Postcard of Prison Camp from Joyce's Collection |
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The following letter has been transcribed by and submitted by Tom Brace
Reddin Wilcox, a 16 year old farmer born in Robeson County, NC. He enlisted
2/28/1862 at Robeson County, NC as a Private. On 4/10/1862 he mustered
into “E” Co. NC 51st Infantry. He was listed as wounded 7/18/1863 Fort
Wagner, SC. He returned 9/1/1863 to duty. He was listed as a POW 6/1/1864
at Cold Harbor, Va., then confined on 6/11/1864 at Point Lookout, MD. He
was transferred to Elmira, NY 7/12/1864 where he remained until he died
of disease 11/28/1864. He is buried at Woodlawn National Cemetery, Elmira,
NY Confederate section grave #989.
Reddin Wilcox wrote to Miss Rosine M. Parmentier, leave Mr. E. Bayer,
Tioga, Tioga Co., Penn. from the civil war prison, Elmira, NY on Sept.
12, 1864.
My Dear Miss Parmentier,
Your kind note of the 7th was received, and I can assure you welcomed
this morning. There sometimes occur moments in persons’ lives which they
dwell with pleasure upon in after years; such a moment occurred in mine
this morning, upon the perusal of yr. letter; it was so full of tender
feeling and kindness that, it actually endeared me to you and yr. family:
how could it have done otherwise ? unless addressed to one, dead to every
touch of sentiment and feeling. I received a letter from aunt Ellen not
long since, telling me that you were a very particular of hers, and desiring
me to write to you. I had been intending to do so for some time, but procrastination
became the thief of my time, and hence you have never heard from me. The
articles which requested Mr. Muller to procure have not yet reached me,
but I attribute it to the cause you propose. You are doubtless acquainted
with Mrs. Ellen Leone of Brooklyn ? I received a most kind letter from
her a few days since , stating that she hoped Genl Dix would allow her
house to be my prison. I sincerely hope that she may be successful in procuring
my parole, as I am not in the army yet, being only sixteen. My aunt Ellen
will be but too glad to hear from you, her address is to the care of Wm
E. Hinton, Petersburg, Va. for although she is not in the city at present,
yet she receives her mail from there. Hoping this may reach you, believe
me yr. true but unknown little friend, who about to forgot to send his
kindest regards to yr. family, subscribes himself.
R.B. Willcox,
Ward 20 leave Major H.Colt
Prison Camp, Elmira, N.Y.
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Published On 14 JUL 2006
By Joyce M. Tice
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