1863: Dilmon Estep to Lovina Estep

I couldn’t locate a picture of Dilmon but here’s a tintype of George W. Gaither who served in Co. C, 10th Virginia Infantry

This letter was written by Dilmon Estep (1834-1918) of Co. C, 10th Virginia Infantry. Within days of the firing on Fort Sumter, Dilmon walked into Edinburg and enlisted for 1 year’s service. He was transferred to Co. F after the first year, taking a reduction in rank to private, and seems to have been present for duty most of the time until May 12, 1864 when he was captured in the fighting at Spotsylvania Court House. He was taken to Belle Plain, Virginia, and then transported to Fort Delaware where he was held until 7 June 1865.

In the 1860 US Census, Dilmon was enumerated as a 26 year-old millwright in Edinburg, Shenandoah county, Virginia. Also included in the same household was his 32 year-old wife, Matilda (Fry) Estep (1828-1915) and his first-born son, Charles L. Estep (1859-1940). His second son, Steward D. Estep (1862-1941) was born in August 1862. Ancestry records reveal that Dilmon’s parents were Reuben Estep (1810-1846) and Sally Foltz (1791-1838)—both long deceased before the Civil War.

In his obituary notice published on June 13, 1918 in the Baltimore Sun, Dilmon was credited with having “commanded a company of Confederate sharpshooters at Gettysburg.” It also stated that his career included having been a merchant and the proprietor of the Winchester-Millwood Stage Line.

Dilmon wrote the letter to his sister, Lovina Estep (1835-1921). [see Virginia Fraktur Birth Certificate] He tells her that he “escaped the battle from being hurt” which I interpret as his having passed through the battle without injury—the battle of course being the Battle of Fredericksburg. During that battle, Jackson’s Division was commanded by Brig. Gen. William B. Taliaferro (Stonewall Jackson having been placed in command of the Second Corps), and Taliaferro’s Third Brigade was commanded by Col. Edward T. H. Warren. The 10th Virginia had no battle casualties at Fredericksburg.

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Jim Doncaster and is published by express consent.]

Transcription

Camp near Port Royal [South Carolina]
January 12th 1863

Dear Sister,

This will inform you that I am well and have escaped the battle all from being hurt. We are lying near Port Royal and expect to remain here this winter. I would be glad to hear from you once as I have not heard from you for some time. Please write soon and direct your letter to Jackson’s Division, 3rd Brigade, 10th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, Company F and it will come safe always.

I would be glad to see you all again and I hope this war will soon be over that we may all return to our homes again. I am doing very well at this time and have been well since my spell of fever. I hope this letter will find you all well also. I will write soon again as I can. Tell Uncle Joshua that I would like to have some of his good apples and cider as we have to pay 2 dollars a dozen for them here and everything according to such prices but money is no object at all. A dollar is no more than a five cent was before the war.

Lovina, please go down to see my wife and big boys. I have two whales of boys. Matilda would be glad to see you and have company. I will write more next time.

Your brother, — Dilmon Estep

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