Letter, 11 Mar. [18]64, of J[ohn] M. Hamilton [Near Charleston, S.C.], to Capt. D.H. Hamilton (Columbia, S.C.) - Gifts to Manuscripts Division Announced 2005 (USCS) - South Caroliniana Library - University Libraries

Letter, 11 Mar. [18]64, of John M. Hamilton
to Capt. D.H. Hamilton
A gift to the SCL Manuscripts Division announced in 2005

Letter, 11 March [18]64, from J[ohn] M. Hamilton to his brother, Capt. D.H. Hamilton, Columbia, S.C., was written from the camp of the Marion Artillery at Church Flats near Charleston, S.C., and expresses his displeasure at a letter from their mother that criticized his spelling—“that put an end to my writeing home.” John anticipated a ten-day furlough soon and would pass through Columbia but would not stop; however, he hoped that his brother would “try and get me a derserter if you can.”

The Marion Light Artillery was organized during the summer of 1861. Most of its members came from Marion, S.C. At the time this letter was written, Daniel Heyward Hamilton, Jr., was garrisoned at Columbia with the Columbia Provost Guards. Capt. Hamilton’s company was raised in late 1863 from conscripts declared unfit for field service at the camp of instruction in Columbia. Later, soldiers from other commands who were declared unfit for field service by the Medical Examining Board were also transferred to the company. The Provost Guard served as military police, chasing deserters and escaped prisoners of war.

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