Leavenworth, F.P., fl. 1861 to his father

GLC00653.07

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GLC#
GLC00653.07-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
November 18, 1861
Author/Creator
Leavenworth, F.P., fl. 1861
Title
to his father
Place Written
Van Buren, Arkansas
Pagination
3 p. : Height: 24.5 cm, Width: 20 cm
Language
English
Primary time period
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

A Confederate captain in an ordnance unit tells his father about Civil War activities in Arkansas and Missouri. He comments on the arrival of Union General David Hunter with 36,000 soldiers. He discusses the strength and position of Confederate General Ben McCulloch's men. He claims that "The burning of the bridge in Tenn. has virtually cut the Confederacy in two," and consequently the mail has been limited, and may be worse still if Union General William T. Sherman moves into South Carolina. He notes that they have not heard from their enemies in the Creek nation, indicating that Opothleyahola cannot be found but has a band prowling around. He explains that he expects to close his school and emigrate to South America or Australia. Despondent, he writes and underlines: "There is nothing left, worth fighting for." He comments on the instability he expects even if the Confederacy wins independence. He notes that he has been studying Spanish, asks about the family, and ends with the comment: "Small Pox raging at Fort Smith."

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