This letter was written by Thomas (“Tom”) H. Riddle (1843-1924 ) who first enlisted at age 18 on 5 May 1861 at Henderson, North Carolina in the 6th North Carolina as a private. This regiment evolved into the 16th North Carolina Infantry and Thomas served in Co. I of that regiment as a private. In December 1861 he was admitted into Moore Hospital at Danville suffering from typhoid pneumonia and he was discharged for disability on 9 January 1862. He later served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 60th North Carolina.
Tom was the son of Benjamin Tyre Riddle (1800-1875) and Rachel Austin (1803-1850) of Pensacola, Yancey county, North Carolina. After his mother died. his father married Melissa E. Bennett Ray (1822-1872. Tom had at least twelve older siblings.
Thomas wrote the letter from Raleigh, North Carolina, shortly after having mustered into the regiment. Though he imagined they were on their way to Harper’s Ferry, they were sent to Charlotte where they drilled. Two months later they participated in the Battle of Bull Run under the command of Brigadier General B. E. Bee.
Transcription
Mecklenburg, Co., North Carolina
May 23, 1861
Dear Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters,
I now have the opportunity of writing to you all to let you know that I am well and so is the company as well, hoping that these few lines may find you enjoying the same hope.
We are now at Raleigh but [the company] is a going to start to Harpers Ferry at six o’clock on Monday morning, but we got to Salisbury a Saturday and left a Monday. Got to Raleigh Monday evening and you beed not to be uneasy for I am treated well and I think we will come back in six months or less time.
There is two regiments done gone from here with eight hundred men in each one. The soldiers of South Carolina is in Richmond, Virginia—that is, of Greenville anyhow.
I believe I have nothing more to write at present but I would be glad to hear from you all if I knowed where to tel you to write.
— T. H. Ridel
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