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The Civil War Letters of William Beynon Phillips

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Cwmavon, near Taibach
Glamorganshire, England
May 27, 1865

My Dear Annie,

You will be kind enough to excuse me for not writing to you at once on arriving home, and delaying two weeks. I thought that in delaying a little, I could give you more news, and that I would feel better, for since I am home my health has been very poorly indeed, owing, I suppose to the fact of traveling so much. My dear, I am happy to tell you that since Monday last I am gaining very rapidly indeed and hope when I am back in Hyde Park to let you see a hale, red cheeked young man, fresh from the country.

I arrived home on Friday two weeks yesterday, and of course I was received with the greatest joy. As soon as it became known that I arrived in the place, the street up to our house was perfectly crammed with people, and I could with difficulty reach the house. When I arrived in the house, my mother fell on my neck, and my sisters had hold of my arms, and all of us crying, which lasted as much as ten minutes. My poor mother & father were besides themselves with joy [and] so were my sisters. And [ever] since then until today, I am constantly meeting some dear old friends and we have a talk about old times.  Then I must say of my adventures in America, and you ought to see the crowd gaping. I am a regular lion with them; but I am getting tired of it, and wish I was back again.

I start from Liverpool 5 weeks from next Wednesday, and hope to make Hyde Park in 7 weeks from next Wednesday. I have been to the seaside, my dear Annie , and the shells there are very scarce, but I am going to my uncle’s [home] in Pembrey next Monday week, and shall secure some for you. I expect staying there a fortnight. I leave for Aberdere next Tuesday. I will stay there a week or less. I missed my uncle in Liverpool by one day only.  That was too bad. Ere this reaches you, you will have seen him, and please give him my love.

The young folks who were my companions when I was here before are now all married, which, bye the bye, must be my fate shortly with my dear Annie, if I can get your consent. I flatter myself you love me as I love you, and knowing each other now 3 years, I suppose if we stay a courting we won’t make the matter better. So I am going to "pop the question." It is very simple, but I ask it with all the solemnity due it, and here it is. Will you become my wife?  I have here promised you my hand, and hope to receive a favorable answer. I leave the arrangements as to time and place in your hands, but hope that you will not make it long, say within 4 months from now. I shall wait impatiently for an answer, and hope you won’t delay. Any particulars, or arrangements you may wish to make I shall be happy to conform to them, and hope if you have the least suggestion you would wish to communicate, that you would not hesitate the least in letting me know them. You can let Maggie in the secret, but, my dear, do as you please. I hope now you will send me an answer without delay, and then I leave for America, as soon as received and then? and then? for a glorious old time. Dear Annie, you see that so far as I am concerned the book of fate decides you shall be Mrs. Phillips, and I hope you are not disgusted with the name. I hope, my dear Annie, and future little wife, you will meet all my advances with a response, and that our aim shall be always to make each other happy. I promise you my best endeavors and hope they will receive your best attention and regards.

I don’t know as to what [work] I will have to do when I arrive in Hyde Park again.  I saw Mr. Allbright of the Delaware Lackawanna Coal Company and he promised me work on my return. Anyhow I borrow no trouble on that head.

I hope you will be quick in answering this letter as I shall leave as soon as I receive it. My dear, give my love to your parents, and fix things the best you can. My love to Mr. and Mrs. Richards and Nettie. Also to William and Sue and Mary Williams. God bless you dear Annie. I send you my love and many kisses.

I am, dearest, your true love, -- William

Kisses and Puzzle

Footnotes

William Phillip's mother, Ann, was born in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, Wales, so this uncle was probably his mother's brother. Unfortunately, we don't yet know his mother's surname.

Probably Joseph J. Albright, born about 1812 in Pennsylvania. Mr. Albright lived in Scranton and worked as a "Coal Agent" according to the 1860 U.S. Census.


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