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Preferred Citation:

Conrad William Conrad and Ellen M. Sherman Correspondence, 1862, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Scope and Contents

Two letters, one to Conrad William Betts from Ellen M. Sherman dated May 25, 1862 and his reply to her dated June 21, 1862.  In Ellen's letter she laments Conrad's absence and details a sickness and loneliness while discussing day to day activities.  Conrad's reply is one that describes his relief in knowing that she is ok and healthy.  Betts goes on to describe his location and interaction with the locals, "...we are now camped in the very heart of Secesh. This place (Jackson) of situated at the junction of the Mobile and Ohio and the Mississippi Central Rail Roads. Its 57 miles north west of Cornith and 78 miles south east of Columbus, Ky. Its the country seat of Madison Co. and contains between five and six thousand inhabitants... this place is really beautiful... Consequently it is a very wealthy place. Old citizens says its the healthiest portion Tenn... when we came here there was a small squad Secesh Calvary here but they soon fled... Now the place is under Marshall Law... The females are very insulting  as our soldiers pass along the streets.  They make up faces at them and make remarks that is really insulting.  The Provos [sic] Marshall has issued orders to arrest every woman or child, negro or mulatto who insults our soldiers.  If this does not put a stop to it he will lay the city in ashes.  I would like to touch a fire brand to some of their dwellings and see Southern chivalry... without a thread to cover their nakedness".