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| A fascinating and revealing read.
In 1993, my wife had the opportunity to visit the United States with a Quilter friend and attend the annual QUILT SYMPOSIUM at Paducah, Kentucky. My work commitments kept me at home. But among the things Robyn brought back from that visit, was the book shown in the image above.She knows my keen interest in the American Civil War. The book is a real gem. Because it is a collection of private correspondence, from and to a soldier in the Confederate Army, it is a rich source of information on life in those troubled times.
Slavery is a word with connotations which produce universal revulsion and conjures up images of cruelty, beatings and all kinds of inhuman behaviour. Some surprising aspects of its reality come to light in the correspondence of Dick and Tally Simpson to and from their home in Pendleton South Carolina:
From a letter written by Tally Simpson (Taliaferro was Mrs Simpson's family name) dated 23rd July, 1861 addressed to his Father Richard Franklin Simpson:-
"(After a lengthy discussion of the Battle of Bull Run/First Manassas) "........Give my love to all. If you can find anyone to send me a negro boy do so quickly. I need one badly.I have lost nearly all my clothes.Do send me one. There is no danger - and no expense. I will look for one - Mose or anyone. Farewell. Believe me as ever Your affectionate son T.N.Simpson. "
From a letter written by Tally at Camp Gregg, Vienna , Virginia on 7th August, 1861 to his Father :
"Dear Pa, Again I write to you not having received a reply to any of my letters..........( a lengthy account of military actions follows and of a visit to an old comrade of the Father)...Write to me.T.N.S. I received your letter yesterday afternoon after this letter was written. So you can consider this an answer and write accordingly. Say whether you are going to send Mose or not."
From a letter written to his Sister Mary by Tally Near Vienna , Virginia on 12th August,1861:-
Dear Sister, It would be cruel to take Peter from his Dulce. (After extended discussion of recent military events and happenings involving mutual acquaintances) ".......Randol cannot stand fatigue. If he could, I would prefer him to any negro we have.Joe will not suit our purposes.Tell Pa to send any he wishes. If Cousin Jim, Buddie or myself were to get sick, we would have to go back to the Hospital somewhere with no-one to wait upon us . And it is said to go into one of them sickens a well person . The doct. visits them once a day, and the afflicted are compelled to lie in those miserable holes from day to day with no-one to administer to their wants. Tell Mose if he ever belongs to me , he may consider himself in the hands of Cobb the negro trader. Pa ought to send him whether he wishes or not."
From a letter written by Tally's Brother Dick from Vienna, Virginia to their Sister Anna Tallulah Simpson on 22nd August, 1861:-
(Surrounded by much family discussion) " ....About sending Mose. We must have a boy whether he takes the measles or not. So if you don't send him by Sloan , send him by anyone who will be coming on. Give him a suit of clothes just like our uniform for it is of great importance ( we now have a frock coat) a couple of blankets and an oil cloth. He must have everything comfortable."
From a letter written by Tally to his Mother Margaret Taliaferro Simpson from Vienna , Virginia on 31st August , 1861:
(After a general review of conditions in camp and mention that "The health of camp is still bad enough".) .....When are you going to send me Zion? I hope tho before this reaches he will be half way here. Has Pa received my last?...........It is very disheartening to see the mail come every day and no letter for me. Try to remedy this. Give my best love to all and to Col. P's family. Farewell. Ever believe me Your Devoted Son T.N.Simpson"
From a letter written by Tally from Charlottesville, Virginia on 12th October, 1861 :-
(After a lengthy somewhat teasing reproach to his Sister for not writing) ...Zion stands it very well and says he likes the camp life very much indeed. Tell Hester, as long as we are able, he shall not suffer.......Your most affectionate and sincere brother T.N.Simpson "
From a letter written to his Sister Mary Simpson by Tally at Centreville , Virginia 0n 1st November, 1861:-
"After a brief account of his clothing needs.).......Zion says tell Hester to remember him to Col. Pickens'black folks, and if she stands in need of anything, he will try and assist her - & to make Lewis gather his crop - take half of the patch he has with Jessie in Jenkins bottom.
From a letter to his Mother written by Tally from In camp near Centreville on 4th November, 1861:-
"( After general discussion of his circumstances especially after both brothers had been hospitalised with measles) .........Zion is getting on finely. He cooks finely and does us very good service. John Garlington's boy has gone home with Stobo but will be back in three or four weeks......(he relates several deaths of men known to his Mother)...Zion says give his love to Hester and the children and all the rest. He says for Hester to make Lewis sell his corn and for her to buy shoes for Lucy, Emma and Clara - tell him how Venus is getting on.
Give my love to all and write to me soon. I remain as ever Your Devoted Son T.N.Simpson
Do excuse this scrawl for I never felt as little like writing in my life. It seems as if I have lost my senses. Zion says he wants to know how master is coming on and has a pipe for him made of soap stone taken from the battlefield of Thursday.
From a letter written by Tally to his Sister Mary from In camp near Centreville on 10th November, 1861:-
(After a general review of events including the Confederate reverse at Port Royal and his continuing illness).".....Give my best love to all. Zion sends love to Hester and the children and all the negros. He stands it very well and is in good spirits. Write soon. Your Affec brother T.N.Simpson ".
From a letter written by Tally to his Mother from In Camp near Centreville on 21st November, 1861 :-
(After the letter reviews his life in camp and the progress of the War) "..... Give my love to all.Write soon to Your affectionate son T.N.Simpson
Howdy to all the negros. When it is convenient have sent to us some good Winter boots. "
REFLECTING
We see in this private correspondence past the objective abhorrent principle of slavery to the practical lived "peculiar institution"in at least one case. Yet the written words are so natural in their flow, and free of any hint of apology for the degree of consideration for the slaves and their wishes shown, that it would seem more than likely that the Simpson family was not alone in its approach to its slaves.
Even so, who would exchange their freedom for the status of a slave?
Even Tally raises the spectre of the Slave Trader in showing his displeasure at Mose' non- compliance with his wishes. But the great surprise is that Mose COULD and DID refuse to comply. Equally we might be surprised that Zion's slave friend has corn to grow and sell and is free to dispose of the proceeds of its sale to meet personal or family needs.
But obviously, not every slave holder was a Simon Legree.
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| Grave of Tally Simpson who was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga 20th September, 1863 |
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