Civil War Letter of a Dying Soldier: G. H. Stephens, 12 June 1864.

To the point:

• People Mentioned - G.H. Stephens, Clarcy Ann Stephens, James A. Stephens, John Stephens, Preston Stephens, Sammy Stephens, Synthia Stephens, Joshua H. Stephens, W. L. Langley
• Places Mentioned - Natchitoches, LA; Sernchyville, Carthage, Panola County, TX.
• I am not a direct descendant of this line. I would love to find someone who is.
• Blogging Prompt #36: Military Battles and Your Ancestors, hosted by Genea-bloggers on Facebook, inspired by We Tree  http://wetree.blogspot.com/2009/01/jump-start-your-genealogy-blog-52-ideas_06.html

Let us remember that not all battles were fought on the battlefields...

Upon the passing of my grandfather, Horace Vaughn Wells, in 1992 I inherited an antique Oshkosh suitcase stuffed with old papers. The suitcase belonged to Ed. J. Hogan, husband of my great grandmother Ola Mae (Perkins) Hogan. 

Stuffed in a corner pocket of the musty suitcase was the following letter:

Citation: Civil War Letter of a Dying Soldier: G.H. Stephens, 12 June 1864. Photograph by Herstoryan. Houston, Texas. 2009

[This is a transcription. The document appears to have been typed on a typewriter. The xxxxx were typed over words in order to correct misspellings or otherwise omit the word. Original errors and format are preserved to the best of my ability.]

G. H. Stephens Dying Request . 

Natchitoches, La. June 12, 1864.

To My Dear Clarcy Ann Stephens:

My Dear Wife:

I this morning through the hand of a friend attempt to write you a few 

lines perhaps for the last time. I am in the hospital and am very low

with Typhoid Fever, been sick ever since the 25th of April, was sick

at Sernchyville until about a week ago and was moved here, I was

as I thought better at that time, but have relapsed and am very low

but I am still in hopes that I may recover, but if I should not I want 

you not to take xxx my death hard.  but submit to the will of God, who

xxxxxxxxx doeth all things well.  My prayer is that you may raise all our

children honest and to live in the fear of allmighty God.    My dear wife I

feel that this will be the last words, that you may have from me.  Some of x

my prayers is that you may meet me in heaven for I feel that my way is xxx

clear and that my faith is well founded in the lamb of God that taketh

way the sins of the world. 

My dear wife,  it would afford me great pleasure to see you and the child-

ren this morning to bid you all farewell and to collectively and indivduall

ly ask the blessings upon you if it is the will of God, but thank God that

I am able to say and feel they will be done not mine.   I feel that my time

is short a word Son James A. remember your father and his dying request is

that you may love and abey your mother and so live as to meet me in heaven

My dear boy you are now 12 years old and left with out a father to advise

youx through this world.   But you must live soberly, honestly and take the

bestcare of your brothers and sister that you can.    Remember that a great

deal depends on you for your own happness.  and there's to James A. Farewell

To John my dear boy, my advice to you is the same as to James.  Be a good

boy honor and obey thy mother and obey her and so live as to meet me in

heanve.   Preston dear son,  I must take you one at a time but to you will

say you must reamin as xxxxx   ever a good boy so live as to make your

self and those around you cheerful and happly,  May God Bless you to help

your brothers and sister through life.  To My dear Sammy take the advice

given to the other brothers and love your brothers and sister and live for

God and heaven.    Synthia my dear daughter I have but few words to say to

you,  but you are very dear to me I wish that I could impress upon you

the importance of looking to your mother and go to her for advice and com-

fort do the best you can love your brothers and sister if one you may have

May God Bless you.

To Joshua H.  My dear child you are too young to remember what I say but

God bless you and protect you through life and save you in heaven. 

                                         Your  dying  husband  and  Father .

G.H.  Stephens . 

Citation: Stephens, G. H. Letter to Clarcy Ann Stephens. 12 June 1864. Privately held by Herstoryan. Houston, Texas. 2009.

A second letter accompanies the letter above and is as follows:

Citation: Civil War Letter to Mrs. C. R. Stephens: W.L. Langley, 15 June 1864. Photograph by Herstoryan. Houston, Texas. 2009

[Transcription] 

June 15,1864.

To Mrs  C.R.Stephens:

It has been my lot to be with your husband for the last

few days.  He came very low with Typhoid Fever,  I could see but

little change in him until about dark last night,    he called me  to

him and told me that he was dying,and wanted me to finish this letter

or note to you,  he said that he had said all that he could say.  He

took your type and looked at it and kissed you and Synthia  calling

you both by name asking God to bless you. He gave way for a few

moments to his feelings and said aloud: Oh Clarisy,  Clarisy,   those

were the last words he spoke audible,  He died about 9:30 oclock the

night of June 14th.   He told me that he was of the Methodist belief

 but there is neither Methodist or Baptist in this town, and He was

so anxious to be baptised that he sent for a catholic Priest and re-

ceived baptism at his hands.  He read the 3rd chapter of St. John

and felt that there was hope in that for him, the 16th verse was his

favorite,  His great desire was that you meet him in heaven and to

bear up under your loss the best you could.  He died very easy, was

not more than 1½ hours dying.  Sensible as long as he could speak.

Mrs Stephens I am apprised of the fact that your loss is heavy, but

bear them the best you can.   He had $27.00 in money his clothes was

not much account, as he had left all of his clothes perhaps with the

train.   I cant say more at present.

                                                      Remaining Yours and C

                                                      W.L. Langley

N.B.  I live in Panola County, Texas, 10 miles north of Carthage, 

belong to the 14th Texas     %  (9)  Walker Division.

Citation: Langley, W. L. Letter to Mrs. C. R. Stephens. 15 June 1864. Privately held by Herstoryan. Houston, Texas. 2009.

My chest is tight. Tears overtake my eyes. As genealogists we collect names and dates, sources and artifacts to piece together stories of our past. These two letters reach beyond the facts and grab ahold of our hearts. We listen so that his life is honored. We record so that his life is remembered.