This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: billlibrary Surnames: Waters Davis Clarie Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.illinois.counties.adams/7556.3.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: 1954 Barry Adage Newspaper: FIRST PAGE of an interesting letter of civil war days written by Hezekiah Davis to his brother, Isaac Davis, both of whom were born and reared in the Siloam Springs neighborhood. The letter was written laboriously following the battle of fort Donelson at Clarksville, Tenn., and tells of the high prices of food and boots prevailing. It was found by Russell O. Waters, great-grandson of Isaac Davis, among the effects of his grandmother, Mrs. Florence Clarie, at Fishhook. The price of coffee is higher today than it was in the South during hectic civil war days, according to an interesting letter dated March 9, 1862, which Russell O. Waters, 313 Maiden Lane, uncovered last week. The letter was written to Waters' great-grandfather, Isaac Davis, by Hezekiah Davis, a Union soldier, from fort Donelson, Clarksville, Tenn., where Grant's Union forces rout- (INCOMPLETE COPY) Because of the scarcity of food, prices soared in the South. But, even at that, coffee was only $1 a pound then, compared to a range in price $1.00 to $1.25 a pound now. "Now I will tell you the pricing of things here," Hezakiah Davis wrote to his brother. "Pork is $20 a hundred, boots are worth $20 a pair, white flour $20 a barrel, corn $5 a barrel, potatoes $1 a bushel, eggs 20 cents, butter 25 cents, coffee $1 a pound." * * * Hezekiah Davis' letter apparently written under difficult circumstances, related that there were about 12, 000 prisoners at Fort Donelson - a fort erected in 1861 by the confederates in northwestern Tennessee, just south of the boundary line between Kentucky and Tennessee. It was on a hill about 120 feet above the level of the Cumberland river with a line of rifle pits two and a half miles long to defend the land approach. It had three heavy batteries commanding the river and was considered one of the best fortified posts along the confederate line in the Mississippi valley. The battle about which Davis wrote occurred Feb. 13 to 16, 1862. General Grant was in command of the Union forces and General Buckner in command of the confederates. Buckner surrendered the fort and historical records show that the Union army took 57 guns, 14, 500 men and large quantities of provisions and munitions. Concerning this, Hezekia Davis wrote to his brother: "There was about 12,000 prisoners at Fort Donelson. How many there was in the fort I could not tell but there was a great many. The general opinion is that there was about 40,000 secessionists. We were four days fighting with them. It rained and snowed and from last we had to stand and take it without blankets. There is a good many of our company sick. Now the times is hard enough here. Let us hear soon and let us hear about the times in Illinois." * * * The letter is well preserved, and although written on a light blue paper, there is little evidence of fading. It apparently was penned hastily and it is difficult to make out all of the words. The first page is reproduced above, largely because of the interesting figure of co9lumbia and the eagle in the left hand corner and the authentic dateline at the top. Hezekiah Davis apparently had lost track of time for he started to write "February the 9" and then thought better of it and crossed out "February", writing "March" above it. The letter is addressed to "Dear Brother," and the first page in part reads" "I take this time to inform you that I am well at present and hoping that you and your family is also in good health. We are now in Clarionville, Tenn. I haven't wrote to you since the fight in fort Donelson and I have not find a letter since. I thought . (illegible) . notwithstanding we will whip them all - that you all know - and we will whip them heavy whe! re we go." Russell Waters points out that it was probable his great-uncle had very little schooling and because of his lack of education and the stress under which he wrote the letter, the spelling is crude and the English construction colloquial. However, he was able to keep his relatives informed as to the progress of the war and as to his well-being. This letter is one of many which Russell Waters found among the effect of his grandmother, Mrs. Florence Clarie, who died in November, 1946. Grandmother Clarie lived near Fishhook. She saved practically ever letter and receipt that came her way. When Russell Waters' father, Issac Charles Waters, died last April 14, it was necessary to go to the Fishhook farm to clear out stored possessions. There are many old letters, many of historical value. Some have the original envelopes and canceled postage, which Waters thinks may add to their value as collectors' items. Isaac C. Waters and his mother, Mrs. Florence Clarie, jointly owned 80 acres of land in the Fishook vicinity. There is a bucksin deed, Waters says, to a portion of the land. Isaac Waters' widow, Mrs. Lucy Waters, lives at Meredosia. Provided by Mike Cookson whos-your-papa-emily@yahoo.com 12/10/2006 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.