Typical letter home...Hanover Junction Va May 25th 1863...

Dear Brother I find my self persition this morning to write you a few lines to answer your letter which I reced yester Day. I am well and hope those few lines may find you well. Well George you sed you had the best water melon patch for the time of year you ever saw. well I think I will be at home in time to hide some of them. if I don’t I will all ways think I outht to. I was glad to heare of you having such good luck with the bees when you cut the bee tree. I want you all to remember me and save me some. Henry Hill sends you his best respects to you so I will close for the time. tell Mother I want her to send me some white cotton thread the first chance. tell Julius I want him to no how he likes to how corn this sumer. William A. Elliott


19 year old Billy enlisted in the 11th Regiment, Company A, of the North Carolina Confederate Troops. He was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 just a little over a month after writing this letter. He probably didn't own any slaves and certainly wasn't fighting to keep others enslaved...

Photo: Pvt. Elijah Marks 53rd North Carolina KIA Gettysburg July 3rd at Culp's Hill