This letter is written on stationary that has a painted red, white and blue shield with CS and a star at the top!  It is an excellent example of “homemade” patriotic stationary used early in the war.  The letter is headed “Camp Beauregard, Near Willington, N.C. Sept. 26^th, 1861”.  The writer is Lt. Col. St. Clair Dearing.  Dearing enlisted on August 15^th as the Lt. Colonel of the 25^th North Carolina and in our letter he gives his views on the task that he has ahead.

                    Transcription:

Camp Beauregard

Near Willington, N.C.

Sept. 26^th, 1861

My dear little Sissie,

I have received your letter, Thurs. nearly two months after it was written and I seize a passing moment of leisure to reply.

           You do me but simple justice when you choose me sincere in all I have written to you, and your candid admission that your own affections are engaged to another. Though painful, I have long been prepared to learn and can now mention without greater emotion than my previous feelings render naturally.  The justice and prosperity of abiding by the hearts first selection I will never question, and I will not chide you for as I still think encompassing feelings I perhaps too rashly entertained; but no more of this – your slighted wish must ever be my loss. 

           I am here as Lieut. Colonel of Col. Thomas L. Clingman’s regiment of North Carolina Volunteer’s, and as he was long a U.S. Senator, and is also an accomplished gentleman I am very agreeably situated.  I would prefer being in the Army of the Potomac, but as the Yankee fleet is in sight and we are hourly expecting a landing – I have high hopes of an opportunity for winning an honorable reputation in the cause I deem most holy or finding a lethe for every painful thought. Memory is too often presenting in color’s that penetrate this soul! 

           I would like to write amuch more, but I must send a missive to my mother and write some dispatches for Raleigh and it is now 12 at night.

           To each and every member of your mother’s family present me I beg you most cordially and kindly; and remember I am ever pleased to receive or answer one of your charming epistles.

           Be sure I will take your advice and make glory my only mistress – for I think I was born under an unlucky star so far as your sex are concerned.

           Adieu and believe me –

                       Ever your servitor

                       And friend

                       St. Clair Dearing

 

Miss. Sue E. Gaines

Arkansas

 

My address will be:

Lt. Col. St. Clair Dearing

           25^th Regt. N.C. Vols.

           Care, Adjt. General

                                   Raleigh

                                          N.C.

 

-         Who will forward to any part on the coast of which I may be stationed

The letter is written in nice dark ink, having some “bleed” through, but not serious as to impede an easy read.  There is also minor loss due to acidic ink here and there.  The overall condition is very good.  A nice example for the Confederate patriotic stationary collector or the collector of great North Carolina letters!

#CG75 - Price $395