"F. B. Austin Esqr
"My Dear Comrade
"Replying to your letter of the 20th inst I by to say that Col. A. D. Smith died of comsumption about a year after the close of the war. Dr. Huyell(?) died three or four years ago. Dr. J. G. DuPre is practicing medicine at Mt. Plesant. Capt. A. E. Bristow lives here in Bennettsville, S.C. Lt. Stabury(?), I think is dead, but I believe that Capt. Best is living somewhere in Horry. Lieut Edward Beatty is dead. Your Capt. Lewis Beattie is living and resides, I think, at Port Harralson, County of Horry. I will forward your letter to him and ask him to write to you. I am glad to hear from you, and proud to see that you are an Arcitect and Builder, and hope you are prospering.
"Your Captain's name is B. Lewis Beattie. His addrefs was Port Harralson Horry S.C. and, I think, he lives there now.
"Yours Fraternally,
"J. H. Hudson
"A full Roll of the Regiment is in the office of the Adjutant General, Columbia, S.C."
In another undated note from J. H. Hudson:
"... No, we were not under Longstreet, nor under Gordon. We were a part of Beauregards Army at Petersburg, in this division of Bushsod(?) Johnson-Ellotts brigate." Further in he note he writes "I regret that Capt. B. L. Beattie nor h Adjutant General at columbia never answeredyour letters."
Apparently, the family stories handed down about his service are true. He was born (taken from his gravestone) on Oct 3, 1851. He would have been very young and probably too young to officially join. Not having his letters to compare to the answers he received, I can only assume he knew the people Mr. Hudson was replying about and had asked of their welfare. Mr. Hudson's comments about "your Captain's name" might indicate Austin was with Beattie. In the other note Mr. Hudson was telling Austin who they were a part of--which might also idicate he was not "officially" a soldier.
Possibly, the letters will be all I ever have of his connection with the Civil War. BUT, they are certainly treasures to me.
Thanks for all the help and I will follow up on all the suggestions.
Joan