Letter from "Maggie" [Weeks] to "Bud," May 25, [1864]

Letter from "Maggie" [Weeks] to "Bud," May 25, [1864]

This letter, most likely written by Margaret "Maggie" Weeks, wife of Charles C. Weeks, was sent from Wood Park in Desoto Parish Louisiana. She tells "Bud," who may be William F. Weeks, that she is glad of his safe arrival in Texas, especially given the trouble "brother Alfred" had on his return to Texas. Since hearing that he is in Texas, "Charlie" has been anxious to see him and hopes to leave soon, while Maggie hopes that "Bud" will visit in Louisiana while he is outside of enemy lines. She also asks Bud to "help him [Charlie] arrange his business, so that he will only stay in Texas about a week, for I really need him with me now. His experience of Texas life, has been rather hard." She is especially distraught that he has had to endure so much "fatigue, and trouble, just to support his family." Referring to his contract for hauling supplies, she adds that "his turning a regular wagoner is very bad." She hopes Bud will induce him "to have an overseer when he is hauling." Referring to financial straits, she adds that "we just manage to live here," and they are having trouble buying basic provisions because Confederate old issue currency is not accepted and has become virtually "useless." Charlie has spent most of his time just trying to find corn and meat he can purchase, and what he has found has been expensive. She refers to the tragic burning of daughter Dora and her recovery from wounds, and also says "the Prescotts" have been "very kind" to the family. She also misses "Allie" since she left for Texas after visiting for two or three weeks. "When she left here she was talking of going to Newtown to remain there with sister Mary," but she thinks this inadvisable because when the Yankees are there, "Mr. Weightman" (her husband) would have to leave. She seldom sees Judge Moore, while "Ben Prescott has gone with most of his hands to work a plantation near Natchitoches for some gentleman who has lost all his negroes. I believe it is a very profitable business." She says she can get nothing but homespun because Shreveport stores are all closed. A postscript note says that since she began writing, Charlie has been caught in Shreveport and put in the army, and she asks for help in getting him exempted.

Margaret Weeks

Records of Ante-Bellum Southern Plantations, Series I, Part 6, Reel 18, Frame 85-88

Image scanned from 35mm microfilm published by UPA. Published here by W. Caleb McDaniel.

May 25, [1864]

This item is published solely for personal research and nonprofit educational use under the terms of fair use. No copyright in the item is asserted or implied by its publication here.

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