Jesse Hill Letters, PC.1888
Abstract
Jesse Hill (1827-1882) was born to Sarah Hege (d. ca. 1888) and William "Buck" Hill (circa 1808-1874) of Davidson County. A farmer, Hill married Fanny Scott, 1850, and they had one son, Junius (1851-1924). Soon a widower, Hill remarried twice. Over two years after the Civil War commenced, Hill enlisted in Wake County on 1 January 1864. A private, he was assigned to Company K, 21st Regiment of Infantry. Captured late in the war, Private Hill was released on 27 June 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance. These thirty-two letters are a Civil War soldier's communications to his family in Davidson County. They were written by Hill, primarily to his wife, Emoline, during the years 1864 and 1865, with the first dated 25 January 1864, and the last dated 17 March 1865.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Jesse Hill Letters
- Call Number
- PC.1888
- Creator
- Hill, Jesse
- Date
- 1864-1865
- Extent
- 1.00 boxes
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item] in PC.1888, Jesse Hill Letters, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, N.C., U.S.A.
Collection Overview
These are a portion of a Civil War soldier's thirty-two surviving letters; and together they provide meaningful insight into the hardships faced by an average Confederate soldier. They were written by Private Jesse Hill during the years 1864 and 1865 to his wife, Emoline Hill, and their family. The letters are significant for several reasons. First, he is candid about his motivation to enlist as a matter of personal duty, and not because of patriotism and a desire for military glory. Secondly, he is also frank about his and others' discontent with the war. Thirdly, Private Hill is also open about desertion and refers to it without ill-will toward fellow soldier's taking that path out of the army. A pragmatic soldier, Hill is determined to survive a war that he apparently thought was being fought to no good purpose, and committed, above all, to return home to his family. Looking ahead to the time when Confederate money would probably be worthless, he is not above removing valuables from fallen enemy soldiers. Such items included watches, pocket knives, and U.S. currency. Hill's accounts of battles lack the attribution of glory many soldiers placed upon their units. Instead, he reports in a straight-forward and more balanced manner the reality that sometimes the enemy took the worst heat and ran like turkeys, while sometimes Hill and his comrades were put to flight by the Federal forces. The letters give a glimpse of hardships on the homefront, even for children. For example, Hill's letters reference his son, Junious (Dock), who was only about fourteen years old, and tasked with plowing and farming in the absence of his father. The letters may also provide valuable information about other soldiers in the 21st infantry.
Arrangement Note
Letters are in chronological order.
Biographical/Historical note
Contents of the Collection
The letters until 30 April 1864 were written from camps in North Carolina, including those near Weldon, Kinston, and during a march from Washington. Thereafter the letters were written from camps in Virginia, between Petersburg and Richmond, near Richmond, Waynesborough, Stanton, New Market, and unspecified.
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift of H .L. Hill, Lexington, N.C., 1999