The Letters of Robert Sparks

Robert Sparks was married to Susan Durham, making him a brother-in-law of Elizabeth Durham Pruitt. While not directly related to my father-in-law's ancestors, the events in Robert's life undoubtedly affected all who knew him.

Robert, at age 38, was conscripted into the Confederate Army. He entered service on 28 April, 1863, as a private with Company E, 4th North Carolina Infantry. He deserted in May of the same year. [1]

Robert Sparks, 4th NC Confederate Roll

By April 1864, one year later, Robert was under arrest for having deserting again. [2]

Robert Sparks, CSA, arrested for desertion

In a letter to his wife, Robert Sparks explained that he had been court martialed and sentenced to be shot to death on April 28th as "an example to scare others".

In a letter to his brother, he said that two other men were sentenced to be executed with him, J.F. Owens, son of Rev. John Owens, and Wm. W. Wyatt.  Robert requested that his brother come and bring his body home and gave his brother directions for his burial.

Another letter written by Gideon Spicer informed Susan A. Sparks that he had witnessed the death of her husband that day.

Transcriptions of these letters are online here (along with the information that the letters were printed in the Tazewell (Virginia) Republican newspaper in 1893). [3]   Biographical information about Robert and another copy of the letter transcriptions can be viewed here. [4]

Rev. A.D. Betts was a Confederate Chaplain who kept a diary about his experiences during the Civil War. An entry on page 58 of his diary simply states:

Apr. 28 - See three men, from Wilkes County, shot for desertion

Robert Sparks was survived by his wife, Susan Durham Sparks, and five children. At the time of his death, Robert and Susan were the parents of three daughters, Martha, 16; Sarah, 13; Huldah, 10; and two sons, Bynum, 8; and Thomas, 3. [5 & 6]  There were also, apparently, other children that did not live, as his last letter to his wife also told her to meet him "up yonder where my little babies is gone".

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[1]  Compiled service Record, Robert Sparks, Pvt., Co. E, 4th North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, Record Group 109; digital images, subscription site, "NARA Roll 141,"  (Fold3.com, accessed 26 Feb 2015).

[2]  Compiled service Record, Robert Sparks, Pvt., Co. E, 4th North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, Record Group 109; digital images, subscription site, "NARA Roll 141,"  (Fold3.com, accessed 26 Feb 2015).

[3]  The Sad Letters of Robert Sparks (ca. 1824-1864) Written Shortly Before His Death; Russell E. Bidlack, Sparks Family Association; 30 October 2011.

[4]  Tragic Letter Written by Robert Sparks (ca. 1824-1864) Three Days Before His Death; Sparks Family Association, 2 March 2012.

[5]  1860 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lower Division, p. 52, Image 104, dwelling 749, family 749, Robert Sparks household; digital images, www.ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653_918.

[6]  1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Trap Hill Township, p. 398B, Image 800, dwelling 146, family 145, Susanah Sparks household, digital images, www.ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration M593_1165.