Dear Marietta,
Today is April 8, 1865. Tomorrow is when the Battle of Appomattox will happen and I will surely fight that battle. They say this will be the battle to end all battles in this civil war. Tomorrow may be the day that we end this war. A war measured in politics, oppression, and bloodshed.
Me and you were slaves since birth. I remember when we first met. We both had been separated from our families at a very young age and ended up on the same plantation where grew up together. I can still remember the first thing you ever said to me on my first day in that field. “Charles I don’t think you gon’ make it one day out here” For some reason I found them words to be a comfort of joy and laughter.
In this time of oppression I never saw a reason to live. A life of bondage was all I ever knew, but then I found you. We were both slaves to captivity, but then we fell in love and found freedom in each other’s hearts. I thank the good Lord
I was dying’, but the voice of an Angel made me laugh. I made sure I made it that day so I could see your pretty face again. After bothering you so much we finally fell in love. Master McCullough allowed us to get married since we served him so well in all our time on that Georgia plantation. Before long we had a beautiful baby girl, we named her Savannah because that was the last place where we both saw our families.
In naming her Savannah we felt like we had gotten a piece of our families back. Though we weren’t free we found joy in all of us being together. When made ourselves very valuable to McCullough by learning how to read and write so we could help him with his business. When this civil war that our southern owners began fighting so hard to win came along we heard that there was a chance that we would finally be free.
Then one day a wealthy man named Wesley had come to the McCullough plantation. He told Master McCullough that he was planning on purchasing some new slaves for his travels up north. The good Lord knew how scared we were at the time, so we prayed day and night that our family wouldn’t be separated.
He studied me for a long time, maybe days. We was so sure that he was watching me so he could take me away until one day he pulled me to the side in private to tell me why he was really there. Wesley told me that he wasn’t a slave master, but that he was actually an abolitionist from up north who was secretly working to free slaves. He would study the slaves to see who had skills that would be useful to the union during the war.
Wesley saw I was well trained in being a blacksmith and using weapon, so he came and decided to buy all of us off of McCullough so we could come work for his family in Boston, Massachusetts. McCullough was only interested in selling. I accepted his offer because our freedom being possible was a chance I had to take. It wasn’t easy to take. Though this is better than what I know I often stay awake at night in fear that I’ll never see you and Savannah again.
I pray to God every night hoping and believing that you’ll still be where I remember every morning. Everyday I hear news about the war and I’m hoping and praying that you and Savannah haven’t been killed in the areas of battle. Though I am more free I actually feel more like a slave because I don’t have you and Savannah here with me.
Though you are still in bondage you and Savannah would be so proud of me if you saw me right now. I have dove a lot to help the soldiers fighting for our freedom. I have befriended many of them and everyday they give me words of encouragement. They tell me that the war will be over soon and that so many of our people have already been freed and soon so will the rest of my family.
You would also be proud of the rest of our people. You wouldn’t believe it, but there are former slaves here who are not only free, but they are soldiers in the war. Our people are fighting for our freedom, giving what little life they have to make our lives better. The white soldiers speak very highly of them and have a lot of respect for what these soldiers have given to the war effort.
Our people have also built wealth and have made successful businesses for themselves. I never thought I’d see the day when a man with our skin color had freedom and wealth alongside white folks. I know it sounds like a dream, but I believe we can achieve this dream.
Though we didn’t want to be separated Wesley promised that he would help me free you and Savannah if I came and worked for him while the war was going on. He said there was a group of people like him who would go to the south and act like slavers like he did and send aid to slaves in the best way they could and they would check on you for me.
He even promised to secretly send you letters from me to let you know how I’m doing and that we were coming back to get you. Well that time is now. I’ve been helping out a lot in this war effort and the soldiers. The war is almost over and freedom is almost here. Hide these letters and share them with Savannah so that she never loses hope. I love you, Marietta and I’m coming back for you.
Love, Charles
Love, Freedom
About the Creator
Joe Patterson
Hi I'm Joe Patterson. I am a writer at heart who is a big geek for film, music, and literature, which have all inspired me to be a writer. I rap, write stories both short and long, and I'm also aspiring to be an author and a filmmaker.
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By Joe Pattersonabout a year ago in History
The Timeless Pyramids of Egypt: Stories from the Ancient World
Egypt is home to some of the most remarkable monuments ever built by humans: the pyramids. Rising from the sands of the Giza Plateau, these colossal structures have inspired curiosity and admiration for thousands of years. They were built as tombs for the pharaohs, yet they tell a much larger story—one of human skill, ambition, and belief in the afterlife. The most famous of these pyramids is the Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Pharaoh Khufu around 2580 BCE. Originally, it reached a height of about 146 meters (480 feet) and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for nearly 4,000 years. Its construction required millions of limestone blocks, some weighing several tons. Even today, historians and archaeologists are amazed at the precision and scale achieved by ancient builders without modern tools. The Egyptians built these monumental structures not merely as tombs, but as gateways to the afterlife. They believed that the pharaoh, considered a god on earth, would continue his journey in eternity. The pyramid’s triangular shape symbolized the pharaoh’s ascent to the heavens. Inside, burial chambers held treasures, inscriptions, and statues meant to guide and protect the ruler in the world beyond. How the pyramids were built remains a topic of debate. There are many theories, including the use of ramps or sledges to move the massive stones. Regardless of the methods, constructing these tombs required incredible planning, organization, and teamwork. Tens of thousands of workers labored for decades to create what would become one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. The design of the pyramids also reflects the Egyptians’ advanced knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, and engineering. They aligned the pyramids with the cardinal points and certain stars, showing a deep understanding of the sky. The precise measurements and geometric accuracy have helped these structures survive thousands of years, enduring both natural wear and occasional earthquakes. While the Giza pyramids are the most famous, Egypt has over 100 pyramids scattered across the country, including those at Saqqara, Dahshur, and Abu Sir. Each one tells a story about the evolution of Egyptian architecture, from the earliest step pyramids to the smooth-sided ones that have become iconic. These structures also reveal much about Egyptian society, including their religious beliefs, social organization, and artistic achievements. The pyramids were not built in isolation. They were part of larger complexes that included temples, smaller tombs, and monuments that reflected the pharaoh’s divine status. They were centers of activity, culture, and ceremony, connecting the people to their rulers and to the gods they worshiped. Today, the pyramids continue to inspire awe. Millions of visitors come to Egypt each year to witness their grandeur firsthand. Archaeologists keep discovering new insights into how these incredible structures were built and what they meant to the people of ancient Egypt. Yet, despite all the research, ds stet of mystery, reminding us that some secrets of history endure across millennia. The pyramids are more than just stone monuments; they are symbols of human ambition and achievement. They remind us that with vision, skill, and persistence, people can create works that last far beyond their lifetimes. Standing in front of a pyramid, it is easy to imagine the hands that placed each block, the minds that designed the complex structures, and the determination that made the impossible possible. In the end, the Egyptian pyramids are timeless. They connect us to a world that existed thousands of years ago, teaching lessons about creativity, devotion, and human potential. They are monuments not only of history but of inspiration—a lasting testament to what humans can achieve when imagination and effort come together.
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Comments (5)
This story caught me at a time where i must hold to faith more than ever. Everything is falling apart and i’m just allowing everything to crumble in front of me. What i once knew i gone and there’s a new life awaiting me. Thank you for this story. It helped me grab onto hope even tighter.
Oh, I can't even imagine how the life of these people must have been, only being able to find freedom in the love of someone else.
Exceptionally beautiful 🏆✍️💙
This was captivating, Joe. I enjoyed how you rolled it out. I had moments where I would have a question... and a few lines later, you'd answer it. There was a moment, for instance, where I thought, 'How would slaves be able to read or write?' And then you explained how that was possible. Very well told. I'm still trying to figure out what time period to write about for my own entry. ⚡💙⚡
Beautiful and sweet and sad