"Mr Joshua B Hill
Washington
. . . . . . . . N.C."

"April the 29 1861

. . . . . My dear Joshua. I seat my self to write you few lines, we are all up but not
very well! Your letter gave me a little comfort and much trouble mixed together. It
give me comfort this far to see that you have acted like an honourable gentleman for
your Country, are even willing to die in defense of it. But Oh! How near and dear
are you to my weeping heart. I will try to keep my eyes dry long enough to write a
little more. When I first heard you had joined the volunteer company I thought it
was to go abroad and I never should see you no more. But as you have only joined to
stay at home it may be I shall see you again, though we may all be in danger of an
enimy of some sort. I dont know as I ever wanted to see you any worse in my life.
But I dont expect you will come soon. O I never saw such times in my life as I do
now. The bad times has caught us out of every thing almost,
Joshua do write as often as you can if it is only a little. I love to read them, I must
exort you a little and quit. Never lie down at night nor rise in the morning without
meditating upon the goodness of the Lord. And try and ask him in as good a manner
as you can to lead guide and protect you in all you undertakings. And to be on our
side. Now Bud I fear you will not like all this, but it is written in the best of feelings,
When I write I generally write according to my feelings. You have my best wishes
for your present and future welfare. Farewell my son. . . . . . . . . . . . Mary A Hill"

People Mentioned in the Letter:

Mary A(nn) Hill (1810-1866): Mother of Joshua B. (Bud) Hill.

Joshua B. "Bud" Hill (1842-aft.1910):
Enlisted as a Private on 22 May 1861 at the age of 20.
Enlisted in Company K, 17^th NC Infantry Regiment on 25 June 1861.
Promoted to Full Sergeant on 01 December 1861.
Promoted to Full Sergeant 1^st Class on 03 March 1862.
Discharged Company K, 17^th NC Infantry Regiment on 26 March 1862.
Enlisted as a Private on 16 May 1862.
Enlisted in Company K, 3^rd NC Cavalry Regiment on 16 May 1862.
Promoted to Full Sergeant on 30 November 1863.
Promoted to Full Sergeant 1^st Class on 29 February 1864.
Wounded on 27 June 1864.
On rolls on 30 September 1864 (Est.date. "Abs.wounded at home on fur.")
Paroled on 1 May 1865 at Greensboro, NC.
Sheriff and US Marshall after the war.
Author of the 41^st NC Regimental (3^rd NC Calvary) history from "Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Civil War 1861-'65", 1907.
Joshua submitted his history on 9 April 1901.

"Joshua B. Hill, Esq.
in care of
Capt. James H. Swindell
Suffolk, Nansemond
County, Virginia"

Page 1

"We never heard where you were untill last night. Marshall come from the post
office said he read a letter from William Rermon. It is reported here that the
Yankeys went to Newbern with 75 Steamers, kept shooting the forts and landing
troops below Newbern and they marched up on the back of town and they fought
about 5 hours when then we had to retreat. I don't know the number ingaged, but a
great many more Yankeys than Southerns. I heard that Mr. Jewel, that lives at
Blounts Creek Crop Road who was in the battle, said that there was about 3000
Yankeys killed and about 1000 Southerns killed. But I exspect when the truth is
known, there is not 1000 killed in all. I have heard that Rodman's, Whiter's, Henry
Harding, and Tripps Companys were all there. I have not heard from any but Jewel,
he was in Whiters Company. The citizens of Newbern put fire in some Turpentine
and it caught some houses and burnt part of the town. We are looking for the
Yankeys here every day. The people in Washington is putting their turpentine in
vessels and carrying them above the bridge and setting them on fire. I heard there
was 3 burnt last night. Beaufort County is given to the Yankeys. I don't know how
they will treat us when the come. Marshe's negroes has all run away and gone to the
Yankeys but 3. lot Evetts Beachmons and some few others from South Creek. It is
said that the mail will not come to Blounts Creek no more but I recon they are not
certin about it. But I should not be surprised if the mail stops in town when the
Yankeys comes. If you write us Direct to Washington for fear the mail will stop at
Blounts Creek."

Page 2

"Henry had the worst hurting in his head that I ever saw any one have. The doctor
put a blister plaster on the back of his neck and it helped it some. We have been
sitting up with him about 3 weeks but he is getting better now but he is very poor
and weak. Write us as soon as you can. I should like to get one more letter from you
before the mail stops if it does stop. The people is getting all most afraid to go to
town now. But I inspect to try it tomorrow if the weather is not to bad. I would
like to give you some advice if I could but I don't know how to advise you but I hope
the Lord who is able to advise you will do it. I shall look for you when your year is
out.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yours
March 16th, 1862 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .George Hill

All the boats and canoes are sunk about here to keep the negroes from getting them to
run away in. Though none is gone from about here yet. I hope when the Yankeys
come here they will not stay long.

G.H.

I have heard nobody being killed but Capt. Mayhew of Hyde County but I don't
know that any is true that I have heard."

"Your Heart
Full Sister Emily

Dear Bud I long to meet your smiles once more
My confidential friend & brother;
The time will come (I do adore)
To return you to your relatives & Mother,
But if the event happens that you return not home again
I'll say honour to my brave brother who was a glorious friend,
But the time will come (be not in despair)
When I'll greet you with smile loving Sh!
But your never despair while a brave face you own
For when assembled, is as brave & as true as when alone
We will meet again soon. Accept this of me."

People Mentioned in the Letter:

George Hill (1809-1867): Father of Joshua B. Hill.

Joshua B. Hill (1842-aft.1910): (See Letter # 1 Information).

Capt. James H. Swindell:
Commissioned as a Captain on 22 May 1861 at the age of 25.
Company K, 17^th NC Infantry Regiment on 25 June 1861.
Discharged Company K, 17^th NC Infantry Regiment on 26 March 1862.

Marshall (Hill) (1846-Unk): Brother of Joshua B. Hill.

William Rermon: (Unknown).

Mr. Jewel: (Unknown).

Rodman's Company: Captain William B. Rodman's Company, became Company C, 40^th NC Regiment (3^rd NC Regiment, Artillery).

Whiter's Company: (Unknown).

Henry Harding's Company: The Beaufort Plow Boys, Company B, 61^st NC Infantry Regiment.

Tripp's Company: Possibly William H. Tripp, 40^th NC Regiment (3^rd NC Regiment, Artillery).

Marsh: (Unknown).

Evett Beachmon: (Unknown).

Henry (Hill) (1844-Unk): Brother of Joshua B. Hill (author of another letter to Joshua in 1864). Service record not yet known.

Capt. Thomas W. Mayhew (c1839-1863): teacher in Hyde County; married Adelaide Watson in 1859; became Captain of Co. F, 33^rd NC Inf. Reg't. in 1861. Wounded at Chancellorsville, VA, died in hospital at Richmond, VA on May 12, 1863, of wounds.

Emily (Hill) - (1840-Unk.) Sister of Joshua B. Hill

"Serg^t. Joshua B. Hill
Co. H. 41^st / 3^rd N.C. Cavalry
Gordan's Brigade
Richmond"

Page 1

. . . . . "I have wet my pillow with tears, night after night, Night
after night, when you and all the family would think I was asleep.
When I am lying on my bed, many times I think, where is my absent
son now. Is he taking his rest, or is he standing in the cold, or has
he any fire or enough covering to keep him warm; or is he almost as
it were - facing the enemy. My dear child, I have often prayed to
the Lord for you, that he will bring you safe to me again. I believe
he will do it. So my son, try with all your might to live a peaceful
and moral life, remember the footsteps of your father. I know you
have many trials in this unfriendly world, take it easy if you can. I
am very sorry indeed that you were cheated out of your right. I
could see the man punished for it. I wish he were in some other
place. I fear I shall weary you before you get through with this. So
right here let me stop. So may the blessed Lord be with you forever
more is my prayer.

Your Mother
good bye

P.S. . . . I received a letter from you yesterday. You see I scarcely
can stop at all. I wish I could send you some potatoes. I would do
it with the greatest pleasure in the world. Write often as you can.
I have left out many things I thought to write, but this is enough.

This leave us in common health.
Your Mother
M.A.H."

Page 2

"This is the last side
I suppose it is near to Christmas, but I don't expect to take
any pleasure in it at all. If I live to see it, I expect to spend it in
Solitude and Tears. For where will my children be then that is in
the Army. How far will the enemy be from us at that time. Oh how
I wish for peace. I am alone today except three last children, &
perhaps is the cause of my writing so much. Although I wrote some
Friday, some Saturday, and some today (Sunday).
P. S. . . . Before I sealed this letter, I understood Martha Archibell
was gone to Middleton. Is it not strange. I could not know it, your
father was at Washington the other day and could not hear of any
one going.

Wednesday morning, good bye again
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Your mother"

People Mentioned in the Letter:

Mary A(nn) Hill (1810-1866): Mother of Joshua B. (Bud) Hill.

Joshua B. Hill (1842-aft.1910): (See Letter # 1 Information).

Martha Archibell: (Unknown)

Joshua's "Father" (George Hill) (1809-1867):

"Segt J Hill
<Comdg> leo (K)
Neuse Road"

Page 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "April, 10th 1864
Dear Brother,
. . . . . Yours of 3^rd inst. was received Friday last. I was happy to hear from you. I
expected you had gone to Kinston N.C. I received a letter from home, the one you
spoke of proving that all was an utterly falsehood. I could not believe it but from
Harvey Hill. He ought to have known better unless he was in hopes that it was so.
I sincerely hope that there may be more good times than have been this Winter at
home. I almost agree with you in saying that we will be more likely to go
to Northern <Va> than South again. It was rumored that we would soon go to <W>,
But false. Also the same time we was moved up to the station & have been here ever
since. I would not be surprised to go any where & at any time. There is no telling
the ?? of ?? though we may stay here all to <summer>."

Page 2

"Well, in regard to the Lady question. I did not hear Miss Mollie say any thing
about you writing on her. I only heard Marshal & someone say so. Though I heard
the girl speaking of you; where you was? & your height - Love. Of course there is no
impropriety in writing to Ladies in order to gain information & style of letter
writing. Also no doubt it would be some advantage to young men to have a Lady
correspondence. & as you say, if he tries to improve his style of writing. But if he
has many different Ladies to write to it will be an expense some enough. It seems
that girls are faster than ever before. They all want to get married so bad. I do not
know what they will do. The girls in Blounts Creek is all played out except one or
two. Miss Mollie told me good deal how the boys flew around them & how she
treated them. She said she would not let boys fool with her till they were grown. She
said the boys"

Page 3

"thought they was ??. Of course I joined her in behalf of the men told her she was all
<wright>. The whole family (Mr. Tutens) likes all soldiers I believe, have so much
sympathy for them when I was there one time Miss Midgett, Sophia <Calin/Catin>
<& a> house full of girls. It was the only place that I enjoyed myself any at all. Oh;
It was a miserable spent 20 days with ?? me ?? ?? sick took away my appetite & I
became almost sick a bed while I was down there. & I could have had a fine time if
it was not for the Yankees I should have gone to Durhams Creek ??. But while I
was safe I thought it best to leave soon as possible. I direct my letter to R. Warren
& enclose one for someone at home. Thought it the safest way. Robert Ann is
teaching school at Mr. A Redditt?? requested me ?? tell you"

Page 4

"to write soon. There is no news in this vicinity to relate we have been catching.
Some Yankees broke the <jail> at Danville making their way cross ?? Black water.
There was the devil to pay in the Regt. few days ago. Several of the officers & the 2
surgeons got drunk & kicked ?? ?? generally. Col. gave them a good lecture & one
Dr. left us immediately, I do not know if he will resign or not. Well I believe the
little position of Orderly Sgt. is about the best now not exposed at all. I have not
been in duty of night since I left <Al.??>. This leaves me very well indeed. I am glad
Redding Tuten is released from Yankeedom sufficiently amused I reckon. You must
write soon as convenient.
. . . . . . . . . . Yours Bro as ever
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry H. Hill"

People Mentioned in the Letter:

Henry H. Hill (1844-Unk.): Brother of Joshua B. Hill.

Joshua B. Hill (1842-aft.1910): (See Letter # 1 Information).

Harvey Hill: Possibly George Hill's uncle, born 1796. George Hill was Joshua B. Hill's father. George may have also had one or two cousins named Harvey Hill.

Miss Mollie:

Mr. Tuten: Possibly Redden Tuton, born 1794. Father of a Redding Tuton and a Mary Tuten.

Miss Midgett: Possibly Mary Tuten, a daughter of Redden Tuton, Father of Redding G. Tuton.

Sophia Catin (Caton): There was a Sophia Caton, born 1843, Daughter of Benjamin Caton in Eastern North Carolina at the time. (Craven County until at least 1850's).

R. Warren: (a Redding Warren, was born 1786, and Robinson Warren born 1843).

Robert Ann (Hill) (1830-Unk.): Brother of Joshua B. Hill.

Mr. A. Redditt??:

Redding Tuten: Two Redding Tuten's enlisted on 25 June 1861 from Beaufort County into the same unit (Company I, 4^th NC Infantry Regiment); Redding R. and Redding G. Redding G.'s history seems to match the letter best.

Redding G. (son of Redden Tuton, born 1794): Enlisted as a Private on 25 June 1861 at the age of 18; Enlisted in Company I, 4^th NC Infantry Regiment on 25 June 1861; Promoted to Full Sergeant on 20 September 1861; POW on 5 May 1862 at Williamsburg, VA; Returned on 1 January 1863; POW on 1 November 1863 at Charles City Court House, VA; Confined on 28 December 1863 at Fort Norfolk, VA; Transferred on 16 March 1864 at Point Lookout, MD; POW on 19 September 1864 at Winchester, VA; Confined on 22 September 1864 at Point Lookout, MD; Died of disease while a POW, Company I, 4^th NC Infantry Regiment on 3 February 1865 in Point Lookout, MD.

Redding R. (son of Thomas Tuton, born 1792, of Durhams Creek, Beaufort): Enlisted as a Corporal on 25 June 1861 at the age of 24; Enlisted in Company I, 4^th NC Infantry Regiment on 25 June 1861; Promoted to Full Sergeant on 5 December 1861; Promoted to Full Lieutenant 2^nd Class on 22 June 1862; Died of disease Company I, 4^th NC Infantry Regiment on 30 July 1862 in Richmond, VA.

<Ho or No> ?? Post Commdr
Magnolia N.C. Feb 25th/5
Sergt Hill - <Mr> Crenshaw
& four (4) servants
will be permitted to pass
to Richmond Va

By <C???>
Col <Ca?> J. Burr
Chas. S Myer
<Ack> <Ad??>

                        QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT, C.S.A No. 342340                  TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, RICHMOND, VA. Mar 1st 1865  .       Peidmont                    . Rail Road Company will please Furnish transportation for.                                       . .        (1) <One <Bag> Flour                                     . .                              Capt M K Crenshaw                  . From            Danville                to      Greensboro NC     . on Government account.         -By Mail Train -          .       D.H. Wood               .                                          Major & Quartermaster 

No.       .              EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,                  District of Norfolk, 29th March 1862       .                 Pass Joshua B. Hill to Suffolk             .         (formerly a member of Co. "K" 17th NC Reg:         .         but now disbanded)                                 .         Residence, Washington NC                           .         Where Born, Beaufort Co NC                         .         Profession, Clerk                Hair, Light       .         Age, 20                          Beard, None       .         Height, 6 1 ½                    Eyes, Grey        .         Weight, 171                      Complexion, Fluid .         Peculiarities,                                     .        .                                                   .          REFERENCES:                            Lieut. Jos C. Owens Co "B"       .                           7th NC. Regiment                 .                           Saml R R?????                    .                                         ? W A ??ha??       .                                        Provost Marshal     .                   Civil and Military Governor.

People Mentioned in the Orders:

Joshua B. Hill (1842-aft.1910): (See Letter # 1 Information).

Captain M. K. Crenshaw:

Colonel Burr:

Meyer:

Major D. H. Wood: Major in the Quartermasters department in Richmond Va. In charge of transportation of soldiers.

Officer from Order #3, Name - ??:

Officer from Order #3, "Lieut. Jos. C. Owens" - Joseph Carson Owens, Lieutenant, Company B, 17th NC Infantry Regiment.

Beaufort County Military Page