The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

An interesting letter

While doing the Camp Chase biographies I ran across an interesting letter concerning the 20th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers.

Compiled Military Service Records stated a letter as follows; “Camp of 20th Mississippi Regiment near Canton, Mississippi November 18, 1863. Colonel, I have at Lynchburg, Virginia one hundred and fourteen suits of uniforms clothing belonging to my Company besides other articles of clothing that are needed at this time. The buttons on the jackets at present prices are worth more than one thousand dollars. The Company also has a fine flag there, that would make a good regimental Color and one is much needed by the regiment. I therefore respectfully ask permission to send E. G. Keesee a private of my company for the clothing and flag to return as soon as practicable and that he be allowed transportation for himself and clothing. Very Respectfully” (Raudolph) “S. Murff Captain Company B 20th Mississippi Regiment.”

And a further letter; “For all whom it may concern, The bearer hereof E. G. Keesee a private in Captain R. S. Murff Company B 20th Mississippi Regiment age 28 years six feet high fair complexion dark hair blue eyes and by occupation a carpenter, born in Caswell County, in the State of North Carolina, (The compiler notes Caswell County, North Carolina is adjacent to Pittsylvania County, Virginia.) enlisted at Aberdeen in the State of Mississippi on the seventh day of February eighteen hundred and sixty three to serve for the period of three years or the war is hereby permitted to go to Lynchburg, Virginia he having received a furlough from the day of to the day of at which period he will rejoin his company or report to this place or wherever it this may or be considered a deserter. Subsistence has been furnished to said Private E. G. Keesee to the day of and pay to the 31st of August 1863 both” (Can’t transcribe next word). “Given under my hand at camp, near Canton, Mississippi November 18, 1863 signed Captain R. S. Murff Captain Company B 20th Mississippi Regiment.”

And lastly a short series of notes “Camp of 20th Mississippi Regiment near Canton, Mississippi November 18, 1863 E. G. Keesee a private of Company B 20th Mississippi Regiment application for special furlough for days.” The application was approved and forwarded along the chain of command and finally forwarded to Major General Loring, who acknowledged the approval.