Posted October 23, 2001
Two letters written during the Civil War by Martin R. McDonald were found among Richmond County Court Records at N. C. Department of Archives and History. Transcribed by Myrtle N. Bridges
Martin R. McDonald, Esq., brother of the late General R. S. McDonald, died at his residence in Mineral Springs Township last Tuesday of cancer of the liver, aged about 51 years, leaving a wife and several children.
Martin (b. October 1, 1830 d. September 15, 1885) is buried in Sandy Ford Cemetery in Richmond County.
United States Prison, Johnsons Island, Ohio 1864 February 23.
My Dear Bro., This morning finds me enjoying very good health. I have nothing new to write you, the same routine of drawing rations, cooking and eating them is our daily business. When we look out we see nothing but ice, all the time. The weather has moderated and is now quite pleasant. It reminds me very much of my own Spring mornings, only we do not hear the birds singing. There was a lot of prisoners sent from here week before last, about 320 men. They went to Point Lookout [Md.] They have reached their destination safely and are well pleased with the change. There is nothing said about sending off any more. William Covington was one of the number. Ugley Daniel's son James Chappell is in good health. Let me know whether our old neighbor Walter Lovin does not live in this State and his address and I will let him know of the death of his father and brother-in-law. Give my love to Judah and the children and my sisters. Do the best you can to keep things moving. Let me know how the girls are doing and what arrangements they have made for this year. Give my regards to Starling Gibson, M. D. Bethune, Dr. McFadgyen and all my old neighbors. Tell Uncle Nat and Riley "Howdy." Your Brother, Martin R. McDonald.
United States Prison, Johnsons Island, Ohio 1864 October 9.
Dear Brother, I have written you several times since I last heard from you, and once to sister Mary. I do hope you will write to me often. My health has been rather bad for some time, but I am now on the mend. There was a lot of officers sent from the prison last week for exchange. Also another lot about three weeks since. They were all crippled and sick. Lieut. Emerson will go direct to Chatham County., N. C. and will write to you, also Major Moore of Lake City, Florida. The articles I have sent for may be too troublesome for you to send, but if you could send them through, that would be very acceptable if it would not be too expensive and take too long to send them. The things requested are clothing, particularly under clothing and socks, also something to eat if you possibly can send it. Send that [which] will be most convenient to you. Our State, I understand, has a supply of cloth for the officers which is quite cheap. If you could send me enough of that for a suit I could have it made up here in prison. I think I can get all the trimmings if you can send the articles. Attend to it soon or let me know on the receipt of this. Give my love to the children and my sisters at home. Your Bro., Martin R. McDonald (Source:) Misc. Records CR 082-928.6 NC Dept of Archives, Raleigh, NC
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