Dear Sister,
As Mr. Barnes is going from here to Clarksville I take this opportunity of  writing to you to let you know how we are getting along. The boys are all  well except a few cases of mumps. They have broken out in our regiment. James  Philpot of our company have got them. He is doing well. We have some cold 
weather here for Aug. we have had some frost here since we got here. It rains  here almost every day or so. We are encamped in some of the tallest mountains I ever saw. We have plenty of good water up here all that is unpleasant is  that we can't get any of the fruit kind here now we cannot get any Tobaco or 
any paper or anything of that kind here. So this is the last piece of paper that I could get here so there will be no more writing untill we can get some  more paper. You wrote me in your letter that Sam had kicked your colts eye out I am sorry. Sorry to hear of the loss of an eye I think Jim (his brother) had better kill that old horse of his for he has killed and crippled more than he is worth. I want you to take good care of the pups and not let them get stolen. I wrote to Mother (Minerva Peterson Howard) and Aunt Lu (Louisa  Peterson) last Sunday. I would have written to you but I thought it would be  better to wait until now. In my letter to Mother I wrote to James (his  brother) to send me some things and sent twennt dollars in the letter. I will  send tweent more and he can keep what is left if there is any. I will send  him a list of things  and he will have to get them and send them to  Clarksville where Mr. John Barnes will  bring them on to the Regiment. They  must be marked this way, 1 Lut. I.P. Howard, Co. G. 14th Regiment and you can  write to me and send the letter by him. George is well and sends his respects to his mother and all of his folks. You must give my respects to all the young ladyes and to H.H. Leigh and to Henry Greenhill and tell them they must write to me and give me the news and I will answer their letters. And give my 
respects to Buck Pollard and Mr.Cummings and tell them that I often think of the many pleasant hours that I have passed with them. And give my respects to  old Uncle Austin and tell him howdy, write to me and tell all the news. I  don't have anything here (news ?) Tell what Ky. is doing and everything you 
can think of.

Please hand this money and list to James as soon as you can. 
2 pr drawers 
four pr socks 
two knit wolen shirtes
one pr. buck gloves
four quires of large letter paper, 4 packages of good envelopes
one bottle of ink 
and try and get me one camp chest some three feet long by eighteen inches deep. You can get it at Clarksville and for George two shirteens, two pr. sockes one pr. pantes, two pr. drawers, and the old over coat of mine. You  can put the things in the camp chest and give the key to Mr. Barnes and put 
one or two quarts in of good whiskey. Try and get these things if you can.  You will find fourty dollars in this letter. Give to Mr. William Young twenty  of it and tell him it is to be sent to Mr. G.W. Caudle. Goodbye
Your brother
I.P. Howard

The following are two letters from Isaac Peterson Howard to his brother James  Bryant Howard, in Montgomery County, Tennessee. Later James joined the  Confederate Army also. He was  killed. See his letter later.

Big Spring, (Va)
August 10, 1861

Dear Brother, (James Bryant Howard)
I thought I would write to you to let you know how we are getting along. We  are all well at present. I wrote last at Huntsville, we are now some twenty  eight miles north of that place, now we are about five miles from the enemy.  Our scouts brings in news of there movements every day. They have it is 
supposed some six or seven thousand men. We have eight regiments here and some six hundred of Cavalry and two companies of Artilry and I think we can  roust them out of this part of the country soon. The Briggade that we are in  is commanded by General Anderson and he is under General Lee. It is very difficult to get anything up here. We have to hall it from Millsborrough and  it is some seventy miles from here and through the mountains all of the way.  They have got a good road over the mountains. We were six days and a half  coming here there is some of the hardest country up here that I ever saw. You 
may travel here three or four days and get up on one of these mountains and  see where you came from in the three days. The folks up here do not raise any  corn hardly enough to bred (bread) them and what they do raise is yellow  corn. It is great hay and cattle country. Any quantity of hay, it is the 
finest hay country I ever saw. 

Grass will grow anywhere in these mountains where it can get a foot hold. as  high as a mans head. They are cutting their hay up here now. They do not  raise hogs up here for the bears eat them. there is plenty of bear and deer wild cats and wolves here. You can see these old mountain red ankles with  there fence rails on there shoulders walking around here. They have run all the union men off or taken them prisoners. We had some nine or ten of them at  Huntsville when we were there. We gave them to the other Regiment that we left there at Huntersville. I herd from Capt. Lockert he will be here in two 
or three days and I think George will come with Hirth last time I heard from him he was well enough to come on with the captain. Well I will close my letter tell Mother that she must not be uneasy that I keep well. I have not  been sick since I joined the Army. Eph Manson is getting along very well and  all of the boyes from the neighborhood. This is very healthy country up here  the folks here never die. You must give all my love to all the folks down in  old Montgomery. -------  ---------   --------and Fannie Britton and Mary Jane  alls ---- and to Puss Greenhill and tell them I would like very much to see  them and hear from them. There are some men going from here to Nashville Tenn  in the morning and I will send my letter there by them. When you write, back your letter (address your letter) this way

Lut. I.P. Howard 
14th Regiment Tenn. Vol.
Staunton, Va
and I can get it by express from there and we do not pay anything on the  --here. for if we did we could not get them to --------we have to endorse  with our name and rank on the back of them we have not got any post office here. Tell old Set? and old Bill Leigh to write to me. And when you write tell me about Bill whether he is married or not and whether he left home or  not and write generally what they are doing. I would write to all the boyes  down there if I thought they would write to me. Give my love to Aunt May and  old Ike and tell them I intend to write to them soon. It is a right cold  place up here overcoats feel very well of mornings of July and August. If it  does not rain here once a week they think it is a long dry spell. I will  close. 
I remain your 
Respected Brother   I.P. Howard


Big Spring, Va. Aug. 28, 1861
Dear Jim. (his brother, James Bryant Howard)
I take this opportunity to drop you a few lines to let you know how we are 
getting along. I am well and heavier than I have ever been this time of the 
year. I weigh 181 lbs. and when we left Camp Quarles I weighed 161 lbs. the 
boys are all well. like here very well but we see a hard time of it. A 
Private seays a hard time up here. A man can do very well in the Army if he 
can have a commission office, for then he does not have to stand gard or do 
anything of any kind. this Regiment sends out fifty men everyday to work on 
the road. here the roads is very bad from here to Huntersville and we have 
some twenty or thirty wagons hauling all the time. I do not know when we will 
have to start from here. Not before the roads get better, The Yankies is some 
ten or twelve miles from here now. We cannot tell about them. Our Generals 
know but none others, for I see General Anderson every day and go to his tent 
but  never hear him say anything about them. Gen Loren is three miles farther 
up. We have some twelve or fifteen thousand troups here in five or six miles 
around.

Dr. Drain (Drane) and -------Beaumont of Clarksville got here the other day 
and they reported that crops looked fine in Tenn. I want you to write to me 
and tell me how Res? is getting along. We herd that she was nursing some 
troops in Christian County (Ky) for Lincon. George is getting along finely, 
he does not cook for but four of us now. and he does not have to wash for 
anyone but me. he has a good place to stay of a night. He and Bob McClure who 
cooks for Young? Wash Lowe have got a tent to themselves to sleep in. I wrote 
to mother and Blanche last week and in Mother's letter I sent twenty Dollars 
for you to get me some things to be brought by Mr. Stewart of Nashville who 
went on for the Officer's clothing you was to carry to H.S. Beaumont Store 
and they were to be sent to him at Nashville and in a few days after Mr. John 
Barnes went for the 14th Regiment. I sent in Blanche's letter fourty Dollars 
twenty of which Mr. Caudle told me to have sent to Mr. William Younge as it 
was money he didn't have any use for here. And the other money was to buy the 
things that I sent for after I didn't think that the other was enough.

I sent a list of things in the letters for fear you would not get both 
letters for they are for things that I very much needed. I wrote to Aunt Lucy 
the same time. You must give my respects to all the neighbors and to the 
girls and to W.H. Leigh and tell him I would love the best in the world to 
hear from him in the shape of a letter and I would answer his letter with 
pleasure and tell  also  Sep ? the same and give my respects to Mr. 
Greenhill's family also.

I herd that Miss Dee Pollard and Mr. Spence Meacham was married. Write to me 
whether it is so or not.and tell me something about Mele--(Melville Cherry) 
and Baley Allen and Aunt Mary and Aunt Betsey and Nancy and Eller (Ella) and 
all of the family and the girls generally, and give my love to Uncle Henry 
Leigh and Aunt Betsey and the rest of the family and tell them I--- ---to 
them. You all must be ----and write to me. I write every time I get a chance. 
we have to send our letters by hand some thirty miles before we can get them 
mailed and one other thing there is no paper here scarcely or I would 
------mine. I must close my letter for it is long after taps. Take good care 
of my two dogs. I remain your
Brother  (Isaac Peterson Howard)

Note: The Miss Dee Pollard I.P. mentioned is Cordelia Ann Pollard, later the 
grandmother of the compiler who married after the war, Daniel Webster 
Ransdell, a former Confederate cavalryman. He was captured at Fort Donelson. 

Note: The following letter from James Bryant Howard to his brother, Isaac 
Peterson Howard is VERY faded and much of it cannot be read. It mostly 
concerns family and friends.

New Providence, Tenn. September 21, 1861

Dear Brother (Isaac Peterson Howard)
I will write you a line to let you know how we are getting along. We are all 
well. (mentions Paducah has been taken.)  The Sessionest are raising a 
Regiment too. I think we can run them out. My the boys have been having a 
good time since they have been at home.---is crawling at the O'neals now. I 
saw Ella the other day. She was well and as pretty as ever and sends her love 
to you. Mary Tom was here yesterday and sends her love.

You said you had herd that Miss Dee Pollard and Spence are married. They 
aren't yet but I suspect they will be soon. She said she is waiting till all 
you boys come back. Ella says she is mad because you wrote to Poppy instead 
of her. We have a fine crop of corn and tobacco. The red pups will set birds. 
I will send you a lock of their hair. Miss Jennie (Janie?) is as pretty as 
ever and fat and sassy. All the neighbors send their love to you. Ike there 
is some-------going on with the girls. They say they are going to wait till 
all you boys get back. I didn't know how much I loved you boys untill you 
left. Mr. Philpot says when you write say something about Jimmy. I will 
deliver the message. Old Jim brags on you all the time and sent you half a 
square of paper and his love. He says he would give a Half dollar cash to see 
you. It looks right odd to see the ladys (riding?) by themselves. 

Tobacco will get ripe in ---------- I got all the things you wanted. (Many 
large ink spots.) 
Two blankets $8.50, 1 pair jeanes -------, 1 pipe $2.00, 2 boxes of caps 
$1.50, 1 camp shirt $3.00, 1 package envelopes 50 cents, 1 gallon whiskey 
$1.20, the chest------Forbes Regiment, Capt. Brunson, Co., G. Mr. Bullocks 
got the key. Mr. Bullock and W.O'Neal. several others have got something in 
the chest. I will close my letter and rite more next time. Give my love to 
the boys. You boys must not get drunk when I can't. 

Your Brother
J.B. Howard (James Bryant Howard)

I sent George a -------pr boots. 
Goodbye  Ike and Gabe  (possibly the pups names?)

The pups send their love to you and all inquiring friends.

Note: Captain James Bryant Howard enlisted in the 49th. Tenn. Regiment and 
served with his cousin, Captain (later colonel) William F. Young. Jim was 
killed while removing the seriously wounded Col. Young from the battlefield 
July 28, 1864,at Atlanta. After the war, some family members went to Atlanta 
to find try to locate his body to bring home for burial, but failed.


Note: The following letter is from Louisa V. Peterson who was the aunt of the 
Howard brothers and also had been their teacher in the log cabin school in 
the Howard's back yard.

Providence, Tenn.
July 23, 1861
Well Ike-
I thought as the boys in your Regiment are leaving here tomorrow, I would 
drop you a line and let you know that your folks are all well. I told Blanche 
( I.P.'s sister) she ought to write to you but I don't know whether she did 
or not. Everybody is wild with excitement over the big fight that is expected 
here, the dispatch this morning said that Beauregard had driven the Yankees 
across  the Potomac. your Aunt Kate says she hopes if you boys get into a 
fight you will distinguish yourselves.  I would be glad to see you all back 
with whole scalps. I would not object to hear that you had "distinguished" 
yourself if you could do it with whole skin. we are all eager to hear from 
you boys. Everybody down here is interested in your movements. If you all had 
stopped at the Cumberland Gap there is a good many who intended to pay you a 
visit. Mrs. Manson says she is interested to go to see Eph and I had my heart 
set on going to see the mountains. I imagine you had a pleasant time of it. 
Jimmy went to the postoffice Sarurday to get a letter from you, but was 
disappointed. Several of the boys had written home and we thought of course 
you would write too. 

Ike, the girls are all wishing you all the good luck. I saw Mollie Britton a 
few evenings ago and I think she would like to hear from "Lieutenant Howard" 
and would like to see that gentlemans face again. The boys that go from here 
will tell you all the news. Tell George his Mama is well and all the rest of 
the darkies at the Howards want to see him. Luke said he would not want to be 
in his place for no money. They never expect to see him again. They all have 
possum dogs ------ ---. Since you left I expect they will get too lazy to 
hunt. Tell Billy Caudle I saw Mrs. Young (Catherine, the wife of Col. W.F. 
Young.) His folks are all well. I also saw Mr. Bullock, and they are well, 
but Mrs. Bullock is down in the mouth about Harry. 

Since writing this morning Will Henry Leigh went to the postoffice and got 
your letter. I expect they will have a Joyful time tonight at your Dad's. 
Will Henry said tell you that the Home Guards will be ordered to Dover soon 
and you may expect to hear of some daring deeds and hair breadth escapes 
among the dog fennel down there. They say that weed grows in abundance down 
there. He swears he won't wear those "Brown Janes Uniforms(??) . Res(?0 sends 
her best respects. Uncle Elsey sends his best respects and good wishes and 
says he looks for you to come back. Give my respects to all the boys I know 
and tell them to give the Yankees ------- -------------. Ike, if you will 
answer this I will write and give you the news generally.

Ike, Old Whit regretted exceedingly that we didn't get to take you all 
another dinner. Never mind. when you get home, the fatted calf will be killed 
and we will have a grand time. Tell William Thompson that Mrs. Britton has 
been very ill but is some better. They thought she would die last week.

Walker Manson spent the day at the Howards last Sunday. He told us he went as 
far as Nashville with you all. Well I will quit.  I wish you all the good 
luck to get home again and if you do fight I hope you will whip the Yankies. 
Goodbye
Write to us soon

Yours truly
L. Peterson   (his aunt Louisa V. Peterson)

Oh! Ike, these Home Guards are having their Brown Jeans
uniforms made. Jimmy says he won't wear it.

Oct. 11th 1861
Dear Ike, 

I received your letter of the 28th and was very glad to hear from you.We have 
all been -------  ------ ------ I have either been or sent to the postoffice 
every time the mail has come in for the last four weeks and thought you were 
either sick or did not receive my letters. Your folks are all well. Your 
Mother says if you can get away from there, come if George gets well enough 
to bring him or if he dies you must come home.I wrote to you last week but 
perhaps you didn't get that. i have no news that would interest you much. 
There is a good deal of excitement about  the troops that are being sent to 
Ky. from Mississippi. 
The cars are running all the time, the baggage and passenger trains have all 
stopped (running). Nothing but carrying soldiers. There is a big fight 
expected between here and Louisville. Pig Greenhill came near being killed 
while out on picket guard. George Trice shot and killed the the fellow that 
tried to kill Pig. Pig has been here since the affair. He has his head tied 
up where the fellow struck him. I gave you a full account of it in my other 
letter.

Fannie Britton and Mollie were here last week and said they wanted to see you 
very much. Fannie told Mollie that you said you thought more of her than any 
of the other girls. Mollie says you like her best, so you will have to settle 
that when you get home.

Dee Pollard (Cordelia Ann Pollard, daughter of George Milton Pollard and 
Martha E. Young Pollard) still has Spence Meacham, and-------, and John Mason 
waiting on her (courting her). John is trying to devil Spence, I believe. 
Tell Tip his folks are all well. John Mason was here last week. Nat Trice  
has come home. He has been down on the Tennessee river, the Yankee's having 
got Smithland(?) and Paducah both. Old Forbes had better bring the boys home. 
I expect they will be needed here before long. Bill Leigh wrote to you the 
other day. Tell Roberson Brown his folks are well and Mrs. Brown is uneasy 
about him.Tell George his folks are all well and sorry that he is sick. His 
mother sends her love and says she is in hopes he will get home. If George is 
well enough we will look for him when John O'Neal comes home.

Blanche is still at home and Jimmy is upstairs writing to you. Your mother 
sends her love to you and says as Jimmy and myself are writing, thinks it 
unnecessary for her to write.

Your Pap's health is about as usual. Give my respects to all the boys I know 
and tell them to come home before they all die out there. I wish I could hand 
you all something good to eat. Jimmy Philpot came by here. We all ran out to 
see him and asked him about ten thousand questions, and would like to have 
liked to ask some more, but the fellow looked so lean and gaunt we thought we 
had better let him rest a little before he went home.

Ask Henry Bullock if he has forgotten his promise to write to me. Tell him to 
write to his uncle John O'Neal. Give my respects to Billy Shepherd and little 
Jimmy McNickles. Tell them to take good care of you folks.Write soon

Your Aunt Lou P.(Peterson)

Providence, Tenn.
Sept. 7, 1861

(This letter is abbreviated due to its length, and is mostly concerned with 
family.) Dear Ike, I brought a nice melon to Mrs. ---- this morning and I 
wish I could hand you boys some melons and fruit and something good to eat. 
Mrs. Britton has put you up a nice can (jar) of peaches for you when you come 
home. Tell all the boys that came from here their folks are all well.

Your pups are well and frisky as ever. Tell Tip his old dog has about a peck 
of fleas not quite a large as crickets. Give my respects to every one. Has 
Andrew Cherry found his dinner bag yet? 

Goodbye Yours Truly
Lou Peterson