The next four letters give us a view of life during the Civil War. Jane's brother, Alfred Mitchell, was held at Johnson's Island at Sandusky, Ohio. The first two letters of this group are from Alfred to his sister Jane in California. The next letter is to Jane from her sister in Cane Hill. It was signed "Annie White" -- apparently though, it is the same sister who signs other letters as Nancy. I (Marian Carter Ledgerwood - 1964) have not identified B. D Moody who wrote the fourth letter, from Johnson's Island to Jane Mitchell Rutherford.
Alfred's Letter One:
Johnson's Island - Sandusky, Ohio
Dear, Sister Jane, September 7, 1863
I wrote you on the receipt of your letter of the 14th of July. Weeks and months come and go, but exchange comes not, nor do we go to "Dixie". It is now very uncertain whether we remain here much longer. The Commissioners of Exchanges have met and may agree upon some means of releasing us soon. I have no news of importance. I wrote to Mrs. Laura Baxley (?) last month to see if I couldn't get some word from home. The Federals had again reoccupied Fayetteville and she knew nothing from Washington County. She was well. Mr. Baxley went to Texas in Feb. '62. I suppose with his negroes.
I employ my time here in studying the French language. I have a splendid teacher and make some progress. If our cause fail it may be useful to me. I should like very much to get another letter from you before I am exchanged. I shall probably write again before leaving. Give my love to Mr. Rutherford and the children.
Affectionately yours, Alfred Mitchell
Alfred's Letter Two:
Johnson's Island
Dear Sister Jane, July 17, 1864
A week ago I received your kind letter of the 13th of June. You and Nan and the girls of Cane Hill have almost overwhelmed me with letters. That Greenback you sent came all right and I have again to thank you. But the last two papers you sent failed to reach me. The kindness of that "such a pretty girl" is certainly appreciated highly. (Indecipherable) - I better send her a pretty ring or something of prison-make. Since you weigh 150, I am afraid you can't wear that ring I sent you. You keep talking about your "little" ring. If it is too small let me know. Johnson's Island changeth not except that a few recruits occasionally come in from the West or from Joe Johnson. You ask after Mr. Crawford's folks. Newt is a Lieut. in the company I belong to. He is with Gen'l Dockery's cavalry. Will belongs to Price's army and to Capt. (Cash's) Company. By the way I hear that Earle is major of the Regiment now and that Brother Jim is Capt. of the Company instead of being A.T.M. Can't learn how it is exactly. Isaac Buchanan is dead. Will and Jim B. belong to Earle's Co. Pleas was in another company in Wash. County. John Davis, Mary Boatwright's husband is dead. All hopes of exchange has "played". M love to Mr. R. and all friends.
Your brother, Alfred Mitchell
Letter No. 3 from "Annie White"
Cane Hill, Aug. 15, 1864
My dear Sister-
We have never received but (one) letter from you directed to us. Al sent us one that you had written to him -- dated in May and we have also heard several times through John Caldwell's letters -- he sends them to mother. It is a great satisfaction to hear from you anyway -- but we had so much rather have letters that are directed to us. I know that you have written to us. Hattie Fergerson saw a letter in the office that she knew was from you. The postmark was Wyandotte. But when we sent there was no letters for us.
Dear Jane, so many things happen and things have changed so during this cruel war that I hardly know ho to begin or close a letter to one that I would like to write so much. I wrote you a long long letter in May - and told you all the sad particulars of our dear lost brother. I wrote you everything but I fear you never received it. We are all well and getting on remarkable well considering these dreadful times. We have plenty to eat and wear and have had ever since this cruel war began. We have never been robbed like some. Our acquaintance in the Federal army have treated us kindly - and we them in the same way. Two years ago they come here and killed a fine horse of mine, the one bro. Geo. left me. They cut up considerably. That same time they took five large wagon loads of corn from us and a good many other things. Last winter me and John hauled our corn that we had to spare to Fayetteville and sold it to them. I bought a good many things that we needed - besides we made enough to send our dear brother that is in prison some money. We sent him $12, he only got seven. We sent a few dollars at a time. We were very sorry to hear that he didn't get that you sent him. I am afraid that he will be confined there for a long time yet. We can hear nothing of a general exchange. The two governments can't agree on that point. The Federals wants the Confeds. to exchange negroes for white men. The south won't do that, too humiliating. The last letter we had from Al was the 10th of July. Him and Will were in excellent health. Jim is Quartermaster in Col. Crawford's regt. Col C. is from the southern part of the state. Will is Ordnancemaster. They were below Little Rock. They expected to move north in a short time and we have heard that Price was near the Rock and that they were skirmishing daily - and a general engagement was expected. I expect the report is true. I dread the result, even if Price should be victorious. They are strongly fortified and their gunboats are to be dreaded. But the Confeds have made way with a good many of them. They have been fighting at Ft. Smith. Gen. M. Cooper (and?) Stand Waite forces are at Scullyville 15 miles from Ft. Smith. They have killed and captured the 6th and 14th ------regiments and captured a great many horses and wagons. I can't tell how these things will terminate.
Our country up here is full of gurillars and what the Federals call Bushwackers. We don't call them that for it is very seldom that they shoot from the bushes - they come out and fight them openly. Our good old quiet Cane Hill has got a dreadful name among the Feds, because they say we harbor so many Rebels - But Rebs are like Feds - they go where they please. But the times are in a dreadful state. Today was a week ago Jim Shannon was hauled by here a corpse - he was a Rebel and was killed in Mountain Township by the Feds. Today Jeff Sawyer was hauled by here. He was killed by the Rebels - he was a Federal soldier. Such are the solemn scenes that occur frequently. Last week the southern men attacked a train going from Fayetteville to Fort Smith - with the mail and three wagons loaded with goods - they killed 30 of them, captured their wagons and teams - and divided their captured property among themselves and their families. We don't accept any captured goods - we can make out without them. They go calico domestic, shoes, coffee, tobacco, raisins, candy, oysters, sardines and many other things that they needed.
I have not told you half that I wish to. Be careful what you write. Mary sends her love to the little one. John sends his love to all of you. Give my love to every person in Cal. that I ever saw.
Annie White
B.D. Moody Letter:
Johnson's Island, O.
Dear Jane - Sept. 15, 1864
I have not heard a word from you since your last letter of the 18th July which reached me three weeks ago. As I have just heard from Home and the boys I write to you anyway. Nan's letter was of the 24th August and she had a letter from Jim of the 26th July. All were well. Jim was Quartermaster (my old position) of Col Crawford's Regt. Will belongs still to Col. F.R. Earle's Regt. No other news. We are all pretty well here. The living however is harder, rations are smaller than at any time previous to this. Our prospects too for exchange are still more gloomy than ever, and to the war I can no see no end. I however live in hopes of some lucky turn in the fortunes of war. There is transpiring around this monotonous place but few things of interest. Today about one hundred Confederate privates from Camp Chase came in. Poor brave fellows. I feel like embracing every one of them, so much did they remind me of Dixie and Dixie's Army. This reinforcements swells our numbers here to about 2500. Of these about 2300 are Confederate officers, about 70 or 80 citizens and the rest enlisted men. there are also two negroes here who have followed their masters through all the "ups and downs" of war. I am sorry to tell you that many of our privileges have been cut off. Our (undecipherable) is not allowed now to sell provision except upon Surgeon's Certificate, and our friends are prohibited from sending us clothing and provisions, except it be our near relations. We can write but two letters per week. Nan has received but one letter from you. Your brother will write when he receives a letter from you.
Yours truly, B. D. Moody
** Taken from Washington County Historical Society's publication FLASHBACK Vol. XIV, No. 4, October, 1964 pages 3-6
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