>From the 1936 writings of Lucy Amanda Hill Jones, daughter of James Monroe Hill and Jane Hallowell Kerr. The following is the letter written in 1864 by Jane H. Kerr Hill to her son James Leonidas Hill (known as "Lonnie") who was away fighting with General Forrest. I transcribed his letter to his parents yesterday and this is his mother's response to that letter and others he sent. "Spring Hill (TX), Aug. 27, 1864 Mr. James Leonidas Hill . My dearest, precious Lonnie, that sweetest of all other names to me. Oh, how I love to call it! How often memory recalls bygone days, and though you were always very dear to me, you are much more so now. What a treasure I have before me, and what do you suppose it is? Well, I will tell you, it is a letter from YOU, our first-born. Let me assure you, you are becoming more and more endeared to the hearts of your parents, as well as to all o ther friends continually. Since you have been exposed to so many dangers, and have proved by your conduct, that you possess such noble principles, well may a mother be proud of such a son. I do not speak thus, my dear boy, to flatter you, but to encourage, and because I think you really deserve it. Oh, how good it does me to find that you seem so humble, and feel your dependence on Almighty God, who hath shielded you and preserved your precious life, while so many of your brave companions have been snatched from time to eternity, as you say, without a moment's warning. That shows, my dear son, how necessary it is that we should try to be ready all the time, for we know not how soon we may be called off. While I rejoice that you are safe, I deeply mourn for poor Lee and others who are gone; and most siincerely do I sympathize with the bereaved poor old Mrs. Farquar. I went to see her the next morning after I got y our letters and found them all much distressed. She had, like me, been counting on so much happiness - and had been laying up nice things to feast him with when he came home, as she thought he would when his time was out in the fall. Oh, how all her hopes were blasted when the sad tidings came that her beloved son was killed! It makes my heart ache to think of it. I reckon none but a mother can imagine what that mother's feelings are. She said if she only knew that he had gone to rest she could give him up better reconciled. Can you give her any comfort as to whether he was prepared? Poor R. R. Andrews is gone too. He died in July. I attended his burial. He was buried with Masonic honors. I thought of the time when you both left here together - and of your being mess-mates. I knew then that he had gone to his long home, but did not know what your fate might be. I have tried to resign you to the Lord, and I firmly believe that he has heard and answered the prayers that have been offered in your behalf. I feel that I can never be thankful enough to the Lord for his mercies to me and mine. Remember, my son, that His grace is sufficient for you. I know that your lot is a hard one, but try to cast all your care upon him - He will sustain you, and I believe will bring you safely through! Oh, glorious hope! My soul leaps forward at the thought of once more embracing you, and folding you to my heart. Cheer up, my dear boy, if you can stand it when you have to go through what you did on that dreadful battlefield, I know I ought to bear it the best I can, and be thankful that you have been supported and strengthened in that trying time. You say you know I do not want you to desert - No, INDEED, I never want it said of my Spartan boy that he did anything which was dishonorable; but I hope and pray that the time is not far distant when we shall all meet and make a happy family again. Your father and John Williams are still at Anderson. We had the plesure of their society for nearly two weeks not long since, in peach time. Your Pa's health is very good, but John William does not stand it so well. Their time will expire the 15th of September. John Wm. is very anxious to be with you, but he is not able to stand what you have to, he is small for his age. Now, my dear boy I must say adieu, that is I commend you to God who has watched over you and taken care of you when surrounded by danger on every hand, praying that He may still be with you and bring you safely back to us - Give our love to all friends and with a gread deal for yourself, I am as ever, Your affectionate mother, Jane H. Hill" ------------------------------------------------------- Notes by Lucy Amanda Hill Jones: "When Jane Hallowell Kerr was only a a little school girl and reading of the Leonidas, the Spartan general, whose valor she greatly admired, she was heard to say, that if ever she were grown and married and had a son, she would name him "Leonidas". Truly, her earnest impression remained with her, as told by her in later years to her children, for after she became the wife of James Monroe Hill, their first son bore the name of James Leonidas, and most worthily until his death May 23, 1873, at the age of twenty- eight." -------------------------------------------------------------------- My next transcription will be a letter written by the maternal grandmother of Leonidas James Hill, Mrs. Lucy Thomson Kerr b. 1783 SC, to her daughter Jane Hallowell Kerr Hill, upon hearing of her grandson's departure for the War in 1861. Jackie Hill Bower http://www.geocities.com/abackwardglance ______________________________________________________________ Get Your Free E-mail at http://www.prontomail.com