Unknown to Frank Richardson
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02034.02 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1865/04/04 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 21 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
Written from an unknown soldier. Written on stationery of the Sergeant of Arms Office, House of Representatives, noted "Q.M. Gen.s Office." Envelope with 3 cent (1861) pink stamp, postmarked. Discusses the fall of Richmond and the celebration of the end of the war: "You have heard the glorious news and I hope when you heard it that you expressed your joy in a suitable manner. Had I been at home, our house should have been decorated with flags as in the first days of the rebellion - for their strong city has fallen, and the war is at an end."
"The fact of losing their capitol and being driven out, like a set of vagabonds, as they are, will entirely kill them in the eyes of foreign nations. They can hope for sympathy nowhere - and what is there for them to do but flee from the country? We have seen the rise and fall of one of the most gigantic rebellions the world has ever known and now that the supremacy of the Union is established we may look back on the events of the past four years as calmly as possible, and thank the good Lord that Liberty and Justice have conquered. It was worth a good deal to be here yesterday and see the demonstration of the people upon receiving the news. Everybody was wild -and the darkies just clapped their hands and shouted, 'bless the Lord!' To night there is to be a grand illumination and it will probably be a fine thing...".
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