Civil War Letters Collection

A page of one of Capt. James A. Sayles handwritten letters to Florence Lee

Captain James A. Sayles to his sweetheart, Florence Lee, February 10, 1864

Capt. James A. Sayles talks to Florence about her parents, specifically about whether her father had returned and if she had told him of their engagement. If so, he wanted to know what her father had said, and also just wanted to thank both of her parents for their kindness to him. Finally, he asks her to keep him in mind and talk of him to her mother and to her friends, as well as write him frequently.

Captain James A. Sayles to his sweetheart, Florence Lee, February 20, 1864

Capt. James A. Sayles fills Florence in on what has been going on, but also goes into great detail telling her how much the a picture of her and the letter sent with it that he received meant to him. He tells her he appreciated and prized the gift very highly, but compliments her saying that the picture doesn't do her beauty real justice.

Captain James A. Sayles to his sweetheart, Florence Lee, May 17, 1864

Capt. James A. Sayles writes to tell Florence that his regiment is going to march soon, but that he greatly desires to write her before they leave. He apologizes ahead, saying that she will have to pay three cents for postage because he doesn't have any money for stamps. He writes about how he longs to see her that morning, and talks about looking forward to the time they can spend together when he gets to see her again.

Captain James A. Sayles to his sweetheart, Florence Lee, June 11, 1864

Capt. James A. Sayles writes a letter explaining some of his military opportunities and a decision he has to make on which opportunity to take and commit to, eventually saying that he wishes to remain in the Calvary as opposed to the 18th Army Corps, as he thinks he will be able to achieve a higher position there. He also writes about how it has been several days since he has received a letter from her, expressing his discontent with that and saying how he wishes she would write him more often. He tells her she would write him more often if she only knew how anxious and worried he is about her.

Captain James A. Sayles to his sweetheart, Florence Lee, June 16, 1864

Capt. James A. Sayles starts off his letter to Florence by asking why she hasn't responded, even though she has received many letters from him recently. He wants her to know that when she doesn't write, he gets very nervous about her well-being, and wonders if she is sick or if something bad had happened. He tells her that he writes as often as the war will allow him to, and wishes that she would do the same, expressing how disappointed he gets when there is no word from her.


This collection of letters is written by Captain James A. Sayles to his beloved sweetheart, Florence Lee, between February and June of 1864. The letters all affirm his affection for his fiancée, as well as his desire to be accepted by her parents. Though he tells her and fills her in about the war, in each letter, the common theme of his writing is how much he misses her and desires to see her, and that he wishes she would write more often to him. In almost every letter, he mentions something about her sending him more letters, and that he worries about her when she does not respond. He is disappointed by her lack of writing to him, especially since he takes it upon himself to send her a letter whenever he gets a chance. This shows the strains that the Civil War put on couples and families as far as communication goes. A heavy burden was placed on relationships due to the war, because it broke them apart for years at a time, with little chances to see or talk to one another. The best way to talk to a loved one was by writing letters, which is a slow and inefficient way to communicate, especially for people who are used to seeing and talking to each other every day. One can imagine how hard it was on couples and families during this time just by reading the words of a soldier like James A. Sayles. How do you think relationships changed during the Civil War? Do you think it strained or hurt relationships? How much did the lack of effective communication at the time affect how people kept in touch with loved ones? How has communication between soldiers and their significant others changed since the Civil War, and do you think it has made it easier for people to maintain relationships during a war period?