Two letters from a Private that was enlisted in the 1st (Carter's) Tennessee Cavalry

   These are a couple of letters that was written by Pvt. James L. Stephens to his sister. The letter was written prior to the Battle of Murfreesboro. It states that he was assigned to Col. Carter. He mentions Maj. Onslow Bean and Capt. Goforth. His letter also gives their location on Dec. 10, 1862 prior to the Murfreesboro.

 December 9, 1862

Dear Sis

     As I have an opportunity of writing I will drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and where I am at.  We are camped 8 miles from Murfreesburro. In the pike shed besides to McMinville.  I think we will go to town to Morrow.  Did it Snow Eny over on that side of the Mountain.  It Snowed a big Snow over hear I hav not heard of …. Since I hav bin heur.  He Is down about Nashville Some Where  We nearer to day   Think the fedrals were leaving Nashville  I do not know wether it is So or Not  They has Not bin Eny fightin latly.    I do not know where our Rigiment is at we left it last week. I do not know where we will go  So it is gone   I am in Hopes I Never will See it a gan.  We are furring (faring) fine, at the present time.   The Captin and I have done got dinner. We had Chicken and pork and plenty of Every thing  Else Clay and I do the Cooking and the Captian byes things

    Cut is a fine cavilry hoss   I was offurd $200. for her the other day  She looks fine   Laura tell father that I would like if he has Enay lether I would like to hav me a pare of boots made  The will be nears hard to git. After while. And I will pay for them.  I will need the boots.  Tell father and Mother to rest easy for the Yankees is not coming for a long spell.   Is Elbert gon out in the survis yeut.  I will hav to close  

Sill (still) remaining your True Brother

J.L. Stephens 

Camps Near Blacks X Roads

De em the 10 1862

Dear Sister

 I take the pleasur according to prommist.  We are capt 6 miles from Murfreesurrow in the Direction fo Leenton.  I seen o Sight To Day Never Saw before. 2. 3 00. Yankees Prisners.  John H. Morgan had to fight last Sunday with them and whip them good and took, 2, 300 prisners and large amount of comsurs (commissary) wagons Arms Aminson.&.   James E. Carter is our Cournal.  May Beam is oru Lut. Cournal   Cup Gofurth(?) is Maj.  Giddens is our qurter master,  Some man from Knoxvill is our comsure  Clay will not git the appointen.(appointment)

I think I will git a transfur to James McReynods Cum. Cut stones the trip fine I think she will makie a good cavilly Horse   when you wright to me Buck them to Murfreesburor   Tell ….. to take good cear of Bill    I hav Not Seen Ike since I hav bin over hear.  I hearde of him the other day he is …… go ovr 60 mile, he lowes (allows?) hear

I am well at presnt.

Form your Brother

J.L Stephens

 Here is Pvt. James L. Stephens' Shell jacket. My G.G. Grandfather was also a Private and most likely wore the same type. This jacket is for sale at this website They are including the two letters with the purchase of the jacket.

A Black Confederarte Soldier fought for the First (Carter's) Tennessee Cavalry Regiment

  Alford, or Alfred Locke (his name is spelled both ways in records), was a Confederate soldier who lived to be eighty-eight years old, and is buried in Montgomery Cemetery in Rhea County.

  According to Locke's pension application, he was born in Rhea County on May 24, 1846, and was a slave owned by Judge Franklin Locke.  Judge Locke, he stated, was an uncle of Colonel Onslow Bean and sent Alford to Colonel Bean in 1863 to serve him in the army.  Alford was a member of Lieutenant Colonel Onslow Bean's First Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, and served as hostler (person in charge of horses) and general utility man for the Colonel until Bean's death at Marion, Virginia.  Then, Locke became hostler and utility man for Colonel James E. Carter until the close of the war.  This Confederate soldier further noted in his pension application that he was at the battles of Knoxville, Piedmont, Strawberry Plains, Chickamauga, Rogersville, Virginia, and others.   Alford was never wounded, and was never paid in cash, but mentioned that he was clothed by headquarters. 

Colonel Onslow Bean was Killed at Marion, VA

The 1st Tennessee Cavalry was in Marion on Dec. 16, 1864 while under the command of Gen. Vaughn. This would suggest when Col. Onslow Bean was killed.

"At Marion, site of an iron foundry, Gillem once again attacked Vaughn on Dec. 16, 1864, again routed him and pursued him to Wytheville. The Union Gen. claimed he captured Confederate artillery, supply trains and almost half of Vaughn's men. Yet Vaughn  reported on Dec. 22, that his trains were safe, but he does not mention his troop numbers."

Lieutenant Colonel Oslow Bean