American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Archive featuring correspondence spanning December 1860 - January 1864 from three Chester County, South Carolina, soldiers: David Hemphill Wilson, Co. F, 6th South Carolina Infantry, "The Chester Blues," taken prisoner and DOD in 1863; his younger brother Christopher Scott Wilson (1835-1914), also Co. F, 6th South Carolina Infantry, wounded at Seven Pines and 2nd Battle of Manassas; and their older brother John Simonton Wilson (1820-1902), Co. D, 1st South Carolina Cavalry, "The Chester Troop." Of the 55 letters in the archive, 38 are written by David, 9 are written by Christopher (referred to by family members using his middle name "Scott"), and 3 are written by John, with an additional group of 5 letters written by other friends and family members. Letters typically 2-4+pp, many with original covers. Accompanying the letters is David H. Wilson's diary for the period August 1862-August 1863, along with cased images of both David and Christopher Wilson in uniform, and a CDV standing portrait of David Wilson in full uniform dress. Exceptional content throughout diary and letters includes discussion of early events following South Carolina's secession and enslaved men serving the Wilson brothers at the front, as well as references to engagements at Charleston Harbor, Manassas, Dranesville, Williamsburg, South Mountain, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and more. Provenance: Archive descended directly through the Wilson family and later descendants to current consignor.

The archive opens alongside some of the most significant events unfolding in South Carolina in the lead up to the Civil War. The earliest letter in the archive dates to November 1860 (loss to portion of date line, but after 6 November 1860), with David writing that "excitement is great here about this time, great rejoicing over the unanimous passing of the bill for the call of the convention, just received the news by telegraph...." David writes again on 6 December 1860 to his brother John in the state capital of Columbia. John, as a member of the state legislature, was almost certainly there for the official secession convention which was convened following the November 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln. On 21 December 1860 following the issue of the Ordinance of Secession the day prior, David writes to John, "We have had great rejoicing here since last night over the passing of the secession ordinance...." An addendum to David's letter of 8 January 1861 references the American merchant ship Star of the West which was fired upon while transporting military supplies to Fort Sumter: "War excitement is up here today since the dispatch was received this morning that the 'Star of the West' had ben fired into by the S.C. Troop on Morris Island...." David continues describing discussions already underway regarding the formation of companies and battalions for service in the anticipated conflict. On 12 January 1861 David writes to John that E.C. McClure (later Captain McClure, Co. F, 6th SC Vols.) had received notice from the Acting Adjutant General that the "Chester Rifles" had been accepted as a company of infantry and that officers had been selected.

After the initial 9 letters which pre-date the shots fired at Fort Sumter, the remaining letters are war-date. Scott and David write in May 1861 from various locations such as on board The Seabrook near Charleston Harbor, Fort Palmetto, and Camp Woodward, near Summerville, S.C. David writes on 24 July 1861 that his regiment was late arriving to the Battle of Manassas three days prior, but describes the battlefield, the Union retreat, and the great quantity of artillery, baggage, horses, and wagons taken from the enemy. A lengthy letter of 10pp written predominantly by Scott (except for a small page authored by David) from "Camp near Mannassas [sic] Junction" on 27 July 1861 details the aftermath of Manassas. Scott describes the carnage of Union and Confederate bodies, many still unburied. Among other topics, he recounts brief anecdotes of the battle, the capture of Union soldiers separated from their regiments, and the capture of "two or three wagons of handcuffs which were no doubt intended for our Pres. and Cabinet and others after capturing Richmond and as there are a good many too small for any man's hand it is probable that they were intended for some of our women..."

David and Scott's first major engagement was the Battle of Dranesville on 20 December 1861. Eight days later David writes to his sister referencing that battle and discussing the dead, wounded, and those who came to see their loved ones who had been injured or killed. The Battle of Williamsburg is described in David's lengthy letter of 12 May 1862, along with the casualties incurred by the regiment. David writes that he was not in the fight having been made ordnance sergeant shortly before the engagement, but that his regiment was "under the fire of the enemy's artillery & sharp shooters all day and the most of the injury done to our Regt was by sharp shooters. Our regt made two charges upon the enemy's batteries but our Regt was not properly supported by other Regts that were to assist them & ours had to fall back...The enemy followed up our retreat very close & have no doubt captured a great many of our stragglers...." Two letters from 17 and 18 June 1862 describe conditions from "Camp/Picket near battle Ground" and casualties, likely from the Battle of Seven Pines fought on 31 May-June 1 1862. David Wilson's final letter in the archive is written from "Camp near Chattanooga" on 23 October 1863. David writes of enemy shelling along the lines, and the death of "A little boy, a drummer of the 5th Regt. was killed by a piece of shell striking him on the head...." David anticipates a fight is soon to come.

At some point in the late fall or early winter of 1863 David Wilson became ill and was absent from his regiment while home on sick furlough. Family oral history indicates that David remained home one month before joining his regiment again though still of feeble health. The 6th S.C. Field and Staff Muster Roll for January and February 1864 indicates that David Wilson "Died of Disease at Loudon Tenn. on the 24th Decr. 1863, in the hands of the enemy." Details of his capture are not included in the correspondence. John writes on 16 January 1864, "When I heard of his sickness and capture, I feared that we would never hear from him again....Poor Scott where is he? If he has to remain with his Regt. I fear that it will finish him. Oh will this cruel war never terminate...."

Aside from battle content, David and John's letters include sporadic mentions of the "servants" accompanying them with their regiments. On 18 August 1861 David writes regarding two enslaved men with him, Jim and Aaron, including a message from Jim (written by David). Jim relays, "I am well and very well pleased want Wm. to find out how Mr. Hood's folk are and get Mas[ter] John to write and let me know...give my love to mother and all my fellow servants." David continues telling his brother John that he is well pleased with Jim. In contrast, John's letter of 15 May 1863 presents a much different and darker picture of a master and enslaved man. John writes to his brother Scott discussing "Major," saying "He is of no use to me here, and worrys me very much. He does nothing without being told to do it, and then I have to watch and see if it is done...I will try him a few days more and try what virtue there is in the lash....."

Conditions of letters overall good, some faint but legible. Folds, occasional dampstaining and soil.

[With:] "Stewart's Diary for 1856," 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 in., repurposed for use by David Wilson during the war (heavy wear, front and back covers completely detached, soil). Entries in a 3-day-per-page format with Wilson's pencil entries starting on August 28, 1862, where Wilson has crossed out the year "56" at the top of the page and written "62" above. Daily entries continue in a similar format with Wilson indicating the proper day and year throughout until the last entry of 27 August 1863. Wilson's entries regularly describe his duties as an ordnance sergeant, including issuing weapons, ammunition, and accoutrements, traveling with the ordnance wagon, as well as gathering arms from the battlefield. Prominent Confederate officers and regiments referenced throughout such as Pickett, Stuart (often incorrectly misspelled as "Stewart"), Hood, Hill, Lee, Bratton, and Hampton's Legion. Engagements referenced include 2nd Manassas, South Mountain, Sharpsburg, and Fredericksburg.

Sample diary entries include: 29 August 1862 "Brigd left camp early this morning & marched through gap, my wagon was turned over by a ps of artillery. Fighting today between Gainesville & Manassas. Culp, McFadden, & Kitchens of Co. 'A' 6th S.C. Reg badly wounded by a shell. 1st S.C. had several killed & wounded." 13 September 1862 "Remained at camp today I drew 3 Box 57 Calb Catgs today for S.S. [Sharp Shooters] for Brgd. Turned over to div ordnc train 38 Muskets 8 Miss Rifles 6 Enfield & Rifle Muskets = 52 in all. 30 Guns belonging to 2nd, 11 to 5th, & 11 Guns to 6th Regt." 17 September 1862 "Fighting commenced early this morning both cannonading & Infantry firing very heavy. Enemy gone away on our left before Jackson but hold their own in front & on right Jenkins brgd engaged in the enemy several in Co. F 6 Regt wounded." 16 December 1862 "The enemy recrossed the river last night. The 5th S.C. Regt on picket last night at Fdbgs went into the Town this morning & captured 120 prisoners. Capt John Wylie was fired upon by some Y[ankee] from houses while going in under a white flag. One wagon from Brgd brough[t] off one load of good guns from the bat field." 26 March 1863 (returning to regiment following furlough to visit his dying father) "...Left home late this afternoon probably never to see home again...." Transcription of diary accompanies the lot.

[With:] A sixth plate ruby ambrotype of David H. Wilson and a sixth plate ruby ambrotype of Christopher Scott Wilson, both housed under mat in leatherette cases. Images taken early war showing the men in similarly styled uniform jackets with large state seal of South Carolina buttons. A small paper adhered to pad opposite image of Christopher Wilson bears the handwritten identification "Christopher Scott Wilson / (Uncle) / Taken during war." -- Sixth plate daguerreotype housed under octagonal mat in case (separated at spine) showing a young boy. A small paper adhered to pad opposite image bears the handwritten identification "David Hemphill Wilson / (Uncle) / Died at Loudon, Tenn. / In war." -- Standing portrait CDV in studio setting showing a soldier wearing jacket and two-piece belt. Identified on verso "David H. Wilson / Son of / David & Sarah S. / Wilson / Died at Loudon Tenn. / Dec. 24th 1863." Backmark of Quinby & Co., Photographic Artists, Charleston, S.C.

The Wilson brothers were raised on their family plantation on Rocky Creek, Chester County, South Carolina. According to the 1860 US Federal Census Slave Schedule, the family enslaved approximately 60 men, women, and children. At the time of South Carolina's secession from the Union, brother John S. Wilson ran the family plantation alongside his father. He also served in the South Carolina General Assembly and voted for the Ordinance of Secession on December 20, 1860. The opening of the war found David Wilson operating a jewelry and watch store in the city of Chester under the firm name of Bennett & Wilson, while the youngest sibling Christopher Scott Wilson opened a school near Chester in 1860 and was teaching there when war was declared. David was unmarried at the time of his death as a POW in 1863. Scott was shot in both legs at Second Manassas severely injuring his left knee and making him a cripple for life. He was honorably discharged as unfit for duty in 1864. Scott married in 1865 and lived the remainder of his days in South Carolina. John, who became an attorney prior to the war, served as a Chester County probate judge for decades prior to his death in 1902.

A Confederate archive of significant size and substance, containing material never before brought to market.