These letters were folded in half with the pages opening like a book.

Letter #1:
 

Page 4 Safty and welfare tell my Mary I will answer her kind letter in a day or too tell her I havent Received the letter She Spoke of yet.  Kitty the next letter I Send I am going to try to Send you a little presint if I think (missing) can get it through safely as (missing) with I must draw my letter (missing) close hoping to hear from y(missing) again Soon.  give my kindest (missing) (illegible) to your Sister and mother (missing) reserve a large portion for yo(missing) selfs. Your ever true (missing) Devoted Friend Terry M. B (missing) To Miss Ceittie? V. Payne P.S. Direct your letters as follows Terry M. Beale H.qrts Stewarts Brigade Picketts Division Richmond

Page 1     Head qts Stewarts Brigade Picketts Division Near Petersburg VA Sept the 11th of 64 My kindest and Esteemed  (missing) (missing) your kind and interesting (missing and illegible) of  (missing) (missing) this on (illegible) and (missing) to hear from your (missing and illegible) to learn that you had (missing and illegible)  with us to lose (missing and illegible) know how (missing and illegible) first reached (missing and illegible) should get crazy for (missing and illegible) days. but it is the lord that giveth and the lord taketh away and (illegible) should try to bear our troubles the best we can.  but I know it is nature to grieve after our relatives and friends therefore I deeply sympathize

Page 2 with all your troubles and bereavements. but you have the cheering invitation they extended to you just before they departed this life that was to meet them in heaven.  Thank god that is one (missing) hope that again having (missing) them if they cannot come (missing) May the lord protect and (missing) all safe to his blessed abode in (missing) on where parting will be (missing) what a happy time it will (missing) you all meet them in heaven (missing) Sometimes think (missing) will fully co(missing) for all our Sorrow he (missing) although your heart now (missing) overflowed with Sorrow not to be (missing) (illegible).  as the lord has promised (missing) never to forsake those that put their trust in him.  therefore I feel as if you are not left

Page 3 comfortless.  though you are bound (missing)  with Sorrow and grief I Some times wish were all in heaven together how much better off we Shor lee be.  perhaps these may be the (missing) words that I may ever be per (missing and illegible) to communicate to you (missing) I may be laid beneath (missing and illegible) Soil with some of my (missing) old  (illegible) far away from home (missing) I may have no near relative (missing)and friends to speak one word (missing) comfort.  in the hour death app roaches and if we never more meet (missing) on earth.  Remember you (missing) have my best wishes and Sin (missing) prayers for your comfort and preservation in this life and a hope (illegible) immortality in the world to come and do humbly disire all you pray (illegible) and  (illegible) Supplications for my

Letter # 2:
 

Page 4 Half what I wish to say Cattie keep  me Some apples until I come please (missing) I have no more news so I will close for  the present hoping to hear from you  again soon. Give my regards to all the family and share a large portion your self may the lord shield and protect  you through all your troubles and trials  the humble desire of your ever affectionate  friend Farewell if we never meet  again. T.M. Beale A few words to Miss Mary (illegible)  to accept many thanks for her  (illegible) (illegible) will in hoping she  will continue the (illegible) in (illegible) I  did not expect She much like (illegible) of late but hope it will not  always be the cause. Obt Servt T. M. Beale

Page 1   Head qrs Stewarts Brigade Pickett’s Division Camp near Petersburg Va Nov the 11th  / 64 Dear Cattie, It is with great pleasure I take my pen to answer your very kind and interesting letter bearing date Oct the 23rd. The reading of which affords great pleasure to hear from you and the rest of  the family and to find you all able to  be up. This leaves me quite unwell, I have  been having chills for the last few days .  I have but little news to write worth calling (missing) your attention. it has been generally calm along the lines since the fights on Thursday before last  Kitty you desired to be excused for not answering my letter Sooner. I suppose I must excuse you under present circumstances as everything is in (missing) an uproar and you cannot write your (missing)  notwithstanding your delayed writing (missing) understandable (illegible)  alltho I find from (missing) of your (missing) that your Sister

Page 2 takes the entire blame on herself. I hope if I shall get an answer to this Sooner unless you are tired of corresponding with me, but I hope you are not or if you  are you would confer a great favor on  me by letting me know it as I dont wish to make my letters burdensome to everyone.  Cattie I had heard of the yankees making a raid through there and burning the (missing) the Depot I think it was a very dareing act if all reports were true. I heard that  only 25 or 30 came over and that we had (missing) men to there one at Southquay which all run off and let them (illegible) over in a  ferry but I hardly know how to believe  it as they had ought to of kept back (illegible) their number unless they were terebly  panick Stricken. Kitty, I know you were  all badly distressed I feel very Sorry for  you all but I am so far from you all  I cant help you with some of (illegible)  (illegible) do deeply (illegible) your (illegible and missing) and implore the protection of (missing)  (illegible) (illegible) to (illegible and missing)

Page 3 you in time of danger. Kitty I was sure sur prised to find by the reading your  letter that none of you did not attend  the (illegible)  meeting as fond as you  use to be of going to church, but I supp ose I can account for it as every thing  else for I know that you did not wish  to gaze on so many Seats that have  been made vacant by your near (illegible) (illegible) and friends which have been  made vacant by the horrors of a cruel  war. Kitty I am very sorry that your  cousin George Vaughan was taken (illegible) carried off by the yankees I fear they will  visit you again soon . Kitty I want to  see you the worst of all things I hope  I shall get home sometime during  the winter but I can’t tell how it will  be. tell the family I am more than  obliged to them for their Sympahties (missing) (illegible)  me through your  letters and (missing and illegible) warmest regar ds to them (missing and illegible) them all  Soon for I (missing and illegible) to much

 

Letter # 3:
 

Page 4 to subsist on.  besides the danger (illegible) ring common as you mentioned in your letter how many is they that were l(illegible) last christmas that will be cut down in the hand of their enemies and sent to (illegible) realities of a world unknown to us but Some have become So hardhearted careless and unconcerned they have almost lost all feelings of humanity but thank the lord there is some who still sympethize with us amid our suffering may god reward them for their charity Cattie one of our men started home this morning on a furlough he will be along on his way back on the 2nd 3rd or 4th of February.  you Mary and Masouri Send me a trifle of something that I many keep as a memorial of you all I dont request anything for its real value Mother I Suppose will Send me Something if She gets my letters as my letter is near (The writing now starts up the sides of the last page, going around the top and down the other side and across the bottom) (Side of Letter) filled up I must close.  give my kindest regards to all the (Top of Letter) family and resirve a portion due to yourself  write soon and give me all (this line is missing) (Side of Letter) him.  I would be glad to take some of (missing) with him again. (Bottom of Letter) Your (illegible) and devoted friend T.M.B.

Page 1 203 Camp 9th VA Regt near Chester January the 20th 1865 Kind and most esteemed Cattie, It is with great pleasure I now set my (missing) to write you a few lines in answer to your of the 4th just which came (illegible) to hand this morning the (illegible) on which flowed much gratification to hear from you and to learn that (illegible) (illegible)  were all enjoying (illegible)  fear this leave me as (illegible) (this whole line is illegible) (missing and illegible) circumstances (illegible)  I (illegible) allmost disponded in (illegible) hearing from you any more as it has been so long since I heard from any of you or I haven’t even heard from home in three weeks until this morning but I have reasons to believe that is (missing) your (illegible) Kitty I have but little (illegible)

204 Page 2 your times are very hard and provisions very high. (illegible) Preserves selling in camp for four dollars per-quart and other vegetables are selling in proportion to their value although the sale of everything is quite dull owing to the Soldiers not being paid off in so long.  none of them hasnt received one dime of their wages in 6 months and as to myself I havent received my wages that is due me in the year of 63 much less the other notwithstanding I have made enough to pay my expenses and have enough to serve me sometimes long enough  Some of the Soldiers have not and I think it is ashamed that they should be kept out of their pay so long. if it isnt worth but little Kitty I reckon you have heard of the fall of Fort Fisher & Wilmington which has put an end to our (missing) running on the coast of North Carolina.  it appears that we will

Page 3 Soon lose all our most important places the yankees fired a salute of one hundred cannon in our front on hearing of the fall of Fort Fisher but all is quiet with us this morning.  Cattie you Spoke of the parties and marriages that had taken place with you this Christmas. I am very much surprised to learn through your letter that you did not get a ticket to some of them.  I think they treated you with a great deal of contempt though you dont seem to care for it from reasons stated.  I recommend you ar(missing) girl of the right spirit for I dont think it should be a time of sport and gaiety with those that are at home who have been bereaved of their nearest and dearest relatives and many perhaps to day may have relatives that are under going many hardships through the cold beating rains of winter with but little