George Hillyer,
8 1/2 West Alabama
Atlanta, Ga., May 8th, 1899
Mr. James W. Conner,
Chulafinnee, Cleburne Co, Ala.
My Dear Sir:
I have just received your letter enclosing Pension papers. As I was not with the Company at the time you were discharged, I have forwarded the papers to Major J. W. Arnold, at Monroe, asking him to do the needful and when he returns them I will send the papers to you. I was very glad to hear from you. We had a grand re-union of the old Confederates here at Atlanta, 1898, and I had all of Company C guests at my house, that is, all who came to the City, some sixteen in number. I took special pains to get you here, and wrote two letters, one to you at your former home in Paulding County, and not hearing from you, wrote another letter to the Ordinary but received no reply in either instance.
I recall in the most vivid manner our long association in the army. I especially remember that very creditable incident in your own career when on a dark night you, with two other of the boys, escaped from the water closet from Fort Delaware, below Philadelphia, and swam a mile across an arm of the bay or river to the Delaware shore, then made your way through the States of Delaware and Maryland, and across the Potomac, and through the lines of both armies, and reported for duty at Richmond, from whence, with new arms and clothing and with high commendations you were forwarded to our Company, in camp in front of the Federal Army. I do not remember the names of the other two boys who were with you. Please write and give me their names as I wish to preserve this interesting inci- dent. You are authorized to file this letter if you wish, coming as it does from your Captain during all those stirring times with your Pension papers when you get them.
Very truly yours,
George Hillyer.
(Handwritten note)
The above is a true copy of a letter from his Captain. I would especially recommend that J.W. Conner be placed on the Pension role as he is very poor and a worthy old Soldier. (Signed) J.H. Johnson Pension Examiner July 1911

Submitted by Zane Geier, his GreatGrandson.