Correspondence between Aaron M. Sewell and Louisa Dorsett Sewell, his wife.

Louisa was the daughter of John R. Dorsett and Harriett Harlo[w] and the granddaughter of Elijah and Anna Richardson Dorsett of Chattooga County, GA

  Aaron M. Sewell was from Summerville, in Chatooga County, near Rome, Ga., the son of John Sewell and Charity Lancaster Sewell [formerly of Moore County, NC] according to Robbie Moye of Goldsboro, NC. He was a private in Co. H., 39th Georgia Infantry Regiment. All of his letters were addressed to his wife, Louisa [Dorsett] Sewell, but some of them contain notes to his father-in-law, brother-in-law and other members of his family and friends. Letters to by persons other than his wife, include letters from M.R. Dosett, S.C. Sewell [Cicero], Harriet Dorsett and Burton Yeargan. Sewell was captured at Champion's Hill, May 16, 1863 and sent to Fr. Delaware, but was soon paroled and sent to Virginia [July, 1863] and then on to Georgia or Alabama where he was exchanged about September, 1863. He helped to oppose Sherman's southward march May - June, 1864 and apparently was killed in fighting near Marietta in latter part of June, 1864. 

The originals of these letters belong to Mrs. Quinton B. Wood, Douglasville, Georgia, who consented to their being microfilmed by Emory and the film kept at Emory for use without restrictions. Letters were brought to Dr. B. I. Wiley, July 8, 1959. by David Young, teacher in Douglas County High School [summer student at Emory, 1959], Douglasville, Ga. Mr. Young was in classes of Dr. Wiley at Emory in 1955 and at that time brought some letters from his own family for filming by the Emory Library.

The photo of Louisa Sewell Echols was submitted by Charlotte Echols. A larger photo and more information can be found in the Chattooga County Photo Album.

The Letters - 1862

Fragment - Louisa to Aaron June 1862 about it he said he thought you paid it its a note Simson had on you for black Smithing Cisero told me that was not all you ced he told [illegible] your [illegible] Becker [illegible] and D R barly $10 dollars I ask him what he done with the money he got for your bacon he said paid dets you owed I ask him what you owed so mutch for yare had [illegible] was ma cried for you to be in det so and you paid and while you was gone that the way he fur [illegible] I dont know how I am going to pay them without I keep your saddle and sell it and I expect that would cose hard feelings I dont want to do anything to any of them that will that will hert with me but I think Cisero ought to have paid them dets you told me he he woul you know I ask you about it and you said for me not to be on easy for Cisero would pay all and now they are calling on me fore the money I want you to write what to do about when I found that out I thought it was well enought I did not go to see you for I will have to pay them dets you mother and Cisero said they could not pay them Chatanooga Tenn June 12 1862 Dear wife I Seat my sef to address you agan.. I received a letter that your Ma rote the 25 of may I was truly glad to here from you It stated that you was yet sick I was sorry to here that you was not able to set up I was uneasy from that time till now I was gratifide to here fro you this morning B. O. Smith got a letter from his father he said to tell me that you was geting well I have been looking for a letter every since I received yours mays letter.. I looked for one this morning but got none.. I will rite a gan & send it by Mr. Taylor.. he is going to Summerville to morrow if you get this Saturday you must rite Sunday for you no not how proud it makes me to get a letter from you.. This leaves me Well & I hope when it comes to hand it page two May find you injoy ing the same great blassing of gods.. I mite rite you all the Petickelers of our marchings & our unregerly eating some times we get orders to march & get no time to cook Then we have to do without a day or nite some times one meal a day We got here from big creek gap Sunday morning The Enemy was on the other side of the river shooting there canons they ware not trying to burn the town They ware trying to distroy a sitasons property that ware in congress at the first of this excitement.. It is said that our men killed Thirty od of them on Saturday & disabled one peace of artilery Whitch they buried on sunday and retreated back then.. the The supposition wase that they ware go ing to cross down at Kellys ferry we then started about 11 oclock that nite 

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We got there about day Which was ten miles we reached this plase monday at dark We are here.. Our friends come in to see us dez [dazed ?] I wish you would come & see me If I new that we would stay till you could come & see me I would rite for you to come up & see us if we stay here & you get able to come you & your pa or some of your __aunts must come up & see us see how we live you must rite to me & tell me all about you being sick & how long & about the horse company & where it is & what they are doing tell your uncle James That I would like to get a transfur to his company If I can get one.. I had rather be with my brothers I think I rather be in a cav erly company I am tierd of marching I some times rather fite than march 

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I turn over To say a few words to your mam [?] Ma I red your short letter with care & it gave me satisfaction it was well composed & done just as well as a long letter. you must all rite to me & tell me all the news Tell pa to rite & all the rest You will see a letter that me & Noahs rote to Mr. Echols I would have rote then if I had ofe knew we would have staid here this long I think I well get a letter This afternoon yours truly.. Louisa you must corespond to me when you get this & tell me Whether you got my letters or not I have rote three before this this is the forth. I hope the time will come when we will get to go home & stay & when pease will once mor yours Truly & affectionately A. M. Sewell to L.F. Sewell ================================================================================ Line of battle Near marietta June 17 [18] 62 Louisa My Dear and Affectionate Wife As we are not ingaged otherwise today & there is a probability of Me hav- ing a chance to send a letter to center to be forwarded to you I now hason to write for I know you would be greatly pleased to here from me at any time Lou I have rote too letters before this I hope you have Recd them yes i would be greatly Relieved to know that you got them I think it very probable that you got the last one I sent it by a yong man thats bee a Soldier a long time & is now disabled by Loosing his arm & one eye & he visits the 19th Ala Regt & Returnes home again he Lives in Lieut Johnson Neighborhood as I gave you all the news in my last letter & havent any of importance now ill gave you but a Short Epistol Lou I am more than happy to Say to you

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Direct to Atlanta that I am well as to health & if I could get intelligence from you that you & all the Rest was injoying good healthy it would gratify my feelings more than you would imamagin OH I hope the time is not fair hence when the Echo of cannon & the Roar of Musketry will be hurd no more & will give way for pease & harmony to Reign once more & that we may all Return to our peasable & quiet homes & live in pease with all man Kinde & when we are called to die that we may be surroun- ded by friends & go down in a peasable grave & be prepaired to assent to man- sions on high with those who have gon before.. We have no Regular ingagements but Skirmishing & cannonading all the time ill close at [illegible] Good by Write if there is any possible chance I am you Dear & affection- ate husband till Death Aaron M. Sewell to L. F. Sewell ============================================================================= Georgia Chattooga County June 29 1862 I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that we are all tolerbly well I came down to Mr. Dopett this evening and Louisa wanted to hear from you and so did I louisa is in the [illegible] she never was out of the house in six weeks but she is on the [illegible] but she is the wrost looking human I ever seen she wanted you to write to her I received you and Noah letter and was glad to hear from you both We have poor prospect for crops Louisa told me to write to you that Cissero wrode your Saddle off she told him that she did not want him to take the saddle without he had wrote to you but he said he would pay for it and Pickney Martin has got you [illegible] Mr. Dosset is agoing to keep your Colt your Mother, and all your Sister is Sick with the fever they [illegible] Pleasant brother Bob came home he got wounded in the arm Louisa says she has got so that she can eat every thing that she can get she thinks that she will soon get well and be as fleshy as ever if eating will make her so Charly cook is Dead he Died at [illegible] spillars is well rite soon Louisa wants to hear for you no more at present but remain your friend Louisa Sewell S C Echols Aron M Sewell

April the 2, 1862 Dear brother I embrace the present opertunity to drop you afew lines to let you now that we are all well at presant thay I hope wil find you enjoying the same blsing of god you mair had a fine colt and 30 of march about three fot hy I sold my bacon for 25 cts per pound to sam hawkins mine and yours brought $152. setle? notes books with hawkins white was $90. I shall have to by leath and salt with the balance if I have any left over I wil pay other dets I sold 25 bushels of corn for 80 cts per bushel if I had not sold them when I did I could get doler bushel now but I wanted to be searten to have money enough to by salt leater which we can not live without I have not planted any yet mr hall hes returned home bringing some money from you and others ben cheek and James are at home thay have bin vearry sick are now geting well John baker is veary sick yet I have no reliable news from the war only the great naval battle at Morfock the southern vesals whipt sinking three of their best war vesals the north had runner sayes thay are fiting at several other places I must close my letter for it is getting late in the nite I could wrigh more if I had time I could say these are hard times but that would doo no good for I fear theair are wors a coming however I see there is no yous in grunting I intend to try to doo the best I can you must right to me as often as you can P J has gon to cas? to get him a school Your brother S C sewell ============================================================================== April 4 [?] 1862 Dear Aron I seet my self to let you know I am well the rest is well except sis she has ben verry sick but is geting well I receive the money you sent by Mr Hall I had rather it would have bin you com than the money if it had ben ten times as much I want you to come and see me if there be any chance for you to get of[f] in the evening I walk in the Parza [?] and look for you Aron I send l lofe of bredd 6 cake some butter by mr oGanes, 2 shirst by Mr Hall I want you to write if you get them I had not time to cook any mor I will try to do better nex time I want you to write how you are satisfide and what you have to eat wite? and all the news I will make your drawers and send them first chance I receive your letter dated Mar 1 Aron I cant think of mutch to write this time I think of your every hour in the day I had rather see you than any person in this world how can I enjoy myself when I have such a trobbel to bare i never will forget your parting words, write often I would like to hear frome you every day so I must close excuse this [illegible] letter I will try and do better the next. I remain your tru friend till death From L F S to A M Sewell P S Sis and Ellen sent there best love and respects to you and all of the Boys and especiely Taf and little Billy Mr Dear I will say a few words this morning I receive a letter for you las night I was more than glad to hear form you while I was redind it I thought my heart would burst I cant wright as I wish to I cant expres my felling this moring I am riting by candlelight I haft to send your shirts to Mr. Hill this morning and the letter Cicro send one with mine i want you to wright as soon as you get this number your letters so I will know when get all ============================================================================== Chattooga Georgia Apr the 20 1862 Dear Aron I seat my self to answer you kind and affectionate letter I receive you letter the 15 I would have answer it sooner but I heard you was gone to Coreinth I heard last eveing you was back at Knoxville these lines leave we well I hope will come to hand in due time and find you enjoying the same blessing you requested me to tell you if John Baker got well or not I am sorry to tell you he died the last of March I hope is gone to that happy home above where peace is forever Aron I like your letters very well I wish I could receive one every day you must write every opertunity I would write ofterner but I dont know when to write you travel About so mutch I heare one day you are at one place and the nex on you way somethere else. But I dont care were you go so you get back to me safe agan Aron you are not our of my mind three moments at a time it was a great Consolation to me when I read your second letter You said if met no more on earth we would meet in heaven yes in that bright world above and prase god forever you said you look at my likeny every day and shed tears I cant tell you the times I look at yours tears tears floow from my eyes now I heare Jame cheek and Marget and Martha hawkins a sin[g]ing Cisero has just come he will help them I wish you was here to sing I have been to preaching once since you left at oak hill Mr Low preach it rain today and Mr Purcell never come to prech at Mrs Martin I wish you were here to go to church with me when I go I am lonesome all the time. My dear I remember you in my praers night and morning I hope you dont forget to pray for your self you Country and yor true and affectionate wife at home you must read the scripture and see for your self. your Mothers family is well Aron Mr Sturtivan want to buy your saddle he come to pa and he wouldent Sell and then he come to me and told him I could not sell it with out your consent and you did not leave it in my care I asked Cisero if you told him to sell it he said not and told to write to you abut it I want you to write if are willing for it to be sold or not and what you will take for it Aron I want you to take as good care of your self as you can and thing you will get back home I think you will I have not got my things at home yet it rins so mutch and keep the river past fordind that pa cant go he would to as soon as the water falls he is about half done plantin the ground Keep so wett he cant plant Uncle Sion is going back to the company james and Ben Cheek is at [illegible] yet Aron you said you wanted me to write the condition of my health and we promis to keep no secrets I wont keep no secret from you and to remember the pleaure we seen at the old hut I never can forget it I hope we will enjoy ourselves again I must close by requesting you to write soon and often and if you want me to make you any close Pa and all the rest send there love to you pa said you must write often I Remain your true and sicer Wife Lou F Sewell to Aron M. Sewell

brother Aron I am well al but bad cold you hear what Mr bass says Mr. James sayes he will swap if yo will give him one hundred and fifty dollars for his horse and I doant know if you would not do better to do that that to swap with bass - if the horse were to dy you would not loos so much. Ciciro is gon with the rest of them and me are to start tomorrow Some say theat the order is countermounded now but we woant know till morning Mr. elison died and was sent home I remain your brother untill death J F. Sewell ======================================================================= Georgia Chattooga Co Sept the 3 [?] Dear Aron I receive you kind letter of the 20 and was glad to hear you was still mending this leaves me well I am about as fleshy as I ever was the health of the people is verry sorry there is a great deal of sickness about Ellen is verry low yet but is thought to be some better she was out of her rite mind three days and night she first had the remiten fever but if run into the typhoid the DR has cut all her hair of[f] and blistered her stomache twice we have to sit up all night I hope she will take action now and get better we had a verry good rain Saturday [illegible] Said his corn is better than he thought it was before he pull his fodder he has you colt at home it looks tolerable well Tankney [illegible] your mare yet I herd your regiment has gone to Kentucky I was in hopes you would not have to go any further from home than you was I fear if you go there I will never get any letters from you if you stay as clost as you are now till Ellen gets [illegible] I can leave home I will try and come and see you Aron I want you to to come home if there is any chance for you to come before you so so far I want to see you so bad I dream of every [illegible] You said for me to write where the stage run on and where it run from summerville to ringgold it goes up monday and back Tuesday and goes up Fryday and back Saturday I cant help but think you are going to try to come home I cant help looking for you if you go to Kentucky be soon I want you to write often if the letters can pass I will sufer more on easiness than I do I cant tell you how glad I woul be to see my dear Aron a coming I wrote to you about close in the letter I sent by Mr. Beard I am going to by jenes to mail you one pare of pants if I can if can I will by woil also I make them if you need any you must soon so I will have time to make them if you go to kentucky. I dont know whether I can send them to you or not I dryd one bushel and a peck of fruit at your Mothers I wish you were here to help me eat them I sit down at the table but what I think of you I herd the soldgers couldent pass throu cumberlan gap and they was making up a regiment to fight there way through if you join them you let me know and when you get you must write this paper is so bad I dont know whether you can read it or not so I must close the family sends love to you I still remain you tru and loving wife F L Sewell Sept the 11 1862 Camp Near london Tenn Mr. Aron Sewell Sir in comply with your brother request I send you a few line in reguard to my makeing the exchange with you if you are wiling to buy my horse and give me a resonable price I will swap with you I will take three hundred dollars for my hourse, saddle, etc the most of the camp has gone on a Scout to kantucky and the balance of us has recived marching orders to big creek gap no spetial news yours with respect F L Bass (N B) if you Return to your company soon give my respects Dr. J C tell him to wright to ma and that his and Bass family is well, yours G O [George Owens ?] Sept '62 Dear Aron I will say a few more words we thougt Ellen to be some better yesterday She got wors last night at one o'clock she has been sinking ever since I think she semes to rest some easier this evenig I dont think she will be alive in a few hours it look like we all cant give her up but that is trubble we all haft to bare the Lord gave and he taketh away it seem like Pa never can give her up but he never has had to give up a Dear child yet the Lord has spard us all I am verry tired and sleepy I have been sitting for a week Sis was very sick last week with the sore piles but is up now Aron I recond you now something of our troubles you have experience a good deal you have parted with brothers and sister and a dear Father Aron I hope you are prepared to meet us all in heaven in the Bright and lovely place which you get this ma god bless us all L F Sewell

Sunday, February 7th Vicksburg Miss Lousia My Dear companion As Capt Pitner of Our Regt is going home I thought I wou[-] ld write to you agan It is raining Some this morning but it seems to be fareing of now there isent no news in camps this morning it is some thing strange to here the cannons roaring here They Bumbared Each other more or les every day But they dont do much damage they killed one of our men yesterday morning We are doing no Duty but Picketing we go by Regt.. Out time is to morrow I hope we will all get back safe with no one hurt it is reported that there is several of the best oficers of the north gon home & several without permission there is Peace promised us in may we are not Shure that pea[-] ce will be made then but I am Shure of one thing & that [illegible] we dont get what was promised us I will go home about the first of may if not sooner I hope we all will get home then & quit this werid thing the war is composed of privates & I suppose over too thirds of them are poor men that is needed at home & i am in favor of them having there rites I am in favor of the privates going home & then who would carry on the war when the oficers wouldnt you know. page two There hasnt been nothing gande yet by this war & we mite stay here till we are all killed off & yet nothing as com[-] plished yet.. It seems that our leading men ought to bring about peace just the same as to make war & therefore say eye let us privates of[f] boath sides bring it to a close by disbanding & return to our home I see hundreds of men What is as stout as I am or ever was that isnt in the army nor they dont expect to be.. if this is the unfare[-] est thing to take it all in[-] consideration I ever knew of is there any justice in such i leave it for you to answer I hope to here from you on this now in your answer to this If everyman had a took an active parte in it & come out rite i would not had any room to have said a word but get how hard to think that some will not do nothing that has property at stake it will be worce than it is I think.. Louisa you must not take me to be nothing but just what I am I am a man that wants my rites & my rites unless you can see from this that I want you to have your rites tell you Pa to go or you go to the clerke office & draw your money if you are intitled to any whitch I think you are there is men in our company that there wives have drawed Page three money that is in better circum[-] stances than I am you are intitled to something & go & get it you will nead it to buy me material for cloathing for I cant gave the prices that we have to pay here for garments I will nead some in the summer but I cant tell at present what it is yet.. I lern that you can get yarn cheaper than you could when I was there you can by the chane & make some jeans & some liney & some white coten cloths don't understand that I nead them now for I have plenty if you can get the yarn may try to make me some cloth if you cant get it now you can after shur of sheep if Mrs. Echols has any Se if you can get it or it she has any you get it.. Lou I am sorry that I lost your like[-] ness but if was not like loosing you but next thing to you if you can get one have it taken for me & if I get It I will try to ceap it you must keep it till I come Lou The shure[-] est plan is to send letters by hand to me send one every chance you can for I think it would interrest me to read from you every day so sende one by Mr. Lieut Gilbert I have nothing more to rite at pres[-] ent unless I rite a song or part of a song So good by My dear page four Why Should I be affriled At pestolence and war The fercer be the tempest the suner it is over With Jesus in the vessel the billons rise in vain They only will convey me to you elysian plain There I shall not be tempted above what I can bear When fitings don ascotted his Kingdom for to share From him I have my orders and while I do obey I finde his holy Spirt eluminate my way The way is so delightfull I wish to travel on till I arrive at heaven to receive the starry crown This is the Tune greanland Salley will help you sing it I want you to learn this & several others & sing them to me when I come agan so rite son & tell me all the news so good by My dear your dear husband till death gave my love to all the rest & especially to mothers family tell Mr Echols to rite to me this leaves me in good health & good spirits & hope it will find you the same I will mail this as I am disappointed in sending of it by hand

from his Sister, Susan...

Chat Co Ga [August] 19th 1862 Dear Brother Aron I now seat my self to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at this time hoping when there few lines will find you enjoying the same bellsing you rote you was very sick I hope you are well again we have all bin sick but all are well but plly she has bin sick ever since the 20th of June is not able to sit up mutch yet. Sicero is well at this time Jesse is at home now he came home sick with the Measles Zand and all the children had them but are getting well again I staid with them when they was sick they have [illegible] hear to stay Jesse is going to start back tomorrow moring I cant think of nothing more to rite to you of any interest at this time I have no time to rite any more and will try to do better next time. So no more at present I remain you sister untel Death Sarah A R Sewell A M Sewell August 19 Deare Brother I will dop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at presant I was [illegible] sorry to heare of your losing [illegible] was glad to hears that you were better i hope an pray that you will Survive this ware an come home we are all better but polly I think She is a little better she had the Slow fever when the fever broke she had chils and fever Mother is cutting fruit all her Studdy is Aron George is [illigible] smart he keeps his curry come an rag hung on the nail at the stable currys baby you must write to us and give us all the advice you can i could write more if i had room i still remain your sister Susan C. Sewell ============================================================================ 

from His Brother, J. F. Sewell...

Dear Brother Aron 

it is with pleasure that I take the opertunity to address you Mr [illegible] I am getting over the measels I was very sick and had the Doctor with [illegible] it did not hurt the children since I was at mr dorsetts the day after Louisa got the last letter you rote was glad to hear from you sorrow to hear you had been sick louisa was as pretty as ever elan is sick with the fevar our batalan is going to [illegible] in Tennessee and I dont know how far from you I shal start tomorrow we have not heard from W L Sewell sinc you left letters cant pass from him to us we heard from elizabeth in June charles died in the hospital Mr. Spillars went home sick from cointh in July write to us when you can nomore from your brother at present J F. Sewell ============================================================================ August the 20 1862 Dear Brother we wer all glad to here from you an do hope when those lines came to [illegible] they may find you well i am not stout yet i had the measles and was verry sick [illegible] left this morning perhaps you know somthong about my feeling at this time this is the third he has started an i do believe i hated to see him start wors this time than i ever have [illegible] if it is the will of God that he may come back then i shall be a happy woman once more nomor at present write son an we will all wriet to you again James C. Sewell [?]