Private "Sug" Remembered
Volleys of rifle fire interrupted the quiet fall afternoon of October 25, when an honor guard of Confederate reenactors gave its solemn salute to Private Stanley "Sug" Kivett, a soldier who served honorably in Co. M, 22nd Regiment, North Carolina Troops.
Born in 1833, Private Kivett saw action in several battles, including historic conflicts at Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg and Seven Pines. It was east of Richmond, on the battlefield at Seven Pines, where he was shot in his left leg, just below the knee.
Despite wounds received in battle, Stanley was one of the fortunate soldiers who eventually returned home. His brother, Daniel M. Kivett, was not as lucky, being killed at Ashland, Va., soon after enlisting.
The brothers were just two of 12 family members to serve in the same company.
"Sug" survived the war and returned home, where he lived with his wife, Mary Wrightman. He died on October 18, 1901.
The ceremony for Private Kivett was one of several performed each year by the Col. John Randolph Lane Camp, but was special for many camp members because it honored an ancestor of compatriot Tim Kivett, who said that nobody knows how "Sug" received his nickname.
Held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Staley, the service was part of the Kivett family reunion and dedicated a new marker noting Private Kivett's service.
Some family members did not attend the reunion, but learned about the service through front-page coverage by The Courier-Tribune of Asheboro and articles in The Chatham News/Record.
One descendant, William Ivey of Asheboro, read about the service and drove to Staley with a letter Private Kivett wrote to his parents. Reprinted to the right, the letter shows one brother's concern for another and his desire to hear from family back home. It also describes the life of a soldier at war.
Letter from Private Kivett to his Family
State of Va Richmond
May the 18 1862
Dear Father Mother
Brother and Sisters
I take the opportunity of riting you a few lines to let you now that I am well at this time and hope these few lines may find you all well and doing well. I have know good news to rite to you. We have hard times hear. We have bin marchin for a month or more through rain and mud sometimes knee deep and sometimes all knight. We have [not legible]! Sickness hear I have never had the chance to rite to you since I heard that D.M. Kivet was dead. I never heard that he was dead till a few days ago. I heard that J.R. Bowman was coming after him. I would be glad to hear of his coming after him and would be glad to see him. I don't know what ailed him. I want you to rite to me as soon as you get these few lines for I want to know if John has come after him. I would like to come and see you all. We haven't bin in any fight yet but I expect we will have the hardest battle hear that ever was red of. We are in tooo miles of Richmond. We came hear last knight. I think we will stay hear till the fight comes on. I can't tell when I will have the chance to come home. When I get the chance I will come. I shall look for answer before long sow you must rite to me soon and fail not for I want to hear from you all very bad.
This from Stanly Kivett
to Daniel Kivet.
Direct you letter to Richmond Va.
