This letter was written by 53 year-old private Daniel H. Workman (1811-1886) of Co. I, Symons’ Regiment, Georgia Reserves. He enlisted on 15 June 1864 and wrote this letter from the winter quarters of the 1st Georgia Reserves fives miles south of Savannah, Georgia. Prior to the Civil War, Daniel was employed as a lawyer in Montgomery, Alabama. After the war, Daniel was employed as a Justice of the Peace in Montgomery. He never married.
D. H. Workman wrote the letter to his niece, Amanda Jane (Harris) Coltrane (1839-1932), the wife of Daniel Coltrane (1833-1909), and three little boys, Thomas Jefferson Coltrane (1860-1932), Harris M. Coltrane (1861-1950), and Robert Lee Coltrane (1863-1937). Amanda was the daughter of Mumphred Stokes Harris (1812-1876) and Martha Workman (1816-1904) of Randolph county, North Carolina.
The letter was written just one month before Sherman’s army captured Savannah.
TRANSCRIPTION
Savannah, Georgia
November 25th 1864
Mrs. Amanda Coletrane
Dear Niece,
I received your very kind letter a day or two ago and was pleased to hear from [you]. It always give me much pleasure to receive a letter from your own hand.
You speak quite despondingly of matters & things generally. I am not much surprised at the doleful tone of your letter. You being alone with three young children and your husband in the army subject to the danger of battle is enough to make you fell unhappy. In these trying and troublesome times you must have fortitude and bear with patience the absence of your kind husband. I know your anxiety for him. You are in the same situation as thousands of other ladies are. Some ladies have great nerve and fortitude; others have but little. You must not always look upon the dark side of the picture—not make yourself unhappy with imaginary troubles. The real troubles make us unhappy enough. Always think your husband safe until you hear otherwise. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. Continue to think what a happy time you and him will have when this cruel war is over. These sort of times make husbands and wives appreciate each other and prove to each that their presence is at all times very desirable.
You say that you have forgotten how I look. Then I will tell you. I am the ugliest man in the army—wear the longest hair and beard, wear negro shoes and round jacket, and soldier’s cap. Have chills and fevers about once a week, my face is pale, eyes shine like a cats. Have plenty to eat and not much to do.
Our command is situated about five miles below the City of Savannah in the river and about twelve miles from the main ocean—a flat, disagreeable country. All the troops here have gone into winter quarters, live in snug, log cabins built in rows like a city. These houses were built about three years ago by some troops who are now at the City of Macon, Ga. In the summertime, we live in tents. We have plenty of wood, have good fires, and tolerable good beds to sleep upon. [We] cook our own victuals and in many instances, wash our own clothes. Some few hire their cooking and washing done. I hire mine.
Our diet is bread and fresh beef, sometimes salt beef. Molasses and rice. Sometimes we have flour. We also get vinegar, tobacco and soap furnished. Our clothes & shoes are all furnished by the government. Those who have money buy many nice things to eat in addition to what is furnished by government.
You brag on your three little boys—that they are hard to beat for beauty and good sense. Thomas Jefferson, Hains Mackindria, and Robert Lee. I would suggest that you put an “E” in Robert’s name, thus, “Robert E. Lee Coletrane.” That is the name of the great Gen’l Lee of Virginia.
I infer from your letter that you are well provided for. You state that Mr. Coletrane made a fine crop and [you are] comfortably fixed all of which I am glad to hear. I am glad to hear that you and Mr. Coletrane put your trust in God and hope He will throw around you His strong arm of protection.
I received a letter from your brother Daniel the same day I received yours. He said they were all well. I also received one from your Uncle Sammy. He is tolerable well.
When I quit the army, I will come and see you. I would be much pleased to see Mr. Coletrane. In fact, I would be pleased to see you and the three little boys and all the balance of the family.
Give my love to your grandmother & to your father & mother, brother & sisters, to your Uncle Stephen & Aunt Margaret & their children. Send my respects to Mr. Coletrane and accept for yourself my best wishes for your happiness.
Respectfully. — D. H. Workman
Spared & Shared 21 