Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler (1835-1924) to his wife
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00686.20 Author/Creator: Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler (1835-1924) Place Written: Mouth of White River, Arkansas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 June 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 31.7 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Written part in pen, part in pencil. Reports on conditions in the South after the Civil War. Frank was travelling to Arkansas to help his twin brother Gerrit who was in trouble with the law. Says he knows he wrote recently, but since he is stuck in "this God forsaken hole" he is going to write another. Mentions meeting a Confederate soldier who thought he was his twin brother Gerrit. The former soldier was released from prison the week before and Frank relates his story. Reports that many people know his twin brother Gerrit. Says "they say Warren [Arkansas] never saw so exciting a time as was the Evening of Ger's arrival there, & that if I say I am his brother at Pine Bluff it will secure for me Every attention." People told him that Gerrit has lost everything and looks pale and wan. Says "Confed soldiers are thick as mush, some of the officers, whose acquaintance I have made are gentlemanly & intelligent - They all say 'we are whipped, & it only remains now for us to do the best we can & try and make ourselves good Citzens'" Mentions that "the niggers Just Kill me ... The little nigs are almost as thick as the Mosquitoes." Says he helped four black children get passage to Illinois to find their father and brother, who joined the army, at the Illinois central depot. Says they were very grateful and that one yelled from the boat "that If Ever I needed assistance he would come if it was 20 miles to help me." Says the river flooded the land 40 miles around it and that many houses still show evidence of the damage.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.