FINDING AID

AUBURN UNIVERSITY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS & ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT

Guide to the

Date Span: 1863-65

Scope / Content: Correspondence (1863-1865) between McCalla and his wife, Margaret Lewis McCalla, who refugeed from their farm near Morristown, Tennessee, to South Carolina in September 1863 after Union troops invaded East Tennessee.

Biographical Sketch: Richard Calvin McCalla, a native of Chester District, South Carolina, was a railroad engineer working in North Carolina and East Tennessee. In October 1861, he joined Prestman's Battalion, later 3rd Regiment, of the Confederate Engineering Corps, and served in East Tennessee. He became captain of Company A in 1863. In March 1864, he was temporarily named chief engineer of Longstreet's I Corps, and accompanied the corps to Virginia when it returned there in May.

CALENDAR:

• Folder I
• August 12, 1863 - Home (Morristown) East Tennessee - Margaret to Richard
• August 17, 1863 - Knoxville, TN - Richard to Margaret
• August 24, 1863 - Home (Morristown) East Tennessee - Margaret to Richard - expresses anxiety about situation in area
• August 26, 1863 - Loudon, TN - Richard to Margaret - advises Margaret about East Tennessee situation
• September 20, 1863 - Chester, SC - Margaret to Richard - describes Margaret's flight from E. Tennessee and arrival at sister's house in South Carolina
• September 29, 1863 - Rock Hill, SC - letter fragment

 
• Folder II
• Chickamauga Station, TN - Richard to Margaret - includes account of Chickamauga battle, remarks on Abe Lincoln, and report of situation near Morristown
• October 6, 1863 - receipt for $420.51 to R.C. McCalla
• October 7, 1863 - Woodland, SC - Margaret to Richard - illness of son, Brown, reported
• October 10, 1863 - Woodland, SC - Margaret to Richard - death of Brown reported
• October 10, 1863 - Chickamauga, TN - Richard to Margaret - expresses opinion about Gen. Bragg. Discusses military situation, sickness in camp, and need for adequate clothing. Camp visited by President Jeff Davis
• October 19, 1863 - Chickamauga, TN - Richard to Margaret - reports on military situation and bridge building across Chickamauga Creek. Expresses fears about Brown's health
• October 19, 1863 - Woodland Cottage, SC - Margaret to Richard - grief over Brown's death
• October 20, 1863 - Chickamauga, TN - Richard to Margaret - reaction to Brown's death
• October 26, 1863 - Woodland, SC - Margaret to Richard - news of farm - letter continued October 29, 1863
• October 30, 1863 - Charleston, TN - Richard to Margaret - bridge building. News of East Tennessee situation and friends

 
• Folder III
• November 9, 1863 - Woodland Cottage, SC - Margaret to Richard - news of farm and her handling of its affairs. Expresses views on diphtheria.
• November 9, 1863 - Charleston, TN - Richard to Margaret - reaction to death of Brown. News of East Tennessee and General Longstreet. Discusses meat situation and drinking of cornmeal coffee
• November 15, 1873 - Charleston, TN - Richard to Margaret - clothing situation
• November 19, 1863 - Woodland, SC - Margaret to Richard - land purchased by brother (Sam) for mother near Fishing Creek
• November 20, 1863 - Charleston, TN - Richard to Margaret - news of General Longstreet. Discussion of "camp itch."

 
• Folder IV
• January 6, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - Christmas celebrations described
• January 8, 1864 - Zollicoffer, TN - Richard to Margaret - news of bridge building, bad weather, and General Longstreet. Related rumors about Charleston, SC and Atlanta
• January 13, 1864 - Zollicoffer, TN - Richard to Margaret - describes rescue of piano and books in Morristown
• January 18, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard
• January 22, 1864 - Strawberry Plains, TN - pass for R. McCalla
• January 30, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard
• February 2, 1864 - Lick Creek, TN - Richard to Margaret - discussed health
• February 7, 1864 - Russellville, TN - Richard to Margaret
• February 12, 1854 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard
• February 14, 1864 - Russellville, TN - Richard to Margaret - describes destitution of the South and her army

 
• Folder V
• March 10, 1864 - Carters Station, TN - Richard to Margaret - describes appointment as Chief Engineer of East Tennessee Department, Yankee fear of General Longstreet, and his fear of long, bloody war
• March 16, 1864 - Carters Depot, East Tennessee - Richard to Margaret - describes recent Yankee movements and suffering of land and people in East Tennessee
• March 23, 1874 - Carters Station, TN - Richard to Margaret - comments on tax law and building of bridges. States that East Tennessee is ruined and "I am tired of this farce." Describes Longstreet's blunders.

 
• Folder VI
• April 1, 1864 - Carters Station, TN - Richard to Margaret - describes interview with General Longstreet
• Quote concerning use of "Mudwall" Jackson
• April 11, 1864 - Drooping Cedars, SC - Margaret to Richard - discusses local farming news, Yankees caught in area, and rumors of a Negro plot
• April 18, 1864 - Home (Drooping Cedars, SC) - Margaret to Richard
• April 25, 1864 - (no postmark) - Margaret to Richard - describes birth of son on April 20
• April 26, 1864 - (no postmark) - Richard to Margaret - fears for the fate of the southern people
• April 25, 1864 - Bristol, VA - Richard to Margaret - describes approach of Yankees at Carters Station and resulting skirmish. Company moves to Glade Spring, VA
• April 29, 1864 - Bristol, TN - Richard to Margaret - comments on birth of son

 
• Folder VII
• May 5, 1864 - Glade Spring, VA - Richard to Margaret - discusses birth and naming of baby and his work in Virginia
• May 17, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - comments on Virginia campaign, baby, farm, and General Longstreet. Rumors of an escaped Yankee prisoner mentioned.
• May 21, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - reveals that baby has been named Richard, Jr.
• May 22, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret - describes recent fighting at Saltville, Dublin, and New River Bridge. Comments on Lee and Grant.
• May 25, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Robert to Margaret - describes encampment and lull in battle

 
• Folder VIII
• June 6, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - discusses son Lewis's school work and news of Johnston and Sherman in Atlanta
• June 7, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret - describes building of bridge and position of armies in Virginia
• June 13, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - discusses farming news and national politics
• June 24, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret
• June 27, 1864 - Near B Sacks, Virginia - Richard to Margaret - reports on repairs to Virginia and Tennessee Railroad

 
• Folder IX
• July 10, 1864 - (no postmark) - Richard to Margaret - discusses national politics
• July 15, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard
• July 18, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - discusses baby and war tax. Hopes that end of war is in sight.
• July 26, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - describes her reaction to General Johnston being relieved of his command
• July 31, 1864 - Little Otter Bridge (near Liberty), VA - Richard to Margaret - describes bridge building and comments on situation in Georgia and Virginia and hopes for end of war

 
• Folder X
• August 3, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - discusses situation in Georgia and presidential elections
• August 11, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - rumors of traitor at Fort Gains. Discusses sickness in area.
• August 16, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - comments on drinking drunkards
• August 22, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - expresses hope for peace candidate at Chicago convention
• August 24, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret - describes completion of Little Otter Bridge and new work on New River Bridge
• August 31 and September 1, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret - discusses possibility of peace
• September 7, 1864 - Fishing Creek, SC - Margaret to Richard - expresses hopes for peace because of Chicago convention. Reports on cholera epidemic among pigs.
• September 22, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret - comments on death of General Rodes and situation in E. Tennessee
• September 24, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret
• September 30, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret - informs Margaret of impending 40-day furlough

 
• Folder XI
• November 21, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret - reports return to camp to find company fighting in E. Tennessee
• November 26, 1864 - New River Bridge, VA - Richard to Margaret - fears for company who is fighting at Bull's Gap
• November 28, 1864 - New River Bridge - Richard to Margaret - reports on return of company from Bull's Gap
• November 29, 1864 - Morristown, TN - Jw.W.M. Snoddy to R. McCalla - reports news of Morristown area
• December 2, 1864 - Central Depot, Montgomery County, VA - Richard to Margaret - describes new location and reports on situation in Charleston
• December 5, 1864 - Central Depot, Montgomery County, VA - R. McCalla to James S. Phinney - negotiations for sale of cloth
• December 9, 1864 - Near Central Depot, Montgomery County, VA - Richard to Margaret - expresses anxiety of Sherman's movements
• December 28, 1864 - New River, VA - Richard to Margaret - describes return from front in western Virginia and unsuccessful campaign
• December 31, 1864 and January 1, 1865 - New River, Va - Richard to Margaret - expresses doubts about outcome of war and blames Confederate government. Discusses despondency of troops and error of removing General Johnston from his command. Advises Margaret in case of raid by Sherman's men. Expresses view on the end of slavery.
• January 16, 1865 - Near Wytheville, VA - Richard to Margaret - describes winter weather and fighting in region. Feels that end of war and defeat is near
• January 28, 1865 - Near Wytheville, VA - Richard to Margaret - describes weather and hardship
• February 10, 1865 - Near Wytheville, VA - Richard to Margaret - advises Margaret in case of raid by Sherman
• March 27, 1865 - Central Depot, VA - Captain E.P. Williams to Capt. E. McCormick - letter of introduction for R.C. McCalla
• April 25, 1865 - Charlotte, NC - A.L. Rives to R.C. McCalla - others McCalla to inspect and repair roads and bridges while on way to Chesterville, SC

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