions that his encampment is about two miles from the Yankee lines and that he hopes his brigade will have an easier time "when we get the Yankees away from here". Then, becoming nostalgic, he reminisces about happier times in the company of a romantic interest. 1864-08-08

Exiled Relatives

Many people were displaced when nearby battles, the advance of enemy troops, or associated shortages made it too difficult to stay in their homes. Also, war widows and some wives whose soldier husbands were expected to be away from home for the foreseeable future, found it necessary to move in with friends or relatives. With soldiers on the move and civilian displacements, it was often difficult for family members to stay in touch.

David received two letters from his cousin Lucy Welch, who had fled her home and was staying in LaGrange, Missouri. Lucy had not been in contact with David for some time and was very happy that he had located her. In the letters, she praises him for his service to the Confederacy and writes of her own experiences caring for wounded soldiers. She mentions that some of the civilian population in the area is despondent, but she herself is still hopeful of a Confederate victory . 07-02 , 07-09

Schoolgirl Letters

During 1864, Molly received several letters from her cousins, Minnie and Mary Cooper, who lived in Louisville, Kentucky, but were away from home. She also corresponded with her friend Sallie Ashley, who had recently relocated to Madison, Indiana. These letters give a glimpse of the daily lives of young ladies who were relatively unaffected by the war.

Minnie Cooper wrote two letters to Molly in March 1864, while she was visiting relatives in Smith Mills, Kentucky. She writes of her experience travelling on a riverboat. She also discusses the activities she has been enjoying since her arrival in Smith Mills. This includes an amusing story about a horseback ride during which her hat and veil were blown away and then retrieved by her "very handsome" cousin Jimmie. 1864-03-14, 1864-03-31 .

Molly's cousin Mary Cooper was away from home, attending Shelbyville Female College. In a letter, dated April 17, 1864, Mary shares gossip about friends and relatives. She also talks about fashion - "White aprons and yaller buff bonnets are all the go this evening". Another letter from Mary, dated December 9, 1864, discusses her school activities and her plans to return home for the holidays. 1864-04-17, 1864-12-09

The collection includes four letters written by Molly's friend Sallie Ashly, following her move to Madison, Indiana. In a letter dated June 7, 1864, Sallie writes that she thinks that her family will like Madison because the people seem to be nice and sociable. However, the family has been very sick and she believes that their drinking water, which comes from a cistern, is to blame. Sallie also mentions that she will be attending school in September and fears that she will have to take Latin. 1864-06-07

Three additional letters, written in July 1864, discuss Sallie's life in Madison, friends, and romantic interests. Sallie also mentions her family's recurring bouts with illness. 1864-07-02, 1864-07-08, 1864-07-19 .