Letter, 5 June 1866, Charles Robert Norvell (1835 - 1900) to James Risque Hutter (1841-1923)
Title
Description
Author of letter believed to be Charles Robert Norvell (1835 - 1900) who like Risque Hutter was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Confederate soldier, and a captive at Johnson's Island POW camp.
The "Capt. Craycraft" mentioned in the letter is believed to be Capt George Knox Cracraft (1832-1906) who served in the 23rd Arkansas Infantry and was a prisoner at Johnson's Island.
Source
Publisher
Date
Rights
inquire at info@historicsandusky.org
Text
My dearest Risque,
It has been my solemn purpose ever since I landed in this God forsaken region of mosquitos and frogs- alligators, terrapins, cotton widows to send you back an affectionate how d’ ye do but by no means wishing that these few lives away find you enjoying the same blessing. I left the good old mother of states & statesmen, satisfied that after the Caesarian operations through which she has passed. That it was no longer the place for a youth like myself top fortune & to fame unknown, partly as Balderin would say as pulled by the gentle momentum of a lady’s slipper, but chiefly from the matter that induced the author to inflict his work upon a generous public “viz” hunger -- and landed at the hospitable mansion of our old prison friend Capt. Windsor whom I found bading the life of a planter, living in a palatial log cabin, very much after the style of the one described by the Arkansas traveler & just about as independent as the aforesaid tenant. He received me write all the kindness of his generous nature & many & long have been our chats over past tribulations - asked kindly about you etc. I immediately established “these headquarters” upon the enchanting spot from which upon a fine charger which he had in waiting for me I have made several hard reconnaissances, tours of inspection, & raids upon the surrounding widows & have unanimously resolved to build my Tabernacle down here; mosquitos and chill, and widows, to the contrary not withstanding.
But seriously - tis a magnificent country, unsurpassed is the fertility of the soil, & generous in it rewards to any department of industry professional, commercial, or mechanical which I will demonstrate when we meet in August, & hope to induce you to come out and try your luck. The country was devastated by the Yanks, many of the planters so much embarrassed with debt that they can’t cultivate their lands and are glad to rent out so that many young men with small capitol are engaged in planning with the finest prospects of making small fortunes this year, should cotton keep up the same in the case in other departments of business. As to the law, the craft tell me they have as much as they can do, and plenty of room for me. The Court House at Greenville was destroyed by the Yanks; the board of Police, magistrates, being all sued and I suppose desiring continuances, failed to provide a place to hold court & of consequence the judge had to adjourn from the May to the Nov term, so I had no chance to see anything of the practice, though both civil and criminal dockets were very heavy. Fees are large and bar “tolerable.”Windsor and I attended a large party in “Arkinsaw” last week where we met Capts. McMurray and Craycraft, whom you may remember at Johnson’s Island, danced all night & had a gay and festive time with two “Rackensack” belles. Some of them very pretty and interesting. By the way, Dave Edmondson is to be married about 12th June, & I doubt not that you will be a Groomsman, he invited me before I left Va and I’d given my boots to be there. T’will be a jolly affair. Just here let me tell you that I examined the records in that case of yours in Montgomery & am satisfied that on an appeal you can get into judgment of the lower court reversed. Hoping too to hear of the same, and with kindest regards to your father’s family believe me
Yours Sincerely
Charles Norvell
My double breasted best love to Ben B. Hugh N. & Spratt & show them this, or in part for them.