Papers (1790, 1837-1864) consisting of correspondence by John C. Fennell who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, was stationed at Camp Heath near Scotts Hill on Topsail Sound, and died (1862) during the yellow fever epidemic in Wilmington, North Carolina. Also includes financial papers, poem, and letters of the Cromartie family of Bladen County, N.C.
John C. Fennell of Duplin County, N.C., enlisted in the Confederate Army on October 1, 1861, at the age of 18. He was stationed at Camp Heath near Scotts Hill on Topsail Sound and remained there until his death of yellow fever in November, 1862.
Of major significance is correspondence (1861-1862) commenting on the yellow fever epidemic in Wilmington, Union troop movements south of New Bern, the capture of troops by the Union, harassment of the civilian population, and blockade running along the coast.
Many of the letters are devoted primarily to a description of routine camp life in a Confederate coastal camp. Topics discussed include measurement for a uniform, expected pay, picket duty, lack of furloughs, camp routine, clothing, army food, conscription, officers, boredom, sickness, and efforts of ministers in the camp.
Also included are a series of letters (1837-1860) of the Cromartie family of Bladen County, N.C. Included in this group is a description (1837) of the courses taught in a Bladen County school and an account (1837) of a trip to Philadelphia. The latter correspondence comments on stagecoach and steamboat travel, a visit in Baltimore, and church attendance. Miscellaneous items include financial papers and a poem about North Carolina.
Loaned by Mr. Claude H. Moore
Processed by D. Lennon
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, May 2023
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.