Civil War Letters
Letter written by Pvt. Peter L. Mabry
Peter L. Mabry was born about 1834 in Franklin County, North Carolina, the son of Joshua Mabry and Frances B. Strother. His family moved to Alabama about 1836, probably settling in Greene County. Joshua Mabry died about 1848. His widow, Frances was the head of household in 1850. It is believed that Joshua was a son of Jesse4 (Francis3, Francis2, Francis1) Mabry. By 1860 Peter Mabry was living in Mobile, Alabama where the census listed him as a Book Keeper.
Peter L. Mabry, enlisted on April 24, 1861 in Company K ("The Mobile Rifles"), 3rd Alabama Infantry Regiment. He re-enlisted the following year on May 1. The 3rd Alabama Infantry Regiment was engaged in numerous battles including Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Mine Run, Winchester, and Cedar Hill. It suffered heavy losses and few of its original members survived. Peter L. Mabry suffered a knee wound on 29 May 1864 near Hanover, Ohio and died 9 days later at Richmond, Virginia, after the amputation of his leg.
In Camp Near Fredericksburg Va
February 15/63
Dear Cousin,
Having given out ever getting another letter from you until I write again I thought I would spend a portion of this day (Sunday and raining) writing to you. I have nothing of importance to write you. Every thing is very quiett up in this portion of the Country. The Yanks attempt to making loud preparations as though they would cross Some time soon but I am inclined to think it all to bluff our Genls while they move a portion of their army to Some other point Our army is in good Condition and spirits. I have never seen so little sickness as in our army now Should they come I do not believe that they will get off So easy as they did before
I am in hopes that we may Soon have peace and think the chances better now than they have been Since this war commenced.
Pluss I am getting very tired of the war would give any thing if it could be brought to a close. I was in hopes that I could get a furlow this Spring but all orders granting them has been countermanded Should any more be given I will be the first one from our Company I am the only one that has been through all the Battls I have not missed a march or fight that the Regt has been in I wish I was in old Clinton today to go to church we have no chaplain in the Regt So we Very Seldom get a chance to hear preaching Pluss I still hold to my pledge I have not takin a drink in almost two Years I am determined never to take another unless given me as medicine
We have Some deep Snows we all Manage to Keep Very Comfortable most of us having built Cabbins.
How does Martin and the widow get along what does he find to make her presents of Since apples gave out write and tell me all the news Why did David Butler quit the Army did he resign. were is Dorman Evans and Family what for a Christmas did you all have in Clinton I recon a dull one.
Have you received a letter from North Carolina lately. I have not heard from any of them in almost a year. I received a letter from Sister Mary yesterday. was Sorry to hear that Judd Milour was So Sick. was Judd a private. tell Cora to write to me and I will take great pleasure in answering her letter. I think you all mite write oftner and longer letters than you do I never get any letters only from Sister Mary and I am Sure if you knew how much pleasure it offered me to get a letter you would write.
I must close give my very best respects to Mr. Hampton and to your Mother and father write Soon and give Me all the News.
Your Cousin
Peter L. Mabry
We cannot positively identify the "cousin" to whom the letter was written. If it was a cousin on the Mabry side of the family, it may have been Patrick Mabry, son of Peter's brother, Sidney H. Mabry who is listed in the 1850 and 1860 census of Greene County. The reference to "old Clinton" is almost certainly Clinton, Alabama, a small town also in Greene County.
Don Collins
August 2014