Brown-Miller Family Collection
Below are highlights that demonstrate the variety of the Collection. The transcription of the letters below can be seen as you click on each image. The entire Brown-Miller Letter Collection from Carnton can be viewed here.
Transcription: “I would [?] me in the darkest [?]
that clouds my destiny
and brilliant tears would cease to flow
Could thou but teach my heart to know
That thine beats for me.
June 3rd 1860 George”
Transcription: “Thou morning opened her cheerful eye
And smiled so sweet and free,
I gazed upon the earth and sky,
And thought of thee.”
Transcription: P.S. Feed Buford well and keep him fat that is if he ever gets fat.
J.T.B.
Bethany
Oct 14th / 59
Miss Bethenie A. Brown
Dear Thenie, I have been here 2 weeks today and have not received a single letter from Tennessee yet, but hope to get one by tomorrows mail. Tis my wish to write you a long letter as I know that you are extremely fond of them but I am fearful that I will make a desperate failure as there is but little new afloat and I have not…[cont. in next image]
…been to see many boys at least I have been to see none only those from Tennessee of whom there are about seven. I have confined myself very closely to my room for the purpose of studying but tis very difficult to keep my thoughts upon my books they will stray away and when I catch them, they are at home, or somewhere in the neighborhood but I think in the course of another week all thoughts of home & C will be banished from my mind. I had a very pleasant time coming here and have also had quite an interesting time since my arrival. Last Saturday I took a walk over the hills and while rambling over them I found a beautiful… [cont. in next image] 
…place (besides a cool spring) it was far away from any house, the nearest house was about 2 miles. While standing there I thought. Well I just want to fool you, didn’t you think I was getting quite romantic. Well as I was going to say I just thought if I had Buford with me I could live in such a place as that all of my days without seeing a single soul and be perfectly happy besides, but if F— was with me I think Buford could be dispensed of. What king of a time did you have the Franklin fair? Tell me all about it in your next letter. I say next because I think you have written or will write before you,,, [cont. in next image] 
…get this. Tell Dink I have written to her and am looking for an answer every day as she promised to reply immediately. I suppose cousin ET is at Columbia but if she is not give her my best respects & C more of the & C than respects. Give my love to Ma, Pa, Jimmie, and Maggie. Has Pa got the blues yet? Well Thenie I expect to go home in Feb if not before. I have been writing trying to make out three good pages and I have at last succeeded. I believe tis time to quit. Good by, Yours Truly, J.T. Brown 
Transcription: Division 5 Ft Delaware May 6 1864 Miss B.A. Brown Nashville,Tennessee
My Dear Sister, I have been thinking for some time about writing to you for some clothing – and I have concluded at last to write – send the following articles – (1) one pair pants (2) two shirts (2) two pair of drawers (2) two pair of socks (1) one hat No. (7 1/8) seven & one eight (1) one pair of boots No (7) seven high instep – not like the pair you got me while at Nashville. They were no account at all – get a good substantial pair – but not too coarse have them tacked in the instep – also send a ham (not cooked) – a pone of light bread – pickles etc. – Be sure and just send what clothing I have mentioned above, and no more. Uniform clothing is not allowed to be received – have nothing military about the pants. Put the clothing and eatables in a box together and express them immediately – also one or two lbs of chewing tobacco – silk handkerchief and a good fine comb. Take a receipt from the express co. and keep it until I acknowledge the receiving of them. All well Your Brother J. Thos. Brown Co D 10th Tenn Cav
