Franklin County: William E. Tolbert to Emma Tolbert,
March 11, 1865
Summary:
William Tolbert writes to his sister Emma that he has been transferred to
Newberne, Mississippi, and he describes the refugees in the area.
Military Division of the Mississippi
Chief Engineer's Office of U.S.
Military Railroads.
March 11th 1865
Newberne
Dear Sister
I have only received one letter from since I came here and that was the one from Father of 20th. But I presume that you have certainly written since, and as the mail boat from the North is due here today I can only hope that with its arrival good news from home it will bring The weather here has been exceedingly changeable The rain will fall in torrents all night, and in the morning the "God of day" will rise in all the splendor of the July morning with such intense heat that one would think that underclothes must be laid aside until the stormy winds of November again sets in [deleted: But][added: And] before night comes rain again set in But owing to the sandy soil the water soaks away in a very short time
Frank and myself are both at present employed in the Office and I can not yet tell whether we will be on the Railroad or remain where we are
The Colonel has allowed me one half months pay (31.59) to pay for my expenses from Chattanooga to this place
Since General [unclear: Schofield] has moved towards the interior of this state a great many refugees have come into Newberne of both sex the clothes show how scanty their wardrobes [deleted: my] [deleted: are] must be Men with hats without and crown or rim only the sides of a hat and the hole of a hat women wear hat also with ribbons faded, Bonnets of the antiquated kiss-me-quick design
I Hope these few lines will find you all well, give my love to Father, Mother [unclear: Rollins] and [unclear: Lidi]
Tell Clara that Frank is well and likes newberne very much
From your affectionate Brother
Will
write soon
