Alice Coleman Griffin

Laura's Letters Alice Coleman Griffin

Laura's Letters is a love story told in letters written 150 years ago by Laura Wynne & Bestor Coleman of Alabama. Bestor courted Laura writing ardent, eloquent letters that lead to their marriage. Bestor enlisted in Co F 40th Reg CSA May 1862. Bestor was captured twice; never recovered from the harsh conditions at Rock Island Prison, Illinois. He died a few years after returning home. Laura's letters to her family tell of surviving after the War; of feeding, clothing, & educating her children during Reconstruction. The letters show the relationship with former slaves who continued to work for Laura after their Emancipation.