Letter from M.W. Phillips to Governor Thomas H. Watts in Montgomery, Alabama
Item
Identifier
Q0000149985_Q0000149986
Title
Letter from M.W. Phillips to Governor Thomas H. Watts in Montgomery, Alabama
Rights
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Type
Text
Creator
M.W. Phillips
Date
1864-08-06
Description
Phillips addresses his inability to serve due to his rheumatism
Format
Correspondence; letter
Language
eng
Place
Hinds County, Mississippi
Publisher
Alabama Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Contributor
Luke Andersen and Zach Calvert
transcription
Chilts Station, Ala, Aug 6th, 1864
His Excellency
T.H. Watts. Montgomery
Honl Sir,
Altho am Exile from my home, on Big Black in Hinds Co Miss. Edwards Depot R.O., yet I deemed it a duty to report myself to you on call, but I was unable. I have been a sufferer from Rheumatism since Oct 1823, at times not able to use my hands, again unable to straitin myself, again not able to walk, depending where the attack is. For the past 6 weeks or near it, I have suffered more of pain this pain in left hand, arm & shoulder, with my back at times, brought on by right hand when I went to Miss, to [page damaged] & get out my hogs that were [1 word illegible] from the Yankee [page damaged]. The raid to Jackson [ran us?] off. I am as willing to do duty as any man, but it would be nonsense for me to attempt making much exertion at any thing. I have to resort to [serve?] remedy sometimes daily. Have had to have poultice to my foot for 2 days this week & yesterday I was unable to ride in any thing. Any extra exertion or even an excite ment puts me flat of my back. In 61 I came to Mont gomery on a visit to our Prest, I am intimately acquainted with him, and offered myself & two or four good negro men and if he would let me go in a Hospital & act nurse, this I have a diploma of MD from the University of [?], yet I did not dare think of any thing higher than nurse, as for 30 yrs I had been only a planter. I know I am unfit for any thing but to give directions on a farm, & to rent at my leisure my hands. This I have tried to do & never sold any thing -- except brood stock-- to any but our army of my products & never asked price before delivery.
I was [?] the first although [?] for [?]. [Raind?] in So Carolina & my old schoolmates & those of my associates there, such as--
Hammond, Haynes, Hilliard, Maxey Gregg &c &c were taught in the same school, tho' I am perhaps 2 yrs older than the [?], being now near 59.
I have lost a little by this even, but Respected Sir, tho' I am too old to ever make another start, yet I glory in being able to say, I am willing to do all I can, tho' I am a Refugee I did not run from fright. I livd near Big Black Rail Road bridge & my neighbors, were all pretty much ruined. No human can feel without seeing for himself what the [?] thieving race can do. In a condition not to bear up against misfortune, I have suffered more than where [damage to page] to my home in 1831, poor & almost penniless. [damage to page] my general health has improved, because I have been in house nearly all the time, not exposed, but I have suffered longer from this attack than [one?] before.
I have often 2 or 3 times a week have to undergo a rubbing in the morn before I can get my clothes on & I have no doubt, that cold water every morn is all that keeps me up now. One of my College mates is one of your Citizens John A Ellmore, tho' I have called at his office 2 or 3 times have not seen him over 30 yrs. George [Harts?] & Dr Thos Taylor are boy friends. Dr Jos Taylor my [?], I have known for 50 yrs. Gov Brown of Ga is down on Refugees I hope there are no Mississippians among them. I would prefer to go in front on hands & feet than have my adopted state be under ban, by my being recreant.
If I can serve our glorious cause at all, it is at home, & I am trying all I know how. I have no conviction, but to feed & clothe those in my care. With Great Respect
I am profoundly Yrs. M.W. Philips.
of Edwards Miss
Perhaps you may have read of me & Ivy Hall, Miss. will give you remembrance.
His Excellency
T.H. Watts. Montgomery
Honl Sir,
Altho am Exile from my home, on Big Black in Hinds Co Miss. Edwards Depot R.O., yet I deemed it a duty to report myself to you on call, but I was unable. I have been a sufferer from Rheumatism since Oct 1823, at times not able to use my hands, again unable to straitin myself, again not able to walk, depending where the attack is. For the past 6 weeks or near it, I have suffered more of pain this pain in left hand, arm & shoulder, with my back at times, brought on by right hand when I went to Miss, to [page damaged] & get out my hogs that were [1 word illegible] from the Yankee [page damaged]. The raid to Jackson [ran us?] off. I am as willing to do duty as any man, but it would be nonsense for me to attempt making much exertion at any thing. I have to resort to [serve?] remedy sometimes daily. Have had to have poultice to my foot for 2 days this week & yesterday I was unable to ride in any thing. Any extra exertion or even an excite ment puts me flat of my back. In 61 I came to Mont gomery on a visit to our Prest, I am intimately acquainted with him, and offered myself & two or four good negro men and if he would let me go in a Hospital & act nurse, this I have a diploma of MD from the University of [?], yet I did not dare think of any thing higher than nurse, as for 30 yrs I had been only a planter. I know I am unfit for any thing but to give directions on a farm, & to rent at my leisure my hands. This I have tried to do & never sold any thing -- except brood stock-- to any but our army of my products & never asked price before delivery.
I was [?] the first although [?] for [?]. [Raind?] in So Carolina & my old schoolmates & those of my associates there, such as--
Hammond, Haynes, Hilliard, Maxey Gregg &c &c were taught in the same school, tho' I am perhaps 2 yrs older than the [?], being now near 59.
I have lost a little by this even, but Respected Sir, tho' I am too old to ever make another start, yet I glory in being able to say, I am willing to do all I can, tho' I am a Refugee I did not run from fright. I livd near Big Black Rail Road bridge & my neighbors, were all pretty much ruined. No human can feel without seeing for himself what the [?] thieving race can do. In a condition not to bear up against misfortune, I have suffered more than where [damage to page] to my home in 1831, poor & almost penniless. [damage to page] my general health has improved, because I have been in house nearly all the time, not exposed, but I have suffered longer from this attack than [one?] before.
I have often 2 or 3 times a week have to undergo a rubbing in the morn before I can get my clothes on & I have no doubt, that cold water every morn is all that keeps me up now. One of my College mates is one of your Citizens John A Ellmore, tho' I have called at his office 2 or 3 times have not seen him over 30 yrs. George [Harts?] & Dr Thos Taylor are boy friends. Dr Jos Taylor my [?], I have known for 50 yrs. Gov Brown of Ga is down on Refugees I hope there are no Mississippians among them. I would prefer to go in front on hands & feet than have my adopted state be under ban, by my being recreant.
If I can serve our glorious cause at all, it is at home, & I am trying all I know how. I have no conviction, but to feed & clothe those in my care. With Great Respect
I am profoundly Yrs. M.W. Philips.
of Edwards Miss
Perhaps you may have read of me & Ivy Hall, Miss. will give you remembrance.