Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S. (fl. 1860-1866) to Mollie [Van Valkenburgh]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00686.05 Author/Creator: Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S. (fl. 1860-1866) Place Written: Warren, Arkansas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 March 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 30.5 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Gerrit to his sister Mollie. Attempts to justify his decision, as a transplanted Northerner, to side with the South. Mixes support for his adopted home with love for the family he left in the North. References her letter of 12 February and says he will answer it now even though she takes six months to respond to him. Says he is at Warren, Arkansas attending court and collecting money. Reports that people in Warren are getting over the political excitement which has been the absorbing topic of conversation. Claims they are ending the talk and preparing for war. Says the secession convention is meeting in Little Rock and that southern Arkansas is ready for secession while the north is not. Goes on to talk about Arkansas politics. Declares that he personally believes no other course is left to them. Went through two vigorous examinations by vigilance committees and has been dubbed a true southerner, a title he is proud of. Claims Arkansas weather and agriculture make it "a country that is fit for white folks to live in & if the North would mind its own biz & let us alone - all would be well." Mentions an acquaintance who will probably go back north because Southerners will not accept someone who has lived there for so short a time. Gerrit says he considered going back to the North, but now considers himself "a citizen for life of the South." Mentions future court dates and says he will go to New Orleans soon to purchase goods. Even in this charged political atmosphere, he invites his sister to visit Arkansas to see him and an uncle there. Asks for an update on family and friends. Says "Lincoln Inaugural is looked upon as a declaration of war... and if Old Abe does what he threatens war is inevitable." Ink is somewhat faded.
Gerrit was the only one of the five Van Valkenburgh brothers who eventually sided with the Confederacy.
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