( CNN ) -- Enduring privations of his own as a Civil War prisoner in Georgia , Cpl . Charles H. Knox was concerned about his wife and small child back home in upstate New York . Eight days before Camp Lawton was evacuated as Union forces closed in , Knox wrote to his wife , Frances , saying she might consider selling the family cow to raise money . Georgia Southern University Museum in Statesboro on Thursday announced the $ 2,100 acquisition of Knox 's letter and medals from private collections . The correspondence is the only known surviving letter from Lawton prison , which was built near Millen , the university said . More artifacts unearthed at site of Civil War prison in Georgia . In his letter , Knox expresses hope that he will be part of a prisoner exchange between Union and Confederate forces . It was not to be . Knox , a member of the 1st Connecticut Cavalry captured by Confederate forces in May 1864 during the Wilderness Campaign in Virginia , was returned to the notorious Camp Sumter , commonly known as Andersonville . In his letter , Knox refers to the North as `` God 's Land '' and the South as `` Cecesia , '' a reference to its secession from the United States . `` Little Charlie '' is his 4-year-old son . Knox also kept a diary about his experiences as a prisoner . He was paroled at Andersonville on February 27 , 1865 , near war 's end , and resumed his career as a carpenter . He died in February 1895 at age 70 . Knox 's letter : . Lawton Prison , Ga November 14th , 1864 . Dear Wife , haveing a chance to send a line into God 's Land -- & hopeing you may hear from me by it I write a few lines hopeing they will reach you in safety -- I have written to you every month since I was captured the 5th of May , last & have seen hard times since , but now hopeing the scene may soon change , for we all look for an exchange of most if not all of the Prisinors that are here -- God knows I hope so ... for I am tired of ( Cecesia ) I have been a Prisnor 6 months & 9 days & I think that will do for this time , but I must change the subject .. I have not heard from any of my Friends since the last letter I got from you , about the 28th of April , last , but hope you & Little Charlie are well to all the rest of my friends at home , hope you have not suffer 'd for Provisions or Clothing & not let my absents trouble you to much . I am here & shall get out some time & hope that will be soon , but do n't know -- if you want any money write to Martin if he is alive for that he is oweing me , it is nine dollars & a half that will help you some ; do that you think is for the best as it regards our affairs perhaps you had better sell the cow if hay is dear , there will be some money due me when I get out & get into our lines : & I think that I shall get a furloe & get home to see you & C -- I think there is no use of your trying to get a letter to me for it will never be delivered to me if it should come here -- my health has been good since here but am rather poor but will soon recruit up when I get to our lines , & will come & see you & the rest of the folks So good by . Yours affectionately C.H . Knox . Addressed to : . Mrs. C.H . Knox . Schroon Lake . Essex Co -- . New York .
Confederate acquires letter written by prisoner of war . The Georgia Southern University soldier wrote it from Union prison camp near Millen , Millen . Confederate students have unearthed more artifacts from prison site .