Leonidas Polk Family Papers

[in pencil] (A.D. 1861)

Oct 13th Sunday

My dear husband --

I have come into Columbia to service this day, & have heard of an opportunity of writing you. The last news was the Telegram sent to Hamilton, & which arrived after he left. The servants & "plunder" went up to Ashville yesterday. Emily & I will follow on Wednesday by which time we hope the girls will have gotten things a little straight. They went up also on Saturday & are staying , some with Kate, some with Mary [Yeatman?] I think when the boxes from N. O. come to hand we shall be quite comfortable. I heard from Mary [Yeatman?] that little Betsy, from the planta

tation had arrived there on Friday moprning with "An Adams Express Ticket pinned to her Cape"-greatly to the amjusement of the family. I shall be very glad, & I hope thankful, to have once more a home of my own, & to have my children around me, how much more, if we could only have you with us.

I hope we shall hear of something decisive soon. I understand Lucius returned last night from Bowling Green & reports that as we advance into Kentucky the Union men are more bitter & defiant-this I think is natural. I hope Miss-- is not to be deserted by us -- at any rate the war must be driven from our borders.

I under-

stand Nashville is in somebody else' military division, for I am not under your keeping. The day after Hamilton left Sally had a long letter from Hessie Elliott. She said a vessel had arrived from England bringing 8000 Enfield Rifles & 22 Rifled Cannon. Sap[ ? ] was a relative -- they were out thirty days & spoke but one vessel, which gave them papers informing them of the falling of [ ?] -- a good Providence as they had intended making that place as being least likely to offer obstructions. It was not published because there are other vessels similarly loaded trying to get in. There was a long list of [ ? ] beside which were spool thread, & leather for

artillery traces etc.

James is still gaining slowly. How I would like to see you once again. Send a line when you can, but do not trouble yourself about writing. You are in God's hands dear husband -- & I will try & do my best -- but that is very poor & little. God bless & keep you for me.

There is no one here to send love. If Nick is with you, give him much love. Hamilton I hope found & forwarded our boxes. I should like to see your old friend, I am sure his coming has been a great relief.

I wrote you by young Mr Martin. I hope you received the letter. I enclose a letter for [ ? ].

Yours ever

F A Polk

[Almost illegible note scribbled across the top: These boxes &c were captured by (illegible)]

Montgomery April 9, 1862

Capt A. H. Polk Corinth

Dear Sir

Your messengers safely delivered to me two Trunks, one long Box, and Two Bundles of Papers which will be taken care off untill called for and which I sincerely hope may not be very long, and that your Faather safe from the Perils of War may assemble us together to open them and to resume his duties as our Chancellor. Two or three such glorious victories victories as you have lately attained will soon bring the vandals to their senses.

With very very warmest regards for your Father

I am very respcy

Charles T. Pollard

evacuation of much of the territory which they once occupied are all pointers in the same direction - Upon the back of all this comes the expiration of time of the 3 year men which expires early next summer. I feel no doubt that the enemy will make great efforts but that the result will be "Montes parturient, nascetur ridiculus mus"

Another point is that, at last, the interruption of the cotton supply is producing its effect - The whole British trade with India and China has been carried on by means of cotton goods - this or bullion & Oriental demand - the large stock of Manufactured goods which are on hand in England is now failing & Bullion

is pouring out of England & France - This may act upon the United States & produce a drain of gold & a great depreciation of their currency if not a financial crash.

We must of course be prepared for them & must presume that they will come with great power - but I do not think they can for the reasons given above & I hope to see you as Lieut. Genl. & command the opening the Mississippi & re-uniting us with Louisiana, Texas & Arkansas-

My family continues wellWe have been made very happy by a marriage of my son Robert to his Cousin, Miss Caroline Elliott. They were married on [7th inst?]

Will you remember me very fondly to your wife, if she is with you and to Sally, if she is still in the [bush?]

Very affectionately

Stephen Elliott

will show exactly what I received at the hand of the Bishop in form of drafts or in cash.

You state that [?] is asking the pay of a $553 note, signed by the Bishop for the use of the University -- and suppose that I may have some knowledge of the matter, but, I regret to say that I have not a recollection of the case.

I have deeply sympathized with you & your family for the heavy loss you have met with - but I lament it & will forever as a loss to the world of the greatest and best of men - whose place can never be filled (it is useless to say more.)

Bishop Elliott's funeral address lays eloquently before the world the excellency of a genius and a heart that never can be surpassed, and with a religious truth that cannot be questioned; all that we know our dear Bishop and Glorious General cannot but curse the War that took him from us.

I trust in Johnson for his eventual counseling of those fiendish radicals who seek to consummate the most diabolical scheme that rascality & wick -idness war could conceive.

I am happy to hear that Miss Sallie has found a friend & protector in Blake, who I hope will prove himself a blessing to her.

Present my kindest regard to Your Sons & daughters that many be spared as [comforting?] to you

Most respectfully and truly yours Chas R. Barney

Always direct letters that you may be induced to write to the Care of Saml. Harris & Sons, -- as one of the firm married my niece - and always knows my whereabouts. By mistake you neglected to forward your letter address care of Saml. Harris & Sons Brokers Baltimore

{written vertically on the left edge of the page}

I was Major in two companies of The Confederacy and go by that title now CRB

FIRE, LIFE, RIVER AND RAIL INSURANCE, NO.4 MAXWELL HOUSE NASHVILLE, TENN., JUNE 25TH, 1873

Mr. H.N. Anderson [?] Sewanee Tenn

Dear Sir -

As your Board of trustees will hold their usual annual meeting in a few days: Mr Polk has requested me to write You and ask you to bring up before them, the subject of the note given by Bishop Polk for some money. (I do not know the particulars of the transaction) which he used for the a/c of the University - principally for preparing the corner Stone. Mr Polk is very anxious that something should be done to pay this note, at any - rate, no doubt You are better informed than I am, on the matter and will readily understand what is here meant - It seems that [some?] [man?] living at Sewanee at about the time of the laying the corner stone, had some money & wished to lend it, to the U of the South the Bishop took it and gave his note for it. The lender died or was killed during the war - and his heir at - law - has brought suit against some body, to secure the amount. Can You not get this matter settled?

Cholera leaving us - & confidence being returned

Very truly

W.D. Gale