A small grouping of (5) letters and (6) covers addressed to Lydia Blake of Fayetteville, NC from Private B. E. Scarborough, Co. ÒH,Ó 31st NC State Troops. The covers carry individual CSA #11 and CSA #12 stamps tied by the Charleston, SC cds. The letters mix tender sentiments with war news and are from regimental camps on SullivanÕs Island, James Island and in Secessionville, SC. Good to fine condition. Scarborough wrote in small part: Ò(Sept. 12, 1863)Éyou have seen acct. of all the fights around CharlestonÉyou ast me something a bout how long I thought the Yankees would stay around here and how long be fore they would repent of their sinsÉthey are very still today and have been for several days pastÉI am in hopes that they have repented and will let me come back to the good old North StateÉI expect they will soon have possession of all the lower part of the state for we have not enough troops in N.C. at present to save it from the enemyÉ(Oct. 28, 1863)ÉI have been here so titely confined in camp and hereing the sound of Cannons till I have almost forgotten all I ever saw or feltÉPeace has taken its everlasting flight from the Confederatsy at present I donÕt see any chance but to hang on till the lastÉThe Yankees commenced the fight at this place last Monday. They keep up firing all the time from Battery Wagner Greg and also the Battery they have built between the twoÉ(Nov. 20, 1863)ÉI expect we will have to stay here as long as there is a fleet about Charleston...The wall you spoke of was the wall of sumter I guess it was hit by a Yankee shellÉthere was 13 men killed most of which was GeorgiansÉÓ The 31st NCST helped garrison of Battery Wagner on July 18, 1863 when Colonel Robert Gould ShawÕs celebrated 54th Massachusetts Infantry assaulted the Confederate position. The following year Private Scarborough would trade CharlestonÕs defense for that of Richmond. On May 15, 1864 he was mortally wounded at DrewryÕs Bluff and died the following month.

$400 - 600