Letters from the Front -
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Civil War Letter from W. B. Copeland to Champan Frazier
Helena, Arkansas. July 15th 1863
Dear Brother & friends,
I seat myself by a drum this morning to let you know how we are getting along.
I am not very stout myself. I have had camp diarrhea for a spell but am about
well of it. But I have got the mumps now. They are not hurting me bad. I
think I will be over them in a few days. Bill is about over the measles, he
is in the Camp with me. Reel is in the Regimental hospital pretty sick.
James is in the post hospital 3 miles from here, he was not getting along very
well when I seen him last. The Capt. sees all of them every day. He don't
think him dangerous. (Lowry) is also in the tent hospital pretty sick. You
no doubt have heard of the death of James H. Christian on the 4th of this
month. He told me how he wanted his dues in Iowa distributed and asked me to
attend to it for him, but all I can do under the circumstances is to make his
wishes known to you and would ask you to carry them out if you can. He wanted
the money that James Frazier owed him paid to your daughter Emily Frazier and
the money that R. L. Coffee owed him, $60 I believe, divided between his
Mother and Malinda Spencer. I promised to see to it but this is all I can do
for him. He gave me no account of any other business. Lindley M. Evans was
present when he gave me those instructions and made a note of it. In regards
to my business, I wrote you a letter some time back giving you such
instructions as I thought necessary or rather giving no instruction at all. I
don't hear of you every getting it. Malinda keeps asking me for advice which
is impossible for me to give at this far off distance, but must leave it to
her own judgement and will ask you to help her a little with your advice. I
fear if they raise a crop that the field will not be fenced so as to secure
it. I want you if you please to advise her a little in regards to making that
contract. I believe I will close by asking you to write to me without fail
for you have no idea how much good it does us to receive letters from home.
Footnote: W.B. Copeland was with Company C, 29th Iowa Infantry.
The connection between Copeland and Champan Frazier is... Copeland married
Champan's sister Malinda. As to other name tie-ins... Champan Frazier's
wife's maiden was Reel. James Christian was a nephew of Copeland's wife
Malinda and Champan Frazier. R. Coffee was a brother-in-law as he married
Champan Frazier and Malinda Copeland's sister Elizabeth and he was an
uncle-in-law to James Christian. James Frazier was a brother of Champan
Frazier and Malinda Copeland..and he was an uncle to James Christian.
James Christian asks that the $60 be divided between his mother and Malinda
Spencer. His mother was Lavina Frazier Christian and Malinda Christian
Spencer was his sister.
Letter and information contributed by Linda Herrmann - Lincrafter@aol.com
Civil War Letter from Wickcliffe Copeland to Sarah A. Reel
Written between Feb. 8 and Feb. 17, 1863
Very Much Respected Niece,
I went to see Henry a few minutes ago and found him pretty sick. I don't
think him really dangerous yet but he is certainly getting along very slow.
He's not able to write and asked me to write you a letter which I attempt
to do. He says he wrote you a letter in regard to his land. But for fear it
never got there he wishes me to state to you that he don't think it
advisable for you to buy any (s-crip or s-crifi ?) to lay on swamp land and buy no
land under any circumstances, unless it should be the piece that the house
stands on and I think from the way he talked that he had his doubts about its
being best to enter it. But was willing for you to use your own judgement. You
may think that we could give our wives advice but I am satisfied to the
contrary. Our heads are chuck full of something else. While I write I hear the Dead
March going from the camp for the 2nd time today. Lowry Wilson is with
Henry in the hospital. They are about 100 yards from camp and you may rest
assured that they shall receive all the attention in my power to give them. I am
with them as much as my health and other duties will permit. In the mean time I
shall endeaver to keep you posted as to how they are getting along until
they get able to write. We are still losing men pretty fast but they are all
old White River Cases as they are called. We have few new cases in camp and I
think the regiment is improving very fast.
I will close my letter. Give my love to all your little brothers and
sisters and your little girl, I forget her name, and all enquiring friends.
Reserve a goodly protion for yourself.
So no more but still remain
your Uncle W. B. Copeland
P. S. (Milt?) Richardson is dead. Marion very low.
Footnote: Sarah Reel was the daughter of Champan
Frazier, Wickliffe's brother-in-law. Henry Reel was married to Sarah and
he died in Helena, Arkansas on Feb. 17, 1863. Lowry Wilson was married to
Henry Reel's sister Martha. There may have been a family connection
between Wickliffe and the Reels on the Copeland side as well as the
Frazier. Wickliffe's half-sister may have been married to a Reel.
Any information about this would be appreciated. Milton Richardson
and Marion Richardson died a Helena.
Letter and information contributed by Linda Herrmann - Lincrafter@aol.com
Civil War Letters
