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From the UNC Wilson Special Collections Library, John Bramblett Beall Letters 1860 – 1865, Collection: 04999-z Scans #1, 2 & 3. Transcribed by Victor Vignola, December 13, 2022.
Dallas, Georgia Aug. 9th, 1860
My Dear Cousin
Disappointed as I was at not meeting you at home as I had fondly expected, I can at least have the satisfaction of writing and indulging the hope of hearing from you. I have located permanently at this place, and boarding with Noble and Sarah. I staid in Carroll only two weeks and did not have an opportunity of visiting except in passing about on business. I called at your father’s before I got home and was welcomed by all manifestations of satisfaction fully equal to what their former kindness had led me to hope for. But one face I looked for in vain – my Cousin Mary was not there to welcome me. How old memories crowded upon me as I walked up the yard and, entering the portico, found myself once more under the roof beneath whose shelter I had, so many years before, passed so many days of dreamy, listless satisfaction. The effect on my mind was like that which Moore ascribes to “Notes we used to love in days of childhood, awakening thoughts that have long slept.” I called at Mr. Garrison’s. Miss Sarah sang some old favorites for me. She sings prettily and performs well; but there is not that tenderness and pathos in her voice which makes our hearts to bow to music as to a thing divine. Dear Cousin, I can’t write this evening. I have the blues most unaccountable, and I know that when I write in such a mood my letters are always ridiculous. Write to me and let me know when you expect to be in Carroll, and I will hasten to meet you there and we will have, OH! Such a big talk! And I will tell you all I would write now but for my unusual dullness. I understand you are boarding at Mr. Diamond’s. Give them all my respects.
Your Most Affectionate Cousin Jno. B. Beall
P.S. – As the mail does not leave until tomorrow morning, I kept this open intending to add a postscript, but nothing has occurred except that it has been raining since Friday and today is Sunday, August 12, 1860. – Yours, J.B.B.
NOTE: Page 3 contains the postscript. Written opposite the postscript and written subsequent to the folding of the page: “To Mary Aug 1860 Dallas”
I called at Mr. Garrison’s. Miss Sarah sang some old favorites for me. She sings prettily and performs well; but there is not that tenderness and pathos in her voice which makes our hearts to bow to music as to a thing divine. Dear Cousin, I can’t write this evening. I have the blues most unaccountable, and I know that when I write in such a mood my letters are always ridiculous. Write to me and let me know when you expect to be in Carroll, and I will hasten to meet you there and we will have, OH! Such a big talk! And I will tell you all I would write now but for my unusual dullness. I understand you are boarding at Mr. Diamond’s. Give them all my respects.
Your Most Affectionate Cousin Jno. B. Beall
P.S. – As the mail does not leave until tomorrow morning, I kept this open intending to add a postscript, but nothing has occurred except that it has been raining since Friday and today is Sunday, August 12, 1860. – Yours, J.B.B.
NOTE: Page 3 contains the postscript. Written opposite the postscript and written subsequent to the folding of the page: “To Mary Aug 1860 Dallas”
Dallas, Georgia Aug. 9th, 1860.
My dear Cousin:
Disappointed as I was at not meeting you at home as I had fondly expecte, I can at least have the satisfaction of writing and indulging the hope of hearing from you. I have located permanently at this place, and boarding with Noble and Sarah. I staid in Carroll only two weeks and did not have an opportunity of visting except in passing about on business. I called at your father's before I got home and was welcomed by all with manfiestations of satisfaction fully equal to what their former kindness had led me to hope for. But one face I looked for in vain - my Cousin Mary was not there to welcome me. How old memories crowded upon me as I walked up the yard and, entering the portico, found myself once more under the roof beneath whose shelter I had, so many years before, passed so many days of dreamy, listless satisfaction. The effect on my mind was like that which Moore ascribes to "Notes that we used to love in days of childhood", Wwakening thoughts that long have slept."
I called at Mr. Garrison's. Miss Sarah sang some old favorites for me. She sings prettily and performs well; but there is not that tenderness and pathos in her voice which makes our hearts to bow to music as to a thing divine.
Dear Cousin, I can't write this evening. I have the blues most unaccountably, and I know that when I write in such a mood, my letters are always rediculous. Write to me and let me know when you expect to be in Carroll, and I will hasten to meet you there and we will have, oh! such a big talk! and I will tell you all I would write now but for my unusual dullness.
I understand you are boarding at Mr. Diamond's. Give them all my respects.
Your Most Affectionate Cousin
Jno. B. Beall
P.S. - As the mail does not leave until tomorrow morning, I kept this open intending to add a postscript, but nothing has occurred except that it has been raining since Friday and today is Sunday, August 12, 1860.- Yours, J.B.B.
To- Miss Mary Jane Merrell (mother, from Dad) envelope lost, so do not know place addressed-B
From the UNC Wilson Special Collections Library – John Bramblett Beall Letters 1860 – 1865. (Collection: 04999-z) Scans #5 & 6. Transcribed by Victor Vignola, December 13, 2022.
Dallas, Ga., May 17, 1861. Darling, I want very much to be with you this evening, but I am in that sort of mood in which I do not have much to talk about – when my mind is busy with a thousand things that do not assume form to be expressed by words; let me forewarn you then not to expect any thing of literary merit in whatever I may write this evening. There! I’ve committed a prodigious blunder already. As if there were any danger in your expecting “any thing of literary merit” from me! Now won’t my Darling call me an egotist? I have some news for you. We organized our company – “The Cotton Guards” – yesterday. 57 on the roll, but only 48 present. There was no opposition for the offices in the Election. Captain J’s company is to receive a flag and a dinner (especially the dinner) at this place tomorrow, and are to start off Tuesday. The prospect of getting my company into the service is at this time unfavorable – potential remotisima – a most improbable possibility. My dearest Mary must not give herself unnecessary trouble on that point. Still, I hope you will remember that it is my wish for you to be reconciled to my going if it should ever come to be necessary. Enough on that subject. Noble and family are well, and this next line fills out the first page of my letter, doesn’t it?