Museum Quality Americana
Stephen Bull Barnwell of Chatham County, Georgia joined the 8th Georgia Infantry at the start of the war, 5/21/61. He was shot at the battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg, Md.) on September 17, 1862. His sister, Helen Barnwell, in our letter we are offering writes on the 30th of September after hearing that he was wounded. Her letter to her “hero brother” is quite amazing! To Helen her brother had received his “red badge of courage” and she is more interested in his hero status than the suffering he was going through.
· “Well! You’ve fallen at last! Such are the ups and downs of this life! You are a brave true soldier and now everybody knows it. Why Tuscarora John (Georgia folk hero) would be proud to own you for a relation. We are proud too –very, and we know you glory in having thus far fulfilled your duty to your dearly beloved country”
· “Don’t let any such disgusting, cruel, heartless foe make you afraid – bear up and all will come out charmingly for you. You must be glad too that you had the Colors of the glorious 8th in your arms. At last reached the place you had been striving for so long”
· “When you get here the ladies will pet you so you won’t know yourself”
· “You must either write to me yourself or get some friend and tell us when you are coming so we can fix the room and make some pretty clothes for my sweet fellow. Just think how envious every girl will be of us to have you all by ourselves up here with us! We’ll make you nice things and feed you up fine”
· “Brother looked very well and is making money while other men are fighting for him. I think it’s a shame and everybody I know of thinks the same thing. He is working hard, of course, but cash comes to hand. You worked hard and glory came in your lottery ticket. Rather your glory than his – any day”
· “I want you to get someone to write as soon as possible to tell us how you are getting on – The name of the people who kindly took you in and you must send me some sprig or leaves or flower from the field or garden near you now – do – for Chat and I are gathering pressed flowers and will be so nice for you to send us plenty form where you are and collect trophies from the battlefield around you anywhere and bring them for my cabinet of treasures. When you come bring a plenty for everybody will want some.”
· “There was something in one of the papers more particularly about your heroship. Your name is immortalized old boy and everybody is so proud of you. Anyhow you must hurry and come for “persimmons” are nearly come in and watermelons going out – hurry up old fellow and come home. I conclude to send you $5.00 from myself. You must positively, as soon as you are able to go out and have your likeness taken for me – Now you just must”
· “Don’t forget – and gather relics for us girls – plenty – now – have your likeness taken before you start home.”
Unfortunately, Steven Barnwell never made it home; he died of his wounds at the hospital in Martinsburg, Virginia on October 21, 1862. Condition fine; a very historic Confederate piece!
#CG6
Transcription:
Stephen Bull Barnwell mortally wounded at the battle of Sharpsburg, Maryland, Sept 17th. Died at Martinsburg, VA , October 21st, 186
Roswell, GA
Sept. 30th, 1862
My Dear Hero Brother,
Well! You’ve fallen at last! Such are the ups and downs of this life! You are a brave true soldier and now everybody knows it. Why Tuscarora John would be proud to own you for a relation. We are proud too - very, and we know you glory in having thus far fulfilled your duty to your dearly beloved country. My dear fellow we all are truly sorry for and sympathize with you, and you know your dear strong hearted sister Helen would be willing to bear much of your pain. I am so proud of you, and you must be proud for yourself and glory in your misfortunes! But I am going to try and write you a nice interesting letter and make you forget your trouble for a while. Mr. Bacon very kindly wrote us all about you and how nobly you endured your pain - told you already Tuscarora would have been proud of you and so are we! That’s right, don’t let any such disgusting, cruel, heartless foe make you afraid - bear up and all will come out charmingly for you. You must be glad too that you had the Colors of the glorious 8th in your arms. At last reached the place you had been striving for so long. “Pride must have a face” tho’ old fellow - that’s what the old time people say. Well, you were Color Ivy at last and that’s glory enough just so. Besides you went just as far as the army did and crossed that long casket for Potomac into Maryland! That’s glory too. Why you have more cause for glorification than any of the lazy troops on the coast and in camps and have done more for your country than many others who talked more and acted less. “Actions speak louder than words.” Never mind we’ll soon have you here with us for Mr. Bacon said you could travel in 3 weeks or 4. The whole house might unite in unbounded invitations for you to come here to us - your dispensiary - the only proper place for you now, for a while at least! I suppose Brother has gone on to you by now. Brother Ossie too we sent to beg him to go on to you and you must insist on coming here. I send you $5.oo - so buy what you can for your comfort or taste - it’s your money - so use it. Why when you get here the ladies will pet you so you won’t know yourself. Aunt Anne will give you the drawing room and the piano in there and we will have music where ever you go! And you must either write to me yourself or get some friend and tell us when you are coming so we can fix the room and make some pretty clothes for my sweet fellow. Just think how envious every girl will be of us to have you all by ourselves up here with us! We’ll make you nice things and feed you up finely. We are living a very quiet life and long for you to come. Brother came up last week and took Lila off to school near Valdosta. She was glad to go as her education was not at all complete and she was losing time. Brother says Fannie Morel was positively engaged! Brother looked very well and is making money while other men are fighting for him. I think it’s a shame and everybody I know of thinks the same thing. He is working hard, of course, but cash comes to hand. You worked hard and glory came in your lottery ticket. Rather your glory than his - any day . Johnnny is here not at all well - tho’ he thinks of doing something soon - he may come on and see you and then do some work for himself in VA - in a hospital or so on- if he can we think he can’t stand it. Brother Ossie went to Aiker last week - heard inco from Annie - they are much pleased I wrote to you a week ago today - hope you got the letter - I want you to get someone to write as soon as possible to tell us how you are getting on - The name of the people who kindly took you in and you must send me some sprig or leaves or flower from the field or garden near you now - do - for Chat and I are gathering pressed flowers and will be so nice for you to send us plenty from where you are and collect trophies from the battlefield around you any where and bring them for my cabinet of treasures. When you come bring a plenty for everybody will want some. There is really no news going on ; everybody is looking for news from VA. I hope the war will soon be over. Wooddie, too, is having a hard time, not as hard tho as you my hero brother. He has been in saddle 24 days and for 3 days only had 1 biscuit and green apples to eat. He did not know men could starve as they have done. Their spirit keep them alive. Manassas for dinner and the Potomac for supper - good feed!
Mayor Mieton and Mr. Adams, Mr. Camp. Charlie Dunwoody is so sorry for you. The latter told Lizzie this evening there was something in one of the papers more particularly about your heroship. Your name is immortalized old boy and everybody is so proud of you. Anyhow you must hurry and come for “persimmons” are nearly come in and watermelons going out - hurry up old fellow and come home. I conclude to send you $5.00 from myself. You must positively, as soon as you are able to go out and have your likeness taken for me - Now you just must. I have some money here of yours. If you want more, send for it and tell me how to direct hereafter - don’t forget - and gather relics for us girls - plenty - now - have your likeness taken before you start home. Do write soon to your ever anxious and affectionate sister, Helen
Charlotte will write soon. All send sympathy. You must bear up nobly as you have done here before. Do write soon and often.
